Well, it's here. This Sunday, two days from now, I would've been running the Baystate Marathon. Sadly, not this year. I was fortunate enough that the race directors are allowing me to defer my registration until next year's race, which I intend to run. But having begun training once, I am more aware now of what else needs to be done. And I'm doing that, starting now.
1. Build a stronger, faster base. Having run only a handful of times since mid-August, it's pretty much like starting from the ground up again anyway. And I will have a full year. I intend to focus on shorter distances for a good few months, trying to build up my overall stamina and speed. Not to mention hills - I've already scoped out a killer one a few blocks over that I intend to incorporate at least once or twice a week. Unfortunately, it's a dead end, but I suppose that will make it all the more suited for hill repeats. So hills and speedwork - something I significantly slacked on in my training this past summer. My best running pace over 10+ miles was 9.5-min miles. I'd love to get below 9. We'll see. Any improvement will be welcomed. I honestly don't know what can be expected for a realistic improvement seeing as right now I'm back around 10-min miles, maybe even a wee bit more. I might be able to do faster for short distances, but it's tough to maintain that over distances; ideally, I'd like to be doing in the low 9s for an entire half. But the way I see it, I'm not going to worry about that just yet. Once I can do the usual 2.5-mile loop at under 10-min miles and still feel ready to sprint, then I'll work on improvements. For now, focusing on the base.
2. Weights. I don't want to bulk up, but let's just say I need to trade in a bit of fat for some muscle mass. Plus I know it will help me in terms of flexibility, stabilizers, balance, and overall core strength. Overall, I'm looking to get more fit over the next few months so that when my running really ramps up in spring, I'll be at a much stronger starting point.
3. Yoga! I've never tried it and, not being the most coordinated person, I'll freely admit that I'm a bit nervous. But I've heard it can do wonders for your back (which I could use) and can have great benefits for runners. I'm more than willing to give it a shot. I figure this will also be a boost to flexibility and core strength.
4. Diet. Dear Lord, keep me away from the potato chips. Or rather, keep them away from me. If I don't buy them, I won't eat them. I need to get back on track with a healthy, well-rounded, protein/veggie/fruit-laden diet. I have no problem carbo-loading. It's everything else that I slack on. And like I said, dropping a few pounds before spring wouldn't hurt either.
5. Hydrate properly. This was what led to my demise on that fateful day in early August. I've since purchased a Nathan fuel belt with 4 water bottles that I intend to use (2 of Gatorade, 2 of water). I have a bad habit of forgetting to drink when I'm running; I'll go 6 or 8 miles without any. Bad idea. From now on, 2.5 is the longest without water. Otherwise, at least 1 bottle is coming with me.
That's that; as much as I can think of, for now. I began running again just this past week. Nothing major, just little 2.5-mile jaunts after work with the pup. As long as I snack at work before I leave, I'm good to go. And I'm not tired when I'm done, so I'm confident I can handle faster/longer right now, which is comforting. But I'm not pushing it (or the dog) too much. I'm just going to stick to the regular weekly mileage with a longer weekend run for now; I want to make sure I have enough in me for weights and such. And as things improve, then I'll start adding distance and speedwork and hills.
So, this weekend is bittersweet for me. I must admit I'm secretly glad I won't be tackling the 26.2 in the cold, raw rain on Sunday, but I'm disappointed I didn't make it there this time around. But at least I'm getting an early, focused start on next year's race.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Sunday, August 16, 2009
To run or not to run...
Races, that is.
After my little bout two weeks ago, and the 2-week hiatus I've taken from running since then, I'm finding it extremely hard to get back into the swing of things given the humidity and/or rain and just some overall fear/worry (even though I was cleared by all of the doctors). After going mountain biking yesterday and feeling winded trying to go hard up a long incline, I began to question if the marathon distance is a good idea. I just felt that, if I'm going to run 26.2 miles, I should be able to make it up at that hill without getting so winded, even if it's on a bike in the woods rather than on my feet. I'm having thoughts about switching to the half-marathon distance for the Baystate race in October and just focusing on speed for now. Drop back to shorter distances and work on hills and speed work to really improve my overall pace and cardiovascular fitness more than my steady runs have been doing. Then, maybe the marathon next year once I've gotten a 1:30-2:00 half-marathon under my belt. At least with the half distance, I know I can do it and have done it multiple times without having any health issues...
