Workout Updates and Upcoming Race

First, I have some people to apologize to:

If you were walking, running, biking, or driving down Summit Avenue this morning, I’m very sorry you had to see my pale, hairy chest. It was a HOT morning (49 degrees [shut up, that’s HOT here]), and I was running a fast 14 mile run - my long run for the week. Apparently, when it breaks 40 degrees, I start to burn up. I nearly had my shirt off 4 miles into my run, but I didn’t want to seem like a jerk. So I held off until I had about 4 miles left, and then it just HAD to come off. I’m sorry if I blinded you. So sorry.

My run was strong. I ran the first 7 in 50:44, and I ran the second half in 45:57 for a total of 1:36:41 for 14 miles (6:54 / mile). Good pace and nice negative split. I felt strong and the run felt great (I mean, it hurt - but it was a good hurt).

I brought along a PowerGel in my Under Armour shorts, and it lodged itself nicely in my thigh. I ate the gel with about 5 miles left. When I got home, I found out that the gel-pac rubbed a bit on my leg:

Oops. I’ll chalk that up as “lesson learned”

My speed work has been going well, too. I HATE running intervals, but I still look forward to running them and seeing what I can do.

All of this training is for Grandmas Marathon in June. I think it’s time to layout my goal. So here it is: qualify for Boston (sub 3:10). There. I said it. I’d love to break 3 hours, but that’s a little lofty. Breaking 3:10 is what I’m training towards.


In other news, I have just officially register for a race that I was born to run. Blogger buddy Danielle in Iowa told me about the Doughnut Run in Ames Iowa in 8 days (next Sunday).

Listen to this, and tell me that this race wasn’t MADE for me: it’s a 5K run that has multiple stops where you can choose to stop and eat Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. Each doughnut you eat subtracts time from your overall race time. But it only counts if you don’t barf before you finish. Danielle joked that I could be the first to post a negative time, being I’m speedy and I like food (have you heard me rant about Chipotle, Pizza, York Peppermint Patties, and any kind of meat?)

Ames is a 3 hour drive ONE WAY, but I don’t care. I’ll be leaving home at 5 am for the 9 am start, running the race and loading up on doughnuts, and then I’ll drive 3 hours back to St. Paul. AND I’ll get to hang out with some bloggers while I’m down there, so it should be a great day!

I guess that poses this question: is 6 hours too far to drive for a 5K? I don't think so.