Well, I think my calendar for the year has finally fallen into place.
Right now, I'm at the height of spring racing season. My recent calendar has looked (or looks) like this:
April 27 wknd 5k
May 4 wknd 5k (1 second faster than the week before)
May 11 wknd half marathon (the longest I've run since the San Antonio marathon last November!) (PR)
May 18 wknd 5k (on my PR course, but PR is unlikely) (and the official start of marathon training on Sunday)
May 25 wknd half marathon
June 4 wknd 4 mile race
June 11 wknd -- no racing!
June 18 wknd 5k
Then my little mini-race streak will end probably as marathon training picks up. We've got a couple little trips planned (basically just long weekends in Nacogdoches and Kansas City), but really very little on the calendar for the summer.
But I'm most interested in how it looks like my fall schedule is likely shaping up (I'm putting the definite races in bold):
Sept. 20 wknd 5k
Sept. 29 marathon in Berlin!
(then we'll have a couple weeks of vacation for Oktoberfest and in Italy)
Nov. 2 marathon in northern California maybe (on trails, probably with my brother)
Nov. 17 marathon in San Antonio maybe (probably not for time)
Nov. 28 local Thanksgiving 8 mile race
Dec. 8 half-marathon probably (local race, but I might just cheer for friends)
Dec. 14 wknd 10 mile race in FTW maybe
(home for a week for Christmas, maybe visiting in-laws for the following week)
Jan. 19 marathon in Houston
Wow. If I do all of it, that will be 4 marathons in 4 months -- which in reality is not too crazy. I've done 3 in 3 months before, which was how I became a member of the Marathon Maniacs. But for some reason, this schedule seems far more daunting.
Here's to an injury-free and loooooong training season! My marathon training officially begins on Sunday.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
10 Running Tidbits
I was catching up on back reading of a blog that I followed for a long time and then somehow lost, and I thought this post would be fun to replicate, just as Meredith did (her blog is mostly about new baby from several weeks ago, but she did this a while back).
10 Running Tidbits
10 Running Tidbits
Meredith said that she got the post from Kyria at Travel Spot to spark something new on her blog and get back to talking about running.
If you run (I'm looking at you Aimee and Amy, and anyone else who reads and runs), feel free to copy the questions and share your responses. Comment and let me know you did so I can see yours.
1. FUEL: Shot Bloks, GU, Energy Chews, Candy or Other?
For the first 8 or so years that I ran, I was very loyal to Caramel PowerGel, but then they stopped making it and in two-plus years, I've yet to find anything I like even close to as much. I usually do either shot blocks or gu now. I prefer shot blocks in training, but that's because I stop for water and can easily chew them then. It doesn't seem to work for me in a race. There's too much snot for me to chew and run and attempt to keep breathing. I seem to have a perpetually runny nose when I run. So right now, it's blocks and gu (and sometimes sport beans) in training, gu in races. As to brands, I stick with Cliff shot blocks, and Gu brand gel. For flavors, I love all the blocks; for gu, I like vanilla, pineapple, blackberry and cherry.
2. Race Length: 5k, 10k, 1/2 Marathon, Marathon, Ultra or Other?
I guess I'd choose the marathon. A 5k just hurts too much! I've never officially done an ultra. I like how much work has to go into a marathon, and I've always thought the real joy is in the process of training and the anticipation of the race. There are so many variables that go into having a great marathon that I love the lack of control that comes with it.
3. Workout Bottoms: Skirts, Running Shorts, Capris, Pants or Other?
Lol. Running shorts almost always. Preferably tempo style shorts. I wear pants/tights if it's below 40. I hate the way capris look (not just when running), but I have 3 pairs I tend to wear for temps in the 40s. And for Christmas this year, I got a running skirt. I've worn it exactly once, and it was to a themed social run (the theme was "skirt chasers," which meant the women started to route first, the guys started a couple minutes later, and whichever sex had 3 runners across the line first won (the women won; the first order was F M M F F)). I keep thinking I'll wear it again but there's always a reason not to -- I wouldn't want my running buddies to see me in it, because I don't want to be seen as not a serious runner. But maybe some day if I were running alone... It wasn't any more or less comfortable than running in my usual shorts. I just feel ridiculous in it.
