Monday, November 8, 2010

First 5.

Yesterday was my longest run since I gave birth: 5 miles at a comfortable 9:30 pace.

It was more-or-less a good run, except for the part where my ears felt as if they would freeze and fall off because I failed to wear a headband even though I knew there was a whipping wind. I blame it on a lack of sleep . . .

Anyway, my easing back plan is going well and my mileage is starting to creep back up. And, best of all, I have felt great each time out. Which means, of course, it is time for a plan! Not a major, serious plan or anything like that. I guess I'm thinking more of a guide. A guide that will get me back in to racing shape. You see, I've got a little 5K coming up on 12/4 and I'd like to run well. Ideally, I'd run it faster than the 27:11 I ran when I was 5.5 months preggo. Wishful thinking would be finishing faster than the 25:13 I ran in my first race back after Conal was born.

If I'm going to do either, I need to make a plan. Since my schedule is driven by my little one-month-old, I can't set anything in stone. So, I've decided that my plan will be to run 3-4 times a week with a progressively longer run on the weekend, one 3-4 mile fartlek or tempo run, and then another run or two at my comfortable base-building pace for about 4-5 miles. I don't want to push my body with intervals at this point so I'll hold off on them until after the new year. By then, I'll be three months postpartum so I should be able to handle tougher workouts.

So that's that. A plan is a plan.

Now, I just want to say a little something about the NYC marathon. I watched the broadcast yesterday and was, as usual, entranced. It was so exciting and I was really happy for Shalane Flanagan and her second place finish.

But I was even happier for a runner named Wendi Ray. She rocks, people. Rocks. Wendi is 37, works THREE jobs, trains in Wisconsin, and finished in 2:39:15 yesterday -- good enough for 22nd place overall and 6th among American women. She was recently profiled on the Running Times site and when I read about her I thought to myself, "Dang. I have NO excuse not to get it done."

No, I don't mean running a 2:39 marathon because that's just laughable. I mean making time for running. Getting back and running strong and well. If people much busier than I am can run to their potential, well, so can I.

And so I shall.

Did you watch the NYCM yesterday? Run it? Love it? Are you entering the lottery for next year? Good luck to those of you who are!

~ Felice




16 comments:

Karen Seal said...

Awesome job on the five miles! Good luck on the 5K! you will do great, I know! :0)

Unknown said...

You are rockin' the running!

Best wishes with the 5K. :-)

Suzy said...

Awesome job on the 5 miler! I think it would be great to run on 1/1/11...you should plan on the 3.5 miler that day. It would be fun to be all together before the race.

Anonymous said...

5 miles already! wow good for you!

Being Robinson said...

congrats on your new arrival, i love his name! (i'm late catching up:) and congrats on being back to running so soon. that's amazing! and yes, i watched the NYCM, and i am itching to run that sucker now.

Abby said...

I'm amazed at how quickly you've bounced back! That 5k is yours.

Tina @GottaRunNow said...

Congrats on the first 5! Have fun training for your next 5K!

Darlene said...

Glad you're back. Maybe I'll see you 12/4.

Anonymous said...

i ran nycm and honestly it was the best marathon ive ever ran. completely awesome!

Jen said...

I entered the lottery yesterday on a whim..I have never run a marathon! I'm partly hoping I don't get picked. Haha!! what have I done?!?! ;-) All I know is I want to run one eventually, so maybe NYC will be my first!

Marlene said...

It must feel good to have a plan and goal! I am amazed at how well you are doing PP. Awesome!!!

Sounds like you have some excellent inspiration in Wendi Ray. WOW!

J said...

Great job on the run! Thanks for sharing that article about Wendi! I don't know how she does all that stuff and still runs! Guess I should never have an excuse!

Lindsay said...

Well you'll certainly run a good 5k since you're already cranking out 5-milers!

Wow wendi ray! I wish I had that dedication + talent! The pic of her waiting on a table - major guns!

Anonymous said...

Way to go- you are one amazing mama :)

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macnic said...

Good for you! You are amazing! Thanks for the story about Wendi as well. You're right, there is no reason not to make the time; this is something I must remember.

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