Hooray, it’s Friday!
Whew, it’s been a busy blogging week here. Registration opened for the 5 by the 5th Virtual run, and there are almost 200 participants. I think I’m going to need to round up a few more prizes so more of you can come away with something.
Between that and the Under Armour hoodie giveaway, I completely forgot to mention that I have a half marathon this Sunday. (By the way, my friend Carrie is giving away the same hoodie- check hers out and double your chance of winning one!)
This is a small, local race that is only a few years old, called the TriGirl half marathon. I was looking over the website last night, and realized I have no idea what to expect for the elevation. Most of Houston is pancake flat, but this race takes place on park trails. If anyone has done this race, I’d love to hear your experience!
I’ve been learning recently that I have more fast-twitch muscles than slow-twitch muscles. I wrote a guest post on this for Melody, at Will Run for Margaritas, about how you can determine which one you have more of.
My 5k races consistently predict faster half and full marathon times than I can pull off, and my longer runs predict slower 5ks than I’ve run. This makes pacing a little difficult, as I don’t want to go out too fast and burn out.
But I do think I can safely beat my old pr (1:41:02) from last January. I would love to hit sub- 1:38, so that’s my big goal. Anything under 1:40 will make me happy.
I am also scheduled for a 20 miler, so I’ll add two miles before and five afterward. Yikes- those five will probably be as slow as molasses, but at least I’ll get that time on my feet. Only one more 20-22 miler after this (in two weeks), and then it’s taper time!
I also got in my 5k for Courtney’s sweet baby, who would have turned four this year. L and I ran 5 easy miles last night, 3 of them for this race. I don’t run with the stroller very often anymore, but was reminded that December has the perfect afternoon weather in Houston. We ran the long way to the playground, and then took a short cut home.
Do you prefer small races or large crowds?
Do you know if you have more fast-twitch or slow-twitch muscle fibers?
i love small races but big races are fun for big training events, ya know? I think you’ll do great with the elevation. You’re hard core mama!
lindsay recently posted..Holiday Praise
Yes, I love the energy of large races… especially for longer ones, like halfs and fulls. I hope there are some people out cheering at this one!
Laura recently posted..Half Marathon Goals for Sunday
rooting for a sub 1:40! you rock, friend!
Lindsay’s List recently posted..what kind of blog do you write?
Aww, thank you! Have a great weekend, Lindsay!
Laura recently posted..Half Marathon Goals for Sunday
Good luck on Sunday! You’ve got a sub 1:40 in you for sure!
Thanks, Angela… I think so, too. I hope this race is the one- just saw there is a record high of 80 degrees, should be interesting!
Laura recently posted..Half Marathon Goals for Sunday
Good Luck Sunday! I will be running a Half Marathon that day also!
https://www.facebook.com/ndeckerrunner
Thank you, Nicole. I’ll be thinking of you as I run- good luck!
Laura recently posted..Half Marathon Goals for Sunday
Good luck! I prefer smaller races, but if large races are chip timed I don’t mind too much (just hate when there aren’t corrals!)
Ali recently posted..Cotton Headed Ninny Muggins and a GIVEAWAY!
Yes, large races without corrals are miserable! Otherwise, I enjoy the crowds. Always someone to run with and someone to chase!
Laura recently posted..Half Marathon Goals for Sunday
I’m running Hope Endures too! Good luck Sunday
Jill @ Fitness, Health and Happiness recently posted..Fitness Friday || Lessons Learned From a Year-Long Goal
Thanks, Jill!
Laura recently posted..Half Marathon Goals for Sunday
Good luck girlie! I have a Holiday Halfathon Sunday too!
Kat recently posted..Recipe Friday! Crockpot love!
Oh, fun! Good luck to you, too!
Laura recently posted..Half Marathon Goals for Sunday
Knock em dead on Sunday! You will fly, I know you, speedy girl! You got this!
I am a small race runner and am built much like you with fast twitch dominance… nice article on Melody’s site btw! I have the beginning stages of hearing loss and the type of noise from a large race hurts my ears… it’s so distracting… I either can’t hear anything or hear to much. The smaller races suit me.
