Running of the Beers!
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Alex Kubacki
Mike MacLellan
Michele "1L" Keane
carleenp
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Running of the Beers!
This is my first blog on here! I figured since I was planning to try some new things this time around in marathon training I would start one in hopes that it would keep me motivated on that and that I could maybe get help on the new stuff when needed by pointing people here too if I have a training question. And I thought it would be fun!
So, why Running of the Beers? In late June, I am going to start training for the Portland, Oregon marathon. Portland is craft beer mecca, and my husband and I are craft beer enthusiasts and homebrewers. I often joke that I run so I can drink beer. Portland is a destination we have wanted to go to for some time. It is full of great beer and we both have old friends there who we haven't seen in years. So I will run the race and then we will spend a couple of days visiting brewpubs. Not the best marathon recovery plan, I know, but it has long been our tradition for me to run a marathon, followed by a day or two of beer tastings (my husband is a non-runner, so he tends to tease me with tasting beer before the race too).
What am I starting new? I plan to introduce some speed work. I am waiting for my purchase of a McMillan customized plan and I hope I'll like it, but if I don't I'll tinker with it or shelve it in favor of something else. Previously I have done Hal Higdon Intermediate 2 plans with some tinkering to make the pace run mid-week and up some of the early miles. Last time around I also played with a 10-day "week" early on. I will wait to see what the Mcmillan plan shows before deciding completely on how I am training. I might tinker with it some or shelve it and make my own using it as a guideline. I have a few weeks before formal training starts.
Right now I am in recovery from the Bayshore Marathon in Traverse City, MI on May 26, where I got a PR, and have yet to run since the race. My recovery plan has me running 3 tomorrow, which I doubt will happen as I am still a bit sore and have a toenail issue to boot. I might try cross training instead. I am hoping to try for 3-4 this weekend and then do 3-4 short days next week. If the toenail won't behave I'll bike or do elliptical. But I want to be getting back going running easy sooner than later.
So, why Running of the Beers? In late June, I am going to start training for the Portland, Oregon marathon. Portland is craft beer mecca, and my husband and I are craft beer enthusiasts and homebrewers. I often joke that I run so I can drink beer. Portland is a destination we have wanted to go to for some time. It is full of great beer and we both have old friends there who we haven't seen in years. So I will run the race and then we will spend a couple of days visiting brewpubs. Not the best marathon recovery plan, I know, but it has long been our tradition for me to run a marathon, followed by a day or two of beer tastings (my husband is a non-runner, so he tends to tease me with tasting beer before the race too).
What am I starting new? I plan to introduce some speed work. I am waiting for my purchase of a McMillan customized plan and I hope I'll like it, but if I don't I'll tinker with it or shelve it in favor of something else. Previously I have done Hal Higdon Intermediate 2 plans with some tinkering to make the pace run mid-week and up some of the early miles. Last time around I also played with a 10-day "week" early on. I will wait to see what the Mcmillan plan shows before deciding completely on how I am training. I might tinker with it some or shelve it and make my own using it as a guideline. I have a few weeks before formal training starts.
Right now I am in recovery from the Bayshore Marathon in Traverse City, MI on May 26, where I got a PR, and have yet to run since the race. My recovery plan has me running 3 tomorrow, which I doubt will happen as I am still a bit sore and have a toenail issue to boot. I might try cross training instead. I am hoping to try for 3-4 this weekend and then do 3-4 short days next week. If the toenail won't behave I'll bike or do elliptical. But I want to be getting back going running easy sooner than later.
Last edited by carleenp on Thu May 31, 2012 10:36 am; edited 1 time in total
Re: Running of the Beers!
Yeah, Carleen - we will be following along on this new adventure. Portland is a great city and it does have some hills, so make sure you do a bit of hill work too. (I'm guessing the marathon course is pretty flat, but the only race that I ever ran in Portland was the old Cascade Run Off in 1992. It was a 15K with the first 5 miles climbing and the last 4 coming down. The course left from the other side of the bridge ran into downtown, up the hill, and then back down along the river. I've also done Hood to Coast 3x, but it really is run through Portland, although I slept under a bridge with the urban outdoorsmen and many smelly relay runners.)
Portland, too, have numerous small wineries just outside the city and the local wines are excellent and often not available outside the area. They do have several spots in the airport after you exit security where you can purchase local wines and have them packaged to either ship (which they will do) or carry home.
Portland, too, have numerous small wineries just outside the city and the local wines are excellent and often not available outside the area. They do have several spots in the airport after you exit security where you can purchase local wines and have them packaged to either ship (which they will do) or carry home.
Re: Running of the Beers!
We like wine too!
The Portland marathon reports itself as flat. The only hills are apparently a couple of bridges. I actually would prefer a slightly rolling course. Bayshore was perfect for me with its little rolls, except for part where I am giving up a few toenails for the pleasure of running it....
The Portland marathon reports itself as flat. The only hills are apparently a couple of bridges. I actually would prefer a slightly rolling course. Bayshore was perfect for me with its little rolls, except for part where I am giving up a few toenails for the pleasure of running it....
