Category: Run!

February Recap- Realizations

Well, that didn’t go according to plan.

Miles– 59.8 run
29 Miles Stationary bike

Originally I was planning to ramp up training for SLO post Surf City. Speed work was going to make its first appearance this year and I was going to force myself to be a grown up and go run on the treadmill. But, my lungs had other plans. With 5 rest days leading up to Surf City and the 6 days following it, I missed out on a lot of running time. And bike time, somehow I kind of forgot about the bike. I see it on a daily basis but I only rode it 3 times. Umm, oops?

So back to those pesky lungs. I closed out February with a follow up at my doctor. My chest x-ray came back clear. So the current theory is to blame El Nino. No, seriously. The El Nino weather systems have wreaked havoc on those with seasonal allergies. So we haven’t yet seen the buckets of rain that were promised but hay fever and other assorted issues are in overdrive for everyone. So, I have a shiny new rescue inhaler and still have to use a heavy duty, daily inhaler twice a day. My thyroid is also messed up, so I have a new medication there as well. Seriously, I am beginning to think I need one of those AM/PM pill containers just to keep it all straight. Stupid stomach, whiny lungs and a lazy thyroid? Grrr.

I also had some realizations in February. I don’t remember exactly when I started running but my first race was in September of 2010. So 5+ years of running and 16 half marathons later and I only just now realized that I suck at long runs. For once I am not referring to the pace or the number of walk breaks, I mean doing the runs themselves. If you had asked me I would have sworn up and down that I did a few 10 milers each training cycle and some 11 milers. Ha!! Remember in January when I ran what I said was my slowest 10 miler ever? Something about that statistic on Smash Run made me do some research. It claimed that it was my slowest 10 miler coming in at #13. 13? That didn’t seem right. So after Sunday’s more successful 10 miler I looked into my stats on the Garmin. Then Nike+.

Holy crap, in 5 years of running I’ve only run 15 10 milers? 2 11 milers and 2 12 mile runs. And I call myself a runner? A few years ago I know I used to split my long runs up but I really doubt they would make those numbers look any better. Well, that was a wake up call. I didn’t think I was that bad of a Slacker. #facepalm Do people still do that?

So, I am chalking February up as a learning experience. Or the clearing of the fog of denial I was living in. Moving into March I would like to work on making the run a consistent occurrence. Which is necessary as I have a 16 mile run on the training plan for the beginning of April. I conveniently ignored that box on the plan during last years SLO race prep. March also brings the start of daylight savings. Which means the lake path is back in play and speed work may actually happen on a somewhat consistent basis. We’ll see how the lungs hold up. Fingers crossed!

How was your February? Any plans for March?

Am I just a huge Slacker?

Ever faced a sad running realization?

Training Week 9 Recap

Upcoming Races- Wine Country 13.1?
SLO Marathon 13.1

Focus– Just like last week- Just keep running, just keep running.

This week felt insane but I am not sure why. Work was a little crazy, trying to get all the month end stuff done, giving reviews, etc but I’ve had worse. It just seemed to take a lot out of me this week. I swear I had trouble finishing sentences. I feel like I need a vacation but I’ve booked most of my vacation time this year around races. So yay but boo at the same time?

Monday- Rest For some reason, I can’t remember much about Monday. I even just checked my food log to see if there was something exciting. Nope.

Tuesday- 3.5 miles The original plan was to work a half day as I work on Saturday. However, one of the employees was feeling poorly so they went home and I stayed. Luckily my gym bag is double prepared so I had clothes to run in work town after getting off. While the marine layer stayed back, a definite haze had rolled in. My lungs did not appreciate it at all. I tried to keep the pace super easy but I was still wheezing by the end. But I was able to enjoy that sunset so score! I also had an irrational moment of tsunami panic but I got over it. We’d had an earthquake earlier in the day, the tide was farther out than I had ever seen it and not a single bird or sea lion was making a peep of noise. Like I said, irrational moment.

Wednesday- Rest day. Pizza day- woot woot!