The other issue right now is time. Between studying for the MA state teacher license subject test, being in grad school, and working full time, I feel like I'm starting to burn the candle at both ends, and maybe even a bit in the middle. I love my morning runs, but I can fully admit that I was starting to get burnt out waking up at 5:30 to run before work and then doing homework until midnight after a full day of work. And that didn't even include studying for the teacher test. Maybe this year just isn't the best timing to devote the time and effort I need to fully, properly training for the big 26.2. I just don't know.
I feel like a quitter if I don't. At the same time, I still want to be able to do it, but I want to be able to enjoy it and do it well (not like I'm expecting any super times, but finishing comfortably and enjoying the moment, rather than struggling and stumbling and wishing I had never attempted it).
I don't know at what point running became more about races than just running for the sheer pleasure of it. In college and even for several years thereafter, running a few miles a day was just something I did for enjoyment, to lose a few pounds, to stay active. If I felt really good, occasionally I would throw in a couple of extra miles and feel pretty proud. But my distances never exceeded 5 or 6 miles. I also played tennis, hiked, and mountain biked. It was never just about running. After graduating, I had fleeting thoughts of someday wanting to run the Boston Marathon, but I'd still never run any race, even a 5K. My first race, the enjoyable Moose on the Loose 10-mile trail run in NH, was something I was very excited for, not because it would be my first time at that mileage; my motivation in registering was that I wanted a T-shirt that said "Moose on the Loose" because I thought it was hilarious. After that race, even though I wasn't "racing" at my slow pace, I had the bug. I loved the adrenaline, the feeling of actually being back in some sort of competitive environment, the sense of accomplishment after I finished what was, at that time, my longest mileage (finished and felt GOOD - good enough for a couple miles of hiking afterwards). That day when I got home, I registered for a half-marathon, which I ran two months later. Having been sidelined with a nasty sinus infection for several weeks a month before the race, I knew I had not trained enough. I finished, but painfully. At the finish line, I muttered something about never being able to do a marathon. Still, I was proud that I had been able to finish, even if I had been practically shuffling at the end. Winter, I was relatively stagnant, but I began bundling up in February and heading out for runs when the roads weren't too icy, just little 2.5-mile jaunts with the pup. May was another half-marathon, and while I only finished 8 minutes faster than my first half, I felt good afterwards and very proud. For the first time, I believed that perhaps I could run the marathon. Hence, the registration for Baystate in October.
Now, I just don't know. I love the race environment, but I've somehow lost a lot of that enjoyment that used to come with heading out for my runs just for the sake of running and either being alone with my thoughts or quieting them. I worry about times, splits, increasing mileage, proper form. If I miss a run, I feel guilty and beat myself up about it for the rest of the week because I've fallen off schedule. Now being two weeks off schedule, you can see where this would be a problem.
I want that feeling back, but I know it's not possible if I continue training right now for October. With my schedule as tight as it is, my running has to be just that - training. I will have to push hard and stick with it and do more than I've been doing (especially hills and speedwork and core strengthening). I just don't know. I keep looking in the mirror and thinking, you do not look like someone who is ready to run a marathon. Not yet, at least.
After my little bout two weeks ago, and the 2-week hiatus I've taken from running since then, I'm finding it extremely hard to get back into the swing of things given the humidity and/or rain and just some overall fear/worry (even though I was cleared by all of the doctors). After going mountain biking yesterday and feeling winded trying to go hard up a long incline, I began to question if the marathon distance is a good idea. I just felt that, if I'm going to run 26.2 miles, I should be able to make it up at that hill without getting so winded, even if it's on a bike in the woods rather than on my feet. I'm having thoughts about switching to the half-marathon distance for the Baystate race in October and just focusing on speed for now. Drop back to shorter distances and work on hills and speed work to really improve my overall pace and cardiovascular fitness more than my steady runs have been doing. Then, maybe the marathon next year once I've gotten a 1:30-2:00 half-marathon under my belt. At least with the half distance, I know I can do it and have done it multiple times without having any health issues...
The other issue right now is time. Between studying for the MA state teacher license subject test, being in grad school, and working full time, I feel like I'm starting to burn the candle at both ends, and maybe even a bit in the middle. I love my morning runs, but I can fully admit that I was starting to get burnt out waking up at 5:30 to run before work and then doing homework until midnight after a full day of work. And that didn't even include studying for the teacher test. Maybe this year just isn't the best timing to devote the time and effort I need to fully, properly training for the big 26.2. I just don't know.
