Tired miles and a foam roller

I am so thankful that tomorrow is Wednesday. Tomorrow will be a longer day at work, so I will be taking a rest day. Woo hoo! I love running but I am kind of sore and achy. Sundays long run took a little more out of me than I thought. I have been very close to my foam roller these past few days. 🙂

Yesterday’s run was scheduled to be 5 miles. I woke up tired, and it took hours to perk up. Ok, I admit, a second soda did wonders for my perkiness. My left calf felt extremely tight all day. I wore my lowest heels hoping it would help. When work was done for the day, I changed into my gear and headed for the gym.

The gym was super busy when I got there but I found a treadmill and after a small warm-up and some earphone troubles, started running. Oh the tight calf was not my friend, not by a long shot. I kept trekking along, after a little over a mile, it loosened up a bit. I told myself I could stop at 3. At 3,I felt ok so I pushed on for another mile. I finished mile 4 and walked a cool down and stretched some before leaving. I was heading to a cold smoothie, a hot shower and my foam roller. I just had a little issue to fix first.

On the seriously irritating side, when I was getting out of my car before the gym, I noticed my left, front tire was flat. What?!! I was just at the tire place on Friday and they said they fixed it. Maybe that irritation helped get me to mile 4. What’s a girl to do when the same tire goes flat twice in 2 weeks? I won’t lie, I called my pops. I can change a tire but I have problems with the jack placement. Plus he has all the fancy tools. My dad changed it and using a flash light, we found the nail and drew a circle around it for the tire shop. 🙂 Then I threw it in the trunk and today was spent driving around on the donut. Not cool. I was driving a little slower than usual but still at the speed limit but so many people passed me. Slow down, people!

After how stiff I was yesterday, I was thinking of taking today off. I was able to make another tire appointment for 4:30 so I could get my tire fixed and firmly express my irritation that it wasn’t done the first time. The tire shop is just a 5 minute drive from the gym. I figured I was already going to be there so why waste the opportunity? So I changed into my running gear before leaving work. At the tire shop, they apologized numerous times and promised that it was fixed now. So I headed to the gym.

The schedule today had called for an 8 mile progression run but that was not going to happen. My initial plan was for a minimum of 3 miles and see how I felt after that. 3 turned into nice steady 5 miler. When I was running I thought I was doing a 5 mile progression. A 1 mile warm up, 3 miles at increasing pace and a 1 mile cool down. While I was running, I felt like I was doing that, however my splits told me differently. Oops! Steady but not faster, oh well, I’ll take it! Obviously, I’m still a little tired, but it felt like a better run. Afterwards was another date with my foam roller. And maybe some pizza. 🙂

Sadly, the ear buds I have been using for the last few years died. They were just the ones that came with my iPhone 4 a few years ago but I liked them the best. Even over the ridiculously expensive Yurbuds I purchased but rarely ever wear. My new iPhone came with ear buds but they are different and I haven’t tried them out yet. Guess I will be now!

On the upshot, I am really loving my daily lunches! Not as pretty as Pinterest but seriously who has the money and space for all those plastic containers?

We’re almost halfway through the week, how is everyone doing?

Any calf massage ideas?

Shopping and running, a few of my favorite things

I had planned to get my long run in on Saturday morning before heading out to do a little shopping for the day. My alarm went of at 6:35, my head hurt and it was still dark. My phone said that sunrise was at 7:07 so I rolled over hoping the headache would go away. A second alarm went off at 7:08 and my head was just pounding. Bloody hormones and that’s all I’m going say about that; so I chose to sleep more.

I made myself face the day a little before 9. I got ready and headed out for some retail therapy. The plan was for window shopping, I didn’t really need anything. It’s just fun to hit SLO and enjoy the weather and the shopping and the food. The weather was great and the food was yummy as usual. Shopping was actually very budget friendly. 🙂 I couldn’t even find anything to buy at Dick’s, it was sad!!! I did buy Kimi a new blanket, and what does she do? She sleeps in the bag instead!

