Body After Baby: Half Marathon Training Week 5

Day 1 - 6 miles

I only did 4.78. ... In my usual 9:30ish pace.

Day 2 - 4 miles @ Half marathon pace. 

I planned on doing this on the treadmill before boot camp class but the trainer emailed me telling me that a group of people were running the stairs and wanted to know if I would like to join them.  My company has a team that does the Fight for Air Race where they run up 40 flights of stairs to raise money for Lung Cancer.  I had thought about doing it.... until I went and practiced with them.  Running up stairs is no joke!!  My first time up I made it up the 10 flights in 1:48.  By the 4th floor I could no longer run and I had to quickly walk up the rest.  I was so out of breath... The second round I made it in 1:40 because I tried to pace myself a little better.... still by that 4th floor I was done.  The group does it daily... I will be back to do it some more as I know its a great workout... but OMG it is pure torture!

Day 3 - Off

I did 5.75 miles @ 9:46 pace on my hilly route... It was too nice out to not get out there.

Day 4 - 5 miles

Again it was super nice out, but I was not feeling a run... But I knew I would feel better (I had a breakfast of candy... it was Valentines Day) if I just did something so I got our there for 2.48 miles.  The first 2 miles I ran at 8:30 pace and then walked home.

Day 5 - 8 miles @ Marathon pace

I finally took a rest day...

Day 6 - 10 miles

I did my first double digit run in 22 degree weather with a windchill in the teens!

I was SO freaking cold when I got home!

I have to admit something though...

I ran 3 miles to meet my running group. I kept a 9:30 pace. I stopped and stood for probably 5 minutes before getting going again.

Then we ran 4.25 miles together... around a 10:30 pace because we were chatty. Another 5 minute break to chat...

Then I ran a little over 3 miles back home, taking the hilly route. (I stopped and walked once I hit the 10 mile mark)

The first hill I had to walk a bit....

But I finally made it home.

I feel like I cheated a little since I had a few breaks in there... does that count?

I definitely do not plan to take those breaks during the half!

This Saturday I hope to do it all again, and hopefully with no breaks!

Day 7 - 4 miles

I had the Fun Flirty & Fabulous 5 miler on the calendar...

I thought for sure I would be super slow with my 10 mile run the day before.

But I wasnt feeling too sore...

The weather was perfectly chilly & sunny...

And I somehow pulled off a 8:25 pace and a time of 42:03!

I am definitely competitive...

Running along others makes me just keep going!

The last mile was pretty much all up hill...

But I some how pulled off a 8:05 mile!

Uphill people!

I was also really hungry and knew there was food at the end.

I also earned 4th place in my age group... here's proof. And I was 24th overall out of 144 or something like that. 

My 10 mile run at a 10 minute pace made me think there was no way I could reach my goal of the half in 2 hours.... 

But that 5 miler gave me some hope... 

We will just have to see what happens! 

7 more weeks!