10k Training Reflections

The biggest thing I learned from training for the 10k was that making the jump to the next distance requires a lot of work and even when you think you are ready you need to push it a little bit further. I thought 12 weeks would be plenty of time and I even had 10+ runs over 10k during my training. However, I am not sure if it is the adrenaline or nerves from race day, but those runs always seem to be tougher than I anticipated.

My next goal is to run a half marathon at some point during 2011. With the birth of our son, yes I am sure you all want to know his name but its a surprise, my training schedule might be a little light for a few weeks so I am leaning more towards the Fall when I will have some more mileage on my legs but we will see how it goes.

As I look to my next goal, I am going to really take the training more seriously and add long hill sprints/fartleks into my training routine to really strengthen my legs and core. Also, I want to learn more about how to handle nutrition during training. I have been on a pretty restricted calorie diet to cut weight, but hopefully in the next 3 months or so I will get down to my ideal running weight and can really focus on nutrition for training instead of weight loss.

10k at Lowell 1st Run

So after about 3 months of training I was ready for my first 10k race. The turn out was really good for it as Tina said they announced 1500+ registrants. The weather was insane for the middle of winter with the peak temperature during the race somewhere around 60 degrees.

I ran a really good first split of 31:46, but I struggled a little towards the end of the 2nd split. Also, I learned a valuable lesson which is to bring my own water bottle because it is pretty hard to drink water from paper cups while running. Both times through the water station I poured water up my nose trying to drink from those stupid cups.

My overall time was 1:05:15 which is my new personal best for the 10k, so overall I am happy and it is good to get my first 10k under my belt.

Here are two pictures from the race:

5k to 10k - Week 11

Very good training this week despite the weather being absolutely freezing. Total mileage this week was 25.50, which is the most I've ever run in a week. My long run was actually not as painful this week and I probably could have gone another mile or so but I was cold and ran out of water.

On the subject of water, I found that my water bottle & belt are way too heavy when filled full so I need a better solution to my water issue on long runs. I dropped my bottle in my neighbors yard halfway through my run because it was weighing down my pants, so when I come back to pick it up I see him trying to string it up on the tree. I was like "Oh, that is actually mine. I dropped it on purpose halfway through my run, so if you see it in the future you can just leave it." The best part his response was, "Okay, do you want me to refill it for you if I see it?".

Posting Rights

I was informed that some people tried to leave posts here but couldn't. I have turned on a setting that should let non-Google users post on the blog. Someone please let me know if it works.

5k to 10k - Week 10

This was my first rough week in a while, I only ran 14 miles out of the 24 I was scheduled to run. My long run was brutal this week and was physically painful towards the end. I did post a new long of 8 miles but it was a struggle compared to the 7.5 miles last week.

I am hoping this upcoming week will be better if I can get more runs in. January 1st is fast approaching so I need to decide if I am ready for the Lowell 1st 10k race.

Charities, any ideas?

Not sure how many people are actively following the blog, but I am thinking I may start raising money for a charity for the races I decide to run. I would set something up on the site so you could donate via PayPal or some other method.

If anyone has any ideas for good charities, either local to Massachusetts or another worthy cause let me know.

I am leaning towards smaller charities where the donation will make a bigger impact.

5k to 10k - Week 9

Training continues and each week I realize that running in the winter in New England, regardless of distance, is a feat of strength in and of itself. Despite the cold, I reached the 100 miles run mark in a little under a month a half.

This week my long run was 7.67 miles and the temperature was 27 degrees (22 degrees with the wind chill).

I still need to sign up for the 10k in Lowell on New Year's Day, but I am questioning just how cold it will be and whether or not I am crazy for thinking it.