Just an Average SKIRT

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Long run today - 13 miles with my main set as my PMP (projected marathon pace) plus 30 seconds.  So what’s my PMP?   I will preface this by saying, no I’m not on the juice, believe it or not I’ll be clean for the CC marathon and if all goes well will be holding an intimidating 10:15 pace to finish with a 4:28.  Goal being to break 4:30 so really, for me, that means a 4:29:59 is all I need to gleam!

Here’s a photo from the 1896 marathon.  I wonder what their PMP was?

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Gorgeous morning and mentally ready for my 8 mile run.  Had to nudge the hubby a little to get his butt moving but eventually he came around with a cup of coffee.  Headed out around 6:15 but after fooling with the POS Timex GPS I decided to forgo the technology and head on out.  Extremely frustrated since my run was based on pace I started to feel the ‘old jessica’ coming back strong.

Go away Old Jessica, don’t lose your patience with something you can’t control….Welcome new Jessica my patient enlightened one….your body feels incredible there is nothing to be frustrated about.  Plus!  And not to sound negative here, but I’m not that good to be getting crazy over the loss of specificity for one single run.  I settled in and quickly decided that I would use $150 of my India savings (not fundraising dollars people…please, like I would steal?  That’s old jessica business) and buy the Garmin 305.  BJ’s been wanting it for a while and now I need it so that’ s done, we’re getting it.

Met up with the Beej on the trail and ran the last 4 miles with him.  Body feels excellent, I’m so grateful.  Followed that with a good session of work, then massage, haircut and acupuncture.

Tomorrow is rest day and Friday, first long run on the plan 13 miles - hello NCAR!

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Hit the track this morning for the first time in many, many, many months….I’m wondering if I’ve even been there this year.  Why have I not been on the track in so long?  Not sure, must have gotten lazy along the way.  But I’m back…excited about the next 10 weeks and completing marathon #4.

This mornings workout was 5.5 miles:

1 mile warm up
4 x 100M strides with high knees and butt kicks
6 x 800M with 1:30 recovery intervals in between
Easy mile home

Tomorrow is a x-training day and back to running on Wednesday.  Day 1 complete, so far so good.

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Marathon training starts today - I have 10 weeks and a new training plan.  I ran an easy 5.5 yesterday and my body is telling me its ready.  I can’t wait, it’s been over a year since I’ve run a marathon and I’m eager to remember how much I love this distance.  My goal is to break 4:30 - my disclaimer always….’slow for many, fast for me’.

From what I hear it’s a hilly course and having lived on Cape Cod for most of my life I know that I can’t bank on any certainty with the weather.  We’ll just have to wait and see.

BJ is running it as well, he’s hasn’t run a straight out marathon since Denver in 2007.  The rest of his marathon experiences have been bundled up within this little race called Ironman.  I know he is eager to let it rip.

My parents are volunteering and I believe I have at least one friend who will be running a relay that day.  I’m getting excited as I plan out my training for the next 10 weeks.  Of course a trip to India will be inserted into this plan from 9/17 - 9/29 but really if planned correctly I’m only going to miss one week of running.  I’m hoping to be active in India, seeing as the peaks surrounding Dharamsala are 17,000 ft I trust there will be some hiking routes available to me for cross training.

For 2009 I say bye, bye triathlon and hello marathon!

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This is it, I need $27 to make my fundraising goal for India.

The deadline is tomorrow August 15th…..if you can help me meet this goal it is much appreciated.

Click here to make your donation.

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I completed the long course on Sunday and had a blast, truly - lots of smiles, suffering and things to remember for next time.  I’m excited to be done with my triathlon season and sad at the same time.  I had a taste of balance in my life this year and I loved it.   I completed my certification for Orthopedic and Sports massage, I completely revamped our front yard, a vacation to cape cod, worked more in my practice than I have before, finished one half marathon and 4 triathlons.  I have two more big things on my list this year - a trip to India and the Cape Cod marathon.  I would say all in all, I’ve had a very successful year so far.  I am very blessed.