4. Sports Drink: Gatorade, Powerade, Cytomax, you stick to water when you run or Other?
I do marathon training with an organized group, so on anything over about 8 miles, I drink Cytomax at all rest stops (about every 2 miles) unless it's a stop where I'm taking gu. Fuel and sports drinks don't mix well in my stomach -- too much sugar all at once and major intestinal distress ensues. It's happened to me a couple times, but fortunately it was always a lesson learned in training, not in a race. Which I guess is part of the point of training! For anything under about 8 miles, just water. In a marathon, usually whatever sports drink they have.
5. Running Temperatures: HEAT or COLD?
My favorite temperature to run is about 50 degrees. For a marathon, I prefer a start around 40, and a finish around 50 or 55. The sun is generally my nemesis. I'd rather have 65 and cloudy than 55 and sunny. But living in Dallas, I'd say about 40% of my running is at 70 degrees or warmer, even when we go at 5:15 a.m. It will be a higher percentage this year if I commute home from work on foot in the summer -- I bet many of those runs will be over 90, and some even over 100. Slow and easy will be the theme. Last night was the first day that we broke 90 and I had to run home (with a stop for the track meet! need to post about that later).
6. Running Shoe Brands: Saucony, Mizuno, Nike, Brooks, Asics or Other?
Tough question. My answer in my heart is always Brooks. But I have been cheating on Brooks for about two years now with Mizunos and Asics. But I tell myself it's just a matter of time until I go back to the Glycerin. Probably later this year.
7. Pre-race meal: Oatmeal, Bagel, Banana, Eggs, Cereal or Other?
Instant oatmeal. On the road or at home, oatmeal. I've now learned to pack a plastic spoon with my packet of oatmeal when I travel to races and make it with hot water in the hotel room. One race I remember deciding I had an extra gu that I wouldn't need during the race that day, so I squeezed it out and used the gu wrapper as a makeshift spoon for my oatmeal.
8. Rest Days: 1x per week, 2x per week, never ever ever or Other?
Usually something slightly less than one per week. On average, probably more like .8 per week since there are a fair number of weeks where I go all 7 days. Notably, I do my long runs on Sundays and don't ever really run on Mondays or Fridays, those are usually boot camp only days for me, but since I'm technically working out, I don't count them as rest days. Instead, my rest days are usually Saturdays if I'm not doing a race, occasionally Fridays if I have a bunch of Saturday races in a row and really feel like I need a day off.
9. Music: Have to have it or go without it?
Almost never. I usually run with friends, so we talk. When I'm running solo, most of those miles are on my commute to work or elsewhere in the city, and there are cars and bikes around so I need to be aware of my surroundings.
10. #1 reason for running: stress-relief, endorphins, you love to race, so you can eat all the cupcakes you want, weight-loss, love running for social reasons or Other?
Like Meredith, I love this question. I started running because a friend talked me into a marathon. I've kept running for many reasons -- my running buddies are among my best friends, I love the calorie burn so I can usually eat what I want, I love that after a decade of running, I can still push myself to PR sometimes, I love that I feel like some of my best runs are still ahead of me, I love having my life broken into chunks of training seasons for different races (frequently destination races), rather than one big blur, I love that it gets me outside and more connected with the world around me, I love that I feel happier after a run, I love that my husband brags about my race results to coworkers and seems to never be anything but impressed by my results, I love that many people know me and define me as a runner as one of my foremost characteristics, I love that I can set goals for myself and constantly have a challenge to which I'm working, I love that it gives me an excuse to go somewhere (St. George, Utah is an example -- only reason I've gone there was the marathon, can't imagine I'd have chosen it without), I love that I meet new people through running and have it in common with other people I meet through work or whatever, I love that now I can actually run to work and not have to drive, I love that it's a way to explore somewhere new, I love that it has so many health benefits. Pretty much all the reasons listed apply to me. But the question is my #1 reason for running -- if I had to choose just one -- if you told me that the others wouldn't apply any more, which one would keep me going -- hmm... Would I run if it were always alone? If there were no hope of a PR? If it didn't burn any calories? If there were never any goals to be set/met? If it had to always be inside on a treadmill? This could be a whole separate post. Hmmm.... I suppose my number one reason for running is social -- my running buddies. If I had to run easy with them on indoor treadmills, I'd do it, even if there weren't a single calorie burned or goal race in my future.
