Saturday's 20 miles were great. Runs like that are what keep me from bailing on marathon training and sitting home on marathon day. I finished in 3:11:40, a 9:34 pace. When I finished, I told the hubs I could have run another 6.2 if I had to, although I'm sure it helped that I had my own little race crew for the last five miles. At 15 miles, I stopped to fill up my handheld at a convenience store and my family met me there. It was perfect timing because I needed a little pick-me-up after two miles of running into the sun and against some serious wind.
Then my fam surprised me and met me every mile after that. It was awesome to look forward to my own little cheering squad, and the hubs had ice cold water and pieces of ice that got me through the last three miles. Although I was hydrated with more than 32 ounces of Powerade, I was totally craving cold water.
After my girls cheered me across the imaginary finish line, we headed over to watch the BYU football team at an open practice. Once we were too hot and the Bean had said "let's go" too many times, we headed to the water park. It was a pretty perfect Saturday!
This week's "long" run will be a little shorter. I have the South Valley Half on Saturday. But there are still three runs before then, and one of them is a tempo run. Last week, I loved every minute of my speed intervals. I have always loved speedwork, but tempo runs are a different story. There is no love there.
I know a lot of it is mental because this week's workout is 5 miles at what happens to be my half marathon pace. If I have run 13.1 at that pace, why does 5 scare me so much? You'd be amazed at how many excuses I can come up with to avoid a tempo run. But there will be no avoiding it this week. It will be done.
What are your tricks or tips for getting through a tempo run? Maybe I'll have to make this my new tempo run mantra:
Then my fam surprised me and met me every mile after that. It was awesome to look forward to my own little cheering squad, and the hubs had ice cold water and pieces of ice that got me through the last three miles. Although I was hydrated with more than 32 ounces of Powerade, I was totally craving cold water.
After my girls cheered me across the imaginary finish line, we headed over to watch the BYU football team at an open practice. Once we were too hot and the Bean had said "let's go" too many times, we headed to the water park. It was a pretty perfect Saturday!
This week's "long" run will be a little shorter. I have the South Valley Half on Saturday. But there are still three runs before then, and one of them is a tempo run. Last week, I loved every minute of my speed intervals. I have always loved speedwork, but tempo runs are a different story. There is no love there.
I know a lot of it is mental because this week's workout is 5 miles at what happens to be my half marathon pace. If I have run 13.1 at that pace, why does 5 scare me so much? You'd be amazed at how many excuses I can come up with to avoid a tempo run. But there will be no avoiding it this week. It will be done.
What are your tricks or tips for getting through a tempo run? Maybe I'll have to make this my new tempo run mantra:
Picture stolen from Fast Cory's blog
That is so so awesome that your family met you and supported you. SO COOL! Love the pic too. :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck on your tempo run. You got it!
I wish I had a trick to get through tempos. I hate those!
ReplyDeleteI'm doing South Valley on Saturday too! Should be fun.
I think it is so wonderful you have such a support system!!! Good luck with your tempo!
ReplyDeleteTempo runs are tough! I have a "surprise" tempo every week. If a run is feeling good at the start, I make it a tempo. That way I can't talk myself out of it. :)
ReplyDeleteLOVE the family support! My mom and sisters and kids have helped me out like this on a long run and boy does it make a difference. CONGRATS on the 20!
ReplyDeleteNo love here for tempo other than MP either although the plan I'm currently using often keeps the tempo intervals a little shorter with AR interspersed so it's a bit of a relief to only think of running my tempo pace for 15 minutes before a little break instead of umpteen miles.
Best of luck with your half!!
My 16 miler was like your 20 this week! It gave me faith that I won't completely die and suck at life during the marathon! I wish we were closer, we're running the sameish pace for long runs!
ReplyDeleteLove the family support. Great long run. Good Luck on your tempo run.
ReplyDeleteAwww...your family is too sweet to meet you at those miles. So special.
ReplyDeleteGreat job on an amazing run!!
GIRL. you totally dominated that 20. WOW. you are amazing. seriously just amazing. agree. sometimes I think about running anything with an 8 in front and then i wonder why it is a big deal considering that I run that at races all the time...not sure what is up with that mindset. haha. you got it though!!! you are getting so speedy!!
ReplyDeleteNICE 20 miler!!! I would LOVE to have that kind of pace!! Way to go!!
ReplyDeleteGreat job on the 20 miler! I am so so proud of you for tackling that and making it sound easy. Your family is the cutest for meeting you. Love that! Okay and I must admit I'm a tad bit jealous. :)
ReplyDeleteI actually prefer tempo workouts over speed workouts. I think it feels really invigorating to get into a groove. You can do it! Just remember to breathe and "relax and flow"!
How great to power through those last miles with your family cheering you on! That is amazing support.
ReplyDeleteI'm ashamed to admit I have yet to figure out how to maintain a consistent tempo run. I just kind of go how I'm feeling and hope it all works out. This is probably why I struggle so much. Great job on your run!
ReplyDeleteYay for a great 20 miler and a great tempo run, too! (I read your recent tweet!)
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