Race Week! Run #1

I like to take it easy on race weeks, so I was really surprised that this run was faster than my two four mile runs last week! What's up with that?? Also, this run was in a stiff South wind, which mile 2 heads right into.

Wednesday is a scheduled three mile run, then Saturday is my very first 4 mile race. It's sure to be a PR (for a 4 mile race, that is!)

4 of 4, or It Might be Sunny...AND Warm!

I usually fail the talk test, but this run, I think I might have been able to pass it. It was sunny and 54 out today, which made for perfect running weather. I took Denali for the first mile, although I'm not really sure I like taking the dog for a drag...She's gonna have to keep up!

And, my first 4 run week is in the books! I feel pretty good, no stiffness or soreness. Next week is back to 3x due to the race on Saturday. My very first 4 mile race; I'm so excited!!

3 of 4, or It Might be Sunny, but it's Still Not Warm

Now, 42 degrees F is definitely not cold, but I did have to wear my underarmor, long sleeve tech shirt, gloves, and ear warmer. And I'm glad I did as the wind was factor.

2 of 4, or Don't Run into the Wind

Mile 2 was into the wind; mile 3 was with the wind. I thought that those two miles would be vastly different. They sure felt vastly different.

Oh, and miles 1 and 4 were exactly the same route. If I'm going to be slow, I'd at least like to be consistent. Yeah, sure...

1 of 4

The first of my four run week is in the bag. I set the treadmill to a pace that was not real comfy at first, but I got into a rhythm and pounded it out.

The next three runs, I think, will be easy runs and hopefully outside. It's supposed to be really nice on Wednesday.

Oh, and add another race to my calendar. I was offered a spot in the Festival 500 Mini Marathon (the mini I ran last year) for only $20. After consulting with my coach, I decided to run it. Two weeks later is the Geist half marathon, so that will be a short turnaround for me.

Uh Nuther Fore!! Mylar

That's twelve miles for the week. I got a schedule from my coach starting in a couple of weeks to help keep me on track for my mini. I may post it here or on a side bar; not sure which one I'll do.

Next week's schedule ramps up the running days to 4, with runs of 3, 4, 3, and 4 miles. The following week I have my four mile race, so I'll run Monday and Wednesday and slack off until Saturday. Then the week after that, I start my coach's schedule.

A Sure Bet

One of the best ways to get me to commit to something is to con me into paying money for it. Case in point:

Back in Alaska, I had been riding my bicycle to work during the summer months and stopped after Labor Day. Two months later, I noticed that my pants were feeling a bit snug and realized that the only way I was prepared to exercise was to start biking again.

In the winter...

So, I went down to my local bike shop and checked out the studded snow tires. They priced out around $100.

It turned out that my car also needed studded snow tires. They priced out around $100.

I had to make a choice as I didn't have $200. Buy the bike tires, lose the gut, freeze my face or buy the car tires, expand my waist, save my face.

I chose...the bike tires. The next two years, I biked year around and got down to my fighting weight of 173 lbs! Not that I do any fighting or anything...

The point is I spent money to commit myself to biking through the winter.

Today, I have used the same principle to motivate me to keep to my running schedule. I signed up for three races in the next three months:

Mar 17: 4 mile, $24.10
Apr 14: 10K (6.2 miles), $15
May 19: 1/2 marathon, $64

$103.10 committed to motivate me to run. Hey, what ever it takes, right?