If you run (I'm looking at you Aimee and Amy, and anyone else who reads and runs), feel free to copy the questions and share your responses. Comment and let me know you did so I can see yours.
1. FUEL: Shot Bloks, GU, Energy Chews, Candy or Other?
For the first 8 or so years that I ran, I was very loyal to Caramel PowerGel, but then they stopped making it and in two-plus years, I've yet to find anything I like even close to as much. I usually do either shot blocks or gu now. I prefer shot blocks in training, but that's because I stop for water and can easily chew them then. It doesn't seem to work for me in a race. There's too much snot for me to chew and run and attempt to keep breathing. I seem to have a perpetually runny nose when I run. So right now, it's blocks and gu (and sometimes sport beans) in training, gu in races. As to brands, I stick with Cliff shot blocks, and Gu brand gel. For flavors, I love all the blocks; for gu, I like vanilla, pineapple, blackberry and cherry.
2. Race Length: 5k, 10k, 1/2 Marathon, Marathon, Ultra or Other?
I guess I'd choose the marathon. A 5k just hurts too much! I've never officially done an ultra. I like how much work has to go into a marathon, and I've always thought the real joy is in the process of training and the anticipation of the race. There are so many variables that go into having a great marathon that I love the lack of control that comes with it.
3. Workout Bottoms: Skirts, Running Shorts, Capris, Pants or Other?
Lol. Running shorts almost always. Preferably tempo style shorts. I wear pants/tights if it's below 40. I hate the way capris look (not just when running), but I have 3 pairs I tend to wear for temps in the 40s. And for Christmas this year, I got a running skirt. I've worn it exactly once, and it was to a themed social run (the theme was "skirt chasers," which meant the women started to route first, the guys started a couple minutes later, and whichever sex had 3 runners across the line first won (the women won; the first order was F M M F F)). I keep thinking I'll wear it again but there's always a reason not to -- I wouldn't want my running buddies to see me in it, because I don't want to be seen as not a serious runner. But maybe some day if I were running alone... It wasn't any more or less comfortable than running in my usual shorts. I just feel ridiculous in it.
4. Sports Drink: Gatorade, Powerade, Cytomax, you stick to water when you run or Other?
I do marathon training with an organized group, so on anything over about 8 miles, I drink Cytomax at all rest stops (about every 2 miles) unless it's a stop where I'm taking gu. Fuel and sports drinks don't mix well in my stomach -- too much sugar all at once and major intestinal distress ensues. It's happened to me a couple times, but fortunately it was always a lesson learned in training, not in a race. Which I guess is part of the point of training! For anything under about 8 miles, just water. In a marathon, usually whatever sports drink they have.
5. Running Temperatures: HEAT or COLD?
My favorite temperature to run is about 50 degrees. For a marathon, I prefer a start around 40, and a finish around 50 or 55. The sun is generally my nemesis. I'd rather have 65 and cloudy than 55 and sunny. But living in Dallas, I'd say about 40% of my running is at 70 degrees or warmer, even when we go at 5:15 a.m. It will be a higher percentage this year if I commute home from work on foot in the summer -- I bet many of those runs will be over 90, and some even over 100. Slow and easy will be the theme. Last night was the first day that we broke 90 and I had to run home (with a stop for the track meet! need to post about that later).
6. Running Shoe Brands: Saucony, Mizuno, Nike, Brooks, Asics or Other?
Tough question. My answer in my heart is always Brooks. But I have been cheating on Brooks for about two years now with Mizunos and Asics. But I tell myself it's just a matter of time until I go back to the Glycerin. Probably later this year.
