Well, marathon number 2 is in the books! It was a really tough course today, with about 2100 feet of elevation gain in addition to strong winds and driving rain most of the way. Somehow, I managed two PR's: my half marathon time dropped by 3-4 minutes today and my marathon time dropped by nearly 20. What is probably the most grueling course I've ever run was also the most beautiful and most fun, too. I've been so worried about not being prepared enough for this and for all intents and purposes I should not have done this well. My longest run was 14 miles and until this morning I hadn't run in well over a week. But this week, being here in Ireland on a trip that's done so much for me already, prepared me mentally and emotionally and those two things are just as important as the running itself. Congrats to all who ran in that hellacious weather today- you should be really proud of yourselves!! #dinglemarathon #marathon #ireland #dinglepeninsula #distancerunning #womensrunning #runningcommunity #runforfun #runhappy
And the journey begins! About four days until race day and less than 18 hours until I get to Cork. I'm a happy girl!! #dinglemarathon #marathon #todayistheday #marathontraining (at Minneapolis St Paul Int'l Airport MSP)
Week 3 of my Tallahassee training is completed and yes I am sure that it was week 3! So what did I do this last week?
Before I tell you the photo is of my friend Joy Durdan, RunNB Inspirational Person of the Year with her Super Series Age Group Award and yours truly with mine. What a fun night we had.
So on to the training.
Monday – I had a day off as I was tired after the trip to Tracadie.
Tuesday – I did the 8 km that I should have done on Monday, 8.2 km to be exact in 44:13. The route was down King William from the store and back.
Wednesday – Interval day but this week it was 2 x mile repeats. Michael and Dylan (our youngest whippet) offered to do these with me. If only I was as fast as Dylan. He just seems to be strolling down the road and yet he is going much faster than I ever could. I did my work out on King William Road. 2 km jog warm up, some dynamic stretches, 3 x 50 meter strides, 2 x mile repeats, 2 km cool down jog. It was a tad windy out there but it is definitely the flattest route nearby for intervals. Total distance was 9 km
Friday – 8 km easy pace. The route went from the store down to near Gault Road and back. 8.01 km in a time of 43:59
Sunday was my long run which this week was 14 km. I did this with Cindy, Sue and Michael. We went from the store down to Manawagonish Road and turned at 7 km. My ankle was very painful on the second half but I got her done. Many thanks to my friends for keeping me company. It was cold and windy but no snow, yet! 14 km done in 01:21:12.
So that was the week, a total of 39.21 km. My ankle is very painful but I will just have to suck it up and get on with it. No point in whingeing if I want to do the half. I am hoping that during this week, which is a recovery week, it won’t deteriorate any more. Apart from that, I feel really fit.
What is my exciting news for the past week I hear you ask, yes you are asking, I can hear you! Well, I do have some. Cindy, Sue, Michael and I booked our flights for Ireland. We leave next August for the Dingle Marathon weekend. Irelands most scenic. How exciting is that?