Lisa @ RunWiki recently posted..Christmas Crackers for Runners
Thanks, Lisa- I’ll do my best, despite the 80 degree predicted temps!
Laura recently posted..Half Marathon Goals for Sunday
Good luck this weekend! I think it’s wonderful that you ran your Hope Endures 5K miles with your daughter. Perfect.
Thanks for sharing my giveaway!
Carrie@familyfitnessfood.com recently posted..Under Armour Fleece Divide Hoodie Giveaway
You will do great Laura! sub 1:40
I love the smaller races it just seems so much more runner focused then bling.
Jen recently posted..Getting my butt kicked!
Thanks for the vote of confidence, Jen!
Laura recently posted..Half Marathon Goals for Sunday
I love a small race like that. And on park trails, I’ll bet it’s beautiful. Enjoy it and crush that PR (I think you will!).
Now I need to go back to your UA hoodie giveaway and enter!
misszippy recently posted..So, so tired
Much prefer small races! I did Courtney’s race yesterday too. Mine was on the treadmill. Good luck this weekend!
Hikermom recently posted..Three Things Thursday!
Holy Running Batman! I prefer midsize races…ha! Not too big that I have to zigzag around others but large enough that I don’t feel like I am out there alone…or last…hahaha!
Yes, me too- I should have made that an option.
Not too big, not too small.
Laura recently posted..Half Marathon Goals for Sunday
Best of luck with your race! I am more of a slow “twitcher” b/c sprints do not come easily to me. However, for those who also have more slow twitch fibers there are ways to increase your fast twitch abilities by adding plyometrics, sprints, and weight intervals to your workouts. Great post about muscle fibers! I love the science behind exercise.
Yes, great point! Plyometrics and sprints are great ways to improve speed.
Laura recently posted..Half Marathon Goals for Sunday
I hope you have a great race, speedy lady! Hoping you reach your goal of sub-1:40. It’s a great feeling!
Allison @ Johnson Jocks recently posted..Phoenix 3TV 10K Race Report
Thank you, Allison! Ironically, I was just reading your race report this morning for inspiration. You paced yourself perfectly. Not sure that I can pull off your second half, though!
Laura recently posted..Half Marathon Goals for Sunday
Ah sub 1:40— you’ll have to tell us all about what it feels like to be on that side of the number when you accomplish it.
i’m definitely for smaller crowds as the congestion and annoyance factor is greatly diminished with them
Lisa J recently posted..What happened to November (recap of month)
You are not too far away from 1:40 either, Lisa!
Laura recently posted..Half Marathon Goals for Sunday
Laura – I think you are cutting yourself short with a 1:40 goal!! You are SUPER speedy – your 5k time was amazing!! I am guessing 1:37!! =) GOOD LUCK !!!!
Michele @ Nycrunningmama recently posted..PR Spotlight: Katie (MsFitRunner)
Thanks, Michele… yes, McMillan predicts faster than that… I want to play it smart, but also want to believe I have something faster in there and give it all I have. We’ll see what happens!
Laura recently posted..Half Marathon Goals for Sunday
GOOD LUCK THIS WEEKEND! I’m absolutely more of an endurance slow twitcher. I’m always amazed at how much slower my 5k/10k times are than McMillian says they should be!
Amy recently posted..WINNER! And (Almost) Wordless Wednesday
Yep, that makes sense… and I think in general women tend to have more of the slow twitch muscles. Perfect for half and full marathons!
Laura recently posted..Half Marathon Goals for Sunday
Good luck this weekend! I am sure that a sub 1:40 is in your very near future!!
Tia @ Arkansas Runner Mom recently posted..Quanity vs. Quality: Trying to PR with Multiple Marathons
Thank you, Tia!
Laura recently posted..Half Marathon Goals for Sunday
Good luck! I know you can get a sub 1:40! I like both small and large races.
katie @ fromicecreamtomarathon recently posted..I don’t want to be injured…
You are going to crush your PR, I know it. Especially after that super speedy 5K of yours over thanksgiving!!
Katherine @ Neon Blonde Runner recently posted..5 Friday Favorites (and a WINNER)
Thanks, Katherine!
