Category: Run!

Week 46- Solid

By most standards, last week would seem less than stellar. By my standards, it was a surprisingly solid week.

Not that it was without it’s ups and downs but I’m going to stop challenging the universe by saying “things should calm down soon”. The past few months have shown that it only comes across as a challenge. Message received.

Monday- Rest
Normally on days when I don’t work, my goal is to push for extra miles. However for the first time in months, I actually woke up feeling not tired. It had been so long I almost forgot what it felt like. I was loathe to lose that feeling so I just enjoyed it.

Tuesday- 3 miles
I wanted to try the river path for a night run. I knew most of it was lit but was unsure on the rest. Good news- the big section has the most lights I’ve found in my town. Bad news- the dark section is DARK. I’m still looking for the best option for night running. Plus was this run was pretty chill.

Wednesday-????
ummmmm, crickets?

Thursday- Nothing
I should have run but I wasn’t feeling it. Stupid.

Friday–
Let’s just forget Friday was a thing.

Saturday- 6.3 miles
I was feeling not great, not horrible but off. I had an odd back pain and felt just sluggish. I headed out in the mid afternoon, not expecting much. I never got over the sluggish feeling and there were plenty of walk breaks- ok, let’s be real- run/walk intervals- thrown in. That being said, it was a decent run.

Sunday- 3.5ish miles
Dirt. I headed for a trail to get in some time on the hills. This was also the first time I’ve run trails by myself so that was pushing my comfort zone more than a little. There were plenty of people out there but I never realized how the time change effects the light on the trail. So much shadier and darker! Not cold- it was 85*, ha! Where is fall? But it was exactly what I needed. Just me, my running shoes and the dirt. Can’t think about anything when you have to watch your footing right?

So, 12ish miles for the week. Like I said not much by most people’s standards but decent by mine. Especially recent weeks.

How was your week?

Week 45- Dark

Daylight savings never used to bother me. This year I feel like it smacked me in the face.

Which is odd because I thought it would be better now that I work so much closer to home. Doesn’t make a difference, I still don’t get off work until it’s full dark. Boo. Someone want to come run with me?

On the work front, things are looking up and we should hopefully be fully staffed in a couple of weeks. Fingers crossed, I think I can, I think I can.

I watched more Christmas movies this weekend. I am trying to wait until Thanksgiving but I am losing the battle. This is one way the stupid 80* weather is helping.

I also slept. A lot. I really mean a lot. I took the weekend to reset after a rough few weeks… well, truthfully I didn’t plan but that’s what my body dictated. Surprisingly no naps were involved.

Monday- Wednesday- Dark
I packed clothes to run after work but I kept putting it off. I told myself I hadn’t had time to test my lights since spring. I even went so far as to order new ones. I mean extra light never hurts, right?

Can you see me now?

Thursday- 1.6 miles
The plan was to run and then meet my mom for dinner. What I didn’t account for was traffic on the freeway being at a standstill. One fender bender had turned into 4 and they backed up both sides of the freeway. Thankfully it looked like everyone in the accidents were just irritated. I made it to my running spot but I only had 20 minutes. So I ran. Slower like I do in the dark… maybe I should use winter as a way to work on my heart rate?

Friday- Nope
Another open to close.

Saturday- 4 miles
It’s freezing overnight and 85 in the day. Should I be melting on runs in November? No! I rode the struggle bus the whole time. I know it won’t be long until I am complaining about the cold but right now, it’s welcome.

Sunday- 4 miles
I was so tired. I woke with a headache so went back to sleep. Even with that, by afternoon, I had zero desire to run. Hell, I didn’t even want to move. I wanted to nap. I forced myself to get up and drive to my running spot. Less than a mile in, I knew running was not going to happen. I could have thrown in the towel and quit but instead I walked. 4 miles and I even managed to negative split the thing. Better than nothing!

9.6 miles for the week. Not too surprising considering it was the first week of Daylight savings and it usually takes me awhile to rip off that bandaid. Missing a long run is what really killed the mileage. But let’s be real….when was my last long run??

How was your week?

Rambling On 59ish

I haven’t rambled in a while, let’s do this.

It’s November. How????

October wasn’t the greatest month and while I am not exactly sad to see it pass, I don’t think I am ready for the end of the year which coincidentally is the end of the decade. Again, how?!

Speaking of October- I broke my rule of never wearing a tutu again. We were crayons at work and I wore a tutu. I mean it’s my own fault- I said the only way to wear leggings was if we covered our backsides with a tutu. I regretted it right after I said it.

