It has been well over a week since Gasparilla and things couldn't be better. I recovered quickly and other than a lingering dull ache below my right calf all systems are go!
RUNS:
Wedesday 3/3 - 2 M / 9:30 P - Just a nice and easy jaunt around the neighborhood with my trusty bike pacer, The Brunette, I felt great and for having just ran a marathon a few days prior, you'd have never known. Post Marathon Run #1 = Success!
Thursday 3/4 - 3 M / 8:46 P - Mile 1 was ran with Spike (Thanks for purposely making me step it up. What part of "Recovery Pace" didn't you understand!?) and I had my first encounter with ICE; I tiptoed over it like a sissy and he barreled thru it like a man on a mission. We parted ways just after that mile and I rounded out the final 2 solo. While I did slow it up some, I mostly just kinda zoned out and ran. It still ended up being much faster than recovery pace... whoops. Post Marathon Run #2 = Success!!
Saturday 3/6 - 6 M / 8:19 P - With a 15 mile training run on deck, Spike sent me over to the Lansing River Trail by my lonesome for my 6 miler with a few notations "go right around the building when the trail seemingly dead ends, left at the fork by Sparty etc..." and off I went on my own little running tour of the MSU campus. It was a beautiful day, easily the most picturesque day Michigan has ever offered up during one of my visits since moving away back in 2000. I paid no attention to Hermes and just ran by feel. I felt good. I took in the views, enjoyed the sunny day, waved at the few runners I came upon and when I arrived back at the MAC I was pleasantly surprised at how effortlessly the 6 miles had ticked off and at such a speedy pace! Post Marathon Long Run = Success!!!
Monday 3/8 - 3 M / 9:28 P - Another nice and easy run with The Brunette to start off the week. Commence Base Maintaining.
PLANS:
Everyone has been asking me, what's next? Well for starters, this weekend I'm headed up to Jacksonville to pace Christy to a PR in the Gate River Run 15k. I'm super stoked about not only pacing but also to enjoy another fun run with a bloggy buddie. I've never ran a 15k before so I'm also pretty stoked to put a new distance on my race belt. The Gate River Run draws a HUGE crowd and boasts being the largest 15k in the U.S.!
After this weekend I've promised Spike I'd take a bit of a running sabbatical since I haven't taken one since... um, well since before Chicago training started last May/June! So next week I am going to keep the running shoes shelved and hit the gym/bike for some quality cross training. I'm well overdo for some non-running and this will also help me take it easy on The Brunette as I get her started on training for her first 5k next month! Yup, you heard right, The Brunette is about to toe her first race line! Yay! I'm so excited for her and have promised to run (and walk if needed) alongside her every step of the way! Stay tuned for training progress and the race recap come April 24th!
The weekend prior to the 5k with The Brunette I will be heading up to Boston with Spike to spectate him in the Boston Marathon; I am beyond stoked! I get the rare opportunity to get caught up in the excitement without ever having to toe the line and I can't wait to soak it all up! Added Bonus: quite a few of the B.R.A. peeps are running it so Spike is getting quite the First Boston experience. I can't wait to cheer my full head off for him and give him the biggest Finish Line kiss ever once he crosses!!! Sorry, uber schmoopy but I'm just so proud and excited for him.
He recently forwarded me some official race participant info and I noticed there was a 5k on Sunday and guess who gets her own little piece of Boston action?!??! I do, I do!!! Sunday April 18th I am confirmed to run the B.A.A. 5k! Huge thanks goes out to Spike whose only response to my "do you mind if I run it?!?!" was "just as long as you don't expect me to!" I love having a running boyfriend. :)
Further than April I don't have much on my racing calendar. I plan to continue maintaining my base; I'd like to keep my weekly mileage between 15-25 miles and maintain a solid 10+ mile base for long runs. Looking out into the Fall season I have my eye on a marathon... or two... so marathon training cycle #3 will commence sometime in June/July but I'm not committing anything here in writing until I'm sure. I do know that if I decide on a certain one in October a whole lot of you would be very, very happy... but that's all I'm saying. ;)
44 comments:
LOVE IT! I just started swimming b/c, well, my Dr said I had to if I want to keep running. I hate the bike though, which he also said I have to do. AND YEAH for BAA 5K. I'm super jealous. What a fun way to do something BOSTON w/o doing the whole Marathon!
