GLBryan - Disney? well.... this was my 2nd hm and I was very excited, so much that I had recruited my walking buddy to do it with me. We had a great pace going and were strong throughout (even though we were just walking) We were in one of the later waves, and we were told that the finish time cuttoffs were based on the wave start times, rather than the elite start time. As we were progressing through the race the pace monitors kept taunting us about being swept if we didnt pick it up. I wont lie, we were slow... averaging 13-15 minute miles, I think one or two of them were 16 min. But we were right on target to finish in about 3:35-3:40 (as we had expected). When we hit the last portion of the race, when you come down the off ramp back into Epcot, the pace monitors were congratulating us and saying nice things like, it's all home from here, you can coast it out, no more sweeps, go get your medals!. My walking partner (being her first time) was enjoying the routing and cheering thorugh epcot and we cut our pace a little bit) Only to get to the finish line and find out NO MEDALS!!!! and because we finished just after the 4 hour cut off (based on the elite starting time) that we weren't considered 'finishers'. I was very disappointed, and sad that I had glorified and talked up how much fun the race was to my friend. She and I had a great time and have kept up the walking... but it was still sad.

Okay.. enough ranting. I'm going swimming

Well, I finished the week with an 8 miler yesterday making 30.5 miles for the week and the first time i've broken 30 miles! Pretty happy with that My schedule this week has a cutback with one of the days set to rest or an easy run - I remember having this discussion with Andahuff a while back, but I just don't want to take the time off - I want to run! But maybe I should if the schedule says? If I feel good after my run tomorrow I'll maybe do a shorter easy run instead of no run I went canoeing this morning and the weather was beautiful so it's been a lovely weekend.

It looks like i've gotten a bit behind so sorry if i've missed anything

Joe - Hope that MRI goes ok tomorrow. Enjoy the day of work! I've never twittered... I think I already have more than enough computer time already, but maybe i'll take a look LOL on the geek smiley!

Runjr - Great 10.25 with DD and 6.25 this morning! I really like the Sauconys too - I think I may just get another pair as they've done me pretty good... glad they are working for you too!

Andahuff - You've had a great week of mileage! Congratulations!

Kevin - Sorry you didn't manage a PR, but great time anyway and in tough conditions. Was it the heat that made you have to walk or did you go out too quick? That's my usual problem! You'll be back for more races and will no doubt have many PR's to come!

Spicegeek - Glad you got those birthday presents! Hope you've had a great break!

Misswendy - My goal is to do 10k < 1hr, but i'm not sure this next race will be the one where I do it. It's supposed to be pretty hilly and not a PB course. I know I can do it, but I need to find a suitable course for it Great 12.3 miles! I do think you should try a little slower still for these easy and long runs. For me that has really helped reducing the niggles and with increasing mileage / intensity. You get used to going slower eventually - honest! Hope you have a great time out of town!

Ilissa - Looks like you're progressing well with that walk running and seeing the results already! I think i'm going to try those shot bloks, but they're pretty hard to get over here. Hope you enjoyed that time lazing in the pool - you certainly earned it!

Amy - welcome! What plan are you following for your training? Post lots and tell us how you're going!

Gayle - Glad to hear HHST is working well for you - roll on week 6! I'd just do the 5k rather than the scheduled distance. I know what you mean about feeling bad not doing the mileage though... I have the same dilemma not wanting to miss out a long run due to a shorter race, but then that's meant i've not raced much so do stupid things like go out too quick!

Aprilrunsagain - Welcome! Post here often and stick with us and we'll be your support Great hill run... are you following a plan?

Chuck - Some great runs and big congrats on the 50 days! We're all really proud

Mary - Hope your family are all better soon! That must be pretty tough being pulled in so many directions. 12 miles is better than no miles so hope you have a good week!

Well i'd better get off to bed so that I get up in time for my early morning intervals!
Happy running all,
Cara

Another thing happened in the gym, I was talking to one of my fellow work out gymsters, and she told me that I should add hot pepper to my food to give me a metabolism boost! I'm italian and everything, but had sworn off hot peppers when I started watching my sodium. She said the crushed red pepper flakes have no sodium, but somewhere in my mind, I once again had that "real or imagined" fear of burning myself! I'm older now, I can't really take too many chances with things that hurt.

My friend Jen agreed to do the WORLD RUN DAY run with me next Saturday in my hometown. I'm going to try and not be embarrassed about how slow I run and just keep putting one foot in front of the other. It's a 5k, and I have been doing some hill work, so maybe my time will be ok.

I do about 12-20 miles a week, depending on my work schedule, and I use the rowing machine and bike at the gym on my intermittent days to keep my cardio up.

I really want to succeed at preparing the very best way I can for this upcoming race. I think this site will help me.

I have to reread some of the posts again so I can find the site where I post my 1/2 marathon.

Forgive me in advance for not remembering everyones name, I don't have a printer so I can print out the articles and use them as references, but I really related to most everyones posts.

Happy Sunday.

April

Misswendy, I hope you have a good trip! One of the benefits of DD's getting older is they pack themselves. Now I just have to worry about me! LOL Great job on the 5x 1000 intervals. <But I thought ‘we all agreed' that you'd run them at a 10k pace?!?!> I know all about starting out too fast! LOL

Ilissa, I hope you enjoyed your swim. DD#3 is in WI Dells today at the waterpark for their -end-of-the-year- school trip.

Runjr, Great runs over the weekend. I'll bet it was more comfortable running by the lake. Yeah we (northerners) may be masters of running in the cold, but the south definitely takes over during the summer!

Mary, I'm sorry to hear about your DD and Father-in-Law. That really has to be tough. It kind of puts my problems in perspective...Yeah it seems Lake Michigan keeps Milwaukee cold all the time. Although it's weird, I used to live on the ‘East Side' and the only memories I have are of warm sunny days listening to music in Lake Shore park.

Cara, Congratulations on the 8 miles and 30.5 for the week! That's great. I'd say if you want to run, run. You're wise in making it an easy one though. Like coach told me, "just get the time in on your feet" I'm pretty sure I went out too quick on the race. The only other time I had an experience like that (not being able to catch my breath) was at a 10K back in March. Coach told me my runs leading up to this race were not ‘race-training' runs. In a way they were still recovery type runs from my half 3 weeks ago. Still he was surprised I couldn't run faster, or get through the race. I'm back in mileage building phase again. Should be 23-25 miles this week.

Stan, great job on the mileage totals! I'm not sure which day is your 3 mile run but good luck anyway! Yeah, no kidding about getting out of there. It's been nothing but thunderstorms since. Today should be better, tomorrow and Wednesday should be drier. I spent 3 hours last night bent over my ‘wet-vac' sucking up water in the basement. Still there were others worse off than me.

April, Welcome to the group. I think you'll like it here, we're all very encouraging and supportive (is that redundant?) But we do that too! It sounds like you had a good workout yesterday! Many times during my runs I've thought to myself, now if I quit here, how will I explain that to everyone (online). I hope you feel as inspired by being here as I have.

Amy, great job on running 5 days a week. Good for you keeping up the momentum without a (written down) plan. Great plan, on increasing your distance without increasing your speed. Just be patient and remember to allow more time for your runs.

Well I better get back to it, Good luck to everyone with your runs today!

Kevin