Anyway, Sunday's 5K was intended to be a fun run on my way to the Zoo Half Marathon. Next potential race on the schedule is a 10-miler that is 3.5 short weeks away. I haven't signed up for it yet and probably won't make a final decision on it for another 3 weeks. After that, I'm thinking of doing a 10K in April. Then the Half-Marathon on May 1.
I've been trying to figure out what went right on Sunday. Maybe it was the winter running. Maybe it's fact that I'm not injured for a change. Maybe it was the cake in the morning Maybe it was a relaxed attitude. Probably a combination of the above.
I plugged the results into the MacMillan race calculator and had several observations.
1) My long/easy paces are right on. It always seems like I'm running too slow, but apparently not. That's good to know.
2) Macmillan predicts that I could run a 10K in 58:30. I don't know about that, but I'm definitely hoping to break an hour next time.
3) Macmillan predicts a 2:10:00 Half Marathon. To be honest, If I can get trained up and achieve anything under 2:15:00, I'd be happy.
4) Macmillan suggests tempo runs in the 9:30-9:55 range. That sounds difficult to me. It also has something that it calls steady-state runs that are 9:55-10:12. That sounds more achievable. I'm not sure what the difference is between tempo and steady-state is. Does Anyone know?
Ran 4.5 miles solo on Monday with another half-mile walking. Ran 4.0 miles with the group after work yesterday. That makes three days in a row of running with the race on Sunday. Surprisingly, I feel okay. But today I will 'rest' and do yoga.
Okay, enough rambling for now. I'm going to try to get back to sleep. My alarm doesn't go off until 5:45. I can almost guarantee that I'll be sleeping soundly when it goes off and won't want to get up. Isn't that how it always goes?
Ugh...I feel your pain on the sleep. I was up at 3AM today too.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you've got lots of numbers rattling around in your head. My experience is if McMillan says you can, believe it!
ReplyDeleteI must say I never have problems sleeping. I’m just too dead tired by the time I go to bed. I don’t sleep long hours but the 4 – 5 I do I’m out like a dog. That pace that feels to slow is usually just right.
ReplyDeleteI been trying to figure the difference as well
ReplyDeleteDid you say cake for breakfast???
ReplyDeleteIt was the cake, for sure. ;)
ReplyDeleteMy understanding is that tempo runs should be at or around your LT - typically close to half marathon pace. Steady state would be slightly slower and you would run them for longer durations.
Wow, what a lot of numbers! It was probably the cake :) AND all your consistent hard work!
ReplyDeleteMcMillan says I should run a 1:53 half marathon. giddy up :-)
ReplyDeleteI always need my sleep.
ReplyDeleteI should start to run a little harder on myself. I just take it easy all the time. Not a good thing if I really wanted to speed up some.
I find that runs where I tend to be mellow and not too stressed out about are the ones where I do the best.
ReplyDeleteIf I can't sleep, I might as well call in sick. Before I started running, sleeping was my favorite hobby.
ReplyDeleteYou have a lot of numbers going on.
I'm sure you can achieve them.
Yay on being uninjured!
Not a fan of the middle of the night wake ups either.
ReplyDeleteI definitely think you can hit those numbers. You might just surprise yourself with your ability.
I vote "relaxed attitude". That's magic in a bottle of legs on race day.
ReplyDeletethis is awesome. i've found being mostly injury free for a year, and taking a more relaxed attitude has resulted in PR after PR. best of luck to you! can't wait to see you start racking those PR's up.
ReplyDeleteSorry for your sleep, luckily I don't have any problem.
ReplyDeleteI vote "relaxed attitude" too.
Long time ago running was a simple thing now we have the garmin, the calculator, the training programs, the running logs, the cardio, the ipod...do I forget anything?........ great sport!!!!
Sorry about the sleep problems. My spouse also has a lot of difficulty getting to sleep and staying asleep many nights. I'm a big baby when I don't get at least 6.5 hours.
ReplyDeleteI was often up at that hour during pregnancy. Btw, great job on your last race and your PR!!
ReplyDeleteIt's taken me a few days to catch up with everyone's most recent blog posts, but I note you posted this 5 days ago. Did you fall back to sleep and never wake up?
ReplyDelete