Scheduled for Week -12, Monday: OFF.
No way, man. I sucked too badly last week. And my shin was acting up yesterday, so I feel the (counter-intuitive) need to keep running to stretch it back out after aggravating my shin and ankle on the tennis court last Saturday.
Actual for Week -12, Monday: 2.7 in 28:10.
I SUCK. I was so horribly slow this morning; it was utterly depressing. Between the shin pain and the excessive humidity (even at 6:30 AM), I was definitely moving slowly. I knew it. And I didn't like it. Still, I'm trying to be careful not to cross that line between pushing myself in training and pushing myself into injury that could sideline me completely from my marathon training efforts. I know everyone has bad days, and I know that I'm still relatively new (and slow) at this. But it's runs like these (and the one yesterday) that definitely make me question how the !@#$ I am going to run 26.2 miles when I can barely hack 3 some days. I know, I know. The weather will be less humid, I'll have been training, I've done 13 before, stop whining. Blah blah. If I hadn't actually run a few half-marathons before, I wouldn't believe that I could do it. Thank God that I have; it's a constant reminder that I CAN do this if I train seriously and stay focused. I just hope the God-foresaken shin splints go away again; I thought I'd finally lost them back in April!
Coming up next: 4 miles.
Will do. Hopefully the humidity is down a bit in the morning (and fingers crossed that it's not thundering and lightning again). Gonna head to bed early tonight to make sure I leave myself plenty of time and, hopefully, energy.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Week -13, Days 1-7
Shame on me, yet again. Between work and grad school homework, my blogging time always seems to slip away. Like this week, my first poor week in marathon training. I can blame the weather (which did play a wee role...I despise the treadmill, and yet I can't bring myself to head out in flooding and lightning; New England weather has SUCKED so far this summer), but it's not entirely to blame. Sigh. Is there a way to make more hours in the day?
Scheduled for Week -13, Monday: OFF.
Scheduled for Week -13, Tuesday: 6 miles.
Scheduled for Week -13, Wednesday: 5 (3-4x long hill repeats).
Scheduled for Week -13, Thursday: 4 miles.
Scheduled for Week -13, Friday: 4 miles.
Scheduled for Week -13, Saturday: 3 miles.
Scheduled for Week -13, Sunday: 8 miles (10k race speed).
Actual for Week -13, Monday: OFF
Actual for Week -13, Tuesday: OFF
Actual for Week -13, Wednesday: 6.5 in 1:03
Actual for Week -13, Thursday: 2.7 in 25:12
Actual for Week -13, Friday: OFF
Actual for Week -13, Saturday: OFF
Actual for Week -13, Sunday: 2.5 miles.
Dear God. It's shameful. This is my first really poor week of training. I could give a million excuses: the weather, I was tired, my homework, my job sucks...on and on. While all of those may be true, the fact is that this was just an extremely busy week and my body was not responding well. When I continuously sleep through my alarms and am biting everyone's heads off, I know it's not good. Sometimes you just need a recharge, I guess. So, I suppose this past week was my recharge. I'm making an effort to get to bed earlier so that waking up in the morning won't be so incredibly painful. I've definitely learned that this is a necessity - 90% of the time that I leave my runs for the evening, they just don't happen. Plus, if I do have energy, I'd like to leave evenings open for weights and abs, if there's time to exercise.
So, lesson learned. More sleep. Try to lose the stress. And RUN.
Scheduled for Week -13, Monday: OFF.
Scheduled for Week -13, Tuesday: 6 miles.
Scheduled for Week -13, Wednesday: 5 (3-4x long hill repeats).
Scheduled for Week -13, Thursday: 4 miles.
Scheduled for Week -13, Friday: 4 miles.
Scheduled for Week -13, Saturday: 3 miles.
Scheduled for Week -13, Sunday: 8 miles (10k race speed).
Actual for Week -13, Monday: OFF
Actual for Week -13, Tuesday: OFF
Actual for Week -13, Wednesday: 6.5 in 1:03
Actual for Week -13, Thursday: 2.7 in 25:12
Actual for Week -13, Friday: OFF
Actual for Week -13, Saturday: OFF
Actual for Week -13, Sunday: 2.5 miles.
