Tag: Cross-training

A Couple of Hot Ones

Man, were they hotter than planned.

The plan for Monday was an easy 4 after work at the lake path. My mother texted that she was going to meet me and she actually beat me there. Once I got my act together (you know shoes on) we headed out. It felt warm- 91ish- but not too bad, so I did not take my water, which for 4 miles is not abnormal. The lake path is a flat loop, so 4 miles is a little under 3.5 laps. I figured if I was feeling good, I would run 4.5 miles and then cool down. The benefit of the loops was that if I regretted my water decision I could just get it from my car on the next loop. Less than ¼ mile into the first loop, we were derailed.

Ok, time for a little off-roading. Once back on the trail, my mother wanted to know what the 5k course from the Wild Run was like. So we changed route and went off the trail up the street, turning my planned flat, loops into streets with slight rolling hills. I gave her the rest of the directions and pulled ahead around the .70 mile mark. Half a mile later and I was regretting the water decision. Oh and I forgot to put on my visor. After a couple of turns, I was on a street with a little bit more shade but had the bulk of the rolling hills. I think I walked twice. Once I was back on the lake path, I was doubting I was even going to hit 3 miles. I was so hot. I ran around the path until the broken bridge and stopped for a moment to take a pic. I could see my mother on the back side of the lake path and figured it would be easier to run back the way I came rather than trying to catch her. Plus I didn’t think I had another lap in me. But for some reason, I still didn’t grab my water. I told myself I would run to 3.5 miles or when I met with her, whichever came first. Yeah, when I finally met up with her I was at 3.8 so of course I had to finish out 4, turn around and then walk back to the car. My water had never tasted so amazing. Also after the first warm up mile, my pace was too fast for the warmth and lack of water. Stupid slacker.

Tuesday, I was aiming for 5 at the river path. Once again the temp did not drop. It was 96 when I started out. My mother met me again and brought a frozen bottle of water. I also asked her to bring me a hat; see, I was thinking this time. We set off for the warm up, and I walked a little more than planned but that was ok. Even once running, I kept it nice and easy. When I passed her on the way down, she hollered at me to drink water. I know! Running down I passed 2 skateboarders carrying their helmets. Umm, that’s not how it works boys. I do have to give one props for having a camelbak, at least he was thinking smart about something. It was hot and muggy and I had woken with a migraine in the morning so my planned 5 turned into 4 but I was perfectly fine with that. I was also feeling good about the average pace of 10:15 for the 3 solid miles that I ran. In that temp? I’ll take it!

Tonight was gym night with NikeC! I felt a little more competent with the weight machines. I am also trying to incorporate some the barre moves into the circuit. I hate those stupid step up things but noticed that the handle is at the perfect height for some of the barre exercises. This time I showed my gym ineptness on the ARC Trainer. I almost face planted into the control panel at one point. That would have been an interesting bruise to explain. That machine is harder than it looks but then I have also fallen off a treadmill. There were no grunters tonight but it was busier than usual. I feel awkward doing squats in public, and this hip abduction machines. Luckily they face the wall. 🙂

Hit any unexpected roadblocks recently? Literal or figuratively?

Anyone else have issues with the machines at the gym?

Baby Steps (out of my comfort zone)

Happy Friday!! Wow, this was a long week. But let’s catch up. I stepped out of my comfort zone in very little ways this week, but that still counts right?

First up, Wednesday, I hit the gym after work with NikeC with the intention of doing the circuit room. I have only done it one other time and that was about 2 years ago. Machines and I don’t get a long so well. I did a short 2.5 miles on the treadmill to warm up. I actually kind of liked the treadmill, either that or I was nervous about the circuit room. I had hydrated a little too well before hitting the gym that night so before moving to the circuit room I had to use the restroom. Why is this special? I had never used the restroom or been in the locker rooms before. I’ve belonged to the gym for 5 years. I did mention I was a germophobe right?

From the website source — From the website
source

After surviving that, we moved onto the circuit room. Where some people were using it wrong. Ok, I admit I don’t use it but come on, I can count from 1 to 20. Once that was straightened out, we got to working out. #bloggerfail- I don’t remember the names of machines nor did I take pictures. She went first and demonstrated. Other than the first machine, I think I did ok. You sat in the first machine in kind of V shape and the pushed yourself back. (see- blogger fail) Also a fail because I couldn’t move it at all- I look over and NikeC had it at 90 lbs, yeah umm no. She’s a bad ass and I am not. Backed it down to 40 and I was good. I also felt really challenged on the stupid steps in between each machine. Who forgets how to jump?! I was born in the 80’s, when did I lose my Jazzercise skills! After the circuit we moved on to the leg room. Those hip abduction things could be a good thing for running but felt really awkward. I could do pretty much nothing in the ab room, apparently my butt’s too big for my back to lie flat. 🙂 So that will be a challenge for another night, haha. Overall, we were there an hour and a half. Now if I can just make it a weekly thing.

