So...BAA (Boston Athletic Assosiation) announces new standards. To sum it up-from September 24, 2010 until Boston 2012, race qualifying times remain the same. However, you will be allowed to register in waves. They faster you are, the quicker you get to register. Since I qualified with only about three minutes to spare, my group will be the last to get the chance to register. So who knows if there will be any spots left. Come 2013, standards will be lowered by five minutes for each age group and continued wave registration. For the most part, I am ok with these changes. I think it makes it more fair for everyone. Plus-i like a challenge :) My goal was to break 3:35, so I am ready for this upcoming to challenge!! I just hope they have some kind of system worked out to make it fair for all age groups. What happens to the 60 year old whom just qualified by only 10 seconds? Does he have to wait for the last wave to register just because he cant run a 2:30?? Only time will tell.
What I am not thrilled with is that over 20% of entrants are charity runners. First, let me say, I think it is great that people donate large amounts of money to charity. I for one plan to run my first race for charity this upcoming October at the Marine Corps Marathon. Hopefully, I will run for TAPS (tragedy assistance program for surviors) in memory of Senior Airman Benjamen White whom gave his life for his country. (I will not forgot). I will raise money and proudly run for in his memory.
However, as far as Boston is concerned, I think one should have to qualify for it. (Sorry, it is my opinion-if you dont like it, quit reading my blog). Reason being, the race was begun and founded upon the fact that you must qualify for it. It is a prestigous race and is known as the end all be all of marathons. It is all of our ultimate running goals. I admit, i want one of thsoe blue jackets with yellow lettering that says "Boston Finisher". But...I want to earn it by quallifying for it. The problem with charity slots is that you have to typically donate astronomical amounts of money. Another issue I have is that people can get in by writing essays, knowing the right people, or being on the biggest loser. What about the rest of us who work our asses off to qualify????? Just doesnt seem fair to me. I would be highly pissed off if Kona Ironman allowed charity entrants. One should earn it. Just saying.
Now that I am off that soap box, I will give you a brief training update. Being sick last nearly two weekends ago really took it out of me. So I was slow getting back at it. However, I was able to complete a 12 miler on Saturday at an 8:50 pace on the creeper. I will take it! Sunday, I complete a long ride...approx an 1:35 minutes with Jamie and Tony Williams as well as Jason. I was SLOW!!! I blamed it on the wind ;). I think i averaged right about 14 mph. I will get faster! I will get faster! (say it with me!)
Monday, I was lucky enough to spend the afternoon with my Valentine-Jason bike shopping in Asheville. And I have now purchased one...pictures to come soon :).
Tuesday I completed a difficult speed workout. 2 mile warm up followed by 10 400 meter repeats! I averaged a 1:33 pace. Pretty good for me. Finished up with a slow cool down -about 2 miles. As always, it is such fun to spend time with my running family. I love the encouragement and uplift I get from them! Thanks everyone!
Today, I went to Master's Swim. Interestingly enough, we worked on the flip turn. Flip Turn=1, Me=0. haha. In all seriousness, I think I will get better. They say, practice makes perfect. This evening, I completed a 45 minute run with 5.25 miles. I am already looking forward to spin class in morning and a foot rx group run. Happy training to all!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Back at it...sort of
Needless to say, due to a diagnosis of flu (yes, i had the flu shot), my workout week has been non existant since last Thursday. I felt bad after group run last week and it progressively got worse from there. I decided not to go to Master's swim on Friday, but made it to work for a whopping 3 hours. I spent the rest of the day and night sleeping on my couch. Saturday morning I woke up and felt even worse. I took myself to the doctor and had the pleasure of two q-tips going up my nose. Results-FLU. Ughh. Good news, I got medication that proceed to make me comatose until late Monday afternoon. Hence, no working out. Boo. I was so terribly disappointed to miss not only my long run, but my ride! Sigh.
