Showing posts with label 10 nautical miler training. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 10 nautical miler training. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Badge Of Honor
I got my first black toenail this last week after running the Navy Ten Nautical Miler a week ago. I have feared the black toenail since I started running and began soaking up all available information I could find pertaining to the sport on the internet. The idea of my toenail turning black and possibly falling off seriously grossed me out! I could not fathom how I would ever be able to survive or look at my feet if this were to happen to me. But then March came along, and with it came the Germantown Half Marathon, and in the course of running that race my husband ended up with this obsidian treasure. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, and the good news is it never fell off. So here I am 9 months into my running journey, having run 4 races, and I don't even know how many miles, and I have officially earned my first physical running badge of honor! While I can't say it's the prettiest thing, I can say I no longer fear it, and I am wearing my badge proudly!
Monday, June 07, 2010
Navy Nautical Ten Miler Race Recap
It's been a while, life has just gotten so hectic that I have been neglecting updating my blog lately, so sorry faithful readers! I stopped training for this race, but I still ran the Inaugural Navy Nautical Ten Miler yesterday. After not running for 5 weeks, I did better than I thought I would!
My day started at 5:45 am, got out of bed, tried to eat a bagel with some natural peanut butter on it, but I just can't eat that early in the morning, it just doesn't happen. I ate about a quarter of my big delicious looking bagel and then gave up and decided to go get dressed and ready. I spent the next 30 minutes or so fiddling with the placing of my bib number. At first it was too high, then it was too low, then it was crooked, the list went on and on, finally I just gave up and left it the way it was, threw it on, put on my contacts, grabbed my ipod, laced up my shoes and headed out the door. When I got to the race location, it was about 8 minutes to start time, I was so panicked I was going to miss the start like I did in March's half marathon. I made a quick pit stop at the port a potty and then went to line up, which I did just in time, because as I was getting out there they announced that it was 15 seconds to start time! Next thing I knew, the gun was fired and we were off!
The race actually began with everyone walking over the starting line because there were over 400 runners, and no corrals, we walked just until the road opened up and we could spread out and run. I was running at a pretty decent pace, about 10:30 per mile and was feeling good, despite the heat. I kept running up until Nautical Mile (NM) 1, which is where the first aid station was, I walked on through, got some water and then continued on. Somewhere between NM 1 and NM 2, I decided to walk. My run/walk pattern continued throughout the rest of the race.
NM 2-5 were pretty uneventful, the only thing that helped me get through the heat and the dead feeling in my legs were seeing all the volunteers out along the course out there to cheer us on. It made me feel so awesome to have them telling me I was doing great! Although it was hot and I wasn't feeling so great, I kept telling myself that it was okay and that I could make up my time later in the second half of the race and get a decent time. Well, I got to NM 5 (about 5.75 regular miles) and my time was 1:07:35, I knew then if I wanted to make my goal of 2 hours I would have to hustle, but then the pain in my right foot began, and I knew I had a blister. I tried running, it just wasn't happening for more than a couple minutes at a time. So, the rest of the way I ran/walked. The sun came out in full force around NM 7, and that's when it really got hot. I was drenched in sweat and it was already so humid, the sun did not help. Somewhere around NM 8 I met up with a nice girl who ran/walked with me for a bit, we talked and shared stories of past races, she really was great company and a sweetheart. We stayed together for a while, but then one of us would want to keep going and the other walk, we actually played the passing game pretty much the whole race!
NM 9 was the last aid station and I knew I was almost home free. A little while later I rounded the curve and could see the finish line in sight, but I just didn't have the energy to run that whole way, so I walked, then ran, then walked again, and then with it less that 400 meters away I began sprinting. I heard them announce my name as I was about to cross the finish line and heard all the applause and cheers, and waiting there right in the center was my husband smiling and clapping! I did it! I was handed my big gold anchor medal and immediately ran into my husbands arms for a hug and a kiss. He then led me over to the recovery tent to get some water, Gatorade, a banana, and a beer. That banana and then that beer tasted so awesome just then. I then took off my shoes to examine my blisters, sure enough, there was a huge one on the edge/ball of my right foot, along with a sore second toe with a blister and what I think is going to end up being a black toenail.
