Category: Run!

Week 16 Training Recap

Upcoming race– SLO Marathon 13.1

Focus– Keep on with the 4x a week.

16 weeks into the year already?  How did that happen?  I am not prepared for it to be halfway through April.  I feel like the past few weeks are nothing but a blur.  There has been running, eating, some mindless tv watching and some staring into space.  I haven’t been sleeping well, I think the bags under my eyes are permanent features now.   Enough whining, let’s get to the running!

Monday- Rest  Ha!  2 days post Firehouse and I was walking a little crooked.   I thought I was hiding it well but the first thing an employee said to me was “are you limping?’.  Just call me gimpy.   Getting up onto my chair and then down was definitely amusing.    But in shiny news- Meet Mel!   

  The week before was actually my 9 year anniversary at work and they (my boss) got me a new fish!

  
Tuesday- 3 miles  After work I headed to the lake path to take things nice and easy.   The first mile was rough but miles 2 and 3 felt pretty decent.   I kept it short on purpose and I wish that was all I had to say about Tuesday but it’s not.   Next post will cover the excitement though.

  
Wednesday- 4.59ish miles   I was running with NikeC and somehow I accidentally paused my Garmin .25 miles in.  I didn’t figure it out until we hit the turn around point 2ish miles later.  Waah!!!  No!    I may not be focusing on my pace these days (yet) but I am paying close attention to my mileage totals as I am trying to do this whole marathon training thing smartly.   Luckily, she has the Runkeeper app on her phone.   Other than the technical issue, it was a good run.  My calves were a little achy but I expected that going in.   I am really starting to like running with friends.

Thursday/ Friday- Rest  Both of these days are a huge blur truthfully.   I worked and ate cookies.  More on that below.

Saturday- 13 miles- 11:16 pace  Going into this weekend, I knew I was overly tired, stressed and emotional.   I had originally planned for a 14 mile long run and a 6 mile easy run.  By Friday evening, I had decided that anything I did was more than fine even if I chose to do nothing at all.   That said, I headed out to attempt a long run early Saturday morning.  8:30 is early to me.

  
I was a little stiff the first few miles but soon loosened up.  Per usual, crossing the bridge was my fastest mile-9:48.  Slightly slower though as I had to detour through the Albertson’s parking lot due to road construction.    Miles 6, 8 and 11 were real struggles.  My pace dropped into the high 11 minute range.    I wasn’t 100% present.   By mile 8, I had also confirmed that my Nike’s are not long run shoes.  11 miles in and I was adjusting my stride because it felt like my entire right arch was turning into one huge blister.   Part of me wanted to stop and check but I was also afraid to.  My stomach cramped really badly in mile 12 and I walked most of it.   I recovered for mile 13 but I was thankful I had called for a pick up.   13 was way farther than I thought I was going to get in.  And my arch?  Completely fine.   I don’t get it, I felt like my skin was on fire.

 

Better shoe choice
 
Sunday- 4.2 miles   This was intended to be a run/walk with my mom.   It was a very warm day and we headed out in the afternoon so I knew it was going to be slower.    And it really was- in fact I only ran about 1/4 of a mile.   My left knee felt off and my left groin? area felt tight.    I decided walking was just fine.  I was outside, my legs were moving and I could use it to help me get used to the warmer weather.

All in all, not a bad running week.    I actually got in more miles than I thought I would.   I am going to call that a win for the week.

Life-  Sometimes real life rears its head.  I admit that I don’t deal well when that happens.   My family has been dealing with some bad news, but part of that was waiting for the inevitable, final bad news.    The last few weeks have all blurred, I got all clenched up every time I saw my cell phone ring.   That call came Friday.  I’m still not processing well.  I don’t know when I will.

That’s not really how I wanted to end this post but I seem to have written my way into a corner.   At least for now.

How was your week?

Anyone race this weekend?

Tell me something shiny!!

 

 

2016 Firehouse 5K Recap

I love this race but I knew going in I was unprepared.   I don’t think I’ve ever been prepared for this race.  Even know what is coming doesn’t help.  I thought I was last year but it ended up being slower than the previous 2 years.  Oops.  The last few months I have been more focused on getting in the long runs than I have speed work.  I’ve done 1 speed workout this year, 1.   Guess it’s a good thing this is not a PR possible race for me.

