The Long Run

 SPECTATOR REPORT: DISNEY MARATHON

It was a lot of fun cheering for Jenny.  I dragged the kids all over the course.  They were really good too considering we had to get up at 3:45.  I had pace alerts set up on my phone for my wife, her running friend, one of my running partners who was going for a BQ as well as Jeff who was out here for the marathon and family vacation.

I saw Jenny at about 1.5 miles, missed her at mile 9, but saw her at about 12.5 miles.  I saw her finish, too and was there after she came through to the family reunion area. 

I was also able to meet Jeff and his family after he finished with an awesome 2:40 time and finishing 16th overall.  It was nice to finally meet someone from the blog (especially such a nice guy!).

Also, kudos out to Jenny's running partner Kathryn who chopped off about 19 minutes from her old PR!

One of my running partners, David, once again proved that he is "full of it" when he keeps saying that he is too "old and broken" to run like he used to, another BQ in the 50+ age group, way to go David!!!

And, one of the best surprises (I wish I had known that she was running) is one of my running insprirations, the ever so valuable "olympian-next-door", Eudair, who took 2nd in her age group, way to go!!!!

I thought Jenny held up really well and looked good at the end.  It was a little nerve wracking for me since I didn't know what was going on between mile 20 and the finish.  She slowed down a little bit over the second half but nothing too terrible and didn't have any major problems.

With all of the unknows of her first marathon, she did really well with a 4:12:08.  On the drive home the next day she even mentioned that she might be up for another marathon sometime :)

Ran 9.2 with Dixie this morning.  Weather was very nice.  Mainly took it easy with nothing much faster than 8:00.

Average pace: 8:25

Ran with Dixie this morning at the Y.  We met up at 6:00.  Much colder today than yesterday, but I was prepared for it this time unlike last Saturday.  Once warmed up, it was actually very good weather to run in - about mid 40's.   We started off together for our warm up then Dixie went ahead to run about a 7:20 pace.  I stayed slower at first and then did a couple of faster miles at 6:03 and 6:09 with a break in between.  It was sort of like repeats but more integrated into the run.  With the different paces we took turns passing each other.  Did a few more easy miles at the end for a total of 8.08 miles at 7:56 pace.

The faster miles felt good and I'm hoping they'll make the 6:50's I want to do on Sunday not seem so bad.

Went inside for cool down on the bike, some stretching and core and a few sets of weights before heading home.

Biked the boys to school so Jenny could have a little bit more time.

Pretty good run this morning.  Out and back route, SR 54 to Starkey Blvd, up and then back home the same way.  Even chillier this morning, high 30's.  Wore a sweatshirt for the first mile which really did the trick.   Felt warm, so I stashed it and continued on feeling comfortable.  Slowly picked up the pace with a faster return trip.   Fastest mile on the way back was 7:15.  Overall pace was 7:53.

I was a little bit slow in getting started this morning.  Feel like I'm fighting off a cold or something, hopefully I'll win.   Decided on an indoor/outdoor run.  It was back in the 40's today, so a lot warmer than yesterday.  Went to the Y, did a warm up on the bike.   Chatted with David for a bit and congratulated him on his BQ at Disney.   Got onto the treadmill for 3.12 mainly easy miles.   Did a few short strides to half marathon pace, which fortunately felt natural and not too hard, just faster. 

Headed outside for another 3.16 miles.  2nd mile I hit half marathon pace without looking at the Garmin or forcing it.  Backed down a bit for the third mile, for an average pace of 7:23 on the outdoor portion of this morning's run.

Felt much better at the end of the run than I felt when I first woke up.

Went to the Y with Jenny this morning.  I just wanted a short and easy run so I'm feeling ready for tomorrow's half marathon.  For Jenny, it was her first run since the Disney marathon on Sunday.  I mainly ran about an 8 minute pace with a few intervals at tomorrow's goal half marathon pace.  The faster pace felt good, like maybe something I can hold onto, although it won't be easy.

Jenny is thinking of doing the 5 mile race but has not yet decided on a pace.  It should be pretty exciting tomorrow as there will probably be a lot of people that we know there for either the 5 mile race or the half marathon.