Thanks to all of you for the awesome posts and well wishes!!! You have no idea how motivating it is!!
I've been a total slacker in getting to other peoples journals..but I promise to get to them today!!
Doing a bulk update today...here is what happend over the last few days:
Tuesday June 27 - Did 3.95 miles in 41:19 (10:28mpm, 197/176hr)
Wednesday June 28 - 40 minutes on the elliptical (4.19em, 9:33mpm, 167/153) and weighed in at 203.2
Thursday June 29 - Did 3.95 miles in 40:46 (10:19mpm, 195/177hr)
Friday June 30 - off
Saturday July 1 - 40 minutes on the elliptical (4.18em, 9:34mpm, 163/153) and weighed in at 198.6
Sunday July 2 - off
So it was a very very productive week. My neighborhood runs were awesome...I ran both of them faster than I ever had before without feeling any effects. I think I'm progressing to a new level where I can run a bit faster without getting tired or becoming winded. The elliptical trainings went very smooth but I am a little concerned about such a drastic weight loss. I'm not complaining about finally being under 200 for the first time since college, but it is pretty alarming that the weight is just coming off like it is.
So I do want to add some core work plus some weight training. I don't want to mess up the race on Tuesday, so I'm gonna start the additional workouts on Thursday. I know I'll be sore for a little while and I don't want to impact any races or have a negative effect on my running. I figure if I start it now, I'll have it worked into my normal routine by the time that real marathon training starts in August.
And now I'm on the eve of my first major goal that I had set when I started this whole thing...completing the Peachtree Road Race 10k. It's funny that when I started training, I was worried about even being able to finish a 10k race. 6.2 miles seemed like a lot at the time. Now here I am having completed 3 5k's and a 10k, and running 7 solid miles every weekend. The plan is no longer 'just to finish' but to really soak in the event. It will be the biggest race by far that I've ran this year, and may be the biggest that I'll ever run...55,000 participate in the event each year. The crowds are huge...there will be spectators along every inch of the course. The atmosphere should be electric and I can't wait to get down there and line up in my corral. IF, and it's a big IF, I can get through the crowded early part in a decent 1st mile time, then I will be running for time...with an ultimate goal of 62:00. But if I find that the crowds are too thick, then I'm just gonna settle in to a great pace and really take in the sights and sounds of the event. Either way, even though the race goal has changed a little, it is still a significant milestone along the way of achieving the ultimate goal of finishing that marathon in January.
Now it's time to get focused...hydrate throughout the day today, eat pasta for dinner and get a good nights sleep.
Race report will follow sometime tomorrow afternoon.
I hope everyone has an awesome holiday!!! Happy 4th of July!!!