Dear God. It's shameful. This is my first really poor week of training. I could give a million excuses: the weather, I was tired, my homework, my job sucks...on and on. While all of those may be true, the fact is that this was just an extremely busy week and my body was not responding well. When I continuously sleep through my alarms and am biting everyone's heads off, I know it's not good. Sometimes you just need a recharge, I guess. So, I suppose this past week was my recharge. I'm making an effort to get to bed earlier so that waking up in the morning won't be so incredibly painful. I've definitely learned that this is a necessity - 90% of the time that I leave my runs for the evening, they just don't happen. Plus, if I do have energy, I'd like to leave evenings open for weights and abs, if there's time to exercise.
So, lesson learned. More sleep. Try to lose the stress. And RUN.
Week -14, Days 3-7
God, I am SO behind!! Shame, shame, SHAME on me. There just need to be more hours in the day...
Schedule for Wednesday, Week -14 = 5 (2-4 miles at 5-10k pace).
Schedule for Thursday, Week -14 = 3 miles.
Schedule for Friday, Week -14 = OFF.
Schedule for Saturday, Week -14 = 13 miles.
Schedule for Sunday, Week -14 = 3 miles.
Actual for Wednesday, Week -14 = 4.2 (2.5 miles at 5-10k pace) in 38:24 min.
Actual for Thursday, Week -14 = 2.7 miles.
Actual for Friday, Week -14 = 2.7 miles.
Actual for Saturday, Week -14 = OFF.
Actual for Sunday, Week -14 = 13 miles in 2:09:04.
As you can see, I somehow managed to erase the whiteboard of my running times before I uploaded this into my training blog. Whoops. The only one that sticks out in my head exactly would be the half-marathon distance because it was, down to the minute, exactly the same as my race time from my half-marathon back around Memorial Day. I like to think that, because I did not do this training run at race pace, this means I just might be getting a wee bit faster. It felt good. I'm still shocked that I was able to push myself through 13 miles in the 'hood. I ended up doing my 6.5-mile loop twice, which resulted in my circling some neighborhoods 4 times, like some kind of psycho stalker. I swear, the neighbors must be talking by now.
Schedule for Wednesday, Week -14 = 5 (2-4 miles at 5-10k pace).
Schedule for Thursday, Week -14 = 3 miles.
Schedule for Friday, Week -14 = OFF.
Schedule for Saturday, Week -14 = 13 miles.
Schedule for Sunday, Week -14 = 3 miles.
Actual for Wednesday, Week -14 = 4.2 (2.5 miles at 5-10k pace) in 38:24 min.
Actual for Thursday, Week -14 = 2.7 miles.
Actual for Friday, Week -14 = 2.7 miles.
Actual for Saturday, Week -14 = OFF.
Actual for Sunday, Week -14 = 13 miles in 2:09:04.
As you can see, I somehow managed to erase the whiteboard of my running times before I uploaded this into my training blog. Whoops. The only one that sticks out in my head exactly would be the half-marathon distance because it was, down to the minute, exactly the same as my race time from my half-marathon back around Memorial Day. I like to think that, because I did not do this training run at race pace, this means I just might be getting a wee bit faster. It felt good. I'm still shocked that I was able to push myself through 13 miles in the 'hood. I ended up doing my 6.5-mile loop twice, which resulted in my circling some neighborhoods 4 times, like some kind of psycho stalker. I swear, the neighbors must be talking by now.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Week -14, Days 1 and 2
Schedule for Monday, Week -14 = OFF.
Schedule for Tuesday, Week -14 = 3 miles.
Well, now this was tricky. I needed a rest from my long run on Sunday, but no way was I going to take a recovery day on Monday; I wanted to make up the 3 miles I missed on Sunday from postponing my long Saturday run and screwing up my schedule (again).
Actual for Monday, Week -14 = 2.7 in 28:10.
Actual for Tuesday, Week -14 = 2.7 in 26:23.
Good GOD, I was slow on Monday. Tired from the weekend, (still) dehydrated, and sore from my long run, I went through the motions but didn't try to push it. This morning, once I woke up after the first mile, I made myself push it a bit more. I had been trying to get under 26 (wasn't I doing this in under 25 a few months ago?!?), but to no avail. Aside from feeling tired and a wee bit run down, I always feel invigorated when I return home to get ready for work, especially when I've pushed myself. And at 6:30 AM on 5 hours of sleep, it's pushing myself.
Coming up next = 5 miles (2-3 at race pace).