My final time was 2:24:20, I came in 12th out of 15th in my age group ( F 25-29). Overall, I'm not too upset about my time, I was hoping I would have come in around 2 hours, but, with not really training for this race, and the heat/humidity, and the blisters, I think it was a fairly decent time. Next year I am hoping to make that 2 hour mark, and hopefully I will have more ample time to train and prepare myself. Also, I think next time I will seriously consider a fuel belt or a cool wrap thing for my neck. I leave you now with a photo of me at the finish line post race and recovery.
My day started at 5:45 am, got out of bed, tried to eat a bagel with some natural peanut butter on it, but I just can't eat that early in the morning, it just doesn't happen. I ate about a quarter of my big delicious looking bagel and then gave up and decided to go get dressed and ready. I spent the next 30 minutes or so fiddling with the placing of my bib number. At first it was too high, then it was too low, then it was crooked, the list went on and on, finally I just gave up and left it the way it was, threw it on, put on my contacts, grabbed my ipod, laced up my shoes and headed out the door. When I got to the race location, it was about 8 minutes to start time, I was so panicked I was going to miss the start like I did in March's half marathon. I made a quick pit stop at the port a potty and then went to line up, which I did just in time, because as I was getting out there they announced that it was 15 seconds to start time! Next thing I knew, the gun was fired and we were off!
The race actually began with everyone walking over the starting line because there were over 400 runners, and no corrals, we walked just until the road opened up and we could spread out and run. I was running at a pretty decent pace, about 10:30 per mile and was feeling good, despite the heat. I kept running up until Nautical Mile (NM) 1, which is where the first aid station was, I walked on through, got some water and then continued on. Somewhere between NM 1 and NM 2, I decided to walk. My run/walk pattern continued throughout the rest of the race.
NM 2-5 were pretty uneventful, the only thing that helped me get through the heat and the dead feeling in my legs were seeing all the volunteers out along the course out there to cheer us on. It made me feel so awesome to have them telling me I was doing great! Although it was hot and I wasn't feeling so great, I kept telling myself that it was okay and that I could make up my time later in the second half of the race and get a decent time. Well, I got to NM 5 (about 5.75 regular miles) and my time was 1:07:35, I knew then if I wanted to make my goal of 2 hours I would have to hustle, but then the pain in my right foot began, and I knew I had a blister. I tried running, it just wasn't happening for more than a couple minutes at a time. So, the rest of the way I ran/walked. The sun came out in full force around NM 7, and that's when it really got hot. I was drenched in sweat and it was already so humid, the sun did not help. Somewhere around NM 8 I met up with a nice girl who ran/walked with me for a bit, we talked and shared stories of past races, she really was great company and a sweetheart. We stayed together for a while, but then one of us would want to keep going and the other walk, we actually played the passing game pretty much the whole race!
NM 9 was the last aid station and I knew I was almost home free. A little while later I rounded the curve and could see the finish line in sight, but I just didn't have the energy to run that whole way, so I walked, then ran, then walked again, and then with it less that 400 meters away I began sprinting. I heard them announce my name as I was about to cross the finish line and heard all the applause and cheers, and waiting there right in the center was my husband smiling and clapping! I did it! I was handed my big gold anchor medal and immediately ran into my husbands arms for a hug and a kiss. He then led me over to the recovery tent to get some water, Gatorade, a banana, and a beer. That banana and then that beer tasted so awesome just then. I then took off my shoes to examine my blisters, sure enough, there was a huge one on the edge/ball of my right foot, along with a sore second toe with a blister and what I think is going to end up being a black toenail.
My final time was 2:24:20, I came in 12th out of 15th in my age group ( F 25-29). Overall, I'm not too upset about my time, I was hoping I would have come in around 2 hours, but, with not really training for this race, and the heat/humidity, and the blisters, I think it was a fairly decent time. Next year I am hoping to make that 2 hour mark, and hopefully I will have more ample time to train and prepare myself. Also, I think next time I will seriously consider a fuel belt or a cool wrap thing for my neck. I leave you now with a photo of me at the finish line post race and recovery.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Week 2 of Navy Ten Nautical Miler Training
This last week was not so easy to get through, mostly because I've just been in a mood lately. A mood where I just want to be lazy. I don't know if I am just burned out from running, or what is up with me, but it's been really difficult for me to convince myself to get out the door. I put off this week's training a few times, Monday turned into Tuesday, Tuesday turned into Wednesday, and finally I decided I needed to get on the ball. I set out for a 5 mile speed work run on Wednesday at the track on base, but it was so hot and I just was not feeling it. It ended up turning into a 2 mile short run with a lot of walking. Which I guess is okay, considering I skipped my 2 miler on Monday. Then Thursday I moved back indoors to the treadmill and was able to get in the speed work. I felt so much better after it. I felt like I was back. Saturday I set out for 6 miles on base, but those 6 miles quickly turned into 3 miles with a lot of walking. It just seems like this is becoming a pattern, and I don't know how to get out of my funk. I just want to run and feel good about running again. Alas, I still got in 10 miles this week, 3 shy of the 13 I was supposed to get in. Hopefully this week I can find my motivation again!
