Category: Run!

Well, that was a hot one

Happy Daylight Savings Time!!!  You know, I hated this day before I was a runner.  Not I count down the days until it comes.  🙂

Not only was Friday a rest day but it was just one of those days.   It started with a 4:30 AM text and went on from there.  It left me feeling harried all day and that can sometimes make me crave crappy food.  And I indulged.  A few too many of these ↓ followed by pizza for dinner.

Danger!!!!
Danger!!!!

I had planned my long run for Saturday morning, I had been thinking 9-11ish.  I was giving myself 2 hours to run 10 miles; I knew I wouldn’t use the full 2 hours but I wanted to make sure that I took it easy.  Well, 9 turned into 9:40.  I have been trying to train myself to sleep differently and it’s not going so well.  🙂   I finally headed out the door after making the last minute decision to lose the long sleeves.

The first 3 miles were solid even if my body was telling me that it did not appreciate the pizza for dinner the night before.  It was warmer than I had expected so I was glad I was running in a tank and shorts.   I planned my route the night before but as I passed the cemetery the first time I saw that they were setting up for a service.  I try not to run by when they are having a service, sometimes I can’t avoid it, so then I slow down to a crawl and try to be super quiet.  Today though, I could see it so I knew I had to change my route.    I had planned on doing a hill loop twice so instead I added a third.    By the third pass I was getting tired, it was getting hotter and I was only at 6.5 miles.   One of my former co-workers lives on that street and the first 2 times I ran down, her husband was outside.  I thought about saying hi but figured he would have no idea who I was.  Third time back down, she was outside too.  Yay for a break!!!  I stopped and we chatted a bit.  It was a good little rest.thelongrun

After saying our goodbyes, I headed off to finish my run.  Of course, stupid pride makes you run faster when you think someone you know is watching, haha!!!     I was also still trying to figure out the route in my head so I threw in another half of the same hill loop; 3/4 of the way up, there is another option for coming back down.    I then headed back towards home.  It was hot and it was getting rough.  By mile 9 I was done.   I ran out of Gatorade at that point as well.  I have never run out water or Gatorade before.   I dragged myself through mile 10 and shut off my Garmin.  I was still half a mile from my house and was trying to remember if the grocery store 2 blocks away had a water fountain.

3-8-14The weather had started in the low 60’s but by the end of my run it was almost 80.    I have run in much hotter temps  before but for some reason, I was not prepared for yesterday.  It kicked my butt.  It also burned through my sunblock, my back is a lovely shade of red.  I made it home and went straight for the water.  Then a little chocolate milk and 2 bottles of Nuun.

recoveryI then managed to clean my car, finally.  My mother had a tennis match yesterday and she wanted to show her team the puppy.  So I picked up the puppy and took her for a ride.  She was a little confused at first, but overall very well behaved.   She wasn’t prepared for stop signs though, and tumbled off the seat at the first one- oops!!!

Puppy Ride!
Puppy Ride!

I rounded out the day by doing the usual errands and topped it all off by watching Catching Fire, again.    Today was mostly chill, I took the puppy for another puppy jog- 3 miles in 56 minutes.  She was a little slower today but much better behaved.  She only barked at one car.  🙂

I am excited for the daylight time to run this week after work.  It’s also inspection time at work, so I may have the need to run off some stress.  🙂   And my first half of the year is just two weeks from today!

How were your weekends?

Ever had a run turn out to be way warmer than planned?

A Pretty Slog

Since I have come to the conclusion that I have troubles with taking it easy, I headed to the gym on Wednesday evening.    I need to work on controlling my pace better when running outside but for the purposes of this run I relied on the treadmill.  That is one good thing about the bore-mill’s,  I made sure to never go above a 6.2 the whole time and spent a few minutes warming up as well.    4.5 miles in 45 minutes.   It should have been 5 miles but I just wasn’t feeling it.   Which is kind of funny because by the time I did my cool down I was at 5 anyways.  What I don’t understand is why treadmills feel so hard?  The belt is doing some of the moving for you but it just seems 5x harder.   I know that a lot of people share this opinion but I really wonder why?