(ps - I love your schmoopy posts about Spike, I think it's awesome)
I'm sad that I'm not going to be in Jacksonville for the Gate River Run 15k. :( Maybe next year.
Enjoy your week off running! :)
Great recovery runs!
Did the people you passed by on the MSU campus realize the famed Redhead from Caution: Redhead Running just said hi to them? They should have been honored by such a gesture from you.
I think you'll like the 15K. I ran a 15K last winter and it's a fun distance. Looking back on it, that was probably my best race ever in terms of how I managed that race, my final pace and just how I felt overall afterward. It's tough to wrap your mind around a time, like what makes a good time, so I'd suggest trying to figure out what would make a good Half Marathon time for Christy, figure out the pace for that and try to do the 15K at a faster pace than that. Like, I'd love to run a sub-2 half, so the pace is about 9-min miles, so my 15K was at 8:46, so that was great.
Anyway, good luck to the both of you!
Marine Corps Marathon? It is a great run, in a fun city. It's a flat course and has great spectators for all but 3 miles. And there's beer at mile 22. What more could you ask for?!?!?
I'm planning to run if I don't get into NYC. ~Becky
wow you've actually done quite a bit of running during what most folks would consider teh recovery phase. I think your plans sound great and woohoo for the brunette!
Love Sparty and love your plans! Glad you're recovery was so easy!
a 15K sounds like fun!
Oh my gosh, oh my gosh ::jumps up and down:: guess who will be in Boston for the Boston Marathon for work??? ME! Maybe we could meet up for a quick bite or somethin'--I don't want to detract from your time with Schmoopy, but, would love to see ya.
Glad you're feeling great post marathon and enjoy the running break--it's needed every once in a while, ya know?
October..hm...Marine Corps?! Dc?!!! ;) Fingers crossed...heh
SO glad the running is going well post-race!! a 10+ mile LR base is perfect - you can run a half if you want to, or start training for a full without feeling like death ;)
Sounds like some good things are ahead for your running. Enjoy the rest. Cheers!
Can't comment on running around MSU, but you are ever in Ann Arbor, there are a lot of beautiful runs, including running through the arboretum.
I found that the first several weeks post marathon were easy to keep up. But the month after, without the schedule and defined goal,were easy to slack off on. So keep it up. I bet Boston will be so inspiring.
What is your BQ time?
Love your plans! So cool you're doing the BAA 5k! you will have THE BEST time that weekend.
Plan your spectating carefully as getting around on the 19th is challenging to say the least!
I bet spectating Boston will be so much fun. I bet I will find out when you BQ and I come watch you :) But uh, no pressure! Looks like a great schedule...wonder if you could squeeze in a Sept 1/2...say, in Philly?!??!!??!
Nice post-marathon runs... you've recovered well, which further proves what great shape you were in for Gasparilla. NICE!
Sooo exciting that you're going to Boston!! I absolutely loved cheering at the finish line last year (ARRIVE EARLY! We were there hours before the marathon even started and snagged a front row spot a couple hundred metres away - ca-razy).
I also ran the BAA 5K last year! LOVED it. So cool crossing the Boston Marathon finish line.
Running the 5k in Boston and watching Spike run will be a great weekend! Glad you are taking it slow and taking some time off after the marathon! I love the 15k distance. Its just long enough that you can run it and feel great but you dont feel like you totally are dead tired after wards!
Whoo hoo! Great week girly!
As you know, I will be running Boston with your beloved Shmoopy (well, I am sure he will be WAY ahead of me!) but I am ALSO running the 5K! Soooo, that maybe our first time to meet up! We will have to plan accordingly! I must warn you though, I am taking it slow, so you can rock that 5K and high five me at the end!
SO excited! Happy Tuesday!
I bet spectating the Boston Marathon will be almost as fun as running it!!!
You have some great running plans ahead of you! I've never done the 5K distance. I must change that this summer :)
You have some fun to look forward to in April!! Love it.. I bet your spectator report and 5K will be so great!!
Yay! Enjoy the BAA 5K, I ran it last year and spectated some of my running buddies in the marathon.
How cool that you'll be a part of Boston!
Glad you had a great time with Spike!
Your plans for Boston and some other sort of time away from hardcore training sound perfect.
And I second the motion towards MCM in October :)
I'm so jealous that you get to run with Christy! I have to wait until June to see her!
