Marathon Weekly Update

And the running continues

I am sitting in the Las Vegas airport and my flight is delayed due to the terrible storms in California. So, I thought I would use this time to write an actual update to my blog. This post will be about my training and the next will be about all of the other fabulous things I have done in the past 1 1/2 weeks.

On Saturday, February 18th I ran for the second time with my pace group. I was feeling pretty cocky about my ability to keep 4 other people on pace the week before and so I came into the 5 mile run with a lot of confidence. The COBs were 22 strong on the 18th and we only had 2 pace group leaders. So, we broke the rules and each took 11 in our groups. 3 of the 4 people I ran with the previous week joined me again.

Our route took us through Ft. Mason Park which includes a big hill that we got to run twice. Woo Hoo. One of the girls from the other PGL decided to join my group after struggling to keep up with the "fast" group. One of the women in my group was struggling with knee and hip problems and so our "designated driver" (the person designated to hang back with anyone having problems) dropped back to run with her. I also had a couple of men who wanted to run faster that our pace. So, by the end of the run my group was spread out over about 1/4 mile - and I was not ok with that.

My Tuesday and Thursday maintenance runs were both hard. I didn't have to work on Tuesday so I used my free morning to run outside. It was a glorious morning as I ran from the marina to the base of the Golden Gate Bridge and back. Thursday I was back to running on the treadmill and unlike the past few weeks I did NOT run like the wind. I struggled to finish my 3 miles but was glad that I made myself complete it.

This past Saturday we added another PGL so we were able to run in smaller groups. I reminded my group that we would run together NO MATTER WHAT! If someone needed to stop for water or the bathroom we would all wait and the only way we would split up or spread out was if someone was having a physical difficulty. I was much happier with my group of 8 and think that I have found a good core group of people that I'm hoping will stay together. Our route took us through Fort Mason again, this time we only ran the hill once, and through the residential neighborhoods of the Marina and Cow Hollow. We ended running through the Presido and back to our starting point.

My pace group stayed together and enjoyed each other's company along the way. It was the longest distance that half of my pace group had ever run. Next weekend's 7 miles will be a milestone for me, having only run a 10K (6.4 miles) prior to this. I'm finding that icing is becoming a necessary addition to my training regimen on more than my just my achilles. This morning after my maintenance run I had 3 bags going on my left ankle and knee as well as my right shin. I fear that I will be sitting in an ice bath before too long.

On Saturday we begin our run in the Golden Gate Park and I'm excited about the change of venue and exploring a new part of the city. That is one of the best things about my long runs on the weekends. I'm seeing areas of the city and neighborhoods that I have never been to. What a great way to learn a place!

posted by Heidi @ 1:41 PM