Pace Teams - Love 'em or Leave 'em?

Ten weeks out from the marathon and I have a 1/2 this weekend. I feel very prepared - my long run last weekend was 14 miles. I'm ice-bathing-knee-strap-wearing and feeling good.

I have a time in mind that I really-really-really want to make that's about 30 seconds per mile faster than my long runs have been. I think it's doable but with a Pace Team maybe it's a guarantee.

Have any of you used a Pace Team? Did you love it or hate it?

Can you still wear your iPod if you are with a Pace group or is that bad manners?

Do you obsess over times? :)

days like these

I am a cold-thusiast at heart. Sub-zero wind chill? Bring it on. Rain, snow, sleet? No problem - I'll just wear more gear. I run faster and longer when it's cold. But I'm not gonna lie - today was 58, sunny and no wind when I ran. Pretty sure I looked a little nutty as I ran the first 2 over the country roads with a grin on my face. Sometimes enjoying God's creation is the best part of my day. 

And yes, I took an ice bath and no it wasn't too bad. Less ice today may have helped! And there were no tears today. HA

Has Spring sprung where you are?

What is your favorite running temp?

What will keep you indoors?

first ice bath - and I live to tell the tale

I took the plunge this week and signed up for my first marathon. I chose Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, MN which looks like a nice flat course and great for a beginner like me. And then with all my confidence about the race I had one of those achy-painy runs 2 days later. Maybe it was just coming off the fast 7 miles I had done the day before but my knee cap felt like it was sliding back and forth for the whole run. I have launched into injury prevention mode and went straight to the running store for a knee strap and decided to take the plunge today.

The plunge into an ice bath that is. I've always been an icer and ice my knees and shins after every run but have never been brave enough for an ice bath. Last night we bought the requisite bags of ice - which seems a bit like an oxy-moron - kind of silly to actually PAY for ice.

Post run I stretched, drank my protein shake, and then did the most natural thing ever (NOT) and put on my bikini bottom and a parka. And got into a tub full of cold water. And then allowed my daughters to pour 32 pounds of ice on top of me. Lord have mercy was it terrible for those first few minutes - but then the numbness set in and the shaking (and possibly a couple tears) stopped and it was ok. And then it was over.

I promptly hopped out and had no feeling in my legs and they were lobster tail red so I decided to hop in the shower. I don't know if that's ok or not but I think I may have had hypo-thermia. :) I managed to get my fluffy socks and robe on and promptly fell asleep. Not sure if it was the 12 miler or the ice that kicked my a$$ but  I was out for 2 hours.

So I want to know - do you ice bath?

If  you ice bath - do you shower after or does that negate the process?