7. Pre-race meal: Oatmeal, Bagel, Banana, Eggs, Cereal or Other?
Instant oatmeal. On the road or at home, oatmeal. I've now learned to pack a plastic spoon with my packet of oatmeal when I travel to races and make it with hot water in the hotel room. One race I remember deciding I had an extra gu that I wouldn't need during the race that day, so I squeezed it out and used the gu wrapper as a makeshift spoon for my oatmeal.
8. Rest Days: 1x per week, 2x per week, never ever ever or Other?
Usually something slightly less than one per week. On average, probably more like .8 per week since there are a fair number of weeks where I go all 7 days. Notably, I do my long runs on Sundays and don't ever really run on Mondays or Fridays, those are usually boot camp only days for me, but since I'm technically working out, I don't count them as rest days. Instead, my rest days are usually Saturdays if I'm not doing a race, occasionally Fridays if I have a bunch of Saturday races in a row and really feel like I need a day off.
9. Music: Have to have it or go without it?
Almost never. I usually run with friends, so we talk. When I'm running solo, most of those miles are on my commute to work or elsewhere in the city, and there are cars and bikes around so I need to be aware of my surroundings.
10. #1 reason for running: stress-relief, endorphins, you love to race, so you can eat all the cupcakes you want, weight-loss, love running for social reasons or Other?
Like Meredith, I love this question. I started running because a friend talked me into a marathon. I've kept running for many reasons -- my running buddies are among my best friends, I love the calorie burn so I can usually eat what I want, I love that after a decade of running, I can still push myself to PR sometimes, I love that I feel like some of my best runs are still ahead of me, I love having my life broken into chunks of training seasons for different races (frequently destination races), rather than one big blur, I love that it gets me outside and more connected with the world around me, I love that I feel happier after a run, I love that my husband brags about my race results to coworkers and seems to never be anything but impressed by my results, I love that many people know me and define me as a runner as one of my foremost characteristics, I love that I can set goals for myself and constantly have a challenge to which I'm working, I love that it gives me an excuse to go somewhere (St. George, Utah is an example -- only reason I've gone there was the marathon, can't imagine I'd have chosen it without), I love that I meet new people through running and have it in common with other people I meet through work or whatever, I love that now I can actually run to work and not have to drive, I love that it's a way to explore somewhere new, I love that it has so many health benefits. Pretty much all the reasons listed apply to me. But the question is my #1 reason for running -- if I had to choose just one -- if you told me that the others wouldn't apply any more, which one would keep me going -- hmm... Would I run if it were always alone? If there were no hope of a PR? If it didn't burn any calories? If there were never any goals to be set/met? If it had to always be inside on a treadmill? This could be a whole separate post. Hmmm.... I suppose my number one reason for running is social -- my running buddies. If I had to run easy with them on indoor treadmills, I'd do it, even if there weren't a single calorie burned or goal race in my future.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Marathon Predictors
Very early on in my running career, someone told me about marathon pace predictors.
The most popular one is McMillan's, which is found here.
The way it works is you put in an actual recent race time and it will calculate what you should be able to run at other distances (assuming proper training).
You can also do it in reverse, putting in a recent marathon time, and seeing how fast you should be able to run a shorter race.
I don't know exactly how the science/numbers behind the predictor works. It obviously doesn't assume that you can run your 5k pace for a marathon, but I don't know exactly what factor it increases your time by to extrapolate from your current time. And of course there are questions about how accurate any prediction is. The old version of the McMillan calculator had a warning (and it might still be there, I just haven't looked) indicating that the longer and the more recent your "actual" race time is, the more accurate your "predicted" time will be. So if you ran a 20 miler at just a bit faster than your marathon pace, you're likely to be able to sustain your marathon pace. While if you run a super fast 5k, it's not necessarily true that you'll be able to perform at the same level for hours on end.
The predictor has always been interesting to me. I can see what distances are my strongest (they predict the fastest marathon), and what distances are ones where I chronically underperform (predicting the slowest marathon).
