Mfiorito87's blog

61 days until Marathon

Just did the ING Rock'n'roll half marathon on sunday. Ran with some people from Team Philly who really pushed my pace. First person I ran with (David) we stuck with 8 minute miles exactly for the first few miles and then we got separated and I met up with someone else (austin). SHe pushed my pace to 7:30-7:45 for over 5 miles before I had to back off. Ran the next 3 miles by myself, just over a 8 min pace (8:15-8:30). Then that last dreaded mile on west river drive in the sun with that hill that seems much higher then it actually is because its the end of a long race. My pace slowed to 9:30 but luckily all those speedy miles earlier helped my overall time.

My goal was to be under 1:50 and to get as close to an 8 minute mile as possible for the whole thing. I finished in 1:48 (pace 8:10/mi), so I am very happy. Now to try and double that in less than 2 months! Was quite sore on Sunday, especially going up and down the stairs but am feeling good now. I ate everything in sight on Sunday, prerace PBJ, brunch at Ole, dinner was delivery from Village Whiskey (awesome but very expensive burger and fries...it was worth it!) and then topped it all off with ice cream! Despite feeling good I am avoiding running until tomorrow to allow my legs to recuperate. 

So when I do a race I set 2 goals: 1 realistic and 1 hopeful. For the marathon the realistic goal: FINISH! It is my first marathon and its 26.2 miles, finishing alone would be awesome! My other goal is under 4 hours, aiming for 3:45. 

Thanks to everyone who has donated so far, Im at 60% of my goal! 

Please Donate at:

http://events.lungevity.org/goto/mfiorito

79 days until Marathon

Wow the time is going fast. Been training since the end of May on my own and with Team philly for the last month. Squeezed in a week vacation in North Carolina earlier in aug and a trip out to Humboldt, CA for a wedding last weekend. Got to do my long run along the coast in CA and it was amazing. Ran along the scenic route which was very hilly (my garmin says I ascended over 5000ft over the course of the run and I believe it). The temp of 55 and the amazing view made up for the hills. Did 17 miles and I did something I dont normally do, I ignored my pace and just ran. Got to focus more on the cliffs, beaches and redwood forest all around me. I did run out of water at about 16.2 so I stopped at a coffee shop for a lemonade.....and a lemon square....and an iced coffee. The coffee shop was a bit weird, they had NO "to go" cups. If you wanted your drink to go you had to buy a mason jar $1 (or bring your own cup). So as you could imagine, the running portion was basically over at that point with a FULL stomach so I did a brisk walk back to the cabin which was another mile for a total of 17.2.

Have to say I feel pretty good. I seem to have passed the point of shin splints, knee pains, etc. Believe me my legs are SORE but I no longer get focal pains, its just a general muscle soreness. Early on, those other pains inhibited my training so its great to be past that. Am running the ING half marathon in 2 weeks and then the full Marathon in November. So glad the weather is getting cooler, the heat/humidity made it very hard to train. And its great to be running with a group again with Team Philly, it makes a huge difference especially for the long runs. 

Thanks to all that have helped with my fundraising efforts. I am at 54% of my fundraising goal, so if you havent done so please consider a donation, even if its $5. Thanks!

http://events.lungevity.org/goto/mfiorito

Team philly is starting up this week for the official marathon training. Will try to update my progress on here. Have been doing ok on my own but it will be great to run with a group again. Did 15 miles last weekend. Woke up really early, ran with frozen water bottles and ice packed under my hat and made it to my goal for the week...despite the heat/humidity. I always end up hating the West river drive portion of the kelly loop because there is no shade for most of it. So I started on the west river part before the sun was fully up and that helped a lot.

This weeks runs: Mon 5 miles (Hills) - NOT fun
Wed 7 miles in 54:04 (1/2 mi Intervals at 6:30pace)

51 days until ING Half Marathon
114 days until Philly Marathon
At 50% fundraising goal - Thanks everyone!

Donate at: http://events.lungevity.org/goto/mfiorito

If you had the chance to travel for a year, where would you go?

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