Thursday, October 23, 2008

Together

This week is going good so far. I wasn't really sore after the half marathon which was nice. I took Monday off anyway and started back up Tuesday. Here's how the week has looked so far:

Tuesday
12.0 miles/1:49:11/9:06 average pace
Long slow run along the riverfront. Boring!

Wednesday
10 miles total split into two runs:

3.0 miles/28:31/9:31 average pace
Easy run in the morning

7.0 miles/59:41/8:32 average pace
Interval workout with Zach. We warmed up with 1.5 miles at an easy pace and then did 6 half-mile repeats with quarter-mile recoveries. I was supposed to run at a 5k pace, which I guess is in the 7:00-7:10 range (although I haven't actually run a 5k in almost a year) So I was aiming for 3:30 or better. Here's how it came out:

3:23

3:38

3:21

3:28

3:29

3:29

Cool! It was certainly hard but not bad. I don't mind doing intervals because they are over so quickly. I prefer intervals to Tempo runs which are hard and last forever. We ran the last bit at an easy pace to finish out the run.

Zach ran sort of with me but mostly ahead of me. He obviously could have run the repeats very, very fast, but he was kind of trying to stick with me. It didn't really work out. It was kind of frustrating because I was hoping he would help pace me. The run was a good example of how people of different paces will have trouble running together sometimes. I feel like it was up to him to wait for me, because if I could run faster I, you know, would.

It makes me a little worried about our plans to run the marathon together. I know he's faster, but we both think since it's his first marathon it will be good to have a slower and more consistent pace. I don't know.. I am worried he will get ahead of me and I will get pissed at him and get all emotional and it will ruin my race. But I know I'm really over thinking this. Most of our runs together are great, especially the long runs that matter the most. And he wants to run together and says he will stick with me.

Of course if he can't keep up with me, tough shit. I know, I'm a horrible person but he knows the deal.

We talked about all this last night and we both apologized- me for getting upset (did I forget to mention I started crying and bitched him out?) and him for not sticking with me. We're determined to run this marathon together and we're really looking forward to it. We're one of those annoying couples that does everything together, so I can't imagine anything better. I'm so proud of him for being a great runner and I'm deeply grateful for his support and patience with me. In everything.

7 comments:

Aron said...

my interval run was pretty much exactly the same :) i did 6x800s also! great job on all your runs.

i think its so fun that you and zach are going to do this together and planning on running together! one of these days i will get chris out there to run one with me :) it will be so awesome to share the whole experience (esp since its his first marathon) and to have each other there to push and support each other during the race. you guys are going to have so much fun :)

Unknown said...

"Of course if he can't keep up with me, tough shit."
-----------------
Awesome! Just don't drop the hammer on the poor guy at mile 20 of his first marathon when he is sputtering alone, ok? ;-)

Judi said...

awwww jen, so sweet. you both will have a great race.

Anonymous said...

Nice runs this week. I think it is so sweet that you and Zach are able to do so much together. You guys are going to have a wonderful marathon experience together.

ShirleyPerly said...

I think now that he knows how much it upsets you, he'll be more considerate. I've blown up at my husband about expectations I had that he didn't think were such big deals. Hasn't happened in a while so I guess he knows me pretty well by now :-)

Emily said...

Don't mess with a girl doing intervals.

Ewen said...

Yes, you did forget to mention that ;)

Get strict with him (hope you're not reading this Zach), and make sure he doesn't run a step ahead of you in the early stages and get the pace rolling too fast.

That's the way - if he can't keep up after 20 miles, drop him!