Monday, July 11, 2011

Run Club Review

I start my running club last week and I am happy to report that it went really well!  There were no kilt-clad men and everyone was really friendly and welcoming!  I'd say there were about 20-30 people there, so a good sized group.  The coaches are very nice and both think I will definitely be able to run a sub-2 hour half - I guess we'll see what happens this fall!

Our Wednesday consisted of a 1.5 mile warm up, 3 miles of "pick ups" which means you run hard for 2 minutes and easy for a minute.  Those 2 minutes felt SO LONG and then the 1 easy minute of running went so fast, of course.  Then with a 1.5 mile cool down.  I ended up running with 2 other girls who were both very nice and ran at a similar pace.

Saturday is the long run day.  This week you could do 8, 10, or 12.  I decided on 8 since I had plans to meet up with friends for brunch.  The people who chose to run 8 were a little bit slower than I like to run, so I ended up joining the 10 milers and figured i would just split off and come back on my own.  But I quickly figured out that there was no way I would find my way back as we were running trails I wasn't familiar with.  So I decided to suck it up and do 10.

It was a terrible decision, but it probably wasn't my best decision.  I finished the run and my pace was decent but I was pretty fatigued by the time I finished mile 8.  One of the coaches caught up with me at the end and said I really need to learn to stick with my plan and not be swayed by what others are doing.  Especially since most of the club is training for a marathon so clearly they have different mileage goals, etc. 

All in all, it was a great experience and I am looking forward to training with this group for the next 4 months!  The Victoria half is just under 3 months away.  I am super excited as I will be meeting up with Amber and Lauren, the girls I ran Portland with, and Leigh is also meeting up with us, too!  I am excited to check out another area of Canada!

Oh and I know I said I would never run another marathon...  I have a feeling I may have to retract that statement...  It's SO tempting when I hear others talk about their training and race plans... 

16 comments:

Becky said...

I'm glad it went so well! Happy training!

Unprofessional said...

Sounds great! I keep thinking I need to find myself a run club too!

Aaaah you're going to BC! What a beautiful place...I have been a few times and fall in love all over again each time!

Raquelita said...

I'm so glad that it went well and you've found a club that you like! I started running with a local group this weekend and am hoping to do a couple of runs with them a week. Maybe I'll even get a bit faster as a result.

J said...

YAY! So glad you found a run club that has lots of nice people and great coachs!

Nilsa @ SoMi Speaks said...

If you even remotely think you want to run another marathon, I say go for it. *This* is the time in your life to do them ... it's a lot easier to reserve time to train and your body doesn't yet hate you when you do!!

Amber said...

Yup another marathon is DEFINITELY in the cards for you ;) I think we should do another destination one at some point in the next couple of years. Maybe we should go all out and do the Paris Marathon?? Hmmmm.... ;) ;)

Anyways, I'm really glad you are having such a good experience so far with this running group!! I love being part of a running group!

Kyria @ Travel Spot said...

I am glad it is going well so far! I think I need to find a group for myself. It is just way to easy to flake out when you are running by yourself.

Wow - 10 miles! How do you do it in the heat? It was SO hot this weekend!

Marlys said...

Your running club sounds like a great idea for you! So happy there weren't kilt's in the picture! ;)

Stephany said...

I'm really glad to hear the running group went well! It sounds like it's the perfect fit for you and I'm kind of excited to hear you might do another marathon! I loved reading about your training and the marathon itself. While I don't think I'd ever do one myself, I think if you want to do one, then you should!

Maris(In Good Taste) said...

Such a great idea for a club. Have lots of fun with it!

Mandy said...

I am so glad that your running club went well. I think that it sounds like a great group and woohip for a possible marathon on the horizon.

Leigh said...

So glad the running group went well! And I am excited to meet you too!

Jolene - EverydayFoodie said...

Glad to hear the running club went well!! I really wish I enjoyed running, because competing in a race does sound tempting!

Lisa-Marie said...

I am so glad you find this club to be a good fit! :)

Abby said...

That sounds like so much fun!! I am a little envious -- I would love to do something like that.

Yay for no kilted men this time, too!

Nice work on doing an unexpected 10 miler! Wow! You rock :)

I haven't ran more than 6 miles in a long time. It's so freaking how, I don't make it longer than 1 hour these days!

Lauren @ Sassy Molassy said...

I'm so glad your running group worked out!! Once you go several times you'll get in the groove (and know the trails) so altering your plan or making yours fit theirs will happen. Can't wait for Victoria!