Bust! Hard to believe that two of four races on my calendar for January went un-run. Saturday's 8k Grand Prix event was cancelled due to flurries and what not. I won't discount the decision; I am glad they keep us safe. And yet, the Jersey girl in me does always snicker.
Spent Saturday doing just enough walking to earn my Fitbit 10,000 steps... It was cold. I had a blanket. Don't judge.
Sunday
Race day! I got plenty of sleep, despite the usual pre-race jitters. (I don't know about other runners, but the night before a race, I for sure get quite anxious. No, I am not running in the Olympics, looking to place, or anything like that .. but try telling my brain and racing heart that! It usually helps to spend time prepping and organizing. If my race gear is ready to go, my house is clean, and schedules are set, I can usually regain a feeling of control).
The big hurdle for the morning was the cold. I think I've become REALLY good at layering, and deciding what to wear. Pre-race & race went off without a snag. This was not always the case. The key for me is in having something disposable, and wearing accessories that I can stash as I go. After I was really cold; darn thyroidlessness. Not much I can do about that, though. The melted chocolate helped. :)
Results:
Because this was just supposed to be a fun run, I didn't have a time goal in mind for this race. I also don't have another 15k under belt, so no time to beat either. But since I had not run the goal race on Saturday, I was ready to race this one to the best of my ability. My goal became: beat the 10:06 average pace I had at the 10 miler, and better yet, average a pace under 10:00.
And for someone who spends a lot of time griping about inconstancy, I can be pretty darn consistent sometimes! Woo! I paced myself like a CHAMP! No out-the-gate sprint manias. Just a solid 9:58 pace throughout (which was quite the battle, given how hilly this course was) and a NICE kick for about the last 1.3. (Proud of that; usually I tell myself to speed up at -3.1 .. and don't.. and then at 2 miles .. and don't. The only kick I can ALWAYS count on is the finish-line induced one. Yea.. I'm that runner. And proud of it! If nothing else, leave it all on the course at the end! It is a race, after all). By finish line time, my pace was for sure hitting ~7:30, and that sure helped me be able to stamp this one a "success"mentally.
And of course, no rest for the weary today. After the race, on to Women's 5K training. So much for wondering if Women's 5K would help me with my own training. ANY run commitment really seems to help me!! :) And on the schedule for all of the ladies .. 0.5 warm up jog, 18 1/1 intervals, and .5 cool down. 4 miles total .. woah! The first jog step I took was BRUTAL. The thighs said .. wait, WHAT??? ****burn**** But, just like my trainees, all was well after the warm up. I was with a trainee who averaged about a 12 minute pace. Most of her recoveries were jogs, not walks. So I for sure will count it as a 13.3 mile day!
But there's more. For just two easy payments of 19.95, you too can add a Bianca induced sore-fest to the end of a 13.3 mile day. :) Holy. Smokes. It's Monday, and I am fairly certain that I am seriously sore, not just from pushing it to the best of my abilities at the race, but to then, two hours after, run 4 miles on tired legs, and THEN do works out drills I haven't done since .. ever ... for 30 minutes! Unfortunately for me, almost all were heavy leg-involved .. mtn climbers, line jumps, and squats. The push ups and planks, I really need to do more of, though, so all and all very glad I stayed!
Note on the blogging:
I think I am getting into a pattern that works for me with these. A Monday recap of the weekend, and a Friday recap of M-Th.
Note on the dieting:
Ugh, these pictures! :( I tell myself that I had on two padded bras, a short-sleeve, a long sleeve, and a thermal jacket, all drytech/spandexy/unforgiving, but it doesn't help me in not getting frustrated. Some days I look, and I think: gosh, I haven't changed a bit. On the scale, I am the lowest weight I have been since 2003, though. So I really just have to focus and keep letting time pass. But its hard! I want it all gone NOW. Meh.
Note on the swimming / biking:
What swimming? What biking? Lol
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