Tuesday, I began to perk up so i ventured to the wellness center that evening for Power Pump. As usual, it kicked my butt. Back, chest, legs, and abs all within an hour. As I write this two days later, I am still feeling the after effects. After the class, I attempted a treadmill run. FAIL. I felt terrible and my legs were heavy despite being off for so many days.
Wed=long day at work. No swim or run.
Today, I felt a bit better. I was signed up for my typical spin class this morning. Due to that horrific white fluffy stuff, class was cancelled. However, those of us who still showed up made our own spin class for an hour. Then directly there after completed my brick workout-2 mile run on treadmill in 17:08. Not bad. By mile two, I was beginning to get my legs under me again. Tonight, I braved the cold with my fellow Foot Rx family and ran the loop averaging about an 8:09 pace. Pretty pleased with my pace with all things considering. However, not so pleased with how my legs feel. Ton of led bricks.
Not sure about what the weekend holds. Hopefully a long run and ride if my legs and lungs are up to it. I have heard we are expected to get into some 60 degree weather next week. Keep your fingers crossed and rub your rabbit's foot for that one!!!!
On the non workout side of the weekend, Ava Estelle is turning one! Can't believe it. I will be celebrating her birthday Saturday afternoon with her mama, daddy, and rest of her family. So blessed to know them. :)
Tuesday, I began to perk up so i ventured to the wellness center that evening for Power Pump. As usual, it kicked my butt. Back, chest, legs, and abs all within an hour. As I write this two days later, I am still feeling the after effects. After the class, I attempted a treadmill run. FAIL. I felt terrible and my legs were heavy despite being off for so many days.
Wed=long day at work. No swim or run.
Today, I felt a bit better. I was signed up for my typical spin class this morning. Due to that horrific white fluffy stuff, class was cancelled. However, those of us who still showed up made our own spin class for an hour. Then directly there after completed my brick workout-2 mile run on treadmill in 17:08. Not bad. By mile two, I was beginning to get my legs under me again. Tonight, I braved the cold with my fellow Foot Rx family and ran the loop averaging about an 8:09 pace. Pretty pleased with my pace with all things considering. However, not so pleased with how my legs feel. Ton of led bricks.
Not sure about what the weekend holds. Hopefully a long run and ride if my legs and lungs are up to it. I have heard we are expected to get into some 60 degree weather next week. Keep your fingers crossed and rub your rabbit's foot for that one!!!!
On the non workout side of the weekend, Ava Estelle is turning one! Can't believe it. I will be celebrating her birthday Saturday afternoon with her mama, daddy, and rest of her family. So blessed to know them. :)
Friday, February 4, 2011
Too much, Too little...WTH?
Interesting workout week thus far. Wed morning I got up and went to master's swim. Endurance sesssion and it went well. I have come to find that i really love being in the water. I think its fun to challenge myself to things I would have never thought possible. If you had seen me swim at my first sprint tri you would have understood exactly what i am referring to. After a long day at work between home health and pediatric PRN i made it to the gym. Only completed a 3.5 mile run. I was planning on 5, but then out of no where, I was starved. As crazy as it sounds, I became fixated on getting something to eat. Clearly, the obvious solution was to jump off the treadmill (aka "the dreadmill") and head straight to Cracker Barrell to meet Jason.
Thursday morning I got up as promised and headed to spin class with Holly. If you are a member of the Wellness Center and are looking to have a good spin workout, her Tuesday/Thursday classes are the way to go. She challenges you up hills (long ones I might add), sprints, and down flat roads with resistance. I feel I get one of the best workouts when I am in her class. It is just sooooooooooooo hard to get that early at least 4 of 5 days a week. Anyone have any tips? As always, Thursday nights consist of Foot Rx Group Runs. I ran with my friends Lianne and Lana and we finished in 41:30. A bit under an 8:30 mile. Good as always to see my running family. Thursday nights are one of my favorite nights of the week. I always get so inspired to be with a group of people whom love doing the same thing I do. I am never short of amazed of the dedication and determination of the people I see week after week. Rain or shine, hot or cold...they are faithfully there, ready to run. I love it! If you are in the area, you should come run with us and meet some of the best people I know :)
Today-not so happy day. I am officially sick. I have admitted it. Not. Happy. At. All. I tried taking Nyquil and sleeping it off last night. Unfortunately, I had to miss Master's Swim this morning (insert sad face here). Although, I tried to make it to work, I only lasted a couple of hours. I am now back home laid up on the couch. Hopefully, if i rest today and maybe tommorrow, I will feel like either a long ride or run on Sunday. I am disappointed becasue I had been having such a good trainging week. Perhaps I was doing too much exercise on too little sleep? Eh. Who knows.
