Joyful Pace

Long run... Starting to hit peak training mileage. I'm tired! 😅 18 slow and steady ones today.

Yesterday I ran the Drake Well Marathon half marathon, and I cannot recommend it enough!

It's small but well organized, and the course is fun! The first half ran through Titusville, which is home to more pristine Victorian mansions than I've ever seen in one place before. The second half is on a paved trail through the woods, which was beautiful and calm.

Now for the best part - you get to feel like a pirate, following a map to treasure!

The primary guidance throughout the many turns on this course were faded yellow arrows painted on the road. I stopped in more than one intersection looking for the next arrow!

Ultimately I found them all and got my treasure - a spiffy finishers medal and all the watermelon I could eat.

This aspect of the course kept me focused on the moment and the course, because if I zoned out I risked missing a turn. I overthink everything, and this is one run where that didn't happen for me, thanks to those arrows.

I had a few goals for this race:

1 hydrate well - done. Liquid IV in my bottles and water at most water stops
2 take a honey stinger gel every half hour - done, with no tummy issues
3 start slow and build to target pace, then hold it. - mostly done, I maintained even pacing and didn't bonk, but I didn't quite make it to the pace I wanted.
4 finish between 2:36-2:42 - almost. I finished in 2:44:11.

Overall, I was smiling the whole time, and will definitely run this one again! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Bits from my runs this week. This Saturday I'll be running the Drake Well half marathon, so my running this week has been a little shorter.

Looking forward to a couple easy miles tonight at the lake!

I learned a long time ago that every training block will have at least one long run go badly. Today was that run for me. 🫣😥

I was scheduled for 18 miles, and mentally I just didn't have it in me, and tapped out after 16 miles. The intermittent rain and resulting sloppy trail certainly added to the mental load.

However, I also know that one bad run will not ruin a training cycle, because I'm resting and showing up tomorrow for my next run, ready to try again.

If you have a bad run, don't despair! Just rest, recover, and move on to the next one. ♥️

Such an amazing collab with Tina and Columbia Yoga & Expressive Arts last night! Thank you everyone who came out and moved with us. ♥️

The rain held off and we were able to run around the lake, then finished with Tina's class. Local peeps - check her out!! She created a customized flow just for us that targeted our hips and legs.

Can't wait for next time!!

I know the sky is crying a little, (and I might be too!) BUT I will still be running at the lake for anyone who wants to brave the rain drops with me.

Also, yoga tonight will be in the lovely, *DRY* Columbia Yoga & Expressive Arts studio at 7. Just sayin. 😉

BIG NEWS!

Joyful Pace is collaborating with Columbia Yoga & Expressive Arts to develop a restorative hatha yoga class geared toward runners recovery, safe for all levels.

We are doing our first collab this THURSDAY, August 6, starting at 6pm.

We will move at our own preferred speeds around Northmoreland Park lake from 6-6:45, then meet at Columbia Yoga in Vandergrift for a special runners restorative yoga class!

Please respond if you are interested or coming, as space is limited for the class and we need a head count.

See you there!!!!

Doubles have entered the chat for me. 😰

Unfortunately I do not have the energy to run 8-10 miles before work and still function at work without hiding under my desk for a nap by noon, which my boss friend on. 😆🫣

My solution to this is to run doubles. At least half of the scheduled run early in the morning, and the remaining miles after work.

For reference, I'm on week 8 of a 16 week marathon plan. My weekly mileage is high 30s and will climb to 50.

Would you, or have you, done this?

This is so important in summer temps!

Most runners get into trouble in the heat not because they suddenly lost fitness — but because they refuse to change the workout.

You can’t run RED conditions with a GREEN-day plan.

You can’t out-tough heat, humidity, direct sun, and a body working overtime to stay cool.

Hot-weather running demands respect — and a backup plan.

Start easier. Choose cooler hours. Shorten the route. Move indoors when the risk climbs.

Missing one workout will not erase your fitness. Ignoring the conditions can cost far more.

What’s your outdoor cutoff: ORANGE, RED, or MAGENTA?

Sunday vibes ♥️