3.24.2011

it's a girl, race plan!

Congratulations to my friend Julie who had a baby girl: Olivia: this morning! I saw her yesterday at a playdate (our boys are 3 months apart) and on the way home, her water broke. (She never ate a brownie by the way, they aren't magic!!) Unfortunately her labor didn't progress, she had to get pitocin and ended up with a c-section. I feel like it sounds like a similar story that happens to many people. It sounds like a NIGHTmare. I felt so badly for her, but I'm so happy she has a beautiful baby girl!

So Sunday is my race and my usual plan is to just go all out and then I usually die in the end. When I'm not well-trained, I am cursing and saying I'll never do another race again and asking myself why I am there. Well trained, probably still cursing but feeling stronger in the end?  I think I'm going to do that, ha! If I try to hold a certain pace, like 8:30, I don't want to feel like I have anything left at the end. What is your normal race strategy? What suggestions do you have? This is a challenging course because it is hilly - and the weather looks blah, high of 40 with chance of snow/rain.  I'm excited though! I feel well trained for it. We'll see how I do.

My plan for this week worked out well (I'll let you know for sure on Monday though, post-race). Thanks for the suggestions - I feel like I did mini sessions of speed and tempo and it helped me to not feel like I was just doing easy runs (boring).

Monday was swimming and abs
Tuesday was short speedwork
Wednesday was spin class, running and abs
Thursday - today - 8 miles with 2 miles at race goal pace
Friday - plan to swim and do abs
Saturday - easy 2 miles or just rest
Sunday - race day!  maybe a warm up of a couple of miles if I don't do the easy 2 on Sat.

Kara got a hold of some kale last night!  she wasn't a fan!

11 comments:

  1. Congrats to Julie! The name Olivia is just beautiful.

    I think you should try to stick to your goal pace and pick it up at the end if you have anything left. Starting out too fast is the biggest mistake, and seems so easy to avoid, but I do it Every.Single.Time. Try to hold back, you'll be glad you did! Good luck and have fun!! :)

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  2. Congrats to julie! I love the name olivia! baby kara is getting SO big!

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  3. Congrats to Julie! Love the name Olivia, so beautiful! best of luck to you at your race this weekend!

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  4. when I first read the title I was thinking, "wow those brownies really do work, maybe I need to try them!!" LOL Having a healthy baby is the goal though no matter how they end up coming out :-)

    I think you are going to do so well in your race! Your runs lately have been awesome. Can't wait to hear how it goes for you.

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  5. Congrats to your friend. She has my heartfelt sympathies for the long one. Glad she had a safe C-section and Olivia is such a lovely name. So nice your kids are so close together!

    Def hold back for the first part (do no go faster than goal pace). I usually find the middle the tough bit and try and grit my teeth to hold onto pace there so that If I can push at the end there's a bonus faster pace!

    Best of luck.

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  6. I agree about holding back in the beginning, as you will definitely find a burst of energy as you get close to the end - or at least I find a boost at the end.

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  7. I think you're going to have a great race. Good luck this weekend!

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  8. Yay for babies!! You are going to do great! The last couple of halfs that I ran I started the first mile slower 8:50ish pace and then settled into the pace I wanted, around 8:30. This past one I used people along the course to tag behind that were keeping a pace I wanted during the first 6 miles or so. This helped because like you I usually go all out at the beginning until I die and then curse the day I ever signed up for the stupid race! Relax and keep breathing!!! Good luck!!!

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  9. If I'm confident in a certain pace being attainable for the race, I go for it from the beginning. If I am not 100% certain, I definitely start on the conservative side and try to pick it up as I go. Break the race into 2 or 3 chunks and choose distances where you will assess how you are feeling. GOOD LUCK!

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  10. Congrats to your friend. And best of luck this weekend! :)

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