Shopping ran later than planned, so I didn’t get out the door running until 4:30 so the long run was not an option. Want to know a good way to run a Tempo run? Try to beat the setting sun. Great motivation. My legs felt a little tired but it was a good run. Thanks to my persistent cough, I still had to take a few walk breaks. However, it actually turned into a progression run instead of a tempo. For once each mile was faster than the one before it. Sweet! I made it back to my driveway just as the sun was dropping behind the hill. It may not have been what was planned but a solid 4 miles to end the day.

This morning I was planning on running yesterday’s 10 miler. I had mapped out a route last night- from my driveway with lots of loops, finishing by running crosstown to the high school. I was aiming to only have to do 1.5-2 miles on the track. After that the plan was to meet up with my mom who was working on the tennis courts and she would give me a ride back. Since I have been rather tired this week, still kicking that stupid sickness from last week, I figured I would aim for an 11:00 minute pace. Get the distance in but take it easy.

I had a slightly later start than planned and then when I was trying to get out the door, I found out that my mom was heading to the courts sooner than planned. Wait, she’s my ride home!!! The first three miles of my run I was recalculating in my head. Do I keep my route the same and just hope it takes her that long or do I throw in more loops and head back home. That was when I noticed my time, mile 3 had me under 31 minutes. Well, that was faster than I was aiming for. So plan B, could I maintain that pace for all 10 miles? I am faster in races but never before held that in a long training run. It would only save me 10 minutes but that just might be enough.

Why do I live is such a hilly neighborhood? Why did I plan my route by running one of the hills 3 times? Granted it wasn’t the worst but still, I must be crazy. I slowed down in mile 6 because while trying to get my long sleeved top layer off, I skillfully tangled myself in it. 🙂 Just call me Graceful. After finishing all 3 loops, it was down to the bridge and across town. I hate running across the bridge, it’s a little too on display for me. Luckily its not huge. After the bridge, there’s a few shopping centers and traffic lights before the last small hill and then the high school. With the traffic lights, I was able to test out the auto pause feature on the Garmin. Pretty cool but I felt like it was a little slow on the restart. I made it to the track at 8.5 miles and finished out the 1.5. And I was done, whew! And thankfully, my mother had waited for me.

I have no idea what happened in mile 4, barely even remember it

After lunch and grocery shopping, I joined my mother in walking the puppy. It was supposed to be short, like a mile, so I was rocking my new Wave Rider’s and skinny jeans. Bad idea. It turned into 2.5 miles and the puppy decided that she wanted to move fast today; she was dragging us. Seriously, where was this dog last week? I do not recommend jogging in skinny jeans without a proper sports bra, just don’t do it. The shoes felt great though. 🙂 The evening was finished off by the whole family going to The Olive Garden for dinner, yummy.

Training wise, I didn’t do too bad this week. 29 miles out of a scheduled 34. 5 days running. I still can’t do 6. And some of the planned runs I am unable to fit in my schedule, so I am adapting it a bit. Next week only has 5 scheduled days with my long run on Saturday, That will have to be a 2-a-day, as my first race of 2014 is that morning!! It’s a 5K that I am looking forward to.

Plus I hope to have some exciting news to share soon!!! I am waiting on one last email to confirm, I always like to be doubly sure before sharing something important. I am so excited!!!

How was everyone’s weekend?

What’s the most awkward clothing you’ve ever run in?

Skillet and Donut Holes

This “trying to be more dedicated than 3x a week plan” is really making me tired. The plan that I am following has been calling for 6 days a week. With being sick last week and my inherent Slacker-ness I have been hitting 4. Which is double what I did in December (oh the holidays) and 1 more than the Slacker Way. Who knows, maybe 5 is next. 🙂

Tonight I decided to try the Garmin on the treadmill one last time, and lo and behold, it worked!!! I was thinking that if non GPS mode was based on accelerometer technology (seriously who makes up these words?), then a lot of that is based on arm movement right? When I run on the treadmill, I wear my phone in an armband on my left arm. For whatever reasons, I’ve noticed that when I wear an armband, I don’t move my left arm as much. I have tried to correct it but not much luck. So tonight, I figured I would try the Garmin on the right hand. It was kind of awkward, I had troubles getting the watch tight, and pushing the buttons was tricky, but it worked! It matched the treadmill exactly. I still had Nike+ going on my phone just in case, but tonight they all matched. I can’t claim to understand why Nike+ works on my left arm and not the Garmin, but hopefully this will correct the issue in the future.

