13.1 Miles: Training Week 5

Week 5 is D.O.N.E. and I can't believe we are already half-way through training for our half-marathon!

*What I've learned most from this experience so far:
  Running long distances really is mind over matter.  

If you would have told me a few months ago I could run 10 miles in one day, I would have looked at you like you had 3 heads.  Every week I surprise myself tackling 6, then 8, now 10 mile runs.  Next week is 12, which means we're almost in the home stretch.

I showed some progress in Training Week 4, but let's talk about how Week 5 went.

Day 17

Monday: January 23, 2012

Miles: 3

Time: 25:34

Speed: 7.0mi/h

Pace: 8:32min/mi

Post-Run Meal:

A big 'ol cup of coffee (mentioned first for importance), sided with a bowl of hot Grape Nuts topped with fresh strawberries, bananas and chia seeds.  Have you ever tried hot cereal? It leaves cold cereal in the dust for me.  Simply add 1/3 cup of milk (preferably skim) to 2 cups of Grape Nuts and heat in the microwave for 5 minutes.  Heaven.

Day 18

Wednesday: January 25, 2012

I was feeling Wednesday's run before it even started!

I tried Dance Trance for the first time Tuesday night (post coming soon), then went to Pilates Wednesday morning.  I guess you could say this was one of those runs I was not excited for since my legs felt like a mix between jello and rocks.  I don't know what that is...but that's what they felt like: weak and heavy.

For 5 miles, I wanted a 2.5 mile pick-me-up, so I took a Mango-Tangerine Drink Chia! with me.

Miles: 5

Time: 45:29

Speed: 6.6mi/h

Pace: 9:08min/mi

Post-Run Meal:

Since I ran later on in the day, it was time for dinner.  Scott made a loaded baked potato, and I was on my own to find something quick and healthy.  This included a sweet potato sprinkled with cinnamon, a Morning Star Spicy Black Bean Veggie Burger and a side of peas & carrots. 

Day 19

Thursday: January 26, 2012

I spent most of Thursday morning at the barre, and no my legs were not happy with me at this point.  I gave them a few hours to rest and waited to run in the sunset.

*TIP (and note to self): Cut back on work-out classes during training days.

I'll allow myself a barre class on Thursday mornings, but that's it from here on out while I'm training. 

Miles: 3

Time: 26:57

Speed: 6.6mi/h

Pace: 9:02min/mi

Post-Run Meal:

Call me crazy, but all I really wanted for dinner was a bagel.  I toasted a whole wheat one, spread all-natural peanut butter on it and drizzled it with a fresh, organic Mango flavored honey straight from the Orlando Farmer's Market.  Paired with a perfectly ripe banana, it sure hit the spot. 

Day 20

Saturday: January 28, 2012

Holy toledo, I ran 10 consecutive miles.  It was certainly a challenge, but it wasn't as hard as I expected it to be.  Scott ran right in front of me the whole time, took me on a new route around the neighborhood and the new scenery seemed to make the run go by quickly.

I mentioned last week that I wanted to try some GU products for my long distance runs.  Since then, I picked up a few packets of GU Gels from Vitamin Shoppe and took a Strawberry Banana pack at the 5 mile mark.  That little packet gave me the burst of energy I needed, and I won't be doing anything over 6 miles without some kind of mid-run energy source.

By the way, did you notice my "water bottle"?  My Drink Chia! proves to be the perfect bottle size to fill with water and carry through my runs.  

Miles: 10

Time: 1:29:42

Speed: 6.7mi/h

Pace: 8:58min/mi

Post-Run Meal:

Since I had been standing on my feet for 7 hours - in heels - working a booth at the PGA Merchandise Show, my feet were already barking before the 10 mile run.  After a hot bath, cozy pajamas and a plop down on the couch there was no hope of me moving to make dinner, or do anything for that matter.

Scott got +50 brownie points for running to Chick-fil-A to bring home two Chicken Tortilla soups for us.  It's times like these where I ignore all of the ridiculously embarrassing things he does and just adore him.  By the way...the soup, even without the tortilla strips - phenomenal.

What I've learned this week:

• GU Gels or some type of mid-run pick me up is a huge help for my long run days.
• Running with Scott forces me to pick up my pace by at least :30.  Apparently he's Forrest Gump.

• Week 5 of training for a half-marathon may not be the best time to try out a series of new workout classes.  I'll be looking forward to going back and trying more once the race is over.

Goals for next week:

By some GU Chomps for next weekend's run.

Get through 12 miles at 1:45:00.  My goal for the entire half is to finish in 2 hours.  My 10 mile run hit right around 1:30:00 (thanks to Scott pushing me).  If I get this goal of 12 in 1:45 I should be right on track to finish the race under 2 hours.

Training Week 5 Playlist coming soon... :)