Training « Ariana Hilborn

23Mar/10Off

Keepin’ The Faith

What a great training month March has been. I have stayed healthy, motivated, and have had some great work-outs. I have been running tons of miles, ended with 90 last week. My Saturday workout consisted of 22 miles with miles 15-20 at 6:30pace and mile 20-22 as fast as I could! I nailed the 5 miles @ 6:28 pace and finished with my last 2 miles at 6:07 and 5:53. This was a big confidence booster for me as I look ahead to my goal pace at Boston.

I was ready to put in 80 miles this week with 2 weight-lifting/core sessions at the gym. I ran 13 miles yesterday (Monday), got my gym on, and came home to find an email from MWC. Coach John changed my schedule from 80 miles this week to 65 so that I could run an aggressive half marathon (The Arizona Distance Classic in Tucson) on Sunday and shoot for a BIG PR. eeeek! This PR should be a 1:19 (!!!!) on a good day to a 1:20-1:22:00 on a mediocre day. Holy smoke, can I run a 6:15 pace for 13.1 miles? I will tell you what, it seems a little (ok a lot) daunting to me! It is a course with rolling hills (my fave) so I should be able to run strong. *crossing fingers* I know it will probably hurt, but I need to remember to 'welcome the pain' during a race. yeah...easier said than done.

So my plans this week have changed, I *only* have 65 miles and I am going to try to get some extra rest by running after school instead of in the mornings as I do not have any more doubles this week. I am also just going to get some light core work in on Wednesday rather than do an entire lifting session. On Friday I DON'T HAVE A RUN!!! *gasp* I cannot remember a day that I have had off of running. I know it will feel totally weird.

So yikes, I am pretty nervous about the half marathon on Sunday. I need some mantras for when it gets tough out there. Got any?

Off to the track!

Runningly Yours,

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Tagged as: Training 6 Comments

21Feb/10Off

South Mountain 22 Miler

This morning I had a 22 mile run scheduled for South Mountain. I got decked out in my new Brooks Nightlife ID uniform. It came in the mail yesterday and I love it! It is really comfy and I am super happy to represent my favorite running company.

Matt and I at the top of South Mountain, 7 miles left!

We had a great group of runners, Matt, Terri (someone needs to tell her that if she can talk, she should run faster!) , DK, Bradford, Dan the man, Dan 2, and Steph. The weather started out great, but the rainstorm started to blow in at mile 15. There was a *great* headwind but at least it didn't start to rain until we were done! South Mountain is quite a workout. It is such a bear, but so good! After the run, we met the Marks at breakfast and I chowed down!

Great pic of DK almost to the towers!!

Here comes the storm! DK on his way down the Mountain

I ran the 22 miles with an average 7:24 pace. I have 12 miles split tomorrow to end this week with 92 miles.

Runningly Yours,

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Tagged as: Brooks ID, Training 1 Comment

30Jan/10Off

Running Buddy

There have been many studies that say running with friends improves your training and I completely agree! I need to share with you the amazing people that have come into my life that I have met through running. I am confident that many of them will be in my life until the end.

But before I do that, I need to give some credit to my dog. (!!??!!) You must really think I have gone off the deep end! But seriously, as I was sweeping up the dog hair that was multiplying before my very eyes today, watching as he was putting his wet nose against the windows I had just cleaned, and ruing the day he was born, I realized that I sure do love that little fella.

You see, he gets up with me at 4am every day. Tail wagging, happy to be alive. Even without coffee! He eats his breakfast, then comes into the office where I am sucking down coffee, checking my email, and 'waiting for nature to take its course' (as my friend Mark says). Tank curls up on the chair next to me and waits.

Until......Beeeeep! The Garmin is on and he's off! The dog is acting as though he has just gotten a shock of electric current as he bounds through the house knowing its 'go' time! Leash is on and we are off through the cold, dark, morning. Tank is my protector on these runs. He runs with his head up, constantly scanning for anyone or anything that 'dares' cross our path. I have to admit, I feel very safe with him by my side.

Sometimes I need encouraging and he pulls in front of me begging me to quicken up. Sometimes he needs encouraging and through the silent 5am dark you can hear me call "Come on old dog!" We are quite a team, Tank and I. So to him I raise a Gatorade. Without him, I would not be able to get all of my running in so early in the morning as I just wouldn't be safe. My pal, my 4-legged bud that is always up for a run. Thanks Tank!

Runningly Yours,

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Tagged as: Inspiration, Training 5 Comments

25Jan/10Off

Ryan House Run practice

Happy Sunday! This morning for my long run, (16 miles) I decided to get this bootie into gear for the Ryan House Half Marathon on March 6th. I have heard it is a pretty tough course, so I wanted to get some practice in. It was difficult, but very beautiful! Here is the course elevation chart. Matt was kind enough to take some video of me (some embarrassing moments I'm afraid!) Enjoy!

I ran 16 miles (8 uphill, 8 downhill) and my average pace was 7:23. I was really happy with it, but I know I need to get faster on this course, so I will keep working on it! This ends my week with 70 miles!

I was so done after this run! It really just beat me up. After church and a soft pretzel, I took a much needed nap. It felt sooooo good! Now to tackle this week, wish me luck!

Runningly Yours,

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Tagged as: Training 4 Comments

24Jan/10Off

Update and PF Changs Expo Pics

Hello friends!
Arghhh! This week has been nuts! (Rain and no recess is the perfect recipie to make Phoenician kiddos 'fun'!) My upcoming week will be even crazier as I head into parent-teacher conference week, and try to run 80 miles as well. After Friday at 1:45pm I will finally be able to breathe. Until then, its go, go, go!

Tuesday's track practice was insane! There were only 6 of us from my group there as it was POURING!!! I ran 9.8 miles with 12x400m in less than 88 sec. each with 1 min. recovery in between. I was soaking wet and freezing by the time I got home. It was so nuts!! The rain just got worse as the evening went on. Who runs 10 miles in the rain? I do.

Do you run in the rain? Here are some pics from our rainstorm, big deal as we hardly ever get rain! Second picture has a drenched coyote!! Poor little fella!

Wednesday I had 6.5 miles recovery, Thursday's run was 10 miles with 10x100m strides. I actually had to go to the gym for this one. One workout of crazy-rain running is enough for the week! The treadmill wasn't too bad. I don't have an ipod that works, so I just zoned out for the 10 miles. I never did do the strides as they are pretty much impossible on the treadmills at my gym. I ended with a 7:30 pace. Not bad. Friday I had recovery 6 miles that I ran with Tank. It was just 'misting' outside, so we ran all around the park. Matt and I went to the gym after work to do some core exercises.

Saturday's run was 10 miles with 2x2miles in 13:00 (6:30 pace) I felt really good and hammered those all out under 6:30. 7:03 average pace for the 10 mile run.

Here are my pics from last Sunday's expo! Our camera is still not turning on, time for a new one.

Deena and I. She is amazing. *sigh*