Thus far, my mile and my 5k PRs predict me very close to my goal marathon time for Berlin this September. The problem with looking at my mile and 5k predictions is that both my mile and 5k PRs are old. My weakest distance is the 15k (I also have very weak 8k and 20 mile times, but those are old or are from training races). But a lot of my PRs, even recent ones, predict me very close to my actual current marathon PR.
I start training for Berlin in about two more weeks. I've run two 5ks very recently, and one half (two days ago), and all three of those predict me in the exact same time range for a marathon -- less than 2 minutes' difference! Which makes me think there's something to be said for the predictor. But what I am especially happy to see is that the 90 second window based on my 3 recent races as a predictor all show me getting a marathon PR by about 4-5 minutes. For me, when I look at the predictor with my current 5k time, it estimates that I can run marathon pace miles nearly 2 minutes slower than my mile PR, and just over a minute per mile slower than my 5k PR mile pace. Looking at actual recent race times instead of my all-time PRs, my current 5k race time has me slowing down just over 1 minute per mile to run the marathon. Do-able I hope.
While a PR of 4-5 minutes is not the 11 minute PR that I want to see in Berlin, it would be one step closer to that ultimate 11 minute goal. So all in all, my spring focus on speed training seems to have gone pretty well. I have gotten my race times closer to where they were before my 2012 season of running with a weight vest. And at least now (according to the predictors, for what they're worth), I've set myself up as best as I can to train for a PR at the marathon.
The most popular one is McMillan's, which is found here.
The way it works is you put in an actual recent race time and it will calculate what you should be able to run at other distances (assuming proper training).
You can also do it in reverse, putting in a recent marathon time, and seeing how fast you should be able to run a shorter race.
I don't know exactly how the science/numbers behind the predictor works. It obviously doesn't assume that you can run your 5k pace for a marathon, but I don't know exactly what factor it increases your time by to extrapolate from your current time. And of course there are questions about how accurate any prediction is. The old version of the McMillan calculator had a warning (and it might still be there, I just haven't looked) indicating that the longer and the more recent your "actual" race time is, the more accurate your "predicted" time will be. So if you ran a 20 miler at just a bit faster than your marathon pace, you're likely to be able to sustain your marathon pace. While if you run a super fast 5k, it's not necessarily true that you'll be able to perform at the same level for hours on end.
The predictor has always been interesting to me. I can see what distances are my strongest (they predict the fastest marathon), and what distances are ones where I chronically underperform (predicting the slowest marathon).
Thus far, my mile and my 5k PRs predict me very close to my goal marathon time for Berlin this September. The problem with looking at my mile and 5k predictions is that both my mile and 5k PRs are old. My weakest distance is the 15k (I also have very weak 8k and 20 mile times, but those are old or are from training races). But a lot of my PRs, even recent ones, predict me very close to my actual current marathon PR.
I start training for Berlin in about two more weeks. I've run two 5ks very recently, and one half (two days ago), and all three of those predict me in the exact same time range for a marathon -- less than 2 minutes' difference! Which makes me think there's something to be said for the predictor. But what I am especially happy to see is that the 90 second window based on my 3 recent races as a predictor all show me getting a marathon PR by about 4-5 minutes. For me, when I look at the predictor with my current 5k time, it estimates that I can run marathon pace miles nearly 2 minutes slower than my mile PR, and just over a minute per mile slower than my 5k PR mile pace. Looking at actual recent race times instead of my all-time PRs, my current 5k race time has me slowing down just over 1 minute per mile to run the marathon. Do-able I hope.
While a PR of 4-5 minutes is not the 11 minute PR that I want to see in Berlin, it would be one step closer to that ultimate 11 minute goal. So all in all, my spring focus on speed training seems to have gone pretty well. I have gotten my race times closer to where they were before my 2012 season of running with a weight vest. And at least now (according to the predictors, for what they're worth), I've set myself up as best as I can to train for a PR at the marathon.
Monday, May 13, 2013
FMM: Questions and Answers
Ah, how can it be Monday again? Our weekend was nice.
My stepson is home with us for another few days and he cooked dinner Friday night -- very good. The main dish, however, was fish, which I can't eat. So it was really more dinner cooked for my husband, which he loved. And my stepson made tons of roasted vegetables that were for me.
