Category: Training

Week 38:Upcoming Races-Rock n Roll San Jose Training Week 10

Upcoming Races-

Rock n Roll San Jose 13.1 (Thank you BibRave!)-10/8
City to the Sea 13.1-10/14
Rock n Roll Los Angeles 13.1 (Thank you BibRave!)- 10/29
Monterey Bay Half Marathon (Thank you BibRave!)- 11/12

Welcome to peak week. Or at least I think it was peak week.

Part of me feels like this week was a hot mess and the other part feels like it was a moderate success. I thought about trying to combine those terms in a catchy way and it just sounded inappropriate so, oops.

I feel like there is something I needed to tell you about work but I can’t remember what it was so we’ll push pause on that.

The plan called for two 6 mile runs, a 10 mile long run, and 3 cross training work outs of some sort.

Monday-3 miles
My legs generally aren’t fans of running the day after a long run but this was what fit the schedule. That said I knew I wasn’t going to get the 6 miles the training plan called for. Especially since work ran a little later due to being short staffed that day. I kept the pace nice and easy and my legs actually weren’t as cranky as they could have been.

Tuesday- Nada
I was feeling lazy after doing what I needed to do. Oops.

Wednesday- 6 miles bike/ 21 day Upper Fix
I planned on running however realized I had a problem when I changed into my running clothes after work. My crops which had been with me for so many miles over the years had given up the ghost. 😂 No running was going to happen that night. I knew I should have packed an extra pair of shorts.

Thursday- 5 miles
All right, let’s try this again. I was feeling blah but I changed and headed to the river path after work to get in a few miles. I told myself to at least get started. I left my water in the car because I had a feeling I would be back soon. Except at the 5k turn around point, I went left instead and kept running. My brain was exactly on board but my legs were so I let them do all the talking.

Friday- Rest
I was lazy again. Uh oh…the Slacker may be coming back more than I would like.

Saturday- Shopping
Yeah, I know not really exercise but I defenitlty put in my steps while getting some things done. I thought about trying for my long run that evening but it was still above 90 until the evening so I passed.

Sunday- 8.5 miles
I ran in the morning! I actually got up! Granted a little later than I planned but still. I headed out for my planned 10 miles. The plan was to run 10 miles to a certain point- have my mother pick me up then go to lunch with her and my brother. I had stashed a shirt change with her the day before in case I followed through with running in the morning.

About 1.5 miles in I heard my name being shouted- huh? Oh hey, I know you! I ran into a friend watching her son play soccer so I stopped and chatted for a bit. Between that conversion and a couple of lengthy stoplights as I made my way across town I was only able to fit 8.5 miles before the rendezvous time. That said the miles I did fit in were surprisingly strong considering the struggle bus I’ve been riding lately. I considered going out for another 2 later but once again it was 96. Ummmm, Fall where are you?

16.5 miles for the week. A not great peak week but not a bad one either. Only 2 weeks to go to San Jose!

How was your week?

Week 37:Upcoming Races-Rock n Roll San Jose Training Week 9

Upcoming Races-

Rock n Roll San Jose 13.1 (Thank you BibRave!)-10/8
City to the Sea 13.1-10/14
Rock n Roll Los Angeles 13.1 (Thank you BibRave!)- 10/29
Monterey Bay Half Marathon (Thank you BibRave!)- 11/12

This week was ruled by sunburns, migraines and then peeling. Oh yay!

That said, it surprisingly wasn’t a complete wash on the workout front. I was feeling a little adrift after the Liift4 challenge was done so I joined another challenge group but this one is less focused and you pick your own workout so I was a little slacker-like in that respect.

The plan called for a 4 mile run, 30 minute pace run and a 10K race. It was kind of a step back week. There weren’t any 10k’s locally so my original hope was to sub in a 10 miler.

Monday-Rest
The sunburn from hell kept me from doing anything too active. I wore one of my loosest dresses but even that made me cringe anytime I moved at work.

Tuesday-4.2 ish miles
I headed for the river path to get in a few miles. I really wasn’t feeling it but I told myself to just get started and see what happened. I felt better once I got started and even threw in some tempo bits. I guess I should say fartleks. I was glad I didn’t bail and followed through with my run like planned.

