September Recap

Yup, it's Fall! or at least it was in Texas for about a week. And now sadly, the heat and humidity have crept back into our weather pattern. There is hope I hear rumor of a "cold front" coming in for the weekend. I mention it because this weekend is also the official start of my Fall racing season. Some how for October I have 4 races on the books. Two half's, one 10k and 1 Halloween themed 5k that I will do with my daughters (so it really doesn't count). I have even signed up to volunteer at the bag drop of the Houston Half. I am really looking forward to a full and productive running month. By the end of the month marathon training will take me to the 15-16 mile range and right now I couldn't be more excited about running distances further than I have ever trained past before. The next 3 months are it, this seems so much closer than when I started this marathon journey in June. This marathon thing is really going to happen. That being said I need some goals to help work my way to it.

My first sub 2:30 half. My PR is 2:31 and change and that was in Beaumont in May in the heat so I am thinking I may be able to pull off something more like a 2:25 finish by the end of the winter season.   My first under 30 minute 5k. I've been real close a few times and even tho I don't have a 5k set to "race" until February I am hoping any speed I pick up over longer distances translates to a better 5k or even 10k time. So for 10k I am going to try for a 1:05. I think the Bayou City Classic is going to be the best race to try for that goal. 

Nutrition wise I am still going strong using Tailwind. Last fall I was a GU sucker every 4 miles but since the switch to Tailwind I have managed to work my way down to no GU up to 13 miles. Not that I didn't supplement with a little sugar, 5-6 sport beans and a honey packet but they are a far cry from the 3 GU's I normally would have eaten. After a long run I haven't been getting runger as bad either. In fact I am have actually lost a few pounds in the past month. Another testament to proper fueling.

So September wasn't my month. 55.67 total miles. I have finally managed to get back on track. I even finished the month with 1 minute repeats with my fastest being at a 7:43 pace. Not to shabby for a back of the pack runner.