Now it's getting easier....

Just did my first ever 11-miler yesterday and it felt much better than my 10 miler that I did last Monday. The weather was perfect, not too hot, not too cold and there was a slight breeze along the trail that I normally do my long runs on.
Only thing I wish for when I run 12 miles and when I attempt my first half, which is btw, only TWO weeks away, is for a much better pace. I just can't seem to get faster, the longer mileage I run at one time. I came in today at a 10:34 pace. I was hoping for more like a 9:40 or 9:50ish pace for the half, but I'm not sure if that is going to happen for my very first. I might have to work up to a quicker pace for the next race that I train for.

Wow! I hope it gets easier!

I just finished my first 10 miler and I felt way more tired than when I ran the 9 miles last week. I was pushing really hard when I got to 8 miles and felt like giving in and walking the rest, BUT I did stick it out, running the entire 10 miles. I just kept thinking to myself, gosh, I hope this gets easier in the future, the more miles I add on. I do have a high level of respect for those of you who already have several full marathons under your belts, I can't imagine what it will feel like when I can finally say that I have run 26.2 miles. I think I need to just focus on the half first and then worry about the full later on.
My pace was slow today, partly because I felt so exhausted. 10:54.
Have a great week everyone!!!

My first 10 Miler is upon me!!!

I'm getting so close to the race, only 28 days away!!! I can't believe that I am getting ready to turn the corner of my first half marathon.
This past Monday (sorry, I've been a little behind on blogging) I ran my longest run ever of 9 miles. I ran it very slow, with a pace of 10:20, Boo!!! BUT, the beauty of adding in extra weeks into my training schedule is that I can work to improve the times for my long runs before the big race. The goal that I am setting for myself is around a 9:30 to 9:40 pace.
Since my last blog, I ran a semi-long run with a new running buddy. She is running her first half in October and is taking it slow. She is up to 6 miles. We met up last Saturday and she mapped out a beautiful course for us to run in Golden Gate Park, we ended up running 6.6 miles together. I was in heaven!!! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that park and always see something new every time I venture there. Last Saturday was no exception. I saw and experienced two new things that I never have before. The first, was a beautiful waterfall about half-way through our run. Talk about nature's way of reminding you how much you love running, just for the discovery of new things you might see on your run! The second, was after our run, but we had a wonderful light lunch at the Park Chalet. It is a restaurant right in Golden Gate Park next to the Dutch Tulip Garden. They do a fantastic BBQ on Saturdays and Sundays. There is a live band and you eat your lunch in the sunshine on adirondack chairs. I will most definitely be doing that again with my new running buddy!
I am preparing myself for my first ever 10 miler tomorrow morning. I hope the weather holds out tomorrow, so I don't have to do it in the rain. It's a big deal to me to be in the double digits!!!