Wednesday- 21 day Fix- upper fix
What the hell? After 8 weeks of Liift4, I figured 21 Day Fix would be a walk in the park. People, I was sweating in the 2 minute warm up. 10 minutes in, I was like what the hell is this????? I finished but need to reassess my fitness level.

Thursday- 3.6 miles
The plan called for a 30 minute pace run. The migraine that rolled in had other plans. I still headed to the lake path for a few miles but I wasn’t optimistic. The pace run didn’t happen but I did get a few easy miles around the lake. Took a few walk breaks whenever I felt like I needed and just kept putting one foot in front of the other.

Friday- Nothing
I meant to do another 21 day fix but the migraine was still hanging around and by the time I got home after 7, I was done.

Saturday- 21 day Lower fix
I was supposed to do my long run. I was supposed to go to my boss’s boss retirement party. Instead I didn’t get out of bed until 10 AM and I took a 2.5 hour nap in the afternoon. Damn migraine, you can leave anytime now. I did manage to complete another workout in the evening though.

Sunday- 7.2 miles
I woke early to run but my head was still fuzzy and I admit when I saw the temp was 42*, I wimped out. Where did the cold come from?? So like an idiot, I put it off until the afternoon. Where I rode the struggle bus. I had hoped for 10 miles but yeah no. My headphones died just past mile 2. My stomach cramped horribly around mile 4. Cramped like I started walking a lot- there were no bathrooms on my route. I had the driest mouth ever- even though I was chugging all the Gatorade. I called it at 7 miles.

15 miles for the week and 2 cross training workouts. Considering how I felt for most of it, I am calling that a quasi-win right now.

How was your week?

Week 36:Upcoming Races-Rock n Roll San Jose Training Week 8

Upcoming Races-

Rock n Roll San Jose 13.1 (Thank you BibRave!)-10/8
City to the Sea 13.1-10/14
Rock n Roll Los Angeles 13.1 (Thank you BibRave!)- 10/29
Monterey Bay Half Marathon (Thank you BibRave!)- 11/12

Fried. That’s how I would describe this week.

I knew it was going to be a hectic one and I thought I planned accordingly. But well, life.

The week was already short due to the holiday and then I was off Friday to chaperone a multi-day tennis trip for my mother’s team. I tried to cram all I could in at work in 3 short days as well as get in all my workouts before we left.

The plan called for a 6 mile run, 50 minute tempo, 9 mile long run and the last 4 Liift4 workouts.

Monday- 9 miles/ Liift4
Long run on a Monday- say what?? I knew the weekend ahead was going to be super busy so with a Monday off work I thought I would get my long run out of the way. Yet, I woke up nauseaus again. I did a crazy Liift4 workout in the morning and debated skipping the run. I headed out in the late afternoon for what I was sure was going to be a 4 mile slog. Instead I somehow had the best 9 mile run that I have had in over a year. Hell, it was the best long run I’ve had in years. Who knew?

Tuesday- Liift4
This final week of workouts was kicking my ass. I don’t think I’ve ever sweat this much in my life.

Wednesday- Rest
I meant to do another Liift4 workout but my stomach was being a total asshat. So instead I picked up some last minute supplies for the weekend trip.

Thursday- 3.75 miles
This was supposed to be longer but my legs weren’t feeling it. This was actually slower paced than Monday’s long run too. Way to bring me back down to earth legs. My right hip was cranky, I really need to start doing my PT exercises again.

Friday/ Saturday- Tennis Road Trip
So tired, the days were long and stressful and so freakin’ hot! I layered on sunblock, I stayed in the shade as much as possible, I wore a hat and somehow I still ended up with my worst sunburn in years. It hurt. By the time we got home on Saturday, I was just mentally done. Teenagers are hard.

Sunday- Rest
This was not the plan. I needed another 6 miles and should have completed the leg workout for Liift4. However… the sunburn. Owwww! Everything hurt. It hurt to the touch, it hurt to move, clothing hurt- there was no way I was putting a sports bra on. Nope.

12.77 miles for the week. Stupid sunburn! Also the Liift4 challenge is complete even if I missed a few and I feel a little adrift. Oops.

How was your week?