I wore the Adrenaline‘s yesterday and they felt pretty good.  Tonight’s run was in the Wave Riders.   They felt great however the run did not.    The weather was gorgeous if windy and I was excited all day to get a solid 4 miles.    Plus I was looking forward to trying out my new toy-

It's a Flip Belt!!!!!!
It’s a Flip Belt!!!!!!

Amazing shipping, I ordered it late Sunday night and it arrived yesterday.    I have been eying it for a few months and finally decided to just buy it.   It is heavier than I thought it would be but I was hoping that wouldn’t be noticeable on.   And for the most part it wasn’t.  My phone fit in it with the case on perfectly.  It was also easy to get it in and out to take pictures.    It was a little awkward with my pepper spray so I just kept that in my hand while running.  Which is fine for shorter runs but that will be trickier when I carry water.    I will be testing that this weekend on my long run, a long, slow run.  (No race for me this weekend.)    I am not forming an opinion on the belt just yet.   🙂

soprettyTonight’s run was rough.  Just rough.   I decided to run the route from work, hoping for a good 4 miles.    It started off downhill like always but into a stiff headwind.  Ugh.  I felt like I was running through a swamp.   I was hoping it would get better when I rounded the corner– no such luck.   Less wind but still swampy.   It never really seemed to click.  I turned around at the 1.5 mile mark and headed back.  My goal was to take it easy this week anyways, right?

That's actually pretty good
That’s actually pretty good

Once I made it back to my car, I checked my Garmin and noticed that my pace actually was pretty good.   I guess I just wasn’t feeling this run.  It made last night’s treadmill run seem good.  🙂  Maybe I should have only planned on running 3 days this week and not 4 after last weeks rest and recovery time.   My legs felt so heavy; nothing hurt which is great, it was just funky.    My long run this weekend will be between 8-10 miles and I am planning on crawling… Really.  I am shooting for distance over pace this weekend.   I will rest tomorrow and one of the weekend days.  Who am I kidding, Friday is always a rest day – 🙂

sunset centerToday’s run may have been rough, but at least I was out there.  Plus the view was awesome, so no complaints there.   Now, I am ready for Friday!

Who else is ready for Friday?

Who is racing this weekend? LA?

Anyone else counting the hours until Daylight Savings Time???

5k to Start March

Sunday was one of those overcast, slightly rainy but still really wet days.  The ones that just make you want to curl up inside with a nice warm blanket and a good book.   We rarely get that in California, so I decided to take advantage of it.    Plus with my less than graceful self, I figured I would still manage to find a way to fall even if it wasn’t pouring.

Yesterday was actually a pretty good day, no Monday blues in sight.   I packed my stuff so that I could run right after work.   My first run in 7 days and a chance to test my new shoes.  A heavy marine layer had rolled in by the end of work, so I decided to turn the planned 4 miles into 3.  It was darker than I had hoped for, but even 3 is better than last week! rockview

The shoes were ok.  They definitely have more cushion than I am used to.   So much in fact, that I had troubles with the gas pedal on the way home.  🙂    The right shoe still feels abnormally loose but I am hoping I can adjust.   Overall my legs felt good, maybe a little too good because my pace was faster than it should have been.   The only thing that really annoyed me during my was that my belt kept sliding down.  I had to yank it back up every half mile. 3-3-14

I finished a little over a 5k and then forced myself to walk around the block again as a cool down before stretching out.  I am trying to be smarter now.  Anyone want to place bets on how long that lasts?   Tonight, I packed my stuff for the gym but did not want to run, I wanted to give my legs a break since yesterday was less than easy.   I told myself I would do a few miles on the stationary bike.  But I was totally looking for an excuse not to go, and it came!  I ended up staying another hour at work with IT.  Thanks pesky computers!

sunset3After driving home, I did complete a stretching program and some push ups.  I attempted a plank or 2 but that was just an epic fail.  🙂   I am planning on a few more miles tomorrow but haven’t decided when or where yet.   So this brings my total for the Around the World Running Blog Relay to a spectacular 5k.  Woo hoo!!!!

