pre-race post and Zach’s Birthday pics

I figured I better quickly post my workouts from this week so that my next post will be just the race report!

My week has gone great- it’s officially the taper but this week was pretty tough and didn’t feel very restful at all. I also moved the runs around quite a bit to fit my schedule so it was kind of different in general. But it all worked out and I’m feeling great heading into the race. 

So, about this race- I am running the Bridge to Brews 10k tomorrow. My goal is a PR (47:04) but as long as I give it my best shot I’ll be happy. I feel like my last two races I was left wondering if I could have pushed a little harder from the beginning, so tomorrow my goal is to really go for it from mile one. I will still listen to my body’s signals and hopefully not completely over-do it and fall apart before the end! We’ll see though, it could happen. I do really want to do well though because I’m hoping this will be a good “predictor” race and a nice confidence boost for the marathon. But, I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself! The good news is there is beer at the end and then a waffle party back at my house so it will have a happy ending no matter what. :)

Here is the summary of my runs so far this week and then a few pictures from yesterday- it was Zach’s 31st birthday and we both took the day off work and went running, out for brunch, and then went out and celebrated with friends in the evening. It was a perfect day! Happy Birthday sweetums! :P

First, the running stuff:

Monday: rest
(no yoga either, just completely rested)

Tuesday
4.0 miles/36:40/9:10 average pace
I reeeeally didn’t want to do this run, but Zach talked me into it and we ran together. It was so nice to run together and it ended up feeling great.
(Yin Yoga class)

Wednesday
8.0 miles/1:11:30/8:56 average pace
This was a workout that got adjusted due to scheduling conflicts. We were going to go to the track to do the intervals but we didn’t end up having time. We had tickets to go see the Cirque du Soleil show that is in town (which was AMAZING!) so we had to do the run straight after work on the Springwater trail. I realize now how much better doing intervals on the track is!! I got it done though. Here is the breakdown:

2.5 mile warm up @ 9:17 pace
4 x 800 m (went with 1/2 mile on the garmin) @ 3:26 average (6:52 pace) with 1/4 mile recoveries
2.75 mile cool down @ 9:48 pace – I chatted with a guy on the trail who had an Ironman tattoo and ran with him for a mile or so nice and slow. Love meeting random runners!

Thursday: rest
(Yoga Basics class)

Friday
16.0 miles/2:16:54/8:33 average pace
Awesome long run on Marine Drive/I-205 bike path. Zach did a 10 mile goal pace run and I did my long run. Which ended up being more goal pace-y than I could have predicted!

First 8 miles @ 8:45 pace
Last 8 miles @ 8:22 pace

Sweet! Felt great. I did get a little warm though and had to have Zach meet me with a water refill. Also I got a big of a sunburn. D’oh!

The rest of the day was very fun birthday stuff, and today I was slightly tired. Ok, hungover. I skipped my short recovery run and went to yoga instead (Yoga Basics class). Now we’re just putting on a movie and eating spaghetti and getting our running stuff together for the morning. Zach has his first 20 miler and I have the race. Big day for both of us! :)

Here are the pictures from yesterday’s birthday extravaganza..

Zach working a 7:00 ish pace:

 

Marine Drive in the sunshine:

 

A stretch of the I-205 bike path that goes through the beautiful neighborhood of Maywood Park:

First drink of the day- a bloody mary at Besaw’s:

Happy hour with friends- there are Sarah and Michael:

  

And Amy and Brad:

Deana and Dana:

Me and my birthday boy:

Last drink of the night. Cheers!

Back with a race report asap. Thanks for reading!