Thursday- 5.5 mile “run”/ 7 mile stationary bike Miserable, straight up miserable. I took my rescheduled half day and I was hoping to get in my long run so I could just focus on a short run over the weekend. I like to move things around when I work on Saturday. I changed at work and drove back to home town. I had an 11 mile route mapped out and was looking forward to running. But it sucked from the get go. I couldn’t seem to get started and when I did, all I did was wheeze. I couldn’t keep any sort of pace. 2 miles in I switched to run/walk intervals. Except I couldn’t even maintain a run for 4:30. So another mile in, I changed it a 3:00 run. Nope, still couldn’t do it.

I couldn’t decide if I should call it or just keep pushing and stop being a baby. Where is the line between pushing and giving up? I told myself to just get to the next big corner and I could take a seat on the bench there and figure things out. Except there was no bench when I got there. It was too much, I plopped my ass in grass on the corner and damn near cried. I was done. I sat there for 15 minutes before finally mustering up the will power to shuffle- run the mile+ back to my car. I couldn’t even maintain a run going downhill. My feet hurt, my knees hurt, I couldn’t breathe, my legs were rubbing together uncomfortably and my shorts were riding up. I was 1/2 mile-ish shy of my car when I hit 5.5 and that was it. I turned off my Garmin and stood there for a bit. Then I took off my shoes and jogged the remainder in my socks because why not? I was hot (it was 80), tired and cranky. This was one of those runs that made wonder what I was even doing. I went home, and jumped on the bike for some miles to try and ride out the cranky-ness.

Friday- Rest Glorious. I was still frustrated after the previous day.

Saturday- Rest I think this was second most chaotic Saturday that I have worked. I was literally turning people away because I could not help them, we were so busy. I considered attempting my long run again in the afternoon but passed instead. I ran my errands, ate dinner with the family and then took my mom to the movies. We were leaning towards seeing Race but I was also trying not to think about running. We saw Deadpool. And it shows my demented sense of humor that I thought it awesome and hilarious. I can’t remember the last time I laughed like that at a movie.

Sunday- 10 miles Long run attempt 2. The plan was to head out in the morning and meet up with my mother around mile 6. That way if it sucked again I had a large walk break to look forward to. I had also stashed my Brooks in her car so I could change into them if the Nike’s were giving me grief. I slept a little longer than planned so I was rushing to get out the door. I considered putting it off until the afternoon but the more I thought about the long run, the more it stressed me out. I also realized I probably wasn’t going to pull off 6 before I met up with my mother.

I took a slightly longer walk warm up and then just tried to run easy. I turned off the run/walk intervals and changed the Garmin screen to just the clock. I took walk breaks when I felt like I needed them and just kept going. I cut the first part of the run to 5.5 miles so I could make sure I was at the meeting point in time. I also lost 5 minutes at 3 stoplights. The only split I really saw was right after I ran the bridge- 9:15. Typical, I hate running the bridge and tend speed up when I run it.

I wasn’t feeling horrible but it wasn’t all sunshine and daisies so the 1/2 mile walk break with my mom was kind of awesome. Then I picked up the pace to finish my run before meeting my mother back at her car for lunch. I just kept trying to run easy and walked when I needed to. And I tried to not think about the fact that I was now running the same route where I have had 2 blow ups on long runs in the past month. I finished down on the river path and was glad to be done. I was glad I had followed through and made myself get out of bed for my run. And it didn’t suck!! It did not feel easy but I stayed calm and watched my breathing and just kept running. 7 out of the 10 miles were all in the 10 min range which for me is very consistent. Yes, I consider all 60 seconds in that range to be consistent. Long run success!

Low carb– I would say I was around 65/35%. Not too bad. I did feel better for most of the week, so I need to keep on cutting back on the carbs. Cookies got the best of me last week. Oops.

This week was a little all over the place. Work was crazy and I think I went a little crazy as well. Hopefully I can keep my head on straight this week. Fingers crossed!!!

