My First Yasso 800's

Since I'm new in town (read: desperate to meet people) and am tired of being in the back of the pack, I made time in my schedule to meet up with a running group this evening that puts on free track workouts. (Yes - FREE COACHES! Austin is a runner's dream!)

After a mile or so warm-up run to the "track*," and a few shuffles here and there to prepare the rest of the muscles, Coach announced we'd be running Yasso 800's: Select your marathon goal time and run approximately a half mile using that number.  Say you want to run a 5 hour marathon: run your 800 in 5 minutes.  4 1/2 hour marathon goal?  4:30 minute 800.

This was my first time and I really enjoyed it...in a sadomasochistic kind of way.  We did four and I managed to pull out an average of 4:14.  Guess that means a 4 hour 14 minute marathon**, and if it can be applied to half-marathons, a 2 hour 7 minute goal time.  Since I'm aiming for a 2:11 next month at San Antonio's Rock and Roll Half, I think I'll make time for next Tuesday track practice too!

Has anyone else tried the Yasso 800?  What were your results?

*Doh!  The Junior High we planned on running at had a school football game, so we ran the roller-coaster street behind it.

**Considering my one and only marathon was WELL beyond the 6 hour mark, I should be skeptical.  Of course, I have come a long way since then...literally!

Stats: ING Miami 2008

Number of people who signed up for a 17-week training program to complete a Half Marathon: 35
Number of runners who made it to the Starting Line: 30
Number of training program "drop-outs" whose injuries were not running related: 4
Number of runners who completed the Half Marathon they spent 17 weeks training for: 30
Number of runners who either met or beat their "goal time": 27
Number of runners who were more than 10 minutes slower than goal time: 0
Number of First Time Half Marathon finishers: 25
Number of runners who are meeting me next Saturday to prepare for the next race: 23


******Oops...should have stated that this post is a follow-up to this post*****

No Doubt

Fifteen weeks ago, I held up my hand in a meeting hall filled with hundreds of people as Coach called out "Where's the 11:30 pace group?" Around 25 people made their way towards me and my partner while the rest filtered towards faster or slower pace groups. On that first morning of Half Marathon Training, I stood before a throng of strangers who all had hopes of completing 13.1 miles a few months down the line. To some in the running world, completing a Half Marathon doesn't seem so extraordinary. But there are some of us who remember a sleepless night before our first FIVE mile run. This was going to be a first for the majority of this new group, but all were optimistic (even if they looked nervous). Among our new pack, there were mothers of all ages and sizes, some college guys, a few fathers, folks decked out in the latest gear and others in cotton Ts. I could sense them looking at each other, wondering if this was a good decision or not....and I feared they might be disappointed to realize I've only been running for a few years.

Some shifted to other pace groups early on, some others vanished from the program completely, and one runner was injured skiing, but each Saturday, as our miles have slowly increased, our core group has come together as a team. Not only have we exchanged running advice, we've learned hysterical things about each other's kids; we've confessed our fears to each other; we've admitted to embarrassing events. I think I've even made a few lifelong friends.

Yesterday morning, in weather 30 degrees colder than usual, I stood before nearly every member of our group. Three weeks before our Race Day, we headed out into the dark and cold rain (impressive for a group accustomed to running only in 85 degree weather). A couple hours later, our team finished our longest scheduled run: 14 miles. It was a moment that will make the cut when my life (edited for time) flashes before my eyes. Soaking wet hugs, cheers stoked by a 2nd wind, and so much pride in the air, you could smell it (or was that sweat?). There was no crowd, no band, no table of bagels & bananas, no medals. It was just a group of friends inspiring each other to go farther than they had before. There was no doubt that they had made the right decision to join. No doubt they can complete the 13.1 miles on Race Day. And I think they'll have even less doubts about other things in their lives, too.

Run-Burrr-Run-Burr-Run-Burr

At what point do you decide it's too cold to run outside? I know I harp about this all the time but this is my first winter with my new running hobby/training routine and I'm having a heck of a time with the weather. I can do cold (well, pretty cold) and I can handle rain but I can't handle wind. No thank you. Can't deal with running into the wind.

Today was pretty cold at bus stop time so I resigned myself to the fact that I was going to have to do my weekly long run on the treadmill...insert major groan and "Idontwanna!" whine here. On my way to the gym, I realized it wasn't as windy as it's been and that maybe I should make a go of it. I did and boy am I glad. Was it cold? Yes, it was. But I ran a heck of a lot further than I would have if I had been indoors. I got my longest run in yet - 11 miles! At this point, I'm thinking that as long as there is no snow and the wind is minor to non-existent, I can handle the winter. Maybe I'm being a bit to bold seeing as it's only January 4th, but we'll see.

On that note, I'm interested in hearing what kind of cross training you all do. Is there something that you love to do on those non-running days or just to dang cold to run outside days that you feel makes you stronger? I've got to get some leg strength because it is one of the major things that is holding me back a bit.
Happy Friday everyone!!

Gettin' Back in the Groove Post Holiday

So how did everyone do? I know we haven't made it past New Year's Eve yet, but most of the holiday eating-season is behind us. Wow. I, for one, am glad it's done! I am so tired of massive meals! I'm sure I'm like a lot of people who have to do multiple-celebrations...you know, one with the parents, one with the step-mom and dad, step-dad and mom, step-grandparent and other, um, grandparent....you get the point. My kids are over-gifted, I'm over stuffed and in need of some veggies!

I've somehow managed to keep up some running during the past week. Leading up to Christmas was hard because of all the errands but once we got to the big day, getting out for a run was a huge stress reliever for me. I got in my longest run ever just before the holiday of 10 miles! I'm pretty pumped about that one still. I think knowing that I was able to do that helped me stay active through the following week and was able to do another 10 mile run and then some. I'm still amazed at what getting out for a run can do for me mentally, not just physically. I truly am a better wife and mother if I'm able to get that me-time in especially knowing that it is time spent making myself better physically and working for that big overall half marathon goal. I think that is something that some day, my kids will be proud of. Happy New Year to you all!!