Since I work Saturday again this week, I had another short day on Thursday. It was opposite this time, so I worked in the morning and left early. Knowing this on Wednesday I decided to try to do my long run on Thursday. Only problem was I didn’t know where. I thought about running on the beach but was warned away by a text about a bunch of leash less crazy dogs. (It’s a leash free beach) I am crazy dog bait, so I passed on that. I headed to nearby park in work town that says it has 2.3 miles of paved trails. Yeah, I could only find about half a mile. Any other day I would have just run around and figured it out but I had 12 miles to hit so I wanted a general idea of where I was going. I headed to the lake to get in some laps, planning for 6 miles before heading back to home town to finish off the second 6.

It was warmer than work town but still mid 80’s so I felt good. I’ve decided to always walk the playground section of the path. It gives me a little breather and as an added bonus, I don’t run over any wandering children. 🙂 I have to admit I look forward to that little break, it’s about .10 of a mile, but feels great. After 3 miles I needed water but I had also over hydrated that day as well. Was I really going to have to use another restroom? This one in a public park? Yes…it was only slightly sketchy. No mirrors and lots of padlocks, classy.

After surviving that I pushed on. It was warm but I felt good, so continued on to 7 miles. Woo hoo! I stopped to stretch before heading back to my car. This is where I became an obnoxious runner. A woman and her daughter were driving by and they stopped near my car. She asked how far I had walked. I said “run” probably not in the best tone. I’m sorry!! Blame it on the heat or the tiredness or something. And since I do walk the playground now, she could have only seen me walking. There is nothing wrong with walking. In fact, I think I am more consistent with scheduled walking breaks. See example above. 🙂

After driving back home, drinking some Nuun and snacking on some Honey Stinger bites, I headed out to the newer path with my mom. Again she was going to walk and I was going to run. Since I had already done 7, all I needed was 5 so I planned on running the same route as Monday. Same as Monday, I walked most of the first mile with my mom, so I was perfectly fine seeing a 13 minute first mile. I figured I would pick up the pace, ha! Never happened. Maybe it was penance for my earlier snarkiness. I didn’t schedule any walk breaks but maybe I should have. Miles 2 and 3 clocked in at 11:00, hey at least I was consistent. Finally got back down to 10 flat for mile 4 but I also knew 5 wasn’t happening. I cut out the one cul de sac loop and just headed back to the car. 4.5 miles later and I was done. Yuck. I don’t know if it was because the temp had jumped again or if I was just tired. Either way I was still feeling pretty good for hitting 11.5 miles. Even if that last missed .5 bugs me a little. 🙂 Apparently my Diet Coke is still spiked. 🙂

Today I have yet to hit my measly 10 minutes of exercise but I still have a few hours. I really should because I ate way too much today. I was freakin’ starving! I was a little concerned I would be sore at work today but I was actually pretty good, tall boots and all. And bonus, I’m heading into the weekend having already completed my long run! Now I just have work to get through tomorrow and an anniversary party for a friend tomorrow night. And sleep, I need sleep. And to maybe read a book.

How was your week?

Anyone racing this weekend?

Am I the only one who has had an #obnoxiousrunner moment?

Slightly Unfocused

Ever have one of those runs that makes you feel crazy? Today’s run went something like this–

Yay, the sun is shining- oh more geese, but they don’t look cranky today, that’s good- wow, this feels hard, maybe I’m running too fast- check watch- oh a 10 minute mile, not so tempo-ok, let’s make this an easy run- well that’s assuming I can finish this second lap- man this kicking my butt, 3 is good right- left, right, left- take deep breathes- just keep going- ok, 3 miles done, I can do 1 more right?- this is not easy- man, it’s hot-get over it, it’s like 60, big baby- man why is this so hard- yeah Saturday was 11 miles not 8 but 3 were slow walking- did I foam roll? I can’t remember- I took Sunday off, I should be fine- it is Monday and work was busy but aren’t all Mondays?- Maybe I too much popcorn last night- did I eat enough today- I did start earlier, but I took a full lunch, so those cancel out right?-hey look, sprinklers! Can I run though them?- Water sounds really good right now, why didn’t I bring any?- Yay 4 miles! But I’m on the other side of the lake- If I keep running, I will get to my car quicker- just keep running, just keep breathing- man, I feel hot- even the nasty lake water looks inviting- on second thought, not so much- oh thank god, the parking lot- pause watch- oh wait, 4.70 miles- I can run a bit further right?- I can finish 5- oh this sucks-what was I thinking- I should have quit at 3-just keep breathing- yay the watch vibrated!- 5 and done- where’s water- I should stretch-ooh, my splits kind of look like a pyramid.

