Michelle's Marathon Training Log: Week 12

Target Miles: 11 (plus race)
Completed Miles: 30.20

Wednesday: 01/04/2006
Total Distance: 4.34 mi, Total Time: 0:42:58, Avg Pace: 9:53/mi, Total Calories: 469 cal, Avg Heart Rate: 161 bpm

Friday: 01/06/2006
Total Distance: 3.00 mi, Total Time: 30:00, Avg Pace: 10:00/mi, Total Calories: 343 cal, Avg Heart Rate: UNK bpm

1% incline on a treadmill.

Saturday: 01/07/2006
Total Distance: 9:18 mi, Total Time: 1:36:16, Avg Pace: 10:28/mi, Total Calories: 1,002 cal, Avg Heart Rate: 163 bpm

This run was through along a portion of the marathon course up and down the Huntington City and State Beaches in Huntington Beach, CA. It was great to run a portion of the marathon course. This section of the course was flat and in good shape. The ocean is gorgeous and portions of the city are as well. There is also a significant chunk that is big time construction or plants of some sort. The weather was quite a bit warmer than expected, also good to know. I did not get to see the entire marathon course, which is a bummer. I did run past the start/finish line, so I do have something to visualize between now and then...

Saturday: 01/04/2006
Total Distance: 13.67 mi, Total Time: 2:04:36, Avg Pace: 9:06/mi, Total Calories: 1,454 cal, Avg Heart Rate: 173 bpm

See previous entry on this race. I felt fine throughout and had enough energy to periodically sprint around little clusters of people. In looking at my pace, there is a difference between the first part of the race and the second, but it is not as dramatic as I'd thought. Through mile 4 my average pace looks to be 9m:30s, and after that 8m:30s.

Beyond those already mentioned, a few things I learned included:

• Get there early and queue up for the port-a-potty in time to be at the starting line for the gun.
• Before the race, pick a spot to find your friends and family after the race. Sean and I wandered around for 30 minutes or so looking for each other.
• Walking aid stations really works for me. First, I don't spill water all over myself! Second, the very brief walk is enough to look forward to when I'm feeling tired. Finally, it doesn't seem to have a material impact on my time.