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Packet pick up was a breeze.  The town is on my way home so it was easy to stop by the day before and pick it up.  New this year- no bibs just a shirt.   Our county has odd rules about what makes a race versus a fun run and that can affect the permits.  I was fine with not having a bib as they never really mattered in this race.    The race is gun timed not chip timed and times are recorded via post card handed to you as you cross the finish line.   The race is almost free ($25!) and the money raised by the firehouse goes to local charities.   

post race

 Race morning dawned early and dreary.   Cloudy but no rain, I’ll take it!    Since the race is short and close, my dad usually comes too so we all headed out early.    My legs were still feeling the cramps from Thursday so I though about running a short warm up but I was afraid it would hurt.   The sun started to come out as we all lined up.  After getting stuck in the back last year, I had learned my lesson and moved up to the front.  After a few announcements from the race director, we were off!

Mile 1-

The race starts with 1/2 mile on neighborhood streets before we hit the trail.    My legs were feeling pretty good actually and my lungs were happy which surprised me as I ran an 8:30 pace for that portion.  Then we hit the trail, passed the one water station, and started climbing.   The trail is single track and switch backs up the hill for a 1/4 mile.  I ran 2, then walked 2 and repeated until we were out of that section.  I passed some people and some passed me.  My lungs were on fire.  I ran without music and all I could hear was my breathing.  It sounded more like panting.   I also realized I was overdressed and lost the top layer.  Then I just kept trucking.   11:22

Mile 2-

Just keep climbing, just keep moving.  I passed a few people but then got stuck behind some people walking.  I could have tried to pass but I honestly didn’t think I had enough in me to pass and then maintain.  I wasn’t going to be one of those people who surges around and then comes to a stop.     I stayed behind the pack until we hit the teardrop.   The tear drop is a tiny out and back we run at the top.  Except it’s not the top.  There’s one more climb and it’s steep and short.   From mile .6-1.5, we gained 500+ feet.   I happened to see my lap pace at the top of the mountain and it said 18:something.  What?!

Time for my favorite part- the downhill.   I seriously throw myself down the mountain.   Which is what trashes my quads but I don’t care.  I did keep it a little calmer as there is a marathon looming in a few months though.  ☺  I only skidded out twice.   However the damage was done,  I maybe should have passed earlier.  12:25

 

To the finish!
 

Mile 3-

More downhill- woo hoo!!   At this point I was hauling but I knew there was one last hill lurking.   I took a walk break on the hill but overall maintained until the last downhill where I tried to open it up.  Unfortunately I was hung up behind some people and it took a bit until the trail was wide enough for them to get over so the person in front of me and I could pass.    Then it was out of the park, back on the streets and trying to finish strong.  I won’t lie, I was tired.   The finish line seemed so far away.  9:45

Finish- 34:23

I felt like I was crawling to the finish but my watch claims I was running an 8:20.  I crossed the line and my legs were shaking.   I was smiling but I was whipped.   I noticed that my index card said 52- so I was about 15 people further up in the field than I was last year.  I put my name on the card and checked my watch as I left the chute.   Well crap, I was slower than last year by almost 30 seconds.  Yay for a course worst!!    I am not mad, a little bummed but I love this race and just running it was awesome.    I know a few places I could have shaved some time but it wouldn’t have changed how I felt about this race.   I will be back for more pain next year.   ☺

And major shout out to this woman-

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Meet Peggy.  She ran the race in full turn out gear.   That would be bad ass at any race but this was a mountain!   She does it to raise money to fight cancer.   4 days later and I am still sore.  How does she feel?!

See you gain next year, Firehouse.  Maybe I will be fully prepared.   😛

 

 

Week 15 Training Recap

Upcoming races– Firehouse 5K (this week!!)
SLO Marathon 13.1

Focus– Take it easy and bump it up to 4 days of running

Maybe it was something in the air or the water but this week kicked my trash.    I haven’t been sleeping well and that hasn’t helped matters any.   I was so tired most days I ordered a coffee and a soda most mornings.   Not the best, I know.  Towards the end of the week, I made a choice about my stomach meds and that threw some things out of whack as well.  I was also feeling very hermit like this week and I ended up bailing on all my public involved plans.  #horribleslacker

Running was rough but I hit the days I set out to.  Last week was the week of the my first 16 miler attempt and this was the week where I stepped it up to 4 days a week.   In retrospect, I should have scheduled those 4 days better.  

Monday- 3.5 miles I ran on a Monday!  Say what?!  I was supposed to have plans later in the week, so I decided to run on Monday.    I also ran in some new shorts that I had picked up over the weekend.  I have to get over my sudden phobia of running in shorts in public somehow right?  Even if it means buying a bigger size.  😭   The run was average if anything.  I wasn’t sore after the 16 miler but my legs felt tired.  I headed to the lake path for a few easy laps.  I kept the pace slow and easy and just tried to enjoy running.  However I had shoe issues.  I started out in my Launch’s thinking the extra cushion would be a good thing right?   My calves tightened up so badly, I changed my shoes 2 laps into the run.   Luckily I had my Nike’s in the car as well.   I made sure to stretch really well after my run.