Saturday was a low-key day. Hubby was on a cleaning tear and picked up lots of clutter and even did some garage floor cleaning. Wow! We went out to eat and generally spent a lot of time around the house. I don't know if I mentioned it, but I got promoted a few weeks ago. One of the attorneys I hire regularly for cases in Pennsylvania sent me some personalized M&Ms. My name on half of them, my new title on the other half. I made "promotion cookies" but one sheet resulted in disaster. Yikes!!! I couldn't even tell you what happened, I think I was using one hand it was just off balance. No burns, and fortunately just one sheet was lost.
Sunday was another race -- a half marathon this time. Did I mention that my schedule has races 6 weekends in a row, then one weekend off, then one more race? It will be a total of four 5ks, 2 half marathons, and one 4 mile race. I'm hoping there will be a PR at the 4 mile race as well. The half was pretty small, but I almost ran the plan, which was nice. The plan was to go out at my goal marathon pace for the first half, and then pick it up after the u-turn. At the u-turn, I was a total of about 30 seconds ahead of marathon pace, and then on the second half, I was only about another 30 seconds total faster on the way back (over 6.5 miles, that's really not much), but the thrilling and unexpected results were a PR by 30 seconds and an AG award!!! My prior half PR had been in place since 2010. This race was only on average 10 seconds per mile faster than my goal marathon pace, but for right now, I'll take it!
And now, Monday again. Highlights this week are that the summer series of 6 weeks of evening track meets begins tomorrow, and I will be competing in my first ever beer mile on Thursday night. Let's hope for no vomit.
If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!
1. Do you use coupons? No. I'm sure I have before, but not with any regularity.
2. How often do you weigh yourself? I would say most mornings, and for the last couple years, I usually write it down on the first of the month. But for the last decade plus, I've always recorded my weight on both my birthday (late summer) and on New Year's Day, just so I can see the big picture.
3. What was your favorite TV show as a kid? I loved Facts of Life. I wanted to be like Blair but always thought I was a bit more like Jo.
4. How often do you drink alcohol? Right now, I'd say about twice a month, but that is probably (hopefully) going to go down next week when marathon training officially begins. I really want to buckle down this season. At most alcohol once a month, and then only a couple glasses. But this week has the beer mile, so that is 4 beers in one night, likely all within 10 minutes? 15? 20? I have no idea how long it will take. Ugh. Maybe vomit would be good in that case... And I'll also have wine at book club this coming Sunday, but that is looking like the last hurrah for me.
5. Have you ever met a celebrity or public figure that you really admire? Yes, thought I wouldn't say that I "really admire" most celebrities. A few that come to mind -- Sandra Day O'Connor, Meb Keflezighi, and Dean Karnazes, who I got to run with (with pictures) and posted about here.
6. If you had to choose between only your cell phone or only your laptop all week which would you choose? Hmm, since my laptop is my work computer, I'd have to choose the laptop, otherwise I'd be out of a job! But on vacation or something, I'd choose my cell phone.
7. What is your favorite brand of detergent? Laundry? I think we use liquid Tide.
8. If there was a movie about your life, who would play the role? My husband thinks Gillian Anderson is the celebrity who most resembles me -- more like this picture than something more recent.
9. What book are you currently reading? I am reading Lean In (I think I'm on page 75 or so) -- I want to know what it's all about and think I'd recommend that most people read it (at least most educated professionals), whether you agree or not. Very thought provoking. Though as someone who does not intend to have kids and pretty much insists on equal shares of household labor with my husband, perhaps I'm not the person who most needs to read this.
10. If you could spend one day on vacation anywhere in the world, which place would you choose? Today, I think I would choose the Seychelles. I feel kind of beachy, but I'd prefer something infinitely more exotic than the Caribbean.
Now it’s your turn to answer this week’s questions. Don’t forget to come back and link up in the comments, and say hi to someone new! Happy Monday!