My in-laws just left this morning after a work filled 4 day trip to Boulder.  BJ and his dad built us a deck while Mrs. G and I hauled some timbers, spent time at the tea house, hit pearl street and took care of the domestic duties of the week.  I couldn’t have asked for better in-laws then the G’s, if you know them, you love them.

My focus is now shifting as I ready myself for India and start my marathon training on Monday - the body feels good and is ready for another round of training.  I’m getting very excited for the road ahead and to know that I’m in for a life changing experience next month has me on the edge of my seat.

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Had an impromptu dinner party last night with the Freisems - the F n’ Gs put down the wine and pasta like it was our ‘A’ race.  Feeling slightly sluggish this morning but ‘the leg’ is feeling great.  Was blessed with receiving a massage from a very talented student at BCMT on Thursday night - she was trained in IMT.  It was very cool work and extremely helpful for what I call the ‘last 5lbs’ of healing.

A short tune up this morning - 10 min bike, 10 min run then a quick swim at the res today before the race meeting.  Looking forward to tomorrow and testing out the less is more plan.  We shall see, oh we shall see….

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John smokes pot every night to relax. Jenny starts eating compulsively the moment she comes home from work. Every time Linda enters a drug store, she steals something, whether or not she needs it. Rather than spending weekends at home with his family, Bob drives to the nearby casino and spends his hard-earned salary playing blackjack.

What do all these people have in common…addictive personalities and I think I have one too….

Wednesday last week - massage (massage before that just 4 days prior)
Tuesday this week - massage
Last night - acupuncture
Tonight - massage
Sunday - massage
Monday - massage
Wednesday - acupuncture

It’s all I can do not to schedule another….I’m on a bender and please NO ONE stop me!

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Right?  Well I guess we will see this Sunday at the Long Course.   Although my life has more balance than in previous triathlon seasons it is obvious why…although consistent my training has been much less.  Actually I am the least prepared going into the long course than any other tri I’ve done.  Ok so let’s define less….I’ve been training 6 days a week since January 1st it’s just that my overall distances are lower than I had expected them to be at this point.  So going into Sunday’s 1.2 mile swim/56 mile bike/13.1 mile run - my longest run is 11 miles, longest bike 58 miles and longest brick 42 to 8.5….  It’s doable and don’t confuse this admission as being a set up for excuses or a platform for nerves…I’m fine going into Sunday and am planning on just popping into form finishing with yet another PR.

We shall see, oh…we shall see…

Ok off to finish the last of my plantings then a quick run…

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OK people so here’s how it all went down….

I was psyched up to race the Boulder Peak, I mean I’m usually excited but this was like a huge present waiting to be unwrapped.  I felt rested, confident and peaceful going into the day.  With BJ at my side and at my beckon call who wouldn’t be ready?   He’s such a great supporter…now if I could only get him to do yard work…

Back to the race, transition was filled with familiar faces lots of greetings and well wishes.  I believe there were upwards of 15 people from HEP racing that day.  Kristina and I joked (hoped) our times would even out and we’d be able to run together but with so many factors weighing in I thought that may not be possible.  Ahhh, it’s possible, we ended up with the exact same time at the end of the day.

The swim was fabulous, my time was not great for me but the experience - incredible.  Transitioned well and on the bike heading to Old Stage…the bike went by so fast, the entire race went by so fast…does that mean I’m more ready than I thought to tackle a Half Ironman next month? It’s been two years since I’ve raced that distance, I think I’ll be just fine.  Overall my bike time was faster than previous years averaging 17.8 MPH (still on the slow side but getting faster for sure).  Then onto the run, my legs felt great my heart rate was in the 180s for the entire 10K so that hurt.  Met up with Kristina on the bike, came into transition right next to each other and were able to run together which was fabulous.  Not as fast as I had hoped but still a 3 minute PR on the run.

Crossed the finish line at 3:00:59 - just shy of making my goal and breaking 3 hrs.  I tried believe me but with a long swim (5 minutes longer than my last BP) it was hard to make up that time and still PR and make my goal.  I think I did a damn good job and I’m very pleased with my effort.  If there is one thing I have learned and seen it’s that you have to be realistic about your fitness and your abilities.  Even though my time would be a nightmare day for many, it was a great day for me.  One of the best.

Next stop - 5430 Long Course!

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