Laurie's Quest Continues....two more marathons in one year!!

[ScoJo15]

Laurie...

Just wanted to send some thoughts your way. I'm sorry that you were directly affected by the 9/11 tragedy. I know it's tough and taking time to reflect and get your mind in a good place is certainly understandable. My thoughts go out to you and everyone impacted by those horiffic events.

Hopefully today you can get that 3 miler in...doesn't it make it that much more special to know that it's an official marathon training 3 miler?

Have a good day today!

 

[hockeygirl]

Hey everybody!

Amy and ScottThanks for the kinds words, it is greatly appreciated! I always think the next year is going to get easier and it never really does. But being around family and friends, always helps!

As for my training, I got back on track this week!! It definetely helps me stay motivated and get those runs in knowing that they are OFFICIAL marathon training runs!! It is so much easier knowing that they are building up to the race!! I am so psyched already!!!

Wednesday was a 3 miler at a 9:58 pace!!

Thursday was a 5 miler at a 10:08 pace!! And this was after spending the day walking around in NYC!! I went there because the top 12 NASCAR drivers were appearing at the ESPN Zone in Times Square, and being the huge Nascar fan I just had to go!!! Then, of course, after that I had to head uptown to the Niketown store to buy some new sneakers for work and some running clothes!! Then I had to walk all the way back to the bus terminal to get the bus home. I was surprised that I was able to do my 5 miler at such a fast pace (for me!) after all that walking!

This morning, I went out for another 3 miler at a 9:59 pace!!!

I feel like this has been a great week so far for training, despite the rough start! Tomorrow will be a rest day, as DBF and I are heading to the Rutgers Football game. It is homecoming tomorrow and as a Rutgers Grad, I am looking forward to seeing some old friends!!

Then Sunday will be my 8 mile LR. I am excited for my run already!!!

Ok, time to go catch up on everyone's journals!!!

 

[AmyBeth68]

Hi Laurie!!! Great week of training WOW! Super times you posted there . Sounds like your training has kicked into gear!

You heading out to the trail early on Sunday? I'm going to be there doing my 8 miler too!!! I'm sure we'll cross paths a few times lol! Gonna' have to look for you to say "HI". I hope you have a fantastic LR this weekend!!!

 

[hockeygirl]

Hey Amy--The plan is to head out early on sunday morning to the trail. I will be on the lookout for you!

 

[ScoJo15]

Hi Laurie

Looks like the training is going great! Nice to see you so motivated! Good luck on this weekend's long run...hope you and Amy aren't too cold out there on the trail (temps in 40's???).

Have a good day!

 

[hockeygirl]

Hey everybody--Just got back from my 8 mile LR...and I have to say I felt great. First of all, the weather was AWESOME for running. Temps were probably in the upper 50's-low 60's, with no humidity. I wish it could stay like this all year long!!!

Anyway, I finished in just over 1:23

Times:

mile 1: 10:39
mile 2: 10:33
mile 3: 10:27
mile 4: 10:30
mile 5: 10:30
mile 6: 10:15
mile 7: 10:05
mile 8: 9:33

The plan was to stay at about a 10:20 pace, but I had so much energy at the end that I pushed it a little harder. At the end, I was tired, but I definetely felt like I could have went longer! It feels good to be back on track with my training!!!!

Ok, gotta head out to run a few errands then get back to watch the NASCAR race!!! I will catch up on all the journals later on today.

 

[AmyBeth68]

WOW...way to go Laurie! Super pace, glad it went well.

Did I see you out there??? I finished up at 11:30 am. I had my Disney Marathon shirt on and a red bandana LOL! My 8 went really well too....what a gorgeous day! Of course, it was a little tricky getting around the folks in the walk-a-thon today! Was nice to see so many people out there though .

Enjoy the rest of your day .

 

[ScoJo15]

Hi Laurie!

Great run today!! Yeah, looks like it was nice for a lot of people out there today...just perfect running conditions....such a refreshing break from those hot and humid temps.

Keep up the great work! Have a good week!

 

[ScoJo15]

Hi Laurie!

Just checking in....everything alright in your world??

 

[hockeygirl]

Well, once again, I slacked off and didn't stay caught up on the disboards this past week....but I have kept up with my workouts for the most part..I guess that is the important part. I got all my workouts in last week, but DBF and I went to Delaware for the NASCAR race over the weekend, so unfortunately I missed my LR. I am not happy about that but that is just life sometimes.

I did get out for a 3 miler yesterday at a 10:20 pace and a 5 miler today at a 10:22 pace. Next run will be Friday, as I have events at school the next two nights, And the plan is to do a 9 mile LR this weekend.

It was so weird today, I was finishing up my 5 mile run and I was thinking about how I would feel when i finished the marathon at Disney in January, and I seriously got chills just thinking about crossing that finish line. It is amazing that I feel that way just thinking about it 3.5 months before the marathon, what the heck am I going to feel like that day....it is awesome just thinking about it...I CAN'T WAIT!!!!

