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May 27, 2008
24 Days, 1:22:50 Half in Practice, and 85 Miles
Well, the title pretty much sums up everything! 24 days until the marathon and I am one nervous runner. Every time I visualize the race, I get little flip-floppers in my stomach. To note that I am hungry for a strong marathon is a gross understatement . . . I am ravenous, starving, insatiable. After the disappointment in Chicago last fall, all I ask my running goddesses is that they greet us with a lukewarm morning and some calm winds. That's basically asking for perfection, but why not start pleading now?
Last week marked a new milestone: 85 miles, including a 1:22:50 half on Saturday. We ran the half in a workout and H. set it up so that Tim and I simulated the marathon. Our goal was to run the first 5 in 32:30 (our goal for the race), then churn out 5 in 31:15 (6:15s), and then smoothly cruise the final 5K @ 6:30 pace.
Here's how it shook out: first 5 in 32:00 exactly. It felt harder than I thought it should have so I immediately started to worry. But as soon as I ditched my long sleeve shirt and hit "start" again, I was mentally in it. Tim took it out hard the first mile and, not knowing what pace we were running, I struggled to keep up so I let him go. In spite of pulling up a little, I still came through in 6:08. I struggled through the final 4, running slightly faster than 6:15 pace (6:11s), but it was the kind of struggle that we feel when our legs are screaming with fatigue from several weeks of hard training. I hit that 5 in 30:53. Tim waited for me and as soon as I turned around, we started the final 5K. We hit 6:25 - 6:27s and they rolled like butter . . . smooth and even. I always forget how "comfortable" sub 6:30s can feel after hitting 6:11s. My main problem now is figuring out the middle 15 miles of the marathon . . . is 6:15 realistic? I am still not confident that it is.
I followed-up that workout with a 20 miler on Sunday and a much needed rest day yesterday. The plan this week is to hit 76-80, all singles, and 6 days :) After that, we start sliding the mileage south . . . and I *love* the taper!! I truly feel like the taper is the final reward for several months of hard work.
Aside from running, things are great right now! I have absolutely no complaints. Final grades have been turned in, I said "no" to teaching summer school, and I am catching up on sleep. While, I am a notorious under-sleeper, an insomniac some might say, but anything around 5 straight hours and I am ready to rock. H. has been warning me to watch the sleep, though, so I have tried - whenever possible - to sneak in 20-45 minute naps; those short naps are quite rejuvenating.
I still have several summer projects to complete, but I enjoy working on them at home or in the coffee shop around the corner. I am totally digging this mini break! I think my June marathon is my best bet for a fast time because as soon as our semester commences in August, I am going straight to the slaughterhouse. I will still be an Assistant Director of the First-Year Writing Program, but I will still be teaching a full load of writing courses. Ugh. But I am not going to think about that chaos just yet. Instead, I am going to fantasize about some kind of 9-5 job that I can find, or maybe I will finally suck it up and strike out on my own and start building my dream career. Whatever I do, I know one thing for sure: I want to put my heart and soul into this running thing and see where it takes me by 2012 :-)
Posted by bridget at May 27, 2008 11:46 AM
Comments
2012 Olympic Trials? Um.. I'm pretty sure I'd have to take off over a MINUTE/MILE to be playing in that game! I am still in college (just finished my first year) so I know I still have a long running career ahead of me, but Olympic Trials? It would be amazing though..
Wow - I only read two of your posts.. but you're PHENOMENAL! I can only dream of getting that speed some day! Am I right to think that you're going for the trials? LOL I'm always curious.. how did you find my blog anyways?
Posted by: erika at May 27, 2008 2:39 PM
Um, dude, not to be a jerk, but since I work in an English department and all...HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND??? What is your teaching load Bridget? Please tell me you're not doing a 2-2, which with your assistant job (nice title, but I suspect bad pay) is more like a 4-4? And please tell me you're not trying to do a diss or study for comps or anything of the such...
That said, when I was waiting for A to finish her PhD in Rhet-Comp, I taught 7 sections of comp per semester for 3 straight semesters. It was suicide.
All right, enough jawing you...go put down your sub 2:50, and if you are going to do CCCC's in SF, let me know, as I'll be there with the family.
Posted by: joseph wood at May 28, 2008 4:23 PM
Bridget, I don't remember how I stumbled (er, stalked?) upon your blog, but I love it and I'm thrilled to hear your running is going well and will be keeping up with your blog/marathon. I'm teaching a first year college writing class this fall, too, so I guess we have that in common as well!
-Amanda
Posted by: Amanda at May 28, 2008 9:18 PM
go Bridget GO!
Posted by: corrado giambalvo at May 29, 2008 1:24 PM
I am so glad you're feeling better. You are doing so well. I can't wait to track you in a couple of weeks! I see a huge pr in your future :)
Posted by: Salty at May 30, 2008 3:09 PM
Bridget,
I don't comment too much, but I love to read your blog. It's inspiring in so many ways. Mostly, it's your work ethic and the results you derive from it that are so inspiring.
May you taper well to a strong marathon PR. So much of the battle is mental, and you seem mentally dying for this!
Meghan
Posted by: Meghan at May 30, 2008 8:02 PM
Wow - you rock!! What marathon are you running?! I cannot WAIT to follow you. You can do this!!
Posted by: mindi at June 1, 2008 8:09 PM
Bridget- You rock!!! Can't wait for your marathon report...
Posted by: Alejandro at June 2, 2008 10:59 AM
B!!!
Just caught your (very thoughtful and loving) comment about the scale incident - thanks for writing and just finding me again! Let's talk...can you email me? leslie@lrdiaries.com
You run so fast, it scares me.
xxoo
leslie
Posted by: WeightingGame at June 3, 2008 1:20 PM