Newburyport 1/2 marathon

Untitled by donnafurse at Garmin Connect - Details

( click the above link to view my Garmin file)


Today was a good day, it was great to hear coach say, " Race Executed perfectly" pace and heart rate, still waiting on my grade but I think I may have gotten at least a B+ or A-, I'll keep you posted.

The Green Stride 1/2 marathon today had a beautiful course, some good hills with some good downhills, the weather was perfect, nice and cold with a slight wind and some sun, great day. If there was anything negative about the course it was that they only had water for 10+ miles and the water stops were about every 2 1/2 miles. I train with sports drink only and I make sure to drink pretty consistently, on a hot day this would not of been good for me, I was very lucky. Pre-race was uneventful, nutrition during race was spot on, I kept my pace were I felt most comfortable, I definitely felt a little struggle at mile 11 ( where on my garmin you'll see my slowest mile, 8:21, but there was a very long hill at that point as well), my HR was consistent in the low 160's but I was happy I could engage my heart at the end and get the last two miles up to 173. My last solo 1/2 marathon was in 2009 were I averaged 8:19 per mile and I felt like death over the last 3 miles, my pacing was completely off and my times were not consistent. ( Hyannis 1/2 2009), that course if very flat but it can be windy and cold. My final time was 1:48:59.

Today I did 1:46:03, Avg: 8:03 ( by my garmin, 8:06 on their timer), so 3 minute PR and if you look at my garmin file very consistent miles, I didn't cave at the end, I stayed strong and actually had some good miles for 12 and 13. I know I worked as hard as I could, I couldn't of done more than I did today so in the end I am happy.

PW was happy too, he noted to me that I executed a very good race. I'll take that from coach. Now on to making more improvements and moving on to a very successful 2012.

Whats in your purse today?

Ok, in my purse I have:

1. my 2011 calendar book that contains all my mail, important papers, kids immunization shit, stickies, you name I have it in my book.

2. car keys

3. tape ( don't ask)

4. mouth wash ( free sample at last hotel I stayed at, just didn't take it out)

5.my sons football glove and mouth guard ( it now has sand in it, again don't ask)

6.stretchy band for resistance training

7. powerbar gel chocholate and caffe late

8. motrin bottle

9. Synthroid medication

10. 4 pens

11. Hammer nutrition small bottle with 2 salt tabs in it from IM syracuse ( seriously)

12.chicken bone from my sons dinner tonight ( so gross, he threw it in my purse, really)

13.daughters broken glasses

14. wallet with change and credit cards

15. hair bands

16. garmin watch and heart rate strap

17. receipt from Shaws supermarket

18. The Son of Neptune ( my son's book that I'm currently reading)

ok, really, I knew my purse was heavy but there was no reason for me to have all this shit in my purse.

What do you have in your purse?

Happy 43rd Birthday to me and other random thoughts

So another year has passed, it seems like they just fly by now. I can't believe this will be my last year in the 40-44AG, so weird. I wish this gave me some hope that it would get easier as I got older but the women keep getting faster, no kidding. That being said, I will enjoy this year one day at a time.

Anyhoo, birthday was good, had a great run and tempo bike, my paces are going well, its hard to be at the end of your season and feel like your peaking. Im in my last build that was supposed to be for IM Arizona just to give me some miles on the bike and run, I don't feel burned out since I really didn't start my season till late August but after next weeks 1/2 marathon it will be break time, recover and re-test.

I'm excited/nervous about next weeks 1/2 marathon, I haven't done a straight out road race since the Black Cat 10 miler last February. I'm not expecting miracles but I am hoping to put in a good performance. Baby steps, right?

I am also in the process of trying to figure out my race season for next year with the end race being IM Mont tremblant in Canada. I may try to race a bit early this year ( i.e., April) and then another 1/2 in June, throw in a sprint and an Olympic on the alternating months then follow it up with the IM in August should all work. I'm also going to try to convince my hubby to let me go to QT2's camp again this year which has been changed to February, we'll see.

Anyhoo, the big part of my birthday yesterday was my 8yr old was secretly practicing Happy Birthday on his Violin all week and he played it for me last night, what a great present for me. I may not of gotten a cupcake or cake or had a traditional birthday celebration but that was pretty awesome and he was sooooooooooo proud of himself for keeping it such a secret.

Well back to finishing up the dishes and laundry and getting the kids at school. We are going to a corn maze this afternoon, lets hope we don't have to call the police to help find us if we get lost like that poor person in Danvers. Me and 5 kids, good gracious, wish me luck.