Laura recently posted..Half Marathon Goals for Sunday
Oh good luck on your race (and 20 miles)!!! I think I’ve turned into more slow twitch. I used to do lots of plyo, sprints, short fast runs. But as I started adding on miles, I found myself doing less that would engage the fast twitch muscles more.
Heather (Where’s the Beach) recently posted..Blood Clot and Thankful Thursday
Thanks, Heather! And I know what you mean- it takes work for me to get in the speed work when I’m adding on miles.
Laura recently posted..Half Marathon Goals for Sunday
Sub 1:40 no problem, Speedy Lady! I’m definitely slow twitch built right now, but now that I’m done with marathoning for a few months I am working on building up my speed for those shorter distances! Can’t wait for your race recap!
Kelly recently posted..Ornaments, Santa Snubbing and Ugly Sweaters
I know you have more speed than you think, you get in some fast training runs!
Laura recently posted..Half Marathon Goals for Sunday
Whoah I never knew anything about fast vs slow twitch muscles. That’s so interesting!! Happy Friday and thanks for sharing! Spa <3
Oh, I have no doubt that you’ve got a sub-1:38 in you just waiting to be unleashed! Good luck on Sunday!
The calculator is interesting- I must be pretty even, because my marathon PR pretty much matches all of my other race PR’s. Definitely bookmarking that page!
Jerilee recently posted..My very favorite month…
Being even is a good place to be.
Thanks for the encouragement! It’s gonna be a hot day, should be interesting!
Laura recently posted..Half Marathon Goals for Sunday
GOOD LUCK!!!!!! I think that a sub 1:38 is a great goal and a goal that you are capable of. Have fun and I can’t wait to hear how it goes.
For my races I like larger ones to feed off of the energy. Houston was AWESOME last year.
Tasha @ Healthy Diva recently posted..Race recap: Jingle Bell Run
Thank you, Tasha! I think I’m capable of it, too… not so sure about it in the 80 degree temps we are supposed to get… yikes!
Laura recently posted..Half Marathon Goals for Sunday
Laura, good luck! I had forgotten you have a half this weekend too. I hope it goes great. Now that CIM is over, I’m feeling like I should have signed up for Houston all along. Ha! Hindsight is 20/20, right? I hope that’s a beautiful day for you too.
Terzah recently posted..Race Report: California International Marathon
Oh, I know… wish we had weather predictors for 3-4 months out. It’s so hard to know what to expect. Maybe you could come do the Houston half??
Laura recently posted..Half Marathon Goals for Sunday
Wow – at taper already! I’m pumped for you. And interested about the slow/fast difference for you. I’m going to have to get experimenting!
Kate recently posted..Want to win?
Thanks for sharing my excitement, Kate!
Laura recently posted..Half Marathon Goals for Sunday
Good luck!
Sarah S @RunningOnWords recently posted..Things I don’t know how to tell you
I’m not sure if anybody’s already filled you in on the course but incase not, I will! It is flat as the proverbial pancake with one hill at around the………5/6 mile mark (don’t quote me!). SO it’s 2 loops, the 1st around a mile or so longer than the 2nd and I’m 90% certain that the hill is only present on the 1st loop. The loops are identical except at one point on the 2nd loop you take a left instead of a right. This, rather critical part of the course was neither marked nor stewarded last year and had I not driven round the course when I picked up my package I would have been stumped! I was, as always in no mans land hopefully you’ll have someone in front or maybe it will be better marked this year. Remember turn right on the 1st loop and left on the 2nd
I wanted, what was an ambitious at the time sub 1:30 and got it (just) so I think it’s a good course to PR on. It was wonderfully cold last year, which always helps not sure you’ll have the same luxury on Sunday.
Really enjoyed the course and am sad not to be running this year but will be there with my brood to cheer you all on! Good luck.
Thank you! That helps a lot… I saw that they switched the loops this year, so the longer loop is second (sounds like that’s the one with the hill). Yes- I wish it was going to be wonderfully cold… looks like a hot one tomorrow. I’d love to say hi to you tomorrow!
Laura recently posted..Half Marathon Goals for Sunday
Good luck at your half marathon!!
