Pikes Peak, My Awesome Workout, and Some Funny Wedding Photos

I'll bet you didn't know I was keeping you in suspense.  So before you go mental on me, it's time for the big reveal.  On March 16th, I signed up for the Pikes Peak Ascent, a 13.32 mile run/jog/hike/baby steps up the side of a mountain. I'm not sure why I haven't blogged about it before now, maybe so I could have a big build up for today's press release.  I have had my eye set on this race for several years now, but I kept telling myself I wanted to get a little faster before I did it.  Well, I'm a little faster, so it's time to put up or shut up and run.  I logged in and signed up the minute online registration was available, since this race has sold out quickly before, and we all know how fast Boston sold out this year.  Turns out, the ascent hasn't sold out yet even though they are over their stated capacity.

As long as I get to the top I will set a PR since I am a Pikes Peak virgin.  The race isn't until August 20th, so I've got some time to worry train.  Anyone know how to simulate altitude sickness in Kansas?  Although it's only about the distance of a half marathon, Pikes Peak takes about the same amount of time (or longer) than a full marathon.  That's due in part to the average elevation gain of 11%, and the last part of the race being above the tree line (oxygen is so overrated).  I might not be able to qualify for the Boston Marathon yet, but this race is a different story.  By running a sub 3:45:00 marathon, I was able to get into the first wave, which means I shouldn't get stuck behind the slowest runners in the field while going up the mountain single file.  Maybe I'll be the bottleneck instead.

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This last week, I signed up for a local 2 miler on the 23rd, and a half marathon the weekend after.  Although I consider myself a marathoner first, I do enjoy the shorter distances.  By enjoying shorter distances, I mean there's more pain, but it's over quicker and you still get food at the end.  However, how does a marathoner train for a 2 mile and a 13.1 mile race one week apart?  This brings me to my awesome workout.  Thursday, I planned to run a 2 mile interval at just slower than 2M race pace (6:24 pace), kinda like a dress rehearsal.  It was tough, but I did it.  After recovering a few minutes, I decided to do it again, only a little slower.  By a little slower, I mean I was still running a 6:54 mile which is around a minute faster than my marathon pace and about equal to my 5k race pace.  After completing that one, I had to recover, but I felt good enough to do another.  By the time I finished my workout, I had done 10 miles total, and 4 - two mile repeats @ 6:54 pace or faster.  Honestly, I didn't know I had that combination of speed and endurance in me.  I'm still pretty psyched and knew I had to post the details.  I also figure that was a great workout for both my 2 and 13.1 mile races.

2 Week Mileage
4/2	17	8:30 pace
4/3	0	rest day
4/4	6	interval 8 x .5 mi @ 6:18
4/5	8	7:24 pace
4/6	10	8:36 pace
4/7	6	9:00 pace
4/8	8	10:00 pace
4/9	14	8:15 pace
4/10	0	rest day
4/11	6	treadmill incline 1 - 4%  @ 8:30 pace
4/12	8	8:45 pace
4/13	3	9:00 pace
4/14	10	intervals 4 x 2M @ 6:24 - 6:54 pace
4/15	5	9:25 pace
TOTAL	101

Something else noteworthy, I had a nice change of pace a week ago Friday.  Fair Weather Runner and I met up for a recovery run, which turned into an 8 miler after we ran the last 6 together.  I do a lot of my training without a running partner, mp3 player excluded, so to run in a different locale with a fresh face was invigorating and made the time/miles pass by quickly.  Our conversation evolved into what I can only assume all chicks talk about when they run:  shoes, spouses, kids, and last but not least, menstrual cycles.  Go with the flow FWR!

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I leave you with some wedding photos:

  Just so there is no confusion "Wifey" is airbrushed right on your ass.    Can I vote all of them off the island?  And the Duck decoys are for?  This would be less creepy if a veil was involved...  Try our new Rainbow Bridge Collection. Flip Flops not included.  Silver tube top wedding dress minus 2 teeth =  Queen for a day  Alice in Pimpland?  Jerome's grand idea.   Professing his eternal love for Tamika by stabbing a life size cake replica of her.  I guess eating the 4 Chalupas was a bad idea the night before our wedding  The moment you realize your mother-in-law is moving to your town  Camo tux. Nuff said.    I now pronounce you Jedi & Paduan    Kegstands...not just for frat parties anymore      Sadly, the Elvis Preacher is the least disturbing part of the picture  Seriously?  Who needs a limo. We've got a whole damned front end loader just for us!  Gravity 101, pay attention kids.  Was he liberated or captured? (Does anyone else hear the Dueling Banjos????)