Week 2, Day 1: 2.04 miles, 23:24, av pace 11:28 min/mi
Week 2, Day 2: 5.28 miles, 54:00, av pace: 10:13 min/mi
Week 2, Day 3: 3.02 miles, 34:11, av pace: 11:18 min/mi
Week 2, Day 1: 2.04 miles, 23:24, av pace 11:28 min/mi
Week 2, Day 2: 5.28 miles, 54:00, av pace: 10:13 min/mi
Week 2, Day 3: 3.02 miles, 34:11, av pace: 11:18 min/mi
Monday, April 12, 2010
A New Training Plan Commences
With the Navy Ten Nautical Miler 8 weeks away, I decided to start a new training plan last week. My goal is to run the 11.5 miles in 2 hours or less. I'm really hoping I am able to do it. So with my new determination, I made up my new training plan with the help of Runner's World Smart Coach and set off. I'm really hoping the weather on this race day is better than the day of the half and that I am able to run more of the race with less walk breaks.
This first week was fairly easy. It was a nice change compared to my half training, especially in that my longest run for this plan will only be 9 miles as opposed to the 12 my last plan had me do. I also like that it has me doing some really short "easy" runs, even though I usually don't like doing anything less than 3 miles, I think this will keep me on track and make me realize that not every run has to be fast and hard. Last Monday I did the 2 miler around our neighborhood loop, which meant I got a bunch of hill training in there too! I made the mistake of doing it at about 11 am in 78 degree weather, which wasn't the best idea, but alas, I refuse to wake up early just to run in the "cooler" morning temps. Wednesday's tempo run I ended up doing on the treadmill at the gym, it was a little cooler out and it was still pretty early, so I just bit the bullet and survived the dreadmill. Saturday I did my 6 miler on base at the park, it was a nice 74 degrees and sunny, a beautiful day for a run! It was great and really felt good!
I've moved my schedule back a day this week given that I didn't do today's 2 miler, but I will be doing it tomorrow and then doing my speed work on Thursday and the long run on Saturday, I'm looking forward to another great week!
Week 1, Day 1: 2.01 miles, 20:29, av pace: 10:10 min/mi
Week 1, Day 2: 5 miles, 48:47, av pace: 9:45 min/mi
Week 1, Day 3: 6.01 miles, 1:00:29, av pace: 10:03 min/mi
This first week was fairly easy. It was a nice change compared to my half training, especially in that my longest run for this plan will only be 9 miles as opposed to the 12 my last plan had me do. I also like that it has me doing some really short "easy" runs, even though I usually don't like doing anything less than 3 miles, I think this will keep me on track and make me realize that not every run has to be fast and hard. Last Monday I did the 2 miler around our neighborhood loop, which meant I got a bunch of hill training in there too! I made the mistake of doing it at about 11 am in 78 degree weather, which wasn't the best idea, but alas, I refuse to wake up early just to run in the "cooler" morning temps. Wednesday's tempo run I ended up doing on the treadmill at the gym, it was a little cooler out and it was still pretty early, so I just bit the bullet and survived the dreadmill. Saturday I did my 6 miler on base at the park, it was a nice 74 degrees and sunny, a beautiful day for a run! It was great and really felt good!
I've moved my schedule back a day this week given that I didn't do today's 2 miler, but I will be doing it tomorrow and then doing my speed work on Thursday and the long run on Saturday, I'm looking forward to another great week!
Week 1, Day 1: 2.01 miles, 20:29, av pace: 10:10 min/mi
Week 1, Day 2: 5 miles, 48:47, av pace: 9:45 min/mi
Week 1, Day 3: 6.01 miles, 1:00:29, av pace: 10:03 min/mi
