First Half Marathon

Wanted to do 15 - but Superbowl cooking called - oh well - there is always tomorrow.

Treadmill - 5 slow miles - forgot my ipod and a towel...But got to a 9 minute mile.  Slow - but getting there!

Bad run - on treadmill and not enough sleep...Nice Yoga session after.  Race this weekend so slower is good.

Intervals on treadmill - getting better at knowing how to use it- 5 miles.

Ran 1mile on the treadmill at 10:20 and then 4 outside - I guess I should start timing my miles - never do but this is a good process for learning.Reading about what other much more experienced racers do is very helpful! Beaches Winter Run tomorrow.

On the beach at low tide in Jacksonville Beach.  Temperature - 66.

1st mile - 9:36,  3 miles - 30:12, 5 miles - 52:00, 10 miles - 1:47:15.  Sand was mostly hard, with a beautiful, cool breeze coming off the ocean.  Small race - 5 and 10 mile - and alot more women than I expected in my age group.  I felt great the whole race, but more of a push at mile 6 and 7, trying to keep the around 10 minute per mile pace.  Happy with my time - not used to beach running.  I kept trying to find people to pass.  One older (than me) gentleman and I kept passing each other.  He finished about 40 seconds behind.  We congratulated each other ath the end to have finished! This Sunday is the Donna Hicken Half Marthon - I am entered.  Training this week per Hal Higdon - will see how it works.

1 hour singles and 2 hour tennis clinic - that's it - still tired from Sunday race.

Ate ice cream before bed then could not sleep - what is that?  I never eat before bed or eat ice cream, but for whatever reason, couldn't fall asleep.

Did 2.5 on the treadmill. 1st mile - 10 average, 2nd mile - 9 average.  1/2 mile cooldown, doing the half marathon this week - so am trying to taper...

Tempo run at 9:30/mile.  Ran 3 miles, slower for the .25 warmup/cool down.  Trying hard to run a faster time because I know I can, just not sure about the whoel pacing thing so I will try and use the treadmill.

Beautiful conditions - mostly cloudy and cool - about 50.  I felt really well prepared.  Slow start - just a wall of people, but could pick up the pace about a mile into it.  Had a little trouble on the sand - but a beautiful race with the beach and the bridges.  Best time ever in this, my third half-marathon. (10:06/mile) I believe the taper does work.(And the preparation, of course) I almost missed the race because I did not read the part about getting to the bus by 5:50 AM- I and two other women pleaded with the bus driver and he kindly brought us over, even though he was instructed not to - thank you!!!  Not as many people as last year I don't think and definately not as many spectators, but the race was an hour earlier.  I did faster mid-race times which was my plan because I knew the start, the sand and the bridges would slow me down.  I am so happy that Jacksonville and Donna Deegan have stood behind this race to make it such a great event - and all the proceeds go directly to breast cancer research!

7 miles on treadmill - I am getting closer to being able to sustain a 9:30 pace - did it for about 2.5 miles....Did 3.5 at 10/mile and one slower.  Starting to like the treadmill more because I think it was a big factor in the race yesterday - and I was not too sore today - maybe the yoga or maybe I am not going fast enough!

10 slow but nice pace miles.  Tomorrow, I need to get out there early because Caitlin and I are going to Tampa to watch Nick play for the State Championships - High School Soccer.  I signed up for the NYC Marathon lottery today - I hope I get in.  If so, its Nov. 1, 2009.  I guess if I do not make it, I am guaranteed a slot in 2011 - that is if I am also rejected in 2010.  I am hoping if I sign up this early - 3 hours after it was announced, I have a better shot.  But if it is a true lottery - then I have the same chance as anyone who signs up by May 1.  I have always signed up for Falmouth (Ma.) the first day and have always gotten in, but NY is maybe different.

First day back after an earache - didn't see a doctor - just fluids and rest, now better I think.  At least the ear pain is gone.  I probably had a little fever.  Bad run - upset stomach - acidy. So tomorrow is another day...

3 at 11 minute miles and a yoga class.

10 at 11 minute miles on the street - don't know if that was the right time - just getting in the miles...After I ran, I stopped to talk to the AT&T guys outside of my house - said the phones all around were out and were trying to find the break - amazingly deep hole and it seems like the cable is not in conduit...Have Comcast service - lucky for once. Played 2 hours of tennis before I ran - now I must WORK!!!!!