Week In Review And Mountain goat too!

As I sit down and type this I have a lot of thoughts running through my mind about this week. Some things I did really well and others not so much. I had some ups and downs this week as well but am getting past all that and seeing the brighter side of things!

Here are some things I did well.
1. Ate well
2. kept in my heart rate Zones
3. Was kind to my honey (this counts you know!! :P )
4. Had some really nice rides and runs

What I didn't do so well
1. ran 30 min in Vibrams on Wednesday...My legs are still feeling it
2. I didn't listen to my coach to take a rest day yesterday and went to the local bike shop for a power test.
3. Hydrate myself.

eh, not too bad I guess!

I only had 4 hours of training as it was rest week. I had 2 serious rest days on the schedule and blew one of them. Coach was not happy. I think if she could've reach through the phone and slap me she would have!

Today was the 10 mile Mountain Goat Run. I was excited yet nervous at the same time as my calves were tight for 4 DAYS! I did well with rolling them, stretching, Icing, Motrin, Whatever I needed to do to pull through for today.

I ate my planned pre race Nutrition Coach gave me:
2 hours before race- 1 scoop Whey protein, 1 banana, 2 c unsweetened applesauce blended together (was very thick!!) and 24 oz EFS fluid
1 hour befor race- 1/2 Powerbar
20 min before race- 1 Powerbar Gel + 8 oz water (which I think I had about 12!)

I was jittery at the starting line and I knew I didn't want to get caught up in the hype so I seated myself in the middle of the pack to hold myself back the first Mile. 9 min mile first mile- CHECK!

After this I proceeded to get up the hills and was enjoying the run for the first time. Got to mile 5 and just lost it. The temps got higher, Then Colvin came and after Colvin Street I just didn't have it in me to push any longer. My calves were tight. I could feel them cramping up. Did I take in enough on the run? Every stop I took a gulp of PowerBar Perform, mile 4 I took gel. I was wondering if they mixed the Powerbar Perform right as it tasted watered down and not salty like it usually tastes.

I held onto my hopes of coming in 1:30:00 or better until mile 9 came and I looked and I was at 1:26:00. I knew I couldn't make up that time in 1 mile so I aimed to finish strong...

1:34:16 was my ending time!!!

I was disappointed at first as I had been doing the training runs in less time. But I knew I messed it up with what I did the days before the race. I look it as a lesson learned.

I went back to look at Past times and this is what I found:
2010- 1:49:11
2009- 1:44:07
2008- 1:36:19
2007= 1:36:48
2006- 1:43:05

Still a PR baby!!

I suffered some sunburned lips and a bloody toe today as well. The funny thing Is I didn't feel it until I got home!





Me and M! My best running partner!





A very salty Sweater! Pass the Salt!



Showing my shirt off AfTER the race!! :)



Tipperary Hill Shamrock Run- Race Recap

Today was the day to see if all my training had paid off. All the hard work I have been doing these last few months..

It started out a beautiful morning, so I decided I would wear shorts and my compression socks as my left calf has been really tight this week.

The race was at 11AM, but wanted to get there in plenty of time as parking can be tricky and we were heading to the local bars for grub afterwards. I ate my bagel, banana and coffee at 9AM, started drinking my Gatorade and was out the door. When we got to the race we parked at the local bar we knew we would head to afterwards. Its about a mile uphill from the start. So we started trudging it up the hill. Then, the wind came. 20mph cold wind. I thought, this wasn't happening. Then, Yep, it started raining.

Now I wasn't prepared for this to happen so I had no had or gloves. At this point I looked at my honey and said, I am mentally not into this race anymore. I didn't prepare for the wind and rain. I shook it off and proceeded into the ice rink where everyone was hanging out, relaxing before the race. I took this as an opportunity to enjoy the moment and not let the weather get to me.

Otto the Orange (SU Mascot) and some Lake Effectors

The crowd in full force!

We were all so festive!

I kept with race nutrition with Half a PowerBar at 10AM, Kept drinking my Powerade. The race announcers then said, Its time to head outside. Took my gel and water and headed outside again. By this time the rain had let up and looked like it was going to be a great run.

Half the Mob Scene outside. This extended down the hill

I got into the 8 min miler group with all my friends. The gun went off. Took us 1 min to get to the start as there were 2700 people racing, and then we were off!!

Here are the splits:

Mile 1- 8:35- Kept a easy pace knowing the end was a little harder. First mile was pretty much downhill and it was hard not to want to follow the crowd

Mile 2- 8:35- Kept the same pacing. Was feeling great

Mile 3- 9:23- No matter how hard I wanted to go, I just couldn't. The wind was in my face and it was ALL uphill.

Mile 4- 8:39- I knew I had to make up some time but felt couldn't kick it in fast enough

.1- Felt good to be done!!

Total time 35:54
Total distance by my garmin 4.1
Average Pacing 8:45min/mile!!!

I was really upset about this at first but realized I couldn't be. I race this race last year, granted they did change the course, but, I still PRd by almost a MINUTE per mile!! Ill take it!

Afterwards we went to Nibsy's Pub and Celebrated with some free Pasta and great company!

My Biggest Fan and Supporter!!