Re: Running of the Beers!
Looking forward to following along. Have fun with the training and let us know how that plan is.
Alex Kubacki- Explaining To Spouse
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Re: Running of the Beers!
Training has officially started. Last week was pretty simple, just a few easy runs, a workout with 10 strides in it, and a 5k race. I was hoping to PR at the 5k, but then it turned out to be a hilly course and it was sunny and hot, so I was a minute off of my PR. I was OK with that given the circumstances. I actually got 3rd in my age group. But there were only 6 total in the group, lol!
I did a McMillan pace booster run this morning. 50-60 minutes with around 20 minutes just under half marathon pace. That went well. It was hot out, but one of the areas I run through had all of their sprinklers on and were watering the sidewalk, so I ran through them all!
I think I am going to like the Wednesday speed days. It is nice to do something different! I am still adjusting going from 4 to 5 days running each week. I'm a bit sore, but I have just been taking the easy days extra easy and it seems to work OK. I imagine I will fully adjust in another week or two.
I did a McMillan pace booster run this morning. 50-60 minutes with around 20 minutes just under half marathon pace. That went well. It was hot out, but one of the areas I run through had all of their sprinklers on and were watering the sidewalk, so I ran through them all!
I think I am going to like the Wednesday speed days. It is nice to do something different! I am still adjusting going from 4 to 5 days running each week. I'm a bit sore, but I have just been taking the easy days extra easy and it seems to work OK. I imagine I will fully adjust in another week or two.
Re: Running of the Beers!
This week has been a bit off, due to the hot weather. I planned to run over lunch hour on the indoor track across the street from my office on Tuesday and forgot my shoes (not happy with myself, grrr....). Then 100 degree heat kept me from wanting to go out that evening. So I missed a day. Today I ran a very hilly 10k in lieu of doing the hill sprints that were on my schedule. It was 88 degrees at the start and over 90 at the end, all in the sun and humid. So, I'm not going to worry too much about my relatively slow speed and that I walked up the the hills in miles 3-5. Still, I would have liked a better run.
I think I'll push my long run off to Sunday when it is supposed to be cooler and that will also allow me to run on both Friday and Saturday. I plan to take tomorrow off, anticipating soreness from the race, although I might go to the air conditioned gym and cross train.
I think I'll push my long run off to Sunday when it is supposed to be cooler and that will also allow me to run on both Friday and Saturday. I plan to take tomorrow off, anticipating soreness from the race, although I might go to the air conditioned gym and cross train.
Re: Running of the Beers!
I wouldn't worry about the 10K given the weather and at the beginning of a new cycle. Keep plugging away.
Alex Kubacki- Explaining To Spouse
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Re: Running of the Beers!
Great to see you on the blogs! Good luck--I'm sure it will be another PR for you!
I also like beer, wine and running so I will be checking in here often!
I also like beer, wine and running so I will be checking in here often!
Re: Running of the Beers!
Alex Kubacki wrote:I wouldn't worry about the 10K given the weather and at the beginning of a new cycle. Keep plugging away.
I wouldn't either.
Jerry- Explaining To Spouse
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Re: Running of the Beers!
The last week was pretty standard. I had a good workout last week of a 2 mile warm up and 2 mile cool down with 8x 2 minutes @5k pace with 1 minute recovery in the middle. I liked that one and I did it on the one morning where the temp was under 80 degrees. I also did my long run pretty well in the heat given that I tend to not take heat well at all. My other runs were all on the indoor track to avoid the 100 degree temps.
This week and next I did some schedule rearranging because my husband and I planned a last minute vacation to Hilton Head, SC in order to use expiring airline miles and hotel points. I was supposed to run a 5k next week and I did one last night instead. I got a new PR by 19 seconds and was 12th out of 50 in my my age group which surprised me! It was a cooler evening than we have had lately, but still around 80 and the course was not perfectly flat. I tried for the PR, but I didn't really expect to get it! I have a hilly 10 mile race this Sat. that I'm just going to run as my slow run. It was on the McMillan schedule that way already too.
Next week, I am moving my 16 mile long run up to Wed. since I fly out Thur. Then, if I am able, I'll do my speed work Sat or Sun in SC. I didn't want to try to find a 16 mile course in a strange area so I flipped those workouts around.
I've been feeling kind of flat and slow lately, but I think it is just the heat, given that my speedwork session was fine and I got the PR. I don't handle heat well and it has been crazy hot! 80 degrees feels like cold snap here now!
This week and next I did some schedule rearranging because my husband and I planned a last minute vacation to Hilton Head, SC in order to use expiring airline miles and hotel points. I was supposed to run a 5k next week and I did one last night instead. I got a new PR by 19 seconds and was 12th out of 50 in my my age group which surprised me! It was a cooler evening than we have had lately, but still around 80 and the course was not perfectly flat. I tried for the PR, but I didn't really expect to get it! I have a hilly 10 mile race this Sat. that I'm just going to run as my slow run. It was on the McMillan schedule that way already too.
