Friday, November 18, 2011

A Zebra Doesn't Change Its Stripes

I was so excited to know my time that I ruined my finish line photos! I specifically tried NOT to do that this year, but I guess I wasn't as far away from the finish as I thought!

Veteran's Day 10K 2009
48:54 PR
Veteran's Day 10K 2011
45:19 PR


I've been taking it pretty easy this week in terms of running. I know I will need fresh legs for my Turkey Trot 5K next week!

I took a complete rest day on the Monday after the race, and on Tuesday I went for an easy pool run and 900 yd swim. On Wednesday I was back out on the road with an easy 7-miler. Thursday was another easy 7-miler, although the pace was a bit zippier. Today I subjected myself to 5 x 3:00 pool running intervals (harder than track intervals!) and tomorrow I plan to do a long run of 14-15 miles.

In other news, I jumped on the Richmond Marathon bandwagon and registered for the 2012 race at the low introductory price of $55. (Which means no Veteran's Day 10K). It will be the five-year anniversary of my first sub-4:00 marathon, and I'd like to beat my 2007 time by 30 minutes. It's a pipe dream at the moment, but I'm going to work hard all year to try and make it happen. It's not horribly unrealistic for someone to decrease his/her marathon time by 30 minutes over a 5-year period of consistent training.

I do regret that I am missing out on the opportunity to experience a new marathon, but Richmond is one of my all-time favorites. Let's just hope I can hold off a few seconds before hitting that "stop" button on the Garmin!

11 comments:

  1. I love your all-red outfit in the second one! And I've got quite a few watch pics too. sigh.

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  2. I think after my first triathlon race photo I noticed how I don't really show any emotion to the camera, so after that I've made a point to try and look at the camera and TRY to smile. I've never had a dead on watch shot like this!
    Anyway, like I tweeted at you earlier, SUPER excited that you're doing the Richmond marathon! It'll be fun to virtually train with you next summer!

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  3. haha, that is pretty funny. Watching you progress this season I totally believe you have a (sub?) 3:30 in you!! Fun!

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  4. You look awesome! I'm really glad you're getting back into another marathon. :)

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  5. at least you look great in your photos. I viewed some from my 5k today, and I'm GASPING for air in all of them. lol

    Nice improvement on that 10k time from 2009 to 2011. Congrats!

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  6. I'll echo what Happy Feet said, you always look great in your running pics! I look like I'm trying very hard no to die. ;)

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  7. those pictures are so funny! i definitely have some watch pics, too :o)
    i have been thinking of richmond, too...i haven't ever run the full there and doing part of it (17.5 miles) with my sister last week really got me thinking ... i just know how much i love MCM and it is so convenient for me and my family. i have to decide!

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  8. There's something about those Haines Point races, where the photographer doesn't take your picture until several seconds AFTER the finish line. I remember at JATW I specifically ran through the finish line, then dropped to a walk, then hit my watch. Yup - that was my finish photo.

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