Week 35:Upcoming Races-Rock n Roll San Jose Training Week 7

Upcoming Races-

SLO ULTRA 5K-9/2
Rock n Roll San Jose 13.1 (Thank you BibRave!)-10/8
City to the Sea 13.1-10/14
Rock n Roll Los Angeles 13.1 (Thank you BibRave!)- 10/29
Monterey Bay Half Marathon (Thank you Bibrave!)- 11/12

So, I’m finally on the right week. Did anyone notice that I posted “week 32” 3 times? Haha, I really need to pay more attention when I copy and paste.

Last week was fairly uneventful outside of running which is fine by me. Plus this week is shaping up to be crazy so I needed a calm one.

This was a surprisingly solid training week. It had it’s ups and downs but when it came to sticking to the plan, it was pretty solid.

The plan called for a step back week with a 5K race instead of a long run. So it should have looked something like this- 4 mile run, 3 mile run, 5K race, maybe an extra easy run if I was feeling it and 4 Liift4 workouts.

Monday-3.1 miles
My legs do not like running the day after a long run. Not even a recovery run, my right leg and hip protest but running on Monday was fit my schedule. I kept it slow and easy and a little shorter than plan called for but I knew there was only so much my leg was going to put up with. That said, it was a decent few miles.

Tuesday- Liift4
I really meant to do this in the morning but nope. Another late night work out. We’re in the final 2 weeks of the challenge and my arms were shaking.

Wednesday- Rest
Oops. I meant to run but was easily distracted on the way home.

Thursday- 4.2 miles/ Liift4 legs
My hip was so stinkin’ sore. I’ve been trying to use my chair this week and I just can’t, it hurt my hip. Or aggravates my IT band. Whatever. By Thursday, my hip was pissed by 3 days of trying to make do. I had to stop and stretch it out various times throughout the run. I didn’t feel like things really loosened up until the middle of mile 3. By then I was done. Then at home I did the Liift4 leg workout not knowing what a sweat fest I was in for. 😛

Friday-Rest
After the brutal leg workout the day before and having a race the next day, I thought rest was the best choice. If you read Friday’s post, you know I wasn’t exactly stoked on the race but one of the upsides of the new location was that it was a 10 minute drive from work. So I hustled down on my lunch break to pick up my bib and shirt. Funny thing- a local runner I’ve met before was working packet pick up so I chatted for a moment but could tell that he had no idea who I was. Ha!

Saturday- SLO Ultra 5K
Race recap to come. I’ll just leave you with this-

Sunday- Liift4
I had hoped to add in that extra easy run but without giving away race details, I still wasn’t feeling quite right. I decided to just play by ear and see how things went and that ended up being the Liift4 workout late in the evening. I am fine with that.

10.7 miles for the week. Low but I did all the required workouts for the week. I missed a Liift4 workout but that was also deliberate- I tend to pass on the ones that are entirely HIIT because I end up breaking myself. Seriously. I cannot do a mountain climber without hurting myself- no matter how many modifications I make.

How was your week?

Rambling On 40

40?? Hot damn!

It’s Friday and it’s a 3 day weekend- shout it out!

I am looking forward to some nice down time this weekend, I don’t know about you but I really need that extra day. However I have to get through a race first.

I have a 5K on Saturday. A “trail” race. This race organization irritates me but I keep signing up for them. I’m already cranky. I have a feeling this “trail” race is going to be more golf course than trail. I am really hoping I am wrong. Only time will tell. But things were off to a rocky start when an email went out months back saying -Surprise! Venue Change! Oh and the 50 miler and marathon runners have all been bumped to the 50K and the 5 miler became a 5K. Ummmm???? The only distance that stayed the same is the half but I am not in trail half marathon shape right now. Although the last 4ish miles with a downhill elevation loss look like my favorite kind of trail. Sorry -fire road. Ok, I’ll stop being bitter. Maybe I’m wrong.

I’ve wanted to try running in my new PureFlow’s again but with a race coming I didn’t want to aggravate the blister anymore. Boo. Thankfully, I think it is nearly all gone.

My October continues to get more and more insane. I just found out my work trip may be 2 weeks. I have 2 travel races. I am currently only home 1 weekend and that weekend is potentially filled by a local half but then I found a trail race down by LA that looks super awesome. Ever heard of Space Rock? Someone tell me to stop!!!!! I should stay home. I should…. right?

What’s your random this week?