I had a minor panic attack today when I checked my Facebook feed.  There was a post reminding me that I only have 18 days until Wine Country Half.  Yikes!!!!  I’m not ready!!!!  I need to get my training back on track, not only for this but for the SLO Marathon weekend too.   Where did the time go?   There is a 5K race that I was going to run on Saturday but I am on the fence.  It’s kind of pricey for a local 5k and I need to do a long, slow run.  I have to decide by tomorrow because that is the last day to register.  Decisions, decisions.

While today may have been National Pancake day, I did not have pancakes today.  😦  However, I did have breakfast for dinner- scrambled eggs and cinnamon rolls.  So yummy.

I still have a discount code for the SLO Marathon,anyone want to come join me?

Who ate pancakes today?

How did everyone’s week start?

February Recap

February ended with a whimper.  I did not get in a run on Thursday like I hoped.  I decided that another rest day was smarter than just trying to add to my monthly mile total.    Plus by some freak chance of nature, the mileage came out perfectly even and I decided that was pretty cool-

The numbers geek in me is smiling :)
The numbers geek in me is smiling 🙂

Mileage- 70 Miles
Races- Super Fun Run 5k and Heart & Soles 10K  both of which ended up being way harder than planned.

Friday I was prepared for a 12 hour work day but it only ended up being 10ish.   No complaints here.  🙂   Everything got done (hopefully) and we were home free.    Our area has been pummeled by rain the last few days.  While I’m not complaining because we desperately need it, driving in it is not so much fun, even less so at night.  Turn on your headlights people!!!

This made me smile
This made me smile

Today’s weather was more of the same but that didn’t stop me from heading to SLO for a little shopping, good food, and a trip to the Running Warehouse.    Lunch was the usual yumminess, and I was able to show restraint when shopping.  For the most part, I did buy two new pairs of running shorts.   🙂  You can never have too many right?   Plus it occurred to me that I didn’t own a pair of black shorts, how did I let that happen?  Problem resolved.

The Warehouse was packed.  I had hoped that the rain would keep the crowds down, but I should have know better.  We runners are crazy, right?   I knew I was going to take awhile, so I was ok waiting.  I had come prepared and I had both my Inspire’s and my Wave Rider’s with me.   I explained everything to the guy who helped me.  I am pretty sure he has helped me before and he seems super knowledgeable and friendly.  I then ran on the treadmill in both of my current shoes.  I still over-pronate but only on the right foot.  The shoes didn’t make a giant difference either.    Apparently I do things backwards, my right foot is smaller than my left and also has a higher arch.  But it is my left that hurts.    Truthfully, it feels like my shin splints used to, so I know ramping up my mileage and pace were factors.  I am also come to realize that my left glute is weaker than it should be.  Which is kind of hilarious actually, not only am I a Slacker but I have a lazy ass to prove it.   🙂

After the treadmill test it was time to try on shoes.  All the shoes!!  Haha, just 4 pairs.  I tried on the following- Mizuno Wave Inspire 10, Asics Something or other, Brooks Transcend and Brooks Adrenaline 14.     I guess that tells you how the Asics worked out.   🙂  The toe box pinched in a way I did not think I would get used to.   Whereas the toe box in the Transcend felt huge, plus the price tag was a little steep.  The Inspire’s felt ok but not great.  The Adrenaline’s felt loose but more cushioned.   Each time I tried on a pair of shoes, I ran up and down the concrete walkway outside the building.  I am sure the people in the cycle store thought I was looney.   I have seen people doing it before but never have.  I felt like a weirdo but it was better than the treadmill.

