Lesley's Running Blog

Ran from home, up Shadow Valley, down the big hill and connected to South Ogden Loop. 

7:52 pace

48:47 overall

Needed to get a long run in to build my confidence for the marathon coming up in less than a month, and needed a good long training run. Got up and started just after 6 am, ran out Pipe, down to Rainbow Gardens, and along the parkway until I hit 9 miles. Turned around and headed back the way I came. Had to make a few bathroom stops, but other than that it went pretty well.

 Ran into a little trouble finding water. My go-to water fountian is gone! I would have hit it at miles 7 and 10, and I spent about 5 minutes looking for it because it had been awhile since I had been down there. So I didn't get water and my Gu until mile 12. Thankfully Rainbow Gardens was open or I would have had to gagged down the Gu without water. Made sure to get a good drink, and was also able to find water at miles 15, 16.5, and 18. Stopped by home at mile 18 to get a good drink, then finished the run.

 Overall it went well. I had probably 10 plus minutes of stopping time due to looking for water and bathroom breaks. But hopefully I got that all out of the way today instead of marathon day.

8:08 pace

2:42:30

South Ogden loop with the double stroller. Felt like the run went great considering I ran 20 miles yesterday. 

8:16 pace

41:24 overall

Didn't know what to do today, so I ended up at Beus Pond after a sluggish 2.05 mile warmup. Was planning on doing 6 x 800s, but after the first 800 decided to steal a workout Cam did last week with his friends. I did 800, 400, 200, 1000 two times. 

800: 3:10 (400 jog)

400: 1:26 (200 jog)

200: 39.85 (200 jog)

1000: 4:04 (200 jog/walk)

800: 3:08 (400 jog)

400: 1:31 (200 jog)

200: 41.43 (200 jog)

1000: 3:58 (400 jog/walk)

 Two mile cooldown back home. Felt very worn out by the time I was done. Almost hit my highest mileage since I have had my second child, and it is only Wednesday.

3.5 miles with the double running stroller, got back home and debated going out for a little more. Went out for 1.5 miles by myself while the family ate popcicles.

Double stroller out in South Ogden. Just wanted to relax and get in a few more miles before the 10K tomorrow. 

8:34 pace

34:16 overall

2.75 mile warmup after checking in and getting our shirts/race bibs. Legs felt heavy and tired, and it was one of those warmups where you wonder how you will ever run a race faster than the warmup. But overall I felt pretty good and was looking forward to the race. 

Was going to go out with two girls that I knew were in better shape than me, and see how long I could hang with them. Well, they ended up sprinting from the start and I had to let them go after about 20 meters (they must have run a 5:40 mile 1). They did slow down after about a mile, but they were well ahead by that point.

 The first 3 miles were slightly uphill, and I kept getting slower and slower. So glad that we got to go downhill halfway through, or I would have been toast. Here are the splits from the day:

 6:18, 7:14, 7:38, 6:40, 6:28, 6:41 (6:45 pace for the last .2)

6:43 overall average

Like those first 3 miles? Yeah...

Excited that I got more miles in this week than I have since I have had kids I think.

Still slightly intimidated by the marathon in 3 weeks, but I know I can run the distance, and I just have to understand and be happy with the shape I am in now and the progress I am making to continue to get faster.

 2 mile cooldown.

Later run at 1:30pm because we went to the Brigham City open house in the morning. Headed out Old Post and connected to Combe, around the elementary/South Ogden loop and back home. 

7:49 pace

43:59 overall

Out to Weber State and continued on pipe to the pavilion, down to Mount Ogden Park and back home. 

8:07 pace

52:46 overall

Drove up to the Bonneville Shoreline Trail and was just going to get in a few flat easy mile because I haven't felt great this week and just wanted a nice relaxing run. Ran for about 2 miles, and then started heading up a trail I knew I had been up before. Got to a sign that said I was heading towards Malan's Basin. Figured I would go to the peak. But after another mile, I knew my family would start worrying, and it had been 3 years since I had been on the trail so I didn't know how much further I had to go. So turned around and headed back. Nice fall beautiful trail run. 

1:18:59

Double running stroller to the school, up to Beus Park. Fed the ducks and played at the park before heading home. 

South Ogden 5 miler. Double running stroller.

8:15 pace

41:15

Out 4 miles starting from home and out on pipe. Back home. Felt okay today.

7:42 pace

1:01:39

Got out a 7 on my own. Ran 5 miles to the end of pipe, back to pavilion, down to Mount Ogden park, and home. 10.31 miles. Picked up single running stroller and added 2.21 miles. Nice to get in the longer distance one more time before the marathon.