I feel like a quitter if I don't. At the same time, I still want to be able to do it, but I want to be able to enjoy it and do it well (not like I'm expecting any super times, but finishing comfortably and enjoying the moment, rather than struggling and stumbling and wishing I had never attempted it).
I don't know at what point running became more about races than just running for the sheer pleasure of it. In college and even for several years thereafter, running a few miles a day was just something I did for enjoyment, to lose a few pounds, to stay active. If I felt really good, occasionally I would throw in a couple of extra miles and feel pretty proud. But my distances never exceeded 5 or 6 miles. I also played tennis, hiked, and mountain biked. It was never just about running. After graduating, I had fleeting thoughts of someday wanting to run the Boston Marathon, but I'd still never run any race, even a 5K. My first race, the enjoyable Moose on the Loose 10-mile trail run in NH, was something I was very excited for, not because it would be my first time at that mileage; my motivation in registering was that I wanted a T-shirt that said "Moose on the Loose" because I thought it was hilarious. After that race, even though I wasn't "racing" at my slow pace, I had the bug. I loved the adrenaline, the feeling of actually being back in some sort of competitive environment, the sense of accomplishment after I finished what was, at that time, my longest mileage (finished and felt GOOD - good enough for a couple miles of hiking afterwards). That day when I got home, I registered for a half-marathon, which I ran two months later. Having been sidelined with a nasty sinus infection for several weeks a month before the race, I knew I had not trained enough. I finished, but painfully. At the finish line, I muttered something about never being able to do a marathon. Still, I was proud that I had been able to finish, even if I had been practically shuffling at the end. Winter, I was relatively stagnant, but I began bundling up in February and heading out for runs when the roads weren't too icy, just little 2.5-mile jaunts with the pup. May was another half-marathon, and while I only finished 8 minutes faster than my first half, I felt good afterwards and very proud. For the first time, I believed that perhaps I could run the marathon. Hence, the registration for Baystate in October.
Now, I just don't know. I love the race environment, but I've somehow lost a lot of that enjoyment that used to come with heading out for my runs just for the sake of running and either being alone with my thoughts or quieting them. I worry about times, splits, increasing mileage, proper form. If I miss a run, I feel guilty and beat myself up about it for the rest of the week because I've fallen off schedule. Now being two weeks off schedule, you can see where this would be a problem.
I want that feeling back, but I know it's not possible if I continue training right now for October. With my schedule as tight as it is, my running has to be just that - training. I will have to push hard and stick with it and do more than I've been doing (especially hills and speedwork and core strengthening). I just don't know. I keep looking in the mirror and thinking, you do not look like someone who is ready to run a marathon. Not yet, at least.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Week -12, Days 2-7 (and Week -11, sadly)
Ohhh, fallen behind again. And the update isn't that great. I'll admit that in advance...
Scheduled for Week -12, Tuesday: 4 miles
Scheduled for Week -12, Wednesday: 5 miles fartlek
Scheduled for Week -12, Thursday: 5 miles
Scheduled for Week -12, Friday: OFF
Scheduled for Week -12, Saturday: 15 miles
Scheduled for Week -12, Sunday: 3 miles
Actual for Week -12, Tuesday: 4.2 miles in 38:56
Actual for Week -12, Wednesday: 4.2 miles in 37:38
Actual for Week -12, Thursday: OFF
Actual for Week -12, Friday: OFF
Actual for Week -12, Saturday: 16 miles in 2:43
Actual for Week -12, Sunday: OFF (and downhill from there...)
Actual for Week -11, Days 1-7: NONE...
So yeah, the week started out well enough. I had snuck in a Monday run, ahead of scheduled, did okay Tuesday and Wednesday with some slacking on Thursday. It's okay. Then came the Saturday long run. I had Friday off from work, and I just didn't hydrate or eat the way I would've before a race. Shame on me. I paid for it on Saturday. I woke up early on Saturday to squeeze in my run before a drive to CT, and I made two water breaks (3.5 miles and 10 miles, both with GU). Not enough. It was less humid at 6:30 AM, but still a bit muggy. I felt fine during the run, a bit woozy after for being out that long, but I felt good and proud. Not so after rushing around to shower, pack, and hop in the car. By the time we were stuck in dead traffic on the Mass Pike, I was having trouble breathing and had the shakes. So, all in all, a trip to the ER for dehydration and to be berated by a not-so-nice doctor who kept comparing Gu to Red Bull. Um, no. But I digress. I had trouble for the rest of the weekend, including some further difficulty breathing during the week that followed (just an overall pressure and inability to get a deep breath). I took the week off from running and instead went for bloodwork, an asthma test, and a stress test (oh yeah...), complete with a few days off from work to just sleep.
