Shamrock Marathon Result

Well no PR for me today. I wasn't really expecting one, I've been pretty laid down with a cold since Tuesday, so much so that I almost didn't run except that this trip cost too much to just skip the race.

I'm glad I did, I really enjoyed the marathon. I ran it with Hubs and we finished in a little over 4:30 hours. Good news is I can now cross Virginia off of my 50 state list.

Here was the sunrise from our hotel room this morning. Gorgeous beach view.



Full race report to follow. Pushing off for home now! Thanks for reading

Race Attire

If you have been reading my blog for awhile, you will know I have a bit of an obsession with Running Skirts. Imagine my delight when I went to their website, and found out they have created a running skirt for the Shamrock Marathon.

Cute (although I would wear a tank top).

However, this is my first marathon in which I get to wear the Marathon Maniac singlet! I became a maniac back in November at the Hamilton Marathon, but I didn't get my singlet in time for Philly marathon, so this is my first chance to wear the singlet (yellow, red and black theme similar to the logo below). I only want to wear the singlet for marathon races.

I could combine the two, but would Tim Gunn approve? (I *heart* Tim)

Tough call, but I think I am going to wear the MM singlet, but I just might get that skirt anyway for another race. Oh wait, I am supposed to be cutting back on running purchases... LOL Who am I kidding?!

I need your help!!

I am down to the last three weeks before Shamrock, and I need your help tweaking my training schedule for the last few weeks. Here is the dilemma: I have a half marathon this Sunday, but want to run another 22 miler before the marathon. Here is the current plan I made up a few months ago (I have this in a table, but I don't know how to post it on my blog, sorry):

Week 9: Race Preparation (Monday February 23rd – March 1st)
Mon- Rest or cross training
Tues- 12 miles w/ 4 x 1200 m @ 5K race pace; jog 2 minutes in between (VO2 max)
Wed- 7 miles w/6 x 100 m strides (Recovery + speed)
Thur- Rest or cross training
Fri- 12 miles
Sat- Rest or recovery
Sun- 13 miles (Chilly Half marathon race)

Week 10: Race Preparation (Monday March 2nd – March 8th)
Mon- Rest or cross training
Tues -8 miles w/ 5 600 m @ 5K race pace; jog 90 seconds between (VO2 max)
Wed -5 miles (Recovery)
Thu- Rest or cross training
Fri - 8 miles w/6 x 100 m strides
Sat- Rest or cross training
Sun - 22 miles

Week 11: Taper and Race (Monday March 9th - March 15th)
Mon- Rest or cross train
Tues- 7 miles w/ 8 x 100 m strides (General aerobic + speed)
Wed - 8 miles w/ 3 x 1600 m @ 5K race pace jog 2 minutes in between (VO2 max)
Thurs- Rest or cross training
Fri - 5 miles w/ 6 x 100m strides
Sat- Rest or cross training
Sun - 12 miles

Week 12: Taper and Race (Monday March 16th –March 22nd)
Mon -rest
Tues -7 miles 2 miles @ race pace
Thur - Rest
Fri- 5 miles w/6 x 100 m strides
Sat- Rest
Sun - Shamrock Marathon 26.2 miles

My question is, do you think leaving my 22 miler until March 8th is too late? Will there be any physiological benefit. That is two weeks before the marathon vs three. I can't do it the previous week because of Chilly. Any suggestions are welcome.
Hope everyone is having a good week, thanks for reading!

Week 6 Update and Race Announcements

I had a bit of my own "Goofy Challenge" this weekend. I ran 20K (12.5 miles) on Saturday, and then 35.4K (22 miles) on Sunday, for a total of 55.4K (37.5miles) this weekend. All within a 24 hour time span.

This back to back distance may sound painful, but as many other bloggers have posted about their recent runs, this past weekend was the kind of weekend where you felt as if you could run forever!!

It was above freezing and mild on Saturday and sunny on Sunday. Glorious, fresh weather, and on both days I ran in the later afternoon and finished my run just as the Sun set for the day. It was sooo beautiful, I wish I brought my camera, words can't describe, but literally the snow glowed and sparkled as the sun when down behind the hills and trees. Magical and very peaceful.

Total miles for week 6 was 76K/49 miles.

In other news, Hubs is a bit laid up right now. He went to the chiropractor on Friday, and he noticed that his left calf was unusually larger than his right calf. His chiropractor was worried it could possibly be a blood clot, but after going to the walk in clinic, the doctor thinks its likely a Baker's cyst. This is a pocket of fluid that forms behind his knee, likely an overuse injury from a former knee problem Hub's had. Just to be safe, Hubs following the RICE principle and not running until an ultrasound confirms the diagnosis.

And I have two marathons announcements to make.

I am now officially signed up for the Virginia Beach Shamrock Marathon. Yipee!! I am so excited. I decided to go for a flat course since most of my training is limited to flat terrain when it snows (track, treadmill). Besides, who doesn't want a flat course?!! And there is beer at the end!





BUT.... in even MORE EXCITING NEWS, I am running the Barbados marathon in December with Christy!!!




I will be raising money for the arthritis society, which I am excited about, since I have always run marathons for fun, it will be great to give back. More details to follow.

Anyway, have a super week everyone! Thanks for reading!