I mentioned that the right Adrenaline felt very loose.  He tied my shoe in a way I had never seen that made it super snug.  They called it shoe-doo (shoe +voodoo).   I was torn, I wanted to stick with Mizuno out of principle and I had a knee jerk reaction to the Adrenaline’s.    Probably because the very first pair of running shoes I ever owned were Brooks Adrenaline.    In the end, I went with the cushioning and chose the Brooks.  As long as they work out, my shoe rotation will now be the Adrenaline’s and the Wave Rider’s.   So long to the pink Inspire’s that have not been so friendly.

photo 1My mother was with me and I took so long that the new Brooks Cascadia caught her eye.   She’s had the previous two versions.   She tried them on and loved them, so she left with shoes too.  I then treated her to dinner at Woodstock’s.  Today was my cheat day, so yum!

So very amazing
So very amazing

I didn’t make it home in time to run today.  It was already dark and my gym closes early on Saturdays.   I am anxious to finally get back out there tomorrow.  Both because I am getting twitchy and to try out the shoes.   I am hoping for a break in the rain because I would like to test them outside and not have them turn into a giant mud ball.    I need to get back into training!

Who raced today?

Anyone else ever feel like they are cheating on their shoes?

Slight Stumbling Block

Happy Hump Day!!!!  Although by the time this is posted, it may be Thursday.  🙂 Which is better right?

Monday I was set to run after work.  My ankle was a bit sore Sunday evening and Monday, so I figured I would head to the gym for the softer but boring treadmill.   I changed before leaving work which involved taking off my derby socks and then went to tidy up a few things.  That little amount of walking around the building made me rethink things.  I was more than sore, I was straight up hurting.    I had an argument with myself about what to do.   I was smart, urgh, and did not run.   I did not run yesterday nor today.  😦  Instead I have spent time like this-

Ice, Ice Baby
Ice, Ice Baby

What you can’t see is the laptop open to a blank page that should be a paper and a Netflix marathon on the tv.    Does that kind of marathon count?   I have spent plenty of time stretching and foam rolling too.

Tomorrow is up in the air.  I am optimistically taking my running clothes with me but I am not expecting much right now.  The smart little voice in my head says I should just take the 5 week days off.  The cranky runner in me is growling at that.   Grrrh.  I have a half marathon in 25 days and have not done a long run since February 9.   I was hoping to get to a 12 mile training run this time around but at this point I will be thrilled with a crawling 10 8 next weekend.  I am supposed to racing a 5K on the 8th too, but I am not sure about that now.

Friday will probably end up to be a very long work day, like 12 hours or more, so I have absolutely no guilt about not running that day.  Yesterday was a later meeting so it was easier not being able to run since I was busy.    This weekend will hopefully have some decent runs (please!) but I also have a date with the Running Warehouse.   My Inspire‘s have not seemed friendly lately and they only have 250 miles on them.  I think it is time to be refitted for shoes.  Especially when I consider that I have only been fitted once and it was before I even ran, I was 40 pounds heavier and had never been on a treadmill before.  I am interested to see if things have changed since then.  Also hoping that it may help my ankle issues.

Not using that word but yeah... Thanks Pinterest
Not using that word but yeah…
Thanks Pinterest

I am anxious to get back up to speed, with last’s week’s easy miles and this weeks zero, I feel like I am falling behind.  I had such hopes for Wine Country and even more for the SLO Marathon.  Plus I feel like I just sound like a complete cranky pants right now, sorry!  I was so bored tonight, I weighed my cat, which also meant I weighed myself, ugh.  She’s 15 pounds by the way, she doesn’t look that big, but maybe she needs a treadmill too.

KimiAs I type this, I can hear it pouring outside, yay- rain!!!!!  Driving home not so much fun but the rain is awesome.  Keep it coming!

Who’s racing this weekend?

How has everyone’s week been going?