2011 Tomato Arts 5k

I ran 13.1 miles tonight. As part of a training run. 2 hours 8 minutes. And my last mile was 8:28. I am right where I want to be as far as training goes. 10 minute miles training will hopefully translate to 9:15-9:30 minute marathon miles. I am still trying to wrap my mind around this. It's somewhat baffling to think that this was *just* a training run when 2 years ago I was running my first 5k ever, The Tomato Arts 5k. It's a little bittersweet that I will be out of town this weekend and have to miss East Nasty's race. I can't wait to see the pictures and here how awesome the Potato to Tomatoes are going to do.

It's crazy to think the first time I ran the race I literally knew a handful of people at the race. One of them being Annie P. The same Annie P who suggest I join East Nasty. A big THANK YOU to Annie Parsons! I can't imagine what I would be doing if I hadn't started running last January with East Nasty.

So there will be no race recap from me this year, but in case you missed them the past two years you can still read about them.

2009 Pre Race
2009 Race Results 1
2009 Race Results 2
2010 Pre Race
2010 Results

Have a great weekend!

What's Your Secret?

So I have a little secret. I haven't really talked much about the past 9 weeks. That doesn't mean it hasn't been busy or productive. Just the opposite. I am a little hesitant to even talk about it, because I almost feel like I will jinx it even though I know all the work I have done the past 50+ days is no mistake. I have worked hard for what I have achieved.

So what exactly have I been up to?

• As of today I have completed 9 weeks of marathon training. 9! NINE! The past 3 weeks my long runs have been 14, 15, and 16 miles. My longest runs ever. It's hard to believe that I am actually doing this whole training thing and I am HALF way there. 9 weeks and I will be in CHICAGO!
• While training I have managed to lose weight. Somewhere around 15ish lbs. At first it was hard for me to notice and now I can tell a definite change. My legs look lean, my arms are toned, and my favorite clothes, some of which I haven't worn in 3+ years, finally fit again. From what I have read, this isn't the norm while training for a marathon, but not unheard of. 
• I have been tracking my food daily at MyFitnessPal. I love, love, love this site. I have found this to be one of the best tracking sites for food out there. And it's free! If you use MyFitnessPal add me as a friend!
• I have stopped for the most part working out at the gym. I still occasionally do the Arc Trainer. But for the most part I have been taking 3-4 yoga classes a week. This is such a drastic change from workout sessions of year's past. My marathon training has me running 4-5 times a week, with an average milage of about 30ish miles a week. 

So there it is. My secret.

I have been working hard and loving life.

What's your secret?