After yesterday’s rest day- chosen by me not the plan- today called for a 3 mile easy run. My goal was 6 miles to make up for the run I missed yesterday. After work, I got started later than I planned so 6 turned into 5. I slept kind of rough last night so I was glad that today was an easy run. Also thankful that the treadmill helps control your pace. 🙂 I wore the Wave Rider’s again and I am liking them so far. My shins and ankles were a little sore in the beginning and around mile 4, but no more than anytime I’ve changed shoes. The shoelaces are freakishly long so I will have to fix that.

I finished my 5 miles and walked a little more for a cool down. The run felt pretty good. I made sure to not push either myself or the shoes but it felt like a good workout. Which was good as a customer had brought us donut holes this afternoon. Seriously, no restraint with that yummy, glazed goodness.

I can’t wait for the time change, I miss running outside in the evening. The gym and the treadmill are great, but sometimes distracting. Tonight there were 2 women on treadmills next to me carrying on a movie trivia game. Which would have been fine if they weren’t so loud. My playlist tonight was Skillet, and they are not a quiet band. I had it pretty loud with both ear buds in and I could hear their conversation perfectly. Then there were the guys on the ellipticals in jeans and cargo pants. Isn’t there a dress code?

I stretched some before leaving. I also made nice with my foam roller tonight. Tomorrow will be another rest day then it’s a ten miler on the schedule for Saturday. I’d like to be optimistic and say I will try for a few miles tomorrow but with later hours at work and having to get my tires fixed in the AM again, let’s say rest day.

Right now, I’m being stalked by a Comfy chair thief, so it’s off to bed for me!

How is everyone’s week?

Anyone else have any random gym stories?

A Wave Rider Interval

As Monday was a holiday, I was able to get in a good 5 mile run outdoors instead of having to head into the gym. Prior to that I went to lunch with my mom and then helped her prune a bunch of oleanders. We do this every year and we always use a ladder in ways we shouldn’t while holding shears. This year was no different. I always crack jokes that it’s a great arm workout. Apparently a little too great, between that and puppy pulling on Sunday and Monday, my arms are so sore! Hmm, maybe I should check out the other equipment available at the gym, not just the treadmill.

My training plan called for 5 miles on Monday. I headed out early afternoon so I could get the miles in and then go get the puppy for walk attempt #2. The first part of my route takes me past a cemetery and I run if no ones there but if people are visiting close to the side, I walk. For some reason my mind thinks that more respectful. 🙂 This day someone was blowing the roads in the cemetery and next to it with a motorized golf cart looking blower thing. I ran into a dust storm! I came to a hacking, coughing halt from all the dust I aspirated in. My boss happened to call right then and I answered since I wasn’t running anyway, she thought I was dying sick again. I had to convince her it was just the dust! I ended up walking the first 1/2 mile, so I started off slow.

Even once I got going, I could tell I was tired. Both my legs and my breathing felt labored. The plan was 5 miles with 4 easy and the 5th faster. My 4th was faster than mile 5, oops. My legs felt heavy, and my stomach was telling me that lunch had been a little too big. By the end of the run, I could feel that I had a cranky toe as well. Sure enough, it was a little bloody. Ahhh, the joys of running. 🙂

I then picked up the pup and drug her down the driveway. Actually she trotted right down and halfway down the block before she realized what was going on. Then she just plopped flat on the sidewalk. With some coaxing and strong arming, we managed to walk a mile in 22 minutes. Yikes!!! I think people find us amusing. There was a man standing on his deck at one point laughing as we passed. Or as I drug her past. We then walked past a bigger version of her and she wasn’t sure how to process that; it was so funny. At the mile point, we turned around and took a slightly shorter route home. Same as the day before, the second we were headed back, she was the model of a perfect puppy behavior. We made the .84 mile back in 11 minutes. And yes, I timed it this time. 🙂

My reward for the almost 7 miles? A super yummy homemade smoothie-

Today called for a 3.75 mile interval workout. I knew it would after work and on the treadmill but I was ok with that because I still needed to actually run in my new Wave Riders! I also had a new armband to test out. I hate armbands as they usually make me bleed but I need one for the gym. Plus since switching to the iPhone 5s, all my old ones had the earphone jack in the wrong spot. I picked up a new one when I was at Sports Authority a few weeks ago.