Tuesday- Rest This was a rough day at work and a big part of me wanted to run it out.  However I was trying to rest my legs after the previous days issues.    It was also the lovely shattered make up morning.

Wednesday- Rest– I wanted to run after work, I had everything packed.   I had a meeting in SLO in the morning.   Part way through the meeting my head started to hurt.  By the time I got back to work, I had a full on migraine.  I still told myself I was running after work.  Around 4:30, I realized that just wasn’t going to happen.   I wanted pizza, then comfy clothes and a dark room and an ice pack.    So I did just that.  

Thursday- 4.5 miles– Ouch, ouch, ouch, damn it.   Another run in the Launch’s and a ouch filled 4.5 miles.  I probably should have called it sooner but I was stubborn.  I kept stopping and stretching out my calves.   No luck.   I was thisclose to taking my shoes off and finishing the run barefoot.    But instead, I went back to my car, then home to stretch.  It was probably payback for not going to the work social thing that I was supposed to that evening.

I don’t know if it was the shoes or what but I woke up in the middle of the night with the worst cramp in my left leg.  I damn near screamed.  It was like a charlie horse all over my calf.   I felt like I had barely dozed off when it happened again- in the right leg.  WTF?!

Friday- Rest– Ha! Standing in the morning and walking around was real fun.  My upper calves were so painful and tight from the cramps.   Compression socks can be had to conceal at work but thankfully it was a casual Friday.  And I pushed it to the limit when I wore my old dark blue Pureflow’s with my jeans.  I meant to change them, I really did but never did.  So bad.  

Saturday- Firehouse 5K, 3.75 walk– First 5K of the year!  It was rough, no lies, recap will be up on Wednesday.   I tried to get ahead of the soreness I knew was coming by heading out for a walk later that day.   I could tell that I was getting super stiff already.   I was really hoping the walk would make things better.  I also missed another social situation- this one was family related.  #horribleslacker 

Blue skies ahead, storm clouds behind
 

Sunday- 7.5 miles– Oh my quad.  Serious ouch!  Full disclosure- I have never run the day after Firehouse.  I usually take 2-3 days off, sometimes 4, I’m that sore.   I ventured out Sunday morning for a long run.  I was hoping for 10 miles but I knew that was unlikely.    My quads were so tight, my feet hurt and my knees were sore.  Throw in 90% plus humidity and this run was Rough.  I slogged my way through 7.5 miles.   I welcomed any break so when some cyclists needed directions, I was more than happy to.  ☺  7.5 is better than none right?

All in all, it wasn’t a bad week.  The runs weren’t the best but I got them done.  The mileage was a little lower than I would have liked but I knew that was likely with Firehouse in the mix.  It’s suddenly dawned on me that SLO is only 3 weeks away.  How did that happen?   I feel unprepared, I’m not ready!  I need more time.  So this week, I am just going to keep my head down and just keep running.    Hopefully the soreness will ease up and I can have a decent week of running.   And foam rolling, I really need to do that more. 😛

How was your week?

Ever get horrible cramps in the middle of the night?

Have you ever had a week where you just wanted to be a hermit?

Friday, Finally

Friday– oh you are so pretty.

It’s been a coffee and soda kind of week.  This week has me like-

  
Tuesday for example- You know it’s going to be a rough day when you drop your brand new foundation bottle on the floor.  The glass bottle.  On a tile floor.   I felt like I watched it in slow motion as it shattered.   Yeah, that was fun.

Considering how stressed and hormonal crappy I’ve felt this week, I haven’t gone completely crazy with the food.  But it’s cookie Friday and it’s the new bakery.  I can’t decide if that is going to an uh-oh or a good thing.  

Running has only been so so this week but I got it done.    My right ankle is a little achy. Not cool.    I think another pair of shoes and I need to break up.   This is getting ridiculous.    Odd aches aside, I’ve had some great scenery to enjoy.⬆️  

I have a 5K on Saturday.  I haven’t run a race in 2 months.  I think I forgot how.   I haven’t raced a 5k since September.  I’m gonna hurt.  Did I mention it’s up a mountain?  And the forecast calls for rain? Rain on the mountain.   Yay.   Now I am glad it’s only 3 miles.    But, in all honesty I love this race.   This will be my 4th time running it.    I need to remind myself of that when I can’t walk on Sunday.  Or Monday.  Maybe Tuesday.

How was your week?

Ever had the day where you should have just stayed in bed?

Bets on my ability to not eat all the cookies?