Why, yes, I have been neglecting this workout blog. Oops!

Since my last post, I've run the last two 5K Fridays and the GW Parkway Classic 10 Miler...

5K Fridays 2010: Race 4
This race was two days before the 10 miler, so I didn't want to go all out and have dead legs come Sunday. I forgot to wear my watch, so I had no idea what my pace was while I was running. It was pretty humid out and I think I started out too fast, because the last two miles were tough. I didn't walk at all though!

Distance: 5K/3.1 miles
Time: 31:54
Pace: 10:16/mile

GW Parkway Classic 10 Miler
When we woke up (at 5:30 in the morning!!), it was dreary and rainy. I actually don't mind running in the rain... I definitely prefer it to it being hot and sunny, especially for a run that long. But it was coming down pretty hard, which wasn't going to make for a pleasant race. Luckily, by race start, the rain had stopped. It was pretty humid, but it was overcast and relatively cool (I think 60s) throughout the race... good enough for me!

I started the race with a water bottle and a running hat, in case it started raining again. By mile 2, I had to take off the hat and run with it in my hand the rest of the way because I was starting to overheat. I like carrying water because then I don't have to rely on the water stations and I can keep on running when other people are walking through the water stations. Plus, I find it much easier to drink out of a small mouthed water bottle while running or walking than those paper cups.

For my birthday, my marathon-running friend gave me a few packets of Jelly Belly sports beans. I'd never considered using them before that, but they sure do help on long runs!! I'm going to use them anytime I run more than a 10K. I ate a few before the race started and then began eating them around mile 3 and continued to have a few of them at each mile, until I got to mile 7 and then finished the rest so they'd kick in before I finished the race. I ran straight through to mile 7 and only walked three times throughout the whole race. I even managed to run the 10th mile in under 10 minutes! My goal was to come in under 2 hours again (I had finished the Army Ten Miler in 1:59:29)... well, I crushed that!

Distance: 10 miles
Time: 1:47:47
Pace: 10:46/mile (Under 11 minute pace! I was shocked!)

5K Fridays 2010: Race 5
It was really hot and sticky for the last Friday 5K, so my goal was only to finish without feeling totally sick after. I have had a really bad experience running in the heat and humidity before, and I did not want to relive that. Even when things aren't that bad, I do tend to get headaches from overheating.

I'm still not quite sure how I did it, but I managed to run the whole thing! I kept a pretty steady pace throughout... first mile in 10 minutes, second in 10:20, third in 10:10. And the best part was, I didn't feel sick or even get a headache afterward!

Distance: 5K/3.1 miles
Time: 31:38
Pace: 10:10/mile

Next race: Pacers Running Festival Half Marathon. My goal is to finish in under 2.5 hours. The weather looks to be perfect for the race as of right now.