The shoes felt amazing while driving but kind of awkward while walking. It made me a little nervous. I don’t usually run 4 days in a row, so even though I was going to follow the interval that Nike laid out, I wasn’t going to push it. Plus I wasn’t sure how the shoes would feel. I ran a mile warmup- 2 minute walk then 6.2 for the rest. Interval 1 was .75 of a mile at 6.6, then a .25 of 5.5. This was followed by a planned .75 at 6.6. I did all this then upped it to 7.1 for .25, not on the plan but I just felt like it. Then is was a cool down of .75 at 6.00. I shut Nike off at 3.75 and slowed the treadmill to 4 and walked until 4 miles or 40 minutes, whichever came first. They came at the same time, sweet!!!! The intervals were very smooth, now if I can just up the pace, I can hopefully break 2:00 this spring!

The shoes felt pretty good actually, I need to get in a few more miles to really try them out. Some street miles too. The armband held up well too. No bleeding so far, woo hoo!!! It could have fit a little snugger, though.

Tomorrow is hump day and a rest day!!!!

How is everyone’s week going so far?

Conversations with a puppy

It is pathetic how sore I was after yesterdays run. My thighs were making themselves known to me all afternoon and this morning. They say you can take a week off with no real harm but that apparently applies to people much much fitter than myself. This theory was reinforced today by the picture below. Seriously, what kind of talent does it take to kick yourself while running?

I even got my sock dirty :( — I even got my sock dirty 😦

Today, I succeeded where I did not yesterday and completed a full 4 miles. And yes, this did involve running the street at the bottom of my driveway an extra time. Other than that, I ran the exact same route as yesterday and was able to take 3 minutes off my time. Woo hoo! I still had to use a few walking breaks. Normally, I wouldn’t take water for a 4 mile run but I did yesterday and today. In the past whenever I have been sick, my cough tends to linger for a few months. Nice, right? So I will be taking water with me on every run now and especially to the gym. I get to be the creepy person with the creepy cough now. 🙂 I apologize to everyone in advance.

Kind of redundant, but I love playing with new toys and apps

My run felt pretty good today. Other than kicking myself coming down a hill at one point, it was a happy run. Well, there was a creepily parked van at one point, but they were just lost, I hope. After my run, I walked a bit and stretched out. My mom hasn’t been feeling well, so the plan was for me to take Zoey on a walk after my run.

We made it just over a mile. I actually thought it was less than that but Google maps says 1.2 miles, so yeah! This was the first time she’s ever been on a walk without my mom and I think she was having separation anxiety. I was literally pulling her at numerous points. She would walk 10 yards and sit down, I’d finally get her going and we would start the process over. About half a mile in, a runner passed us and Zoey was eager to follow her. I asked her why she wouldn’t even walk for me but would run with a stranger. The runner thought that was hilarious, and I realized I was having a full on one-sided conversation with a dog. We made it to a nearby elementary school before turning around. I managed to kick the same spot on my ankle again as well.

Once she figured out we were headed back to the house, she was the perfect running companion. We did the return half mile in 1/4 of the time it took the first. In the end she was very excited to see my mom. Hopefully, next time we will get a little farther!

But I'm cute right? — But I’m cute right?

My goal this week is to get back on track with my training plan. I am giving myself until next weekend to see I will be half marathon ready by February 15. If yes, then I will register, if not, well I found a 10K and a 15K on the same day 30 miles in the other direction. So a race will be chosen by next weekend. 🙂

How was everyone’s weekend?

Any dog running tips? I so want to be able to borrow her for runs.