In the summer I paused my relationship with Hulu. I meant to cancel it but they had the pause feature and I fell for it. Then forgot and it un-paused on Monday. I was irritated then proceeded to binge watch Looking for Alaska. Which led to crying. It’s not like I didn’t know- I’ve read the book! And threw it across the break room at work a few years ago. Really glad no one walked in at that moment.

I really need some time in the dirt. I may have to get over my never run trails alone thing. However that could also be bad due to my tendency to get lost. Mentally and physically.

I’ve become obsessed with a puzzle app in my down time. Maybe I was stressed or still am but I find it soothing. Which is odd because I’ve always hated real puzzles.

It’s Friday!! Let’s celebrate. Is it sad that I want to celebrate by napping? Which all local teachers apparently agreed with- there is no school on this day. The day after Halloween. I see what they did there.😂

What are you up to this weekend?

Detour

Sometimes you get lost on the trail.
Actually that’s kind of fun, and something I’ve done more than once.

But sometimes, you’re paying attention to the trail markers and you head back the way you came before too much harm or drama.

Disclaimer: I received Gatorade Endurance products to use as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

In this case, I pause.

I had big plans for October. 1 road half and 2 hard trail half’s. The last one was supposed to be my victory dance for the year. Ok, maybe less victory and more proof of will power but still.

Then October knocked me back a few pegs. I feel like I lost 5 years of fitness in the last 4 weeks. Is that possible? I feel like it is now. This bout with asthma is kicking me hard. It’s been years since it’s been this rough and I still can’t figure out what triggered it. I ran 5 miles last week- 5. (Also consider this Week 43) How is that going to get me to a 50K? It won’t.

And for once I’ve been smart about things. I dropped to the 10K for both the road race and Space Rock. And that last trail half that was supposed to be a party? That was supposed to happen a few days ago- Sunday. I didn’t even try. I knew I wasn’t in the head space or shape for 13ish miles of hard effort climbing. And they had no shorter distances. Attempting it likly would have set me back months in the long run.

I’ve run numerous races sick, some feverish and possibly out of it. Why? Because Goonies never say die? That’s stupid. I may be getting to an age I don’t want to admit anymore but maybe I am finally learning a few things. Maybe.

So when the road hits a fork, you have choices. I could bury my head in the sand and just be a lazy bum until next year. I mean, cold weather is coming right?

Nope. I am still aiming for a 50K in the early months of 2020. So in keeping with that theme, I have a new plan for the next 7 weeks culminating with a local-ish 25k in December. This should give me time to make up some of the ground I lost in the last few weeks. Also this race is a known entity– I know where the killer climb is and where the other mountain is. And the cruel turn-around. And I will be training on these trails. If I say it decisively, it will happen, right?

I may have finally figured out how to fuel my body, now I just need it to breather properly.

Join me while I fight my way back?

Week 42- Whiplash

This weather is giving me whiplash. One day it’s 90 something then it’s 60ish with 20+mph winds. I actually like the lower temps but the fire winds could leave anytime. Soon would be better.

I had the beginning of the week off of work. I was so looking forward to a few days of rest and getting all those backed up errands done. Somehow, I never napped and the errands still need to be done. Like cleaning my car and an oil change. Oops. The time just seemed to fly by and then I was back to work on Wednesday.

Monday- 36ish minutes on the bike
I was going to run in the early afternoon since I had the day off. However I ended up taking my dad back to the doctor. By the time I got home, I was feeling super lazy but I made myself ride the bike while watching Ridiculousness. That was what my brain could handle.

Tuesday- 3 mile struggle bus run
I don’t know if it was because it was over 90 again, or if it was lingering asthma issues but this run was rough. I had originally planned on running more but just couldn’t.

Wednesday- 30 minutes on the bike
Wasn’t feeling a run but didn’t want to be lazy.

Thursday- 3.1 miles
Dude. This run was so easy, breezy. The temp had dropped, my heart rate stayed low and it wasn’t a struggle to legit run easy. It was such a chill run I was kind of in shock. Even the crazy wind wasn’t a downside. Why can’t all runs be like this?

Friday- Nope
Open to close is going to be the name of the game for a while at work. I don’t see much in the running front on any Friday in the future.

Saturday- Nap
I worked in the morning but I really did intend to run in the afternoon. I did but instead I napped for 2 hours. Oops.

Sunday- 6.3 miles
Miserable miles. I had plans of running 7-8 miles but hopped on the struggle bus from the get go. It was warmer than I thought it would be, my asthma was flaring, I was crawling. It was all I could do to finish the 6.3. I even parked it on a bunch 5ish miles in because I was so done. Grrrrrr.

12ish miles for the week. And Sunday’s miserable run was followed up by a massive asthma flare on Sunday night so that was fun. But hey 5/7 days isn’t bad! At least for me.

How was your week?