Bottom line? Cleared and healthy. Dehydration induced a bout of exercise-induced asthma and panic set in once I didn't feel well and was trapped on the highway. The lesson? I'm wearing that hydration belt and drinking every mile from now on. And I will allow myself proper time to cool down, especially after long runs - no more hopping in the car and running around like a crazy woman. Sigh.
So yeah, no runs last week, at all. This week hasn't been good so far either, but I'm hoping to try my first wee run today after work (just 3 miles). We shall see. :) I'm scared. Not of the short runs, but of another 16-mile run. It was a terrifying feeling, although I am a bit relieved having been cleared by multiple doctors (including the cardiologist). My plan (even though I'm now off schedule) is to focus on some shorter runs with hills and speedwork to better condition my heart, and to hydrate ALOT during those long runs. I'll try a 10-miler this weekend, something I know I can handle. If that goes well, I'll try the 16-miler again next weekend. If that produces problems again, I know I'll have to stick to half-marathon distance. But until then, I'm not giving up. I just am in serious need of motivation. And pep talks. Lots.
Scheduled for Week -12, Tuesday: 4 miles
Scheduled for Week -12, Wednesday: 5 miles fartlek
Scheduled for Week -12, Thursday: 5 miles
Scheduled for Week -12, Friday: OFF
Scheduled for Week -12, Saturday: 15 miles
Scheduled for Week -12, Sunday: 3 miles
Actual for Week -12, Tuesday: 4.2 miles in 38:56
Actual for Week -12, Wednesday: 4.2 miles in 37:38
Actual for Week -12, Thursday: OFF
Actual for Week -12, Friday: OFF
Actual for Week -12, Saturday: 16 miles in 2:43
Actual for Week -12, Sunday: OFF (and downhill from there...)
Actual for Week -11, Days 1-7: NONE...
So yeah, the week started out well enough. I had snuck in a Monday run, ahead of scheduled, did okay Tuesday and Wednesday with some slacking on Thursday. It's okay. Then came the Saturday long run. I had Friday off from work, and I just didn't hydrate or eat the way I would've before a race. Shame on me. I paid for it on Saturday. I woke up early on Saturday to squeeze in my run before a drive to CT, and I made two water breaks (3.5 miles and 10 miles, both with GU). Not enough. It was less humid at 6:30 AM, but still a bit muggy. I felt fine during the run, a bit woozy after for being out that long, but I felt good and proud. Not so after rushing around to shower, pack, and hop in the car. By the time we were stuck in dead traffic on the Mass Pike, I was having trouble breathing and had the shakes. So, all in all, a trip to the ER for dehydration and to be berated by a not-so-nice doctor who kept comparing Gu to Red Bull. Um, no. But I digress. I had trouble for the rest of the weekend, including some further difficulty breathing during the week that followed (just an overall pressure and inability to get a deep breath). I took the week off from running and instead went for bloodwork, an asthma test, and a stress test (oh yeah...), complete with a few days off from work to just sleep.
Bottom line? Cleared and healthy. Dehydration induced a bout of exercise-induced asthma and panic set in once I didn't feel well and was trapped on the highway. The lesson? I'm wearing that hydration belt and drinking every mile from now on. And I will allow myself proper time to cool down, especially after long runs - no more hopping in the car and running around like a crazy woman. Sigh.
So yeah, no runs last week, at all. This week hasn't been good so far either, but I'm hoping to try my first wee run today after work (just 3 miles). We shall see. :) I'm scared. Not of the short runs, but of another 16-mile run. It was a terrifying feeling, although I am a bit relieved having been cleared by multiple doctors (including the cardiologist). My plan (even though I'm now off schedule) is to focus on some shorter runs with hills and speedwork to better condition my heart, and to hydrate ALOT during those long runs. I'll try a 10-miler this weekend, something I know I can handle. If that goes well, I'll try the 16-miler again next weekend. If that produces problems again, I know I'll have to stick to half-marathon distance. But until then, I'm not giving up. I just am in serious need of motivation. And pep talks. Lots.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Week -12, Day 1
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.
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.
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?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)