Next week, I am moving my 16 mile long run up to Wed. since I fly out Thur. Then, if I am able, I'll do my speed work Sat or Sun in SC. I didn't want to try to find a 16 mile course in a strange area so I flipped those workouts around.
I've been feeling kind of flat and slow lately, but I think it is just the heat, given that my speedwork session was fine and I got the PR. I don't handle heat well and it has been crazy hot! 80 degrees feels like cold snap here now!
Re: Running of the Beers!
Boy did I get derailed from vacation and heat. Last week's 16 didn't happen and I got 13.5 in with about 3 miles of that run/walk on a 90 degree day with 90% humidity instead. It was brutal. I totally bonked at mile 10 or so.
But, I am back on track now. I had a solid week this week with all good runs, although I would have rather my 7 miles with speed work to have been in less than 88 degree heat. Yesterday I did a good 16 with about 10 miles of it close to my planned marathon pace because it was actually a nice morning. Only 60-65 degrees (woot!), and I couldn't keep myself from running faster; it felt easy. So maybe all of this miserable hot weather has been secretly good for my training, even though it sure hasn't felt like it at the time!
Now I go on vacation again, but the weather is supposed to be nice and it is a decent enough place to run, so it shouldn't affect things much.
But, I am back on track now. I had a solid week this week with all good runs, although I would have rather my 7 miles with speed work to have been in less than 88 degree heat. Yesterday I did a good 16 with about 10 miles of it close to my planned marathon pace because it was actually a nice morning. Only 60-65 degrees (woot!), and I couldn't keep myself from running faster; it felt easy. So maybe all of this miserable hot weather has been secretly good for my training, even though it sure hasn't felt like it at the time!
Now I go on vacation again, but the weather is supposed to be nice and it is a decent enough place to run, so it shouldn't affect things much.
Re: Running of the Beers!
A quick update: My schedule is still out of wack, but not too terribly. Since heat cut some of my long runs short, I am ending up with only one 20 miler when I planned on two. That is this Sunday at Fox Valley.
I figure it hasn't harmed me too much since I got a new half marathon PR by over 2 minutes last weekend. Woot! I still need to write up a race report on that.
I figure it hasn't harmed me too much since I got a new half marathon PR by over 2 minutes last weekend. Woot! I still need to write up a race report on that.
Re: Running of the Beers!
Nice job, Carleen, a PR always feels great!
JohnP- Explaining To Spouse
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Re: Running of the Beers!
Congrats on the Half. The strength from the big Bayshore PR is carrying over. Great job.
Alex Kubacki- Explaining To Spouse
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Re: Running of the Beers!
My 20 miler went quite well. I ran it perhaps 30 seconds or so slower than my marathon pace until mile 17 and then ran the last 3 at and above my marathon pace and felt OK. So things look fairly good.
My taper got a bit sidetracked though when my 12 miler got cut short to about 7.5 because of a painful blister. But I'm not overly concerned about that.
Weather for Portland looks about the same as for Chicago right now (the races are on the same day).
It has been an odd training period. Most of my runs felt like they went quite poorly in the heat and many were cut short, but the runs in cool weather have been great, so I guess I'll just go out for my time goal (which right now is 4:23:00 to 4:25:00 or so) and see what happens!
My taper got a bit sidetracked though when my 12 miler got cut short to about 7.5 because of a painful blister. But I'm not overly concerned about that.
Weather for Portland looks about the same as for Chicago right now (the races are on the same day).
It has been an odd training period. Most of my runs felt like they went quite poorly in the heat and many were cut short, but the runs in cool weather have been great, so I guess I'll just go out for my time goal (which right now is 4:23:00 to 4:25:00 or so) and see what happens!
Re: Running of the Beers!
Good luck this weekend. You'll be long gone by the time my daughter, Katie and I finish.
Katie's half earlier this summer was 2:40 and she was hoping to just extend that pace to her first full but was really struggling. I finally convinced her she needed to slow down from the start and get into her run/walk pace right away. Her last couple long runs went much better. She was originally hoping to finish in 6 hours but is thinking that 6:30 or so is more realistic. It's going to be a long day but she stuck with it when things got tough and finished her training so I want to be there to support her.
We'll both be wearing red "Team Top Fox" shirts...say 'hi' if you see us at the start.
Good luck. I'll be looking forward to your race report.
Nancy
Katie's half earlier this summer was 2:40 and she was hoping to just extend that pace to her first full but was really struggling. I finally convinced her she needed to slow down from the start and get into her run/walk pace right away. Her last couple long runs went much better. She was originally hoping to finish in 6 hours but is thinking that 6:30 or so is more realistic. It's going to be a long day but she stuck with it when things got tough and finished her training so I want to be there to support her.
We'll both be wearing red "Team Top Fox" shirts...say 'hi' if you see us at the start.
Good luck. I'll be looking forward to your race report.
Nancy
nkrichards- Explaining To Spouse
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Re: Running of the Beers!
Good luck, Carleen! Remember the faster you run, the faster you get a beer! Trust the training.
Re: Running of the Beers!
Good luck, Carleen, I'm happy to hear your great weather forecast, it will really help you.
JohnP- Explaining To Spouse
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