Ugh. I've already decided that this is going to have to happen in the morning before work because, otherwise, there is a high likelihood of me backing out after dinner. Besides, the after-dinner schedule is already filling up. So, off to bed I go. Going to have to get up a wee bit earlier to eat a little something and head out for that run. Maybe someday I'll be fast enough so that I won't have to wake up so early to squeeze in 5 miles before work...At least I'm trying, right?
Schedule for Tuesday, Week -14 = 3 miles.
Well, now this was tricky. I needed a rest from my long run on Sunday, but no way was I going to take a recovery day on Monday; I wanted to make up the 3 miles I missed on Sunday from postponing my long Saturday run and screwing up my schedule (again).
Actual for Monday, Week -14 = 2.7 in 28:10.
Actual for Tuesday, Week -14 = 2.7 in 26:23.
Good GOD, I was slow on Monday. Tired from the weekend, (still) dehydrated, and sore from my long run, I went through the motions but didn't try to push it. This morning, once I woke up after the first mile, I made myself push it a bit more. I had been trying to get under 26 (wasn't I doing this in under 25 a few months ago?!?), but to no avail. Aside from feeling tired and a wee bit run down, I always feel invigorated when I return home to get ready for work, especially when I've pushed myself. And at 6:30 AM on 5 hours of sleep, it's pushing myself.
Coming up next = 5 miles (2-3 at race pace).
Ugh. I've already decided that this is going to have to happen in the morning before work because, otherwise, there is a high likelihood of me backing out after dinner. Besides, the after-dinner schedule is already filling up. So, off to bed I go. Going to have to get up a wee bit earlier to eat a little something and head out for that run. Maybe someday I'll be fast enough so that I won't have to wake up so early to squeeze in 5 miles before work...At least I'm trying, right?
Week -15, Days 5-7
Schedule for Friday, Week -15 = OFF.
Schedule for Saturday, Week -15 = 10 miles.
Schedule for Sunday, Week -15 = 3 miles.
Well, I'm obviously behind on my postings...the whole working and going to grad school full time really eats away at my nights. And the early morning runs aren't doing much for my sleep either. So I'll keep this quick.
Actual for Friday, Week -15 = 4.2 in 37:57.
Actual for Saturday, Week -15 = OFF.
Actual for Sunday, Week -15 = 10 miles in 1:40.
I know, I did it again. Curse my getting off track. I ran on Friday to make up for missing my hard Wednesday run. Then I went out for a few drinks to a celebrate a friend's birthday on Friday night. Drinks + marathon training = bad. No way was I going to be able to handle a long run in the heat on Saturday when I already woke up so dehydrated. So, Saturday became my off day, and Sunday became my long run. A bit slower than I would have liked, but at least I wasn't over 10 min/mile. I'm still getting pretty fatigued in my right quad right around 9-10 miles, much more so than my left quad. Hmmm...Regardless, I felt good afterwards. Need to get a fuel belt for hydration, though, because swinging back home halfway through for a glass of water makes it REALLY hard to motivate myself to leave again to finish. But I did. Triumph!
Schedule for Saturday, Week -15 = 10 miles.
Schedule for Sunday, Week -15 = 3 miles.
Well, I'm obviously behind on my postings...the whole working and going to grad school full time really eats away at my nights. And the early morning runs aren't doing much for my sleep either. So I'll keep this quick.
Actual for Friday, Week -15 = 4.2 in 37:57.
Actual for Saturday, Week -15 = OFF.
Actual for Sunday, Week -15 = 10 miles in 1:40.
I know, I did it again. Curse my getting off track. I ran on Friday to make up for missing my hard Wednesday run. Then I went out for a few drinks to a celebrate a friend's birthday on Friday night. Drinks + marathon training = bad. No way was I going to be able to handle a long run in the heat on Saturday when I already woke up so dehydrated. So, Saturday became my off day, and Sunday became my long run. A bit slower than I would have liked, but at least I wasn't over 10 min/mile. I'm still getting pretty fatigued in my right quad right around 9-10 miles, much more so than my left quad. Hmmm...Regardless, I felt good afterwards. Need to get a fuel belt for hydration, though, because swinging back home halfway through for a glass of water makes it REALLY hard to motivate myself to leave again to finish. But I did. Triumph!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Week -15, Days 3 and 4
Schedule for Wednesday, Week -15 = 4 miles with hill repeats.
Schedule for Thursday, Week -15 = 4 miles.
Actual for Wednesday, Week -15 = OFF.