7:50 pace first 10+

8:23 pace with stroller

1:38:10

South Ogden loop with double running. Ran into Katie and her boys for about a quarter mile,

8:28 pace

42:21

Started running Sinclair loop but wanted to add a little, so I crossed Washington to run a small loop. My oldest knew that we were running in the direction of the splash pad/park, so at 2.5 miles we all took a little break and played. I think my girls love the splash pad more when the water is off. Ran around the nature loop and headed home.

47:29

8:55 pace

Really only did Sinclair loop today with double jogger. Feeling a bit worn out. Was more of a run/jog/walk.

36:05

8:56 pace

3 mile warmup up to the trails, back to Beus pond. Wanted to get a bit of quicker stuff in. Got to Beus and the sprinklers were blasting and almost flooding the place. I don't mind getting a little wet, but these sprinklers might knock you over if they hit you just right. Yes- I am exaggerating, but the were pounding. Figured they would turn off soon so I started the workout.

5x1000 with a 400 jog between each.

3:54

3:54

3:52

3:52

3:54

Felt like dodging the sprinklers maybe added 4-5 seconds, but I am just saying that to get me more confident for the marathon. I did what I did.

2 mile cool down to trails, back to home.

Run out by Weber State on the pipe trail. Turned around at 3 miles to make it 6 round trip. Felt worn out today. Someone asked me today if I was enjoying the taper for the marathon. I feel like I started training for the marathon just a few months ago, and there was no time for a taper. So, truly looking forward to an easy week next week! And excited for the race.

Had a hard time holding onto 8 minute pace today. Ready to take this next week easy, run the marathon, and then relax for a bit!

7:57 pace

47:46 overall

Just didn't run today and it felt great. I needed a rest day. Should have taken one before the week of the marathon. A much needed day off. 

Walked to the park in the evening with my family.

South Ogden loop in the morning. Had a hard time dragging myself out of bed at 7. Felt extremely exhausted this past week, but trying to get plenty of rest. Still feel confident and ready for the marathon on Saturday, but it seems like the week of the marathon, everything gets magnified. You get more tired, every ache in your body seems to ache more, and you worry that you will be able to meet your goals, let alone finish the race. That is what I have been dealing with. 

 I know this will be nowhere near the fastest marathon I have ever run, so I am trying to enjoy the journey and enjoy the race Saturday. And enjoy not having the pressure of placing or leading or meeting others expectations. I have said it before, but I think I am just struggling because I know what I am capable of, and know that I have not trained to be there.

Overall, I am loving being a recreational runner at this time in my life. I just need to embrace it now.

 7:59 pace

39:48

Double stroller today. Trying to take it easy. I think my body is saving up for a good day Saturday and getting all these bad ones out of the way. Enjoyed getting out at 10 and it still being crisp and cool. Love picking sunflowers and apples for my girls along my route. 

Sinclair loop with the girls. Walk/jog/enjoy being out!

8:39 pace

30:17

Run on my own to Weber State stadium and back home. Stopped and stretched before heading back.

7:36 pace

22:50

Race day. Woke up feeling awful and honestly wondering how I would run 1 mile let alone 26.2. But, the magical things about races is that somehow you always kick it into gear.

My initial goal the night before was to run about 7:30 pace. But from mile 1 I could tell that it wasn't going to happen. And all along I knew I was going to pay for it. And pay for it I did. First half: 1:28. Second half: 1:58. How is that for a positive split? I ran about the stupidest race I could have, somehow held on for third, and walked about every half mile from mile 17 on.

But, overall, not too upset. My easy goal was 3:30, with a higher goal of maybe reaching 3:15-3:20.

Loved the downhills. Struggled hard with the second half, as did most all the racers in my opinion, because I only got passed by about 5 people max.

 Here are the splits:

First half: 6:35, 6:45, 6:34, 6:37, 6:38, 6:38, 6:39, 6:45, 7:09, 6:48, 6:56, 6:51, 6:54

Second half: 7:16, 7:25, 8:15, 8:53, 8:19, 8:15, 9:53, 9:03, 9:07, 9:04, 9:22, 10:06, 10:03

 I knew it was bad. Doesn't it look like 2 different people ran this race? I think 'hit the wall early' would be a bit of an understatement.

But, I made it! We survived. I will tell myself its good I went fast in the beginning so that I could still hit my goal time in the end.

Overall: 7:50 pace