I’m probably medium-twitch, haha. I’m usually a little over my 5K PR using my half marathon times and a little under my half marathon times using my 5K and 10K PRs. They aren’t times that are out of my reach, though. I just haven’t done them yet! In swimming I was a middle-distance swimmer, so I would probably say I am the same for running.
Jamie @ couchtoironwoman recently posted..Under Armour Fleece Divide Hoody Review
Laura,
Have a great race! I know you will PR! Thanks for posting the fast twitch/slow twitch article. I am a “bipolar” runner actually. While my 5k, half and marathon pace predictions are very close, somehow, I cannot race 5 miler, 10k and/or 10 milers. Plugging in a half marathon pace, I should be able to achieve faster 5 milers and 10ks. To date, I still have not really fulfill my “10k” potential. funny huh? Hopefully with Francois’ training plans, I won’t be so “bi-polar” in the future.
I have a similar issue with the 10k… let’s nail it in 2013!
Laura recently posted..Half Marathon Goals for Sunday
I love smaller races! Good luck on Sunday! I can’t wait to hear about your new PR.
Suzanne recently posted..Galaxy of Lights 5K
Good luck on Sunday!! I have a feeling you’ll do great. Thanks for the reminder about registering for the 5 by the 5th! Going to register now!
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf recently posted..Friday Round-Up: Endurance and Nourishment
Yay! Glad you can join us. And thanks for the encouragement for tomorrow!
Laura recently posted..Half Marathon Goals for Sunday
I love small races!
Is it possible to have equal fast twitch and slow twitch fibers? Using that pace calculator from your guest post, and my most recent 1/2 marathon, 10K, and 5K results, the long races predicted the shorter ones within seconds, and the short ones predicted my half time within 4 minutes (which, I admit, are probably the walk break I took in the middle).
Good luck on Sunday!
Yes! That’s a good thing! It’s definitely helpful when your paces line up, then those calculators can be much more useful and reliable to help you pace correctly.
Laura recently posted..Half Marathon Goals for Sunday
Good luck. It sounds race. I would love to do a trail half (think I may have found one nearby for 2013).
Abby @ BackAtSquareZero recently posted..Color Me Rad
Yes, I’d love to do a trail half sometime, too. Awesome that you found one. 2013 will be a whole new year for you!
Laura recently posted..Half Marathon Goals for Sunday
Good luck at your race! I bet you’ll get that PR! I like bigger races for their energy, but I do find the it annoying when they’re so large that the field is crowded the entire time.
Raquelita recently posted..Thursday Threads: Workhorse
Thank you! And I agree- I feed off that energy, but not when I’m stumbling over people.
Laura recently posted..Half Marathon Goals for Sunday
I know you’ll have a great race! Hope you get some good course information, Looks like Vicky had some great tips.
Fast twitch…I think I am mostly slow
But a few fibers of fast in there.
I prefer a smaller field in most races, but once or twice a year it’s fun to do something very BIG.
Raina recently posted..Goals
Well, you definitely have a good portion of fast twitch muscles in there, too.
Thanks for the good wishes, it’s gonna be a hot one, so I’m trying to prep for that!
Good luck on the half – I know you’ll do great!!
I prefer smaller races, but Boston will definitely be the exception to that rule : )
Michelle recently posted..Twenty-Five Simpler Gifts – Days One Through Five
Good luck on Sunday! I bet you will get your sub-1:38. Run strong!
Robin recently posted..Busy Runner + ShowerPill Review
Have fun and run well Laura! I am a fast twitch girl for sure. Distance is not my strength. But I still love it, I just love relays and sprints more!
Marcia recently posted..Foodie Friday
Good luck tomorrow! I think sub 1:40 is definitely in your reach, go get it! I’m incredibly similar to you with fast versus slow twitch. I keep wondering if I’m really cut out for marathons because my fast twitch muscles seem to be telling me that it’s a little harder than it should be. That being said, the body can do incredible things and I think YOUR marathon will be a great one.
MegG recently posted..Being weaned off of Physical Therapy
Good luck! I hope the weather isn’t too warm!
Coco recently posted..Book Review: When It Happens To You By Molly Ringwald
[...] mentioned before that I consistently run faster short distant races than the calculators predict, which also means [...]