Awesome that you get your own little Boston experience!
Way to go. It's always nice to ease back into running after a marathon and really revel in the chance to just do some lazy/slower paced running or just shorter runs. Cross training will be a nice alternative to the pounding I'm sure! Have fun pacing!
yay I love schmoopiness. :) I'm guessing the fall marathon plans are no where in my neck of the woods. Hmph. :(
Looks like you have some exciting running plans on deck though!
WOOP WOOP! Does this mean I get to meet you here in Boston?!? You're coming to my town! :-) I'll be cheering for a friend here, as well as Laura of "Absolut(ly) Fit"....
Hmmmm you think I should sign up for the 5K?
I don't see too many 15Ks out there around me. so I'd take it when it too. Good Luck! How's it going to feel being a spectator in Boston? Are you going to want to jump in?
SO exciting you get to go cheer for your man in BOSTON!
I will be on the lookout for your shmoopy signs on the course! Of course Spike will be miles ahead of me...
Also, thanks for reminding me the 5k reg opened up! I'm planning to do it with some friends as a warmup run before the marathon. I'm envisioning costumes and lots of flair. Should be a blast!
That sounds like a solid plan. Get some good rest and cross training in! And I think you should sign up for a tri this summer. Do it!
that is so awesome that you get to run the BAA 5K!! and yay for cheering on your boy :) I am going to try and qualify for next years Boston with my marathon in may..we'll see how it goes! i'm glad you have gotten some good runs in this week but yeah i agree it will be good for you to take a little break :) you aren't allowed to take a break from this blog though!
Sounds like lots of fun running plans to come! Can't wait to hear all about them. :)
15k sounds like fun. Yay for Brunette training for her first 5k!! She certainly has a qualified trainer!
I'm so jealous you will be at the Boston Marathon! Soak it all in and report every detail!!
i wish i was running boston this year so i could meet you!!!!! SO FUN :)
ummm this marathon in october? is it in cali??? i know there are 456056405 others in october, but pretty please :)
i think taking a week to cross train is SO smart. you will come back so strong mentally and ready to run! the boston 5k sounds perfect!!
YAY for all that running and FUN!! So excited to meet up with you when you come back in may! eeeee!!!
love love love the fact that you are going to Boston to support Spike & will get a little piece of the action (5k)! Super cute!!! hopefully, I will be there.... need to figure out my summer & fall races asap so that I can be there... -cw
Man... it took me like 4 months to recover from my marathon... you must have wolvering healing skills (plus factoring in your awesome PR I'm in even greater awe of your recovery).
Hope I can have as much sucess in my second marathon efforts.
(ooh super good word verification word!!! "trachbro" - a male friend who you do speedwork outs with.
My BIL will be running the 15k in Jacksonville too! I'll tell him to look for you and cheer you on if spotted. :) And congrats to the Brunette for starting training!! :)
That is so awesome that you get to run something during boston weekend. So jealous.
Actually more jealous about just being able to WATCH boston. Have you heard anything about the TV schedule for it? They normally cover that nationally, right?
Yay for the BAA 5K!!! That's great.
Wow, that's a lot of running plans for someone who's not in training! Boston will be a lot of fun. I did the same last year when my spectators friends ran the 5K the day before. It's a thrill to finish at the same place as the marathoners.
I'm not running this year, but I'll watch it on TV I'm sure!
Hopefully you're thinking what I'm thinking for October...just sayin'
Have fun at Gate River. I heard the after party is insane!
yeah ok miss recovery. 8:19/mile. i'm no longer listening to your lectures ;)
you sure have it all figured out! can you also figure out my running-life too? i'm apparently not good at it :)
i am soo excited to spectate the 5k but i don't know if i will bring any mis-spelled signs...
What is this "running sabbatical" you speak of?! I am not sure I know of it; I thought there was only running, training, and I-broke-my-foot-so-I-am-sullenly-taking-a-forced-hiatus. I'm not sure I trust this "sabbatical" thing....but the short races sound fun, esp BOSTON!! We have two runners from my running group that are in it this year and I so wish I could get away to go cheer them!
That is not entirely an accurate quite, but you got the gist. Honestly, I'm much nicer in person. I always wave to other runners and say "hi." Plus, I'm crazy excited to see you running in Boston.
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