13:10 on Cloud 9

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May 30, 2012 by CJ

I admit, I’ve been slacking. Slacking with running, writing and getting things done. I have many excuses I can put out there, but I won’t bother. I’m motivated now, so let’s get to it!

Yesterday I received a package in the mail. My racing bib and tech shirt for my race this Saturday! I totally forgot I paid extra to have them mail me my bib (no race day packet pickup). Seeing it, just got me all excited.   I knew I was ready to get my run on. I went to bed early, just so I could wake up bright-eyed and rested for my morning tour of the neighborhood.

Black V-neck Tech Tee…LOVE IT!! Wish I could wear it race day, but the cool kids told me not to

I started using a new running app, Runmeter. I LOVE this app! I don’t think I have figured out all the nooks and crannies to it, I need more time to play around with it. One of the things I have discovered with this app is I can set my goal pace. I didn’t realize what a valuable tool this is. I don’t know about you, but I can get lost in thought, or music, pretty much just about anything and before I know it, I’ve completed my run with a super slow pace. With this, I set my desired pace range and during my run I am gently reminded to pick up the pace or slow down. No more getting lost in the music or debating in my head for 30 minutes what I will eat for lunch. I know for a fact my recent runs have been faster than normal because of this awesome feature.

The last race I took part in, my pace was an extremely slow 15:04. I’ve decided for my next race I want to aim for 14:30, I think this will allow me to run hard, but walk if I need to. I also decided that during my morning runs I should push myself a little harder and aim for an average pace of 13:30. I got up this morning super excited for my 30 minute run. I set my pace range for 12:10-13:54 and went off.

Various Paces

I’ve been doing a 5 min run/ 1 min walk for my short runs and I kept with this plan today too. I felt great the entire time. I pushed myself when needed and was able to relax too.  There were even times when I felt I didn’t need to stop and do the walk for a minute! Is it possible for me to run the entire thing? I think so. Maybe I’ll do it one of these days. Anyway, when I got home I checked my pace and just about screamed. It was 13:10! Thirteen effing ten!! According to Runmeter, my fastest pace was 10:13/mile. OMG!! As I type this I still cannot believe it. Needless to say, I have been on cloud 9 all day. It’s difficult to not be happy when you realize that you have outdone yourself. I cannot wait to hit the road again and see what I can do next time around.

Goals for my Upcoming Race

• Begin hydrating Friday (it’s supposed to be a hot day)
• Get to bed early Friday night
• On Saturday eat before I leave the house and bring something with me to eat once I get to the race site
• Review race course
• Pin gels and gu’s inside my pockets
• Complete race with 14:30 average pace
• If I start to feel overheated, dizzy or bad in anyway -walk, don’t worry about my pace or finish time
• Enjoy the scenery, take a picture or two
• Smile whenever I see a camera
• Run the tangents

Related articles

• I Did It!! (50thingsbeforeiturn50.wordpress.com)
• Racing, running and sometimes walking to the finish at Cotton Row Run (minndixiemom.wordpress.com)