...Or stuff I forgot to say yesterday...
PART 1...
...The DNF
I realized today, while running 10-miles, that I glossed over somethings in my haste to get my blog posted before the end of the week.
I never discussed my DNF. For those who haven't raced, DNF is an acronym for Did Not Finish. Before I moved from Germany to North Carolina, I registered for the 'Raleigh Rocks Half Marathon' on April 7. I did not complete this race. I didn't even bother to get myself out of the bed to get to the race, in fact, I ran the 12 miles my training program prescribed on Saturday. So I did accomplish the running, but totally ignored the race. I feel pretty badly about not completing something that I signed up to do. But I didn't realize how far I would have to travel to run the race. It probably would have meant a 430 wake up, and I just couldn't be bothered. So, now I've logged my very first, ever, DNF, out of pure laziness.
PART 2...
...The elusive 8:23 pace
I lost my pace. I can't find it anywhere. I've been desperate to regain speed since moving back to America. I've been working really hard, but I can not run any faster than an 8:30 for any distance at all. Today, I made a serious attempt at keeping the pace for 10-miles. I wasn't sure that I could maintain the pace for 10 miles, but I was hoping for at least 6-8. Yeah right! I couldn't even keep it for three miles. Anytime the route went up hill my pace slowed even more. Around mile 6, I gave up even trying and just tried to finish the run strong. The Garmin says I averaged a 9:03 minute per mile.
Awful. This is Awful .
I've been trying to retrace my training and see where my speed got lost, but I can't really figure it out. I have skipped minimal workouts. I know I skipped a speed work out, back in Germany and I skipped the 10-miler I was meant to run while en route back to the states. This shouldn't have such a drastic effect now. The only thing I can think of is the mileage is just wearing on me.
Currently, my plan is just to keep plugging through, and hopefully during the taper, my speed will resurface. If not, it looks like an Autumn Marathon is in my future...with this comes stricter qualification for Boston.
PART 3...
...Because it wasn't hard enough already
Apparently, despite it's stiff qualifications times, the Boston Marathon is still just too crowded. In order to combat it, the Boston Athletic Association made the standards more difficult. So, if I don't reach the 3:40 this year, next year, instead of running 3:45, it will still be 3:40. Not really that big of deal. But the chiefs up at BAA also took away the 59-second rule. This simply means, that you are good until 3:41. So, you can run 3:40:59 and still qualify. Not anymore, 3:40:01, will not allow you entry to the race. Sigh.
PART 4
...The Last 20-Miler
I am scheduled to run my last 20-miler on Saturday. Unfortunately, it looks like the weather is not in my favor. Allegedly we are supposed to have severe thunderstorms coupled with tornado warnings. I guess I will wake up tomorrow and see what happens. If not, I will shoot for Sunday.
PART 5
...Rejoining the Work Force
I start work on again on Monday. Booo. Not my favorite topic.
In Summation: DNF=Disappointing; DNF Because of Laziness=Embarrassing; 8:23=Where are you?; Last 20-miler=Sigh; Bad Weather=Due...I've been lucky; Going back to Work=Blah
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