My stepson is home with us for another few days and he cooked dinner Friday night -- very good. The main dish, however, was fish, which I can't eat. So it was really more dinner cooked for my husband, which he loved. And my stepson made tons of roasted vegetables that were for me.
Saturday was a low-key day. Hubby was on a cleaning tear and picked up lots of clutter and even did some garage floor cleaning. Wow! We went out to eat and generally spent a lot of time around the house. I don't know if I mentioned it, but I got promoted a few weeks ago. One of the attorneys I hire regularly for cases in Pennsylvania sent me some personalized M&Ms. My name on half of them, my new title on the other half. I made "promotion cookies" but one sheet resulted in disaster. Yikes!!! I couldn't even tell you what happened, I think I was using one hand it was just off balance. No burns, and fortunately just one sheet was lost.
Sunday was another race -- a half marathon this time. Did I mention that my schedule has races 6 weekends in a row, then one weekend off, then one more race? It will be a total of four 5ks, 2 half marathons, and one 4 mile race. I'm hoping there will be a PR at the 4 mile race as well. The half was pretty small, but I almost ran the plan, which was nice. The plan was to go out at my goal marathon pace for the first half, and then pick it up after the u-turn. At the u-turn, I was a total of about 30 seconds ahead of marathon pace, and then on the second half, I was only about another 30 seconds total faster on the way back (over 6.5 miles, that's really not much), but the thrilling and unexpected results were a PR by 30 seconds and an AG award!!! My prior half PR had been in place since 2010. This race was only on average 10 seconds per mile faster than my goal marathon pace, but for right now, I'll take it!
And now, Monday again. Highlights this week are that the summer series of 6 weeks of evening track meets begins tomorrow, and I will be competing in my first ever beer mile on Thursday night. Let's hope for no vomit.
If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!
FMM: Questions and Answers
1. Do you use coupons? No. I'm sure I have before, but not with any regularity.
2. How often do you weigh yourself? I would say most mornings, and for the last couple years, I usually write it down on the first of the month. But for the last decade plus, I've always recorded my weight on both my birthday (late summer) and on New Year's Day, just so I can see the big picture.
3. What was your favorite TV show as a kid? I loved Facts of Life. I wanted to be like Blair but always thought I was a bit more like Jo.
4. How often do you drink alcohol? Right now, I'd say about twice a month, but that is probably (hopefully) going to go down next week when marathon training officially begins. I really want to buckle down this season. At most alcohol once a month, and then only a couple glasses. But this week has the beer mile, so that is 4 beers in one night, likely all within 10 minutes? 15? 20? I have no idea how long it will take. Ugh. Maybe vomit would be good in that case... And I'll also have wine at book club this coming Sunday, but that is looking like the last hurrah for me.
5. Have you ever met a celebrity or public figure that you really admire? Yes, thought I wouldn't say that I "really admire" most celebrities. A few that come to mind -- Sandra Day O'Connor, Meb Keflezighi, and Dean Karnazes, who I got to run with (with pictures) and posted about here.
6. If you had to choose between only your cell phone or only your laptop all week which would you choose? Hmm, since my laptop is my work computer, I'd have to choose the laptop, otherwise I'd be out of a job! But on vacation or something, I'd choose my cell phone.
7. What is your favorite brand of detergent? Laundry? I think we use liquid Tide.
8. If there was a movie about your life, who would play the role? My husband thinks Gillian Anderson is the celebrity who most resembles me -- more like this picture than something more recent.
9. What book are you currently reading? I am reading Lean In (I think I'm on page 75 or so) -- I want to know what it's all about and think I'd recommend that most people read it (at least most educated professionals), whether you agree or not. Very thought provoking. Though as someone who does not intend to have kids and pretty much insists on equal shares of household labor with my husband, perhaps I'm not the person who most needs to read this.
10. If you could spend one day on vacation anywhere in the world, which place would you choose? Today, I think I would choose the Seychelles. I feel kind of beachy, but I'd prefer something infinitely more exotic than the Caribbean.
Now it’s your turn to answer this week’s questions. Don’t forget to come back and link up in the comments, and say hi to someone new! Happy Monday!
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