Ok, time to get catch up with everybody!

 

[toystoryduo]

Hi Laurie,

Your plan for the week sounds like a good one! You are doing a great job with your training. Crossing the finish line at WDW is gonna be amazing! I'm so excited for all of you that will be running!

Hope you have a great Wednesday!

 

[AmyBeth68]

HI Laurie

I love reading your journal and remembering how much excitement and anticipation comes with training for your first marathon. Enjoy the experience and take it all in...there's only one "first time".

Training sounds good!!! Great paces you are logging there . I'll definitely be out on the trail nice and early on Sunday morning for my 9 Miler. PM me and let me know what time you're running so I can try to say "hi" if we cross paths! I'll be starting around 8:30 am from the duck pond!

Hope your week is going well!!!!!

 

[hockeygirl]

Hey everybody!

Training went well this week, despite a very busy week!! I have realized that sometimes I have to move things around to get the workouts in, but I guess as long as I get them in that is what counts.

Yesterday, I had an AWESOME 9 mile LR. I went out around 8:30am and it was absolutely gorgeous out!! I usually drive to the park down the road to start my run, but I have found that parking is very difficult on the weekend in the morning, so I decided to leave from home. It is about a mile run over to the start of the trail, and there is a decent hill on the way to the park, which proved to be interesting on the way home!

I finished the 9 miles in 1:32:55, with an average pace of 10:18. The mile splits were great for me (towards the end at least!)

mile 1: 11:20
mile 2: 11:02
mile 3: 10:38
mile 4: 10:06
mile 5: 9:57
mile 6: 9:53
mile 7: 9:49
mile 8: 9:49
mile 9: 9:44

I couldn't believe how much faster I got towards the end!!! And I didn't even feel that tired. I was so excited about my run that I wanted to go out for another one this morning! But, I need the rest today.

Tonight, I have I have a hockey game, then tomorrow I have a 3 mile run on tap.

Thanks! to everyone for stopping in!

Amy--I had to go out for my LR yesterday, since I have a hockey game tonight. Normally, I do my LR on sunday mornings but had to flip it this week. Hope you had a great run this morning!

Tracy--Thanks for the kind words....it is amazing how excited I am about the race already and it is still more than 3 months away!!

 

[AmyBeth68]

GREAT RUN Laurie!!!! WOW...we are pacing SO closely! I did mine with an avg pace of 10:10 LOL. Those negative splits you posted were totally rockin' though! That's a great sign that you are really getting stronger and faster!

Hope you have a good week . Great job working your schedule to get those workouts in!

 

[hockeygirl]

Amy--THANKS! I am hoping I can keep up those times over the next few months! This week should be easier as far as getting my workouts in, and the weather looks to be pretty good!

 

[ScoJo15]

Laurie....great run!!

You are very very consistent....10:20 last week and 10:18 this week : Negative splits to boost...nice! You are gonna totally rock that marathon!!

I know you play, but do you watch hockey as well?? This is the year of the Trasher...in case you were wondering

Great job with the training! Hope all is well with you. have a good night

 

[toystoryduo]

Great run Laurie! You are doing a great job with your training! Keep up the good work!

Have a wonderful week!

 

[hockeygirl]

Today was a very stressful day at work. I am coordinating an after-school enrichment program at my school and this is the first year that I am doing this extra job, and it has proven to be very stressful. It will all be worth it when I get the big check at the end of the year, but for the time being it is very stressful. On top of teaching my regular classes, it was just a very draining day!!! I was driving home and I was just exhausted, and I contemplated not going for my run, but I kept telling myself that I will never finish the marathon in Jan. if I always make excuses for not running....so, I did it, I went out for my run.

Only 3 miles on the calendar for today, and despite being tired, I really pushed myself today. I finished in 28:48 with an average pace of 9:33!! This was a great run for me, and I felt great, which was VERY suprising to me!

Tomorrow, I will be doing 6 miles. THis is one mile up from my mid-week longer run as I call it, so it will be interesting to see how it goes after working all day. I feel so much better running in the morning but I can't fit in a run and get to work in time in the morning so I have to do it in the afternoon during the week....oh well.

Scott--Yes, I love watching hockey, although I much prefer playing. I am a big Devils fan. We will see how they do this year...not to sure, but I will keep my fingers crossed.

tracy--Thanks for stopping by! The encouragement from everyone is awesome!!

 

[hockeygirl]

Just a quick update from today's 6 mile workout. I finished in 58:59 with a speedy (for me!) pace of 9:48. I was suprised that I could keep this pace since I felt kind of tired today! I am excited that my pace is starting to get back to what it was before my half marathon in April. I think it has a lot to do with the lack of humidity right now. I feel so much better when I run and there is no humidity in the air.

Ok, gotta go eat dinner!

 

[toystoryduo]

Way to go, Laurie! I am so proud of you for getting that run in after such a stressful day. You are doing a great job with your training! Keep up the good work!