How was your week?

At what point do you decide a run is not worth it?

Guilty….

but then again, not really. I had a post mostly formed about insecurities and doubts but I am in an oddly good mood today and don’t want to spoil it. So, I’m gonna hold onto that one ok?

Like I said, oddly enough I am in a good mood. Not sure why, this week feels like it has been 10 days long already, Tuesday’s run was hard on the lungs and I’ve been hollered and lectured. But, like I said, odd good mood. The shoe can drop later, until then let’s talk about guilty pleasures.

Pizza– Duh, of course I was going to start here. Wednesday has kind of turned into my cheat pizza night. Last week, I was disappointed. I went to the usual place but the pizza was just meh. Kind of too saucy and not very warm. Boo. This week, they made up for it. Also, when this account follows you on Twitter, it may be a sign that you talk about pizza too much-

White chocolate macadamia nut cookies– How have I never had one before?! You’ve probably heard me mention that we have cookie Friday for the customers at work. We are contemplating switching bakeries, so of course we have to try them all out. 😛 Seriously, this cookie was so good!

Sunsets– I mean look at this!!!! The run might have been rough and my lungs were pissed but look at that view! I also had a few tidal wave fears on this run but that’s not the point. (earthquake and no birds= creepy silence). Sadly, I sometimes forget that scenes like this are right outside the door at work. Seriously, I can see the harbor from the sidewalk.

TV– I have odd taste in TV shows. Seriously between Teen Wolf and Downton Abbey– I think I run the gamut. They both air on nights when I am usually trying to type up a blog post. I spend more time staring at the tv screen than I do typing. At least I can say I finally have somewhat of a clue as to what is going in Teen Wolf. I was lost for like half the freakin’ season. And I promise it’s not as cheesy as it sounds. But let’s not talk about what else I watch right now.

My training journal– ok, this is actual guilt. I haven’t written in my training journal since the second week of January. Oops? I am so bad at keeping those!

Online shopping– Seriously, I browse websites all the time. I put things in my cart all the time. Then I let them sit there. I can’t remember the last time I completed a purchase.

Races– Like most of you, I want to run all the races!!! But I procrastinate registration, partly because I am gun shy but partly because I am lazy. But, guess who registered for Rock n Roll LA on the first day it opened? This Slacker did! Dude, that’s in October! I’m running it with Ashley and Heather and it’s gonna rock!!

And I thought I had more but I’ve forgotten what they were, oops!

How has your week been?

What was your guilty pleasure?

Training Week 8 Recap

Upcoming race– SLO 13.1- May 1

Focus– Just keep running, just keep running.

This week was an improvement over last week. Since ignoring my little lung issue for pretty much all of January, I am trying to pay more attention to how I am feeling and actually listen this time. I am also refocusing on eating a low carb diet but more on that later.

Monday- Rest I had the day off and I usually like to run on those days but instead I rested. I had my doctor’s appointment followed by a chest x-ray. Yay for the labs being open on a holiday.

Tuesday- 3.4 miles The fallen tree run. 🙂 Another day avoiding the treadmill and running from work.

Wednesday- Rest It was also my cheat day for pizza. Sadly, it wasn’t as good as it usually is. Boo.

Thursday- 3.1 miles I had a meeting at the end of the day but on the upside it was in home town! I was able to make it home before 5, sweet! I planned on changing quickly and heading out for a run. However the dog had other plans. She went nuts over someone in the neighbors yard. It took me 15 minutes to corral her. Once running, I realized I had overestimated how much time I had until the sun set. Oops. And because I had been frazzled by the dog I had left my flashlight behind. Double oops. Even though the run was shorter than I had hoped it was a pretty good one. Again, I tried to keep my pace slow and easy. It’s kind of sad that mile 3 was around 10:00 min. pace and it felt like it was at tempo pace.

Friday- Rest Work was stressful and I was so glad to see the end of the day.

