Ocean path

I was able to run a three mile out and back on the ocean path at Bar Harbor this morning. Very beautiful, even if it was cool, foggy, and misty. The ocean path is only about a mile but I added in some of downtown before it got full of tourists.

 

 

The Chase 5k

I did the second annual The Chase 5k in memory of four month old Chase Ruffner who passed away from SIDS. The charity is First Candle, an organization committed to safe pregnancies and infant loss awareness. It is a small race, which is good for runners my age. There were only two in my age bracket and I won first. I think the other mostly walked. Didn't break any records and was only a few seconds faster than last year. Today was a tough run. Very humid. Yucky. Why are they sometimes so tough?

Glad I did it. No matter how bad the run is, I always feel really good afterwards.

 

Below is the quilt I made for little Chase's parents, from his clothes.

 

Long run

Made a decision today. I'm not going to do a half marathon this fall. Well, at least that is how I feel today about it. I did 8 miles at 5/1 intervals. It was tough. My heart rate seemed awfully high the whole time. Avg HR was 161, max HR 172. At my age my max is supposed to be 165. The weather was nice and cool. I feel wonderfully tight and tired tonight, but still....I have a lot going on in the next month or two-- vacation, the hubby's biopsy, and possibly a trip to Scotland to see the kids.

Here are today's stats.

 

Split Time Distance Avg Pace Summary 1:40:10.3 8.01 12:31 1 12:53.6 1.00 12:54 2 12:53.3 1.00 12:53 3 12:40.4 1.00 12:40 4 12:18.7 1.00 12:19 5 12:23.2 1.00 12:23 6 12:21.0 1.00 12:21 7 12:00.4 1.00 12:00 8 12:36.3 1.00 12:36 9 :03.4 0.01 9:16

So, it feels a little disappointing to say I'm not going to do one this fall. I plan to keep my three weekly runs going at least three miles each. Can't imagine not doing that.....and I do have plans for two 5ks for the next couple of Saturdays. Not my favorite race but maybe I will focus on getting better on those.

Strength training

The Jeff Galloway half marathon training method I am using has the long run increasing every other week. The alternate weeks back up a few miles. This week I only had three miles on the plan (week 6). I did my three inside. Easy peasy.

I decided to try to do some strength training. Remember I am 55 and only been running for a year and a half. In other words I am not a very fit athlete. I found this plank challenge I am trying. Honestly, I don't know if I will make it even to two minutes, but I am going to give it a try. I'm on day 8.

This week I also did a few walking lunges. 20. My rear end has been sore for three days! I guess that means I need to do them more often. I think I'll try side lunges and just try to work up slowly. The goal is to be strong enough that I won't hurt my knees, hips, ankles, etc. while I am working towards the half marathon. We'll see how this goes....

 

Friday long run

I didn't feel that great today. Either allergies or a cold coming on, but I knew if I ran I'd feel better. My HM plan had me doing 6.5 miles today. So, after my hair cut I swung by my worksite workout center. It was great. Cool room with nobody else there. Except for a potty break at two miles, I took no walk breaks and ran the 6.5 miles. Felt pretty good. I used the garmin and I don't know why it didn't register the full six and a half like the treadmill.

Split Time Distance Avg Pace Summary 1:15:12.7 6.34 11:52 1 12:20.5 1.00 12:21 2 12:04.8 1.00 12:05 3 12:15.3 1.00 12:15 4 11:57.9 1.00 11:58 5 11:50.6 1.00 11:51 6 11:02.8 1.00 11:03 7 3:32.0 0.33 10:37 8 :09.0 0.00 49:02

I considered this a good run. I love that spent feeling after a good run, and how tight and tired my legs feel. I did the foam roller afterwards. No real soreness anywhere, just a good tired tonight. I think that is the farthest I've run since my last half marathon when I hurt my knee in April.