Actual for Thursday, Week -15 = 4.2 miles in 38:28.
Oh, Wednesday. Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday. It's so supposed to be my "other" hard day in the week, doing speedwork or intervals or hills and saving the long runs for Saturday. Instead, both of my Wednesdays so far have been severe washouts. Between flooding and lightning strikes, I hovered inside. Shame, shame on me.
At least today went better. I ran first thing this morning, even though I had perilously little time to shower and get ready for work as a consequence. My time improved slightly by about 30 seconds. I'll take it, for now. I felt good while running, and I felt even better when I got home. I should start running at lunch and immediately after work too, try to keep the office stress at bay. I wonder if that would work...
Coming up next= OFF.
No way, man. I know I have to go easy because of the 1o-miler coming up on Saturday, but I do not need another rest day tomorrow. If anything, I need a stress release and something that will remove some of my guilt for going out for Chinese food tomorrow night. I plan to wake up and do the 4.2-mile loop again before work. I hear it might actually be sunny too...if I can remember what that looks like...
Schedule for Thursday, Week -15 = 4 miles.
Actual for Wednesday, Week -15 = OFF.
Actual for Thursday, Week -15 = 4.2 miles in 38:28.
Oh, Wednesday. Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday. It's so supposed to be my "other" hard day in the week, doing speedwork or intervals or hills and saving the long runs for Saturday. Instead, both of my Wednesdays so far have been severe washouts. Between flooding and lightning strikes, I hovered inside. Shame, shame on me.
At least today went better. I ran first thing this morning, even though I had perilously little time to shower and get ready for work as a consequence. My time improved slightly by about 30 seconds. I'll take it, for now. I felt good while running, and I felt even better when I got home. I should start running at lunch and immediately after work too, try to keep the office stress at bay. I wonder if that would work...
Coming up next= OFF.
No way, man. I know I have to go easy because of the 1o-miler coming up on Saturday, but I do not need another rest day tomorrow. If anything, I need a stress release and something that will remove some of my guilt for going out for Chinese food tomorrow night. I plan to wake up and do the 4.2-mile loop again before work. I hear it might actually be sunny too...if I can remember what that looks like...
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Week -15, Days 1 and 2
Schedule for Monday, Week -15 = OFF.
Schedule for Tuesday, Week -15 = 4 miles.
I love this off on Mondays thing. Not because my legs feel that sore from the Saturday run; more so that I just am tired and adjusting being back at work after an always-too-short weekend.
Schedule for Monday, Week -15 = OFF.
Schedule for Tuesday, Week -15 = 4.2 miles in 38:56.
Felt good this morning! I definitely didn't want to get out of bed this morning, and I almost didn't because I had turned off my running alarm by accident instead of snoozing it :) Somehow I still woke up around 6:10 and was able to tend to the puppy and get ready for my run. It was cool and cloudy - definitely not a typical July morning - and even started to rain on me a bit when I was almost 3 miles in. Not a heavy rain though; a really light one that was actually kind of refreshing (and, again, I'll admit it, made me feel kind of hardcore). It wasn't my fastest for that route, but it was still decent for just stumbling out of bed.
Coming up: 4 miles with hill repeats.
Ugh. Just ugh. And I think it's supposed to rain. Did I mention I don't even know where I'm going to run said hills? Should be interesting...
Schedule for Tuesday, Week -15 = 4 miles.
I love this off on Mondays thing. Not because my legs feel that sore from the Saturday run; more so that I just am tired and adjusting being back at work after an always-too-short weekend.
Schedule for Monday, Week -15 = OFF.
Schedule for Tuesday, Week -15 = 4.2 miles in 38:56.
Felt good this morning! I definitely didn't want to get out of bed this morning, and I almost didn't because I had turned off my running alarm by accident instead of snoozing it :) Somehow I still woke up around 6:10 and was able to tend to the puppy and get ready for my run. It was cool and cloudy - definitely not a typical July morning - and even started to rain on me a bit when I was almost 3 miles in. Not a heavy rain though; a really light one that was actually kind of refreshing (and, again, I'll admit it, made me feel kind of hardcore). It wasn't my fastest for that route, but it was still decent for just stumbling out of bed.
Coming up: 4 miles with hill repeats.
Ugh. Just ugh. And I think it's supposed to rain. Did I mention I don't even know where I'm going to run said hills? Should be interesting...
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