Sunday, March 21, 2010

A Pikermi With Toto, Anyone?

Marathon Plan - Regressive Countdown - Week Seven
03/15/10 - 03/21/10 - Week Total: measly 13.1 miles

My last week's state of independence plus wise advices dictated to take the week off. I tried last week and it didn't work, so I had to do it this week. The level of fatigue increased from day to day to the point that I couldn't go to work on Wednesday. I was sick (and tired!!!). I dragged my body from bed to the couch and viceversa for 12 hours. And for a non-TV watcher that was sort of a punishment. On Thursday, not yet feeling well, I went to work as I thought that the TV would devour my brain.

So, the only run of the week was a Pikermi (former Half Marathon)
in Mercer Island, WA which registration occurred back in December.

I have been in the island a couple of times, but never hung around enough to really know it. The periphery is pretty much the race distance, so I thought ideal to run around a whole island with the wonderful Lake Washington scenery at my feet.

 


















I read and was told that was a challenging rolling course, but after running Seattle, I couldn't imagine that it could be worst than that.

I was wrong!


 








Would you call this a hilly course? I'd call it a brutal one. Check miles 5 to 6, 8 to 9, 11 to 12. And what about the last stretch to the finish line? So much for attempting a Mc Millan Fast Finish Long Run that calls for the last 3 miles at 10K pace.

Going down hill didn't help either.
From mile 10 to 11 you needed to hold your legs to avoid screaming quads.

After this adventure in the precious Pacific Northwest I wonder... how does it feel to run in Kansas?. A Pikermi With Toto, Anyone?

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Time 2:30:58 for a pace of 11:31 min/mile. I attacked the hills pretty solid up to a HR of 182 (max 186), but they were still... hills!

The splits pretty much describe the rolling course!!!

Mile 1 - 10:44
Mile 2 - 11:19
Mile 3 - 10:55
Mile 4 - 11:21
Mile 5 - 10:55
Mile 6 - 12:11
Mile 7 - 11:31
Mile 8 - 11:56
Mile 9 - 11:35
Mile 10 - 12:45
Mile 11 - 10:53
Mile 12 - 12:17
Mile 13 - 11:56

















4 comments:

ShirleyPerly said...

But you did it, Lizzie -- CONGRATS!!!

And the variance in your pace looks to be mainly due to the hills. That is a TOUGH course, for sure. I'm so glad you were able to rest up before it both mentally & physically.

CewTwo said...

Wow! That is my one hesitation is that Seattle is hilly!
BUT--- I am in week 7 of my training for Seattle. So far, not so bad, but it is just starting to pick up! I look so forward to it and to meeting you finally!
What a weekend that will be!

Charlie

CewTwo said...

Yay!!

I had set my sights on the Seattle RnR, but I hadn't registered yet. You did. So... I did, too!

Now not only am I training for it, but I am actually registered! I have not only a goal but an objective!

Thanks, Lizzie!

Marathon Maritza said...

Tough course! Congratulations on the finish! It looks like it was gorgeous though, great job!