Saturday- 10.93 miles With Heather! Heather, Ashley and I have been trying to meet up and we made it work on Saturday. Ashley couldn’t join us for the run but we met up with her later. I met up with Heather early on Saturday morning to run one of her routes. I apologized from the start that I was going to be slow and wasn’t sure how far my lungs were going to let me get. I was hoping for 10. We set out at a comfortable pace and just kept trucking. I don’t usually run with people so I was concerned that I wouldn’t be able to talk and run at the same time. I don’t think I did too bad! The route was nice, we ran along parts of hwy 1 and streets in Pismo. Running past the cinnamon roll store was brutal- it smelled so good!! My lungs held up well on the way out but got fussy on the way back. I had to take more than a few walk breaks, boo. My legs and my body felt fine but every now and then I just had to slow down, it became too difficult to get in air. I kept apologizing for slowing down. But we finished! Back to the cars at 10.93 miles. I laughed over the mileage.

From there we cleaned up a bit before heading over to meet Ashley for brunch. We met at Custom House and I had heard really good things about their churro style french toast. So even though it broke all the diet rules, I had to try it right? Sadly, I wasn’t blown away. The bacon was amazing though. Know what else was amazing? Lunch with friends! We caught up on what’s been going on and planned some fun race trips for the future.

Sunday- Rest Ummm, I took a 2 hour nap. Can’t decide if it was an oops or awesome.

So other than I seemed to forget all about the bike this week, it was a pretty solid week. I was able to get in some decent miles that didn’t leave me hating either myself or running after. Looking to this week, the plan is to keep running easy and just take each run as it comes. I also need to get back on the bike and get in some miles there as well.

Food– I stopped talking about my diet for a while because let’s be honest- I wasn’t low carb or paleo at all. However in the hope of keeping myself accountable, I am going to start sharing a little recap on these posts. I am working on transitioning back to a lower carb lifestyle. With pizza thrown in once a week of course. This week was pretty good- I would say I was around 55/45%. Which doesn’t sound great but it’s epically better than I was previously. I also had a donut last week. When one of the company presidents makes a special trip to bring your location donuts- you eat them!

How was your week?

The Jury’s Still Out

Before I get to the boring medical stuff, how’s this for a roadblock-

That thing is huge!   And was standing 2 weeks ago.   Wonder when that came down.

Why do I hope for answers from a doctors appointment when those have been so rare in the past? Particularly from this doctor. The only time I have ever seen him show any kind of emotion or urgency was when I was attacked by a dog a few years ago. Anyways, after a scheduling headache last week, I was able to see my doctor on Monday. He ordered a chest x-ray and some blood work and gave me a snazzy new inhaler to try. Instead of a rescue inhaler, it’s a daily use inhaler. Boo, I’m so over medications. My medicine drawer is looking a little crowded. But, I would like to run without gasping for air. Also, a rush at work shouldn’t leave me feeling winded. So hopefully these tests will shine at least a little light on what’s been going on.

That being said, I had a pretty good run on Tuesday. I took the Nike Free RN’s for another little test spin. I set out to run super slow. I was hoping I could maintain a slow, easy pace without any walk breaks. I was running from work so I was a little concerned about the humidity but I was hoping a nice and sloooow pace would keep my breathing under control. This route is not conducive to a slow start though-

I kept my pace calm and just kept trucking. I was feeling ok and enjoying the sunset on the ocean. I was also debating if I wanted to run 3 or 4 miles. I had gotten out of work a little later so the sun was setting quickly. I had remembered my flashlight though and I had my blinky lights on my belt. I love the turn around point for the 4 mile route but thought 3 might be the better idea as the return to my car is always slower. I was feeling sluggish but ok and was going to push for 4 when the roadblock pictured up top put a stop to that. Boo. I never quite realized how damn big the trees in the eucalyptus grove were before. I’m glad I wasn’t running when it came down!

I made it back to my car just before total darkness fell. One bonus about starting so slow? I negative split this route for the first time ever! #findtheshiny right?

How has your week been going?

Ever run into a roadblock like that?