Well, it’s been almost a week since my last post, so I guess it’s time for an update. First of all, since completing the Two Hundred Sit-Ups Challenge last Monday, I must admit I haven’t done a single sit-up. I’ve also had a week of no push-ups too, and the break from the strength/core work has been quite enjoyable.
Secondly, the running has gone well, but as I posted on dailymile last night, “I’ve felt a bit lazy this week”. Looking back at my log though, it wasn’t too bad – four easy runs of between 4 and 5.5 miles, a 10k Strength Builder treadmill workout and a challenging 36 x 40 seconds interval workout on Thursday.
I also commented on dailymile that I “needed to make tomorrow’s long run a good one”. I set off this morning with the intention of running 18 miles at around 7:30 per mile pace. The pace wasn’t too important but with just six weeks to go to the Shamrock Marathon I was keen to get a good confidence booster under my belt.
The temperature at the beginning of the run was in the low 50’s – a nice change from the chillier recent temps. The sun was shining and the breeze a pleasant one. The first 3 or 4 miles were comfortable but I soon found myself running in the low 7:00s – probably too quick, but it felt good. I made it down to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront in just over 70 minutes and realized the planned 18 miles would now be a minimum of 20 miles. The weather was beautiful so I decided to run along the boardwalk for a while – maybe just to the pier on 16th Street. The pier came and went and before I knew I’d reached the end of the boardwalk with my Garmin reading just under 12.5 miles!
My only option was to run back the way I’d came, so after a quick stop at a 7-Eleven for a bottle of water to wash down a Hammer Gel, I turned for home. To cut a long story short, I ended up running 25 miles in a fraction under three hours – 7 more than planned and 20 seconds per mile faster than I’d hoped for. The last 2 or 3 were tough (more from dehydration than anything else), but I was able to stay strong to the finish.
Nice to end the week on a high note and I guess I can safely take back the “lazy” comment. My legs are aching as I write this, so I’m hoping I’ll be able to recover in time for an easy run tomorrow.
Six weeks to Shamrock. The countdown begins.
You’re definitely not lazy!
Hi Steve, hope you’re enjoying your rest from core and strength work, well done on completing the 200 sit ups.
I made a start on the push ups but pulled the pin after two weeks due to weaknesses in my wrists. 200 situps looks like something worth a go though.
I see in your side bar you have a link to my old blog (akiwiontherun). I wonder if you could update that to my new URL. thanks a lot.
Hi Steve
What a great run! This is the kind of experience that all runners should aspire to have when they run. You kind of just fell into a rhythmn and were enjoying the run so much that you forgot to turn around. Very cool. Even that pace which sounds a little hard for your average runner will only give your body a reminder of what it is like to run for so long.
I am really expecting you to run well at the Shamrock. Are we going sub 2:50??
Best of luck and it will be taper time before you know it.
Hey Bill,
Thanks. Yeah, it was a good run. Took me a day or two to recover from it as well to be honest.
Sub 2:50 is still the goal. I’ll do all I can with my training, and hope the Shamrock weather cooperates for once.
Time will tell and like you say, it’s not too long before the taper begins
–Steve
That’s awesome… Most of my runs have been falling shorter than expected lately. That’s funny that you just decided to add 5 miles to your run.