This weekend I am traveling to run the London Bridge Half Marathon!
After reading that sentence, you may be thinking one of two things. First, you may ask, Debbie, I thought you were training for the La Jolla Half Marathon. What happened?
Yes, it is true that my goal race is La Jolla, on April 28. But, you see, I am married to a man who announces races once or twice a month. And it happens that he is announcing this race on the same day that I am scheduled to run 13 miles! How perfect is that?
Here is my plan. I will start out slowly, at my usual long run pace, which is about 10 minute miles or slightly slower. After three miles, I’m going to pick up the pace, to about 9:30 miles. Then, from mile five through 11, I will run the race at my goal race pace, which is about 9:09 minutes per mile. The last two miles I’ll drop back to a 10 minute pace.
That is my goal. Hopefully I’ve done enough of these so that I won’t get caught up in the moment, think “this is my day!” and wind up burning my self up.
I’ve done workouts like this during training and I love them. They teach you to run fast when you’re tired, give you a sense of your race pace, and move you out of that “long run slog” zone. I’ve never run this workout during an actual race, though. Wish me luck.
The other question you may be asking, especially if you live on the east coast, or are, ahem, a little younger, is, Debbie, are you traveling to England this weekend? Your husband must be a really good announcer if they hire him from that far away!
Well, while my husband is a very good announcer, we are not going to England for the race. Some of you may recall that over 40 years ago, the London Bridge was purchased and moved to Lake Havasu City, Arizona! It did originally span the River Thames in London until it was dismantled and moved in 1967. It was purchased by Robert P. McColloch, who had the exterior granite blocks numbered and transported to the United States, to construct the present bridge on the shores of Lake Havasu. It was completed in 1971. It links an island in the lake with the main part of Lake Havasu City.
The race starts and finishes by running across the bridge, which is pretty cool. The weather is similar to ours in La Quinta, so the morning will be cool, and it will probably warm up to the seventies during the race. Not bad. The Lake Havasu area is very pretty, known for boating, fishing, and most particularly, as being a great party spot for spring-breakers.
We’re leaving early Friday morning (the race is on Saturday). Instead of a nine hour flight across the Atlantic, we have a much shorter three hour drive across the California and Arizona desert.
Good luck to all of you who are competing this weekend. I know many who are headed to Boston, and I wish you great weather and good times. Whatever your race, however long your distance, good luck and have fun.
That’s such a cool story about the bridge! I had no idea. Good luck this weekend – you’re a beast. 🙂
P.S. Which one of thos spring break-ers is you? 😉
Wait, I had no idea that the London Bridge was purchased and moved to Lake Havasu City! Have a wonderful time this weekend. Sounds like a great way to get your long run in!!
I had no idea about the London Bridge–what a great story! Enjoy the run- it sounds like you are going into it with a fabulous attitude.
Well I did know the bridge was in AZ. And now I know that you will be too! Have a ball with your hubby and the race. Let us know how it goes.
I had no idea that the bridge was in AZ either! Pretty cool! I’m thought the same as Laura – which girl are you in the pic? Obviously you aren’t drinking a margarita after your worst run story. 😉
Good luck with your training/race run!
I had no idea the bridge was in Arizona! Have a great race!
I had no idea!!! Have fun!
I’ve been there! Just on vacation. not to run a race 😉 Have fun!
that’s so fun that your husband announces races! i always appreciate a good race announcer when i run!
What a fun race! Crossing the original London Bridge would be really cool! Have a great weekend and enjoy the race!
i love your pacing schedule…i still start slow and speed up and then finish slow. I should stay slow longer, and then pick it up. I’ll get there! looks like an amazing race, hope you killed it!
Thanks! I didn’t quite follow my plan, but I’m happy with my run. Check the link below!
Not sure why comment luv didn’t work, trying again.
Hi Debbie! I hope you had a wonderful time running the half marathon here in Lake Havasu CIty. It is quirky and weird, but also very cool that the London Bridge is in Arizona, isn’t it?
Hi Michelle, thanks for stopping by. We had a great time in Lake Havasu City, even though we didn’t stay long and were there for “business.” I did write a race report: http://livefromlaquinta.com/2013/04/14/week-12-training-recap-and-london-bridge-half-marathon-report/.
I love that the London Bridge is there. I’m old enough to remember when it was moved and rebuilt there, and my family used to go out to Lake Havasu when I was a kid, so I have some memories.