Time to sniff some Vics Vapor Rub.
Thursday morning I got up as promised and headed to spin class with Holly. If you are a member of the Wellness Center and are looking to have a good spin workout, her Tuesday/Thursday classes are the way to go. She challenges you up hills (long ones I might add), sprints, and down flat roads with resistance. I feel I get one of the best workouts when I am in her class. It is just sooooooooooooo hard to get that early at least 4 of 5 days a week. Anyone have any tips? As always, Thursday nights consist of Foot Rx Group Runs. I ran with my friends Lianne and Lana and we finished in 41:30. A bit under an 8:30 mile. Good as always to see my running family. Thursday nights are one of my favorite nights of the week. I always get so inspired to be with a group of people whom love doing the same thing I do. I am never short of amazed of the dedication and determination of the people I see week after week. Rain or shine, hot or cold...they are faithfully there, ready to run. I love it! If you are in the area, you should come run with us and meet some of the best people I know :)
Today-not so happy day. I am officially sick. I have admitted it. Not. Happy. At. All. I tried taking Nyquil and sleeping it off last night. Unfortunately, I had to miss Master's Swim this morning (insert sad face here). Although, I tried to make it to work, I only lasted a couple of hours. I am now back home laid up on the couch. Hopefully, if i rest today and maybe tommorrow, I will feel like either a long ride or run on Sunday. I am disappointed becasue I had been having such a good trainging week. Perhaps I was doing too much exercise on too little sleep? Eh. Who knows.
Time to sniff some Vics Vapor Rub.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
It's Back...
Today marked the return of speed work outs. And what a rude awakening it was. Despite building miles and endrance, speed work has been non existant. We began with a lesson on taking water during races. Thanks to Allison and Steve, good tips and advice were shared. Example: if cup is being handed on left side, take with your left hand. Do NOT reach across your body! Also, pinch the cup to drink so it does not fly up your nose. Helpful tips to use when racing.
The workout today consisted of 5 x 400 meters with a 90 second rest break. 400 splits were- 1:26, 1:28, 1:28, 1:34, 1:35. Defenitly tired towards the end. Although speed work is likely my least favorite workout of the week, I find it one of the most rewarding. Not to mention the fact that I like seeing my race times improve :)
Tommorrow is my long day at work. First-meeting at Gentiva, home health patients, and then pediatric clinic. Not sure what workouts will consist of. I plan on going to master's swim in the morning and then...possibly a short run tommrrow evening? Then again, maybe a rest after work might be good.
I read something in a book that challenged me to do workouts in the am for 21 days. Ugh. Who wants to get up at 530 for 21 days????? But...there is something to getting it over with in the am. Hmmmm...just a thought.
The workout today consisted of 5 x 400 meters with a 90 second rest break. 400 splits were- 1:26, 1:28, 1:28, 1:34, 1:35. Defenitly tired towards the end. Although speed work is likely my least favorite workout of the week, I find it one of the most rewarding. Not to mention the fact that I like seeing my race times improve :)
Tommorrow is my long day at work. First-meeting at Gentiva, home health patients, and then pediatric clinic. Not sure what workouts will consist of. I plan on going to master's swim in the morning and then...possibly a short run tommrrow evening? Then again, maybe a rest after work might be good.
I read something in a book that challenged me to do workouts in the am for 21 days. Ugh. Who wants to get up at 530 for 21 days????? But...there is something to getting it over with in the am. Hmmmm...just a thought.
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