Saturday, November 17, 2012

A Virtual Race and a Long Run

 

Laura at Mommy Run Fast is co-hosting a virtual race to raise money for the Red Cross's efforts on behalf of Hurricane Sandy victims (it runs through December 1, so you can still sign up; click the bib image above for more information). Dan and I had been looking to donate anyway to a hurricane-related cause, and I had a speedier one-hour run on the books this week, so I thought I'd make a "race" of it.

Yesterday's run was a "steady state" run, in which I was to start out with 15 minutes at a very easy heart rate (145 beats per minute), ramp up to 15 minutes at 150-155 bpm, then to 15 minutes at 155-160 and finish with 15 minutes at 160-165. I figured I could do at least 10K in that period of time, so that's what I'm calling my virtual race.

Here's how it ended up:

Overall: 6.35 miles; 1 hour 6 seconds; avg pace 9:28; avg HR 152

Mile 1: 12:03, avg HR 136 (Garmin was wigging out as usual during the first mile; I'm not sure how accurate the pace or the heart rate is for this mile)
Mile 2: 9:09, avg HR 144
Mile 3: 9:21, avg HR 154
Mile 4: 8:46, avg HR 160
Mile 5: 9:01, avg HR163
Mile 6: 8:49; avg HR 164
Last .35: 8:33 pace, avg HR 163

It wasn't my fastest 10K, but I nailed the workout and felt fantastic. Plus Darren was happy with it, which makes me happy. Thanks for hosting the virtual race, Laura!

Today I followed that up with a 2 hour 15 minute long run, this time all at an easy heart rate (below 150). I ran it slowly, but I returned to the tough course in Boulder where I ran long two weeks ago, so the terrain made up for the pace.

This was my last long run of the cycle. Darren has already posted next week's workouts, and the "long" run next Saturday is only 90 minutes. There's a tough speed workout on Tuesday, but I can truly say now that I am tapering.

Two weeks to the California International Marathon.

11 comments:

  1. Nice work! Hoping to come spectate in Sacramento :)

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  2. Yay for tapering. I can't wait to see how you do at CIM and how you feel the heartrate training has benefitted you. Great job with your virtual run and making it to taper!

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  3. Woohoo for taper! Well, actually tapering sucks, but woohoo for getting close to racing! :)

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  4. I want to be able to run like U! Boo...................

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  5. Woo-Hoo! Those speed workouts were my saving grace during tapering because I felt so lazy not doing the higher mileage plus I was eating like a crazy person! I'm so excited for your race!!!

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  6. So glad you could participate! I'm using the Turkey Trot on Thursday for mine. Nice job getting in your long run the next day, too. Enjoy your taper- I can't believe how close you are to race day!

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  7. That virtual race is a great idea! Enjoy. Can't believe your race is only 2 WEEKS away. Keep happy & healthy during taper. :-)

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  8. Woohoo for the taper! Great job on the virtual race!

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  9. Nailing and feeling fantastic are what counts. Nicely done girl! Happy taper!

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