So, I was just a tad unfocused during tonight’s run. Throughout the day I was undecided about what I would run. I was torn between 4 miles of downhill-uphill in work town or a 5 mile tempo at the lake path. I had my Wave Rider’s, so I was hoping for a repeat of last week’s great speed work out and I headed to the lake. While work had been long (I started early) and crazy busy; we managed to get out on time. The sun was shining and the weather looked great, so I started my drive. I was still excited when I got to the lake, but it didn’t take long to lose that energy. After the first mile, I mentally changed from the planned tempo to an easy run but it was rough the whole way through. I should have quit at 3; I really should have. I also should have taken water. What good is my shiny new handheld if I don’t use it? As I was stretching, I figured out that it was actually in the mid 80’s. At 7:00 pm… oops. That’s not even a newbie mistake, just me being stupid.

Overall, the pace didn’t suck. I drove home remembering all the times I ran 12:00 minute miles just wishing I could break 10. This may have been a less than stellar run but overall it’s still an improvement. 🙂 I managed a long slow run of 8 miles on Saturday. 8 miles at 10:18- that used to be my 5k race pace, so that’s a plus. After those 8 miles, I headed out for another 3 with my mom and the puppy. So Saturday was an 11 mile day, yowza. Nothing to complain about there.

I took Sunday off but it wasn’t exactly restful. I headed down to SLO to browse hardwood options with my mother. Hit Dick‘s and finally chose a new gym bag. Had a yummy lunch before heading back to town to go to a friends BBQ. I got to hang out with Baby G for a bit 🙂 She has gotten so big; she walks and dances now! I went home to do some laundry, then I joined my mom at the school. They’re doing construction so she needed help moving all of her tennis stuff. (Can we count that as strength training? Ha!) That was followed by a quick dinner before going to the theater to see Captain America. Which was awesome, but I may have indulged in a little too much popcorn. It was worth it. 🙂

Please tell me I am not the only who conversations in their head while running?

Seen any good movies lately?

Let the taper begin

Happy Monday!!

Saturday I was hoping to do an 8 mile dress rehearsal run. Last longish run before my race and I was planning to wear everything that I want to wear for the race. The perfect dress rehearsal would have been to run it in the morning but I had an early tire appointment and was still so tired from the week, that I slept as long as possible. It wasn’t enough. I was still dragging when I made it to the tire place. After 10 minutes of running around, they informed me that the tires I had ordered never arrived and no one bothered to call me.

I have been told by family, friends, coworkers and former employees that I have a “resting bitch face” and sometimes I can make them feel like a bug that I am about to squash. Yeah, those were their exact words. 😦 I have worked hard on improving my expressions over the years, especially since I work management in customer service. I feel I’ve done a decent job, but Saturday I was tired and cranky and this was not the first time this tire place had messed up. I think the bug squashing face came back because I left there with 4 new tires for the price I had been quoted (2nd quote because they lost the 1st one) for the 2 tires I had ordered.

Saturday's work view — Saturday’s work view

I fit in a few errands and lunch with my mom before I had to head out for a work function. With drive time and the function itself, it filled up my afternoon. It was good getting to see everyone and put faces to names and voices on the phone. However put a few hundred people in the foyer of performing arts center and the acoustics make the din just shy of unbearable. The headache I had for a week came back with a vengeance. The auditorium itself was much quieter. 🙂 It was a good afternoon. Plus on the way down I was able to swing by the Running Warehouse and pick up a few supplies-

I made it back home by 5, changed and ran out the door to get in my 8 miles. I knew I was tired so I was aiming for a steady pace. My legs felt horrible; it was hotter than I would have liked and I was just so tired. I lost track of how many walk breaks I took. I have no pictures of the run because I was afraid if I stopped, I wouldn’t get started again. A former coworker drove past me and I thought about flagging her down for a ride home. I should have just done 6 and called it a day but I am not the smartest and pushed to the full 8. 8 miles with an average pace of 10:22. Which for a long slow run is ok but I was just beat. I tested the new handheld on my run too. So not a fan, I wanted to throw it. I am going to try again just to make sure that’s it wasn’t just user error. 🙂

I rewarded myself for completing my run by watching the new Veronica Mars movie. Cue the inner nerd girl squeal! Sunday I slept in, yay!!!! I thought about taking the puppy for a walk but I ended up helping my mother move rocks. She is redoing their landscaping. Let’s call that cross-training. Lots of squats and bending and lifting. Plus chasing errant rocks down the driveway before they went into traffic. The backs of my legs ache in interesting ways today, haha.

They made the music for tonight's run — They made the music for tonight’s run

Today marks the beginning of taper week. After work I headed to the lake to get in a few miles. I was torn between 4 and 6. I figured I would just start running and see how I felt. My legs were stiff from yesterday plus breaking in the new boots I picked up over the weekend didn’t help. I also made this my “uncomfortable” pre-race run. Brand new shirt and shorter than normal shorts. I like to try to prepare myself for wardrobe malfunctions on race day. 🙂 My shorts were actually from Abercrombie’s new “active” line (haha) and I just figured they would be cute summer shorts but not actually good to run in. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. They were light weight and airy and they never moved, never rode up. Wow, I have never had a pair of shorts do that, I may have to try running in them again.

I started off a little stiff and told myself during mile 2 that I was just doing 4 miles. Around mile 3.5 I finally started to loosen up, so I kept going. Mile 4 was a little looser, mile 5 felt pretty good and 6 felt better. I finished out a full 10K and walked back to the bars that I like to stretch on. I knew I was looser and quicker towards the end but I didn’t know how much until I looked at my Garmin splits. Negative split? Sweet! Or should I call that a good progression run?

What makes me laugh about this Garmin data is that I ran the opposite direction on the path tonight. I usually go clockwise but tonight I decided to go counter-clockwise. It felt soooo much harder. I tried telling myself that maybe the elevation was slightly different the other way. Who am I kidding? The average elevation gain was 6 feet. 6 FEET!!!!! Seriously, I must be a big baby.

This should have been up earlier, but the nerd girl in me again was yelling at the tv while watching Teen Wolf.

How was everyone’s Monday?

Who else has “crazy” elevation?

Running with a Jiggle

Want to know a good way to find what areas you need to tone? Fall at work, get bruised and then go for a run. A similar thing happened a few years ago after I was attacked by a dog while out ~~running~~ walking. I was left with a giant bruise and puncture marks on my backside. First time I tried to walk/ run, I could no longer deny that my butt jiggled. Seriously it hurt. Damaged my ego a bit too. 🙂

Friday was a little crazy at work and I had a late lunch. I was sitting in the back at the table eating when the phone rang. Getting up to answer is where the trouble started. I had one foot propped on the chair across from me and one wrapped under mine. Somehow I tangled my chair in the chair next to me when getting up, slammed the second chair into the inside of my left leg and face slammed into the door. I say slammed because my co-workers informed me you can only call it a face plant if you hit the ground. Good to know.

I worked Saturday morning so I didn’t head out for a run until that afternoon. Saturday’s work has a shiny new building and I was so excited that I got to stand and work the whole shift. I didn’t sit down once. I had a little bruise on my leg but it didn’t bother me at all while working. I headed out for an easy run later that afternoon and was greeted by pain. So apparently I need to work on toning my legs more. 🙂 So much for running doing that for me! I had planned on my usual 4.2-4.5 route but I ran into my mom and Zoey along the way. I walked with them for a bit. While it helped me slow down and take it easy, it added some distance and then I ran a little more to round it up. Finished the run at 6 miles.

Today was the only day I have for awhile to sleep in, so I totally took advantage of that. It was so nice. I also managed to make myself get back on the bike. Soooo boring. I forced myself to do 4 miles but wasn’t paying attention, so ended up at 4.5. Or so I think. Miles on the bike always seem to go so quickly; boring but quick. I think my bike needs to be serviced but who has time for that?

After, I got the puppy and went for a puppy jog. She did so good today!!! Only barked at 2 cars and laid down twice. She may never be a solid runner but she’s great for fartlek training! Super speedy sprints followed by walking breaks. 🙂 She made it a full 5k today! She played nice with a little girl and was overly excited when a small terrier wanted to play with her. She only had one odd moment when we passed a particular house. Now this house is on my usual running route and while interesting looking with an even odder looking trailer in the front yard, I have never been concerned by it. Today however, Zoey was spooked. She actually growled at the house and barked a few times. She was completely fine as soon as it was out of sight. Great, thanks Zoey, now I am going to be spooked the next time I run by it.

I should actually be working on a paper right now but nah. Following that I should be getting some sleep, I have a crazy week ahead. So crazy, I am a little unsure of how I will get my runs in. I’m trying to look on the bright side and just say that the lower mileage week will help my ankle soreness. My first 1/2 of the year is exactly 4 weeks from today. Yikes!!! When did that happen?

How was everyone’s weekend?

Anyone run by any spooky places?