Whereas April felt like it was 3 years long, May was 3 seconds long. How does that even happen?
Training wise, I had my best month of the year. Granted that’s not saying much but it’s still a positive, right? I ran 2 races- Yosemite Half and Silver Moon. Granted, I dropped from the 6 hour times race to the 10k at Silver Moon but no regrets there.
I ran some roads and some trails. In fact, I finally made it out to a trail I’ve had on my list for a few years. Stuck in the middle of writing that blog post though. Oops. I also settled on a training strategy for Santa Rosa Marathon (half) in August. I say strategy because training plans and I do not get along.
Work wise, the month was a little rough. The busy months are coming and I feel ill prepared. My boss also turned in their notice in May so things are interesting. Thankfully, I really do have a great crew.
Oh, I picked up 2 new pairs of running shoes too! Granted, I ran the others into the ground and they needed to be replaced but new shoes are exciting for any reason, right? However my bank account would prefer that I don’t need to replace both pairs at the same time again, ha.
I also added a few more books to Total for the year. Somehow I’ve read over 40 books at this point in 2022. Huh??
I first heard about Silver Moon back in 2021 but it was same weekend I was running CDA Half up in Idaho. I was bummed to be missing out on a new local race, especially since most of my local races had all disappeared… and that was even before COVID.
So when it came back for 2022, I was on board. Except it was pricey. I had trouble rationalizing that kind of $$$ for a 10K. The race offered a 10k, 6-12-24 hour, and 100 mile option and a wine walk. The 6 hour was only $10 more than the 10k so I thought why not? Plus the race started at 6pm and ran until midnight which meant hours of running under the full moon. I figured I could do between 3-4 mile an hour and just have fun and enjoy a new challenge. I knew I was in no shape for any form of speed.
Race day came only 7 days after Yosemite Half. Which may have been fine except my quads were screaming from the 7ish miles of downhill and my feet were still raw from wearing the wrong damn socks on race day. #rookiemove Then a period from hell along with a migraine moved in on Thursday/ Friday. In fact, I left work early on Friday, I felt so horrible.
For the next 24 hours, I went back and forth on DNS’ing, dropping to the 10k or stupidly trying for the whole thing. Did I mention it was supposed to be in the low 90’s at go time? The slightly smarter part of me prevailed and I dropped to the 10k.
The race takes place at Cass Winery and consists of a 2 mile loop around the vineyards. Dirt road is my favorite surface and I didn’t even need my trail shoes.
The race actually started a little early and we were off on our first loop. The 10k had 3, so slightly shorter than a full 10K. It was 91 degrees. I died 1/4 mile in. I was so damn hot, I don’t know if I’ve ever felt that hot before. I almost lost my lunch around mile 5, never been that nauseous at a race before. I would say I walked 99.9% of this “race”. Even walking, my heart rate was in the red for the entirety of the 6 miles. Ouch.
Finish 1:29:17
I crossed the finish line and wanted nothing more than an ice cold Coke. I found warm coke at the finish line aid but found ice cold water up in the Barrell Room at the after party for the 10K runners and the wine walkers. I also may have hid in the air conditioned room until I was less tomato red, ha!
The party was still going when I left but all I could think about was a nice cold Frappuccino from Starbucks. So I made my way there via the backroads… only to be told they closed early! I was so bummed.
Beauty of back roads
The concept of this race was great and I really liked the loops around the vineyard, this was just not my day. I still hope it comes back next year, I need redemption.
I finished June with a measly 21 miles. Not surprising as I retreated into a dark corner after all the trauma in my town. I almost called it drama but that is not accurate, trauma is.
Last week was more trying to regain some calm. In some ways it worked, in others not so much. People’s obsession with fireworks was not helpful at all but also expected.
All that aside, last week was actually not bad when it comes to workouts- I worked out 5 times. I don’t even know who I am?!
After much consideration, I re-upped my Beachbody account. I wasn’t fond of the gym before Covid, I have no desire to go back anytime soon. That and my sedentary- ness has got to give. I do have to say that the Amazon Fire stick is a game changer. Having the workout videos on my tv as apposed to my laptop or cellphone is so much better. I completed Week 1 of Liift 4 on Monday, Tuesday and Sunday. Yeah, I got a little distracted in the middle of the week.
Thursday, I was feeling lazy. I hadn’t run after work since transferring to the new office…over a month ago. I headed home with the intention of being lazy but instead squeezed in a short 20 ish minutes- 1.5ish miles. Forward progress is the point right??
Work on Friday was insane, I just went home and hid in a dark corner. No long weekend for me.
The weekend was a warm and I slept late on Saturday. When it came time to run, it was 100*, so I napped instead. Oops.
Did I learn my lesson for Sunday? Nope. Did a Liift4 workout and then headed out. Depending on what thermometer you read, it was either 102 or 106. My run turned into a walk but forward motion, right? Plus, I have adjust to the heat at some point. A friend actually saw me out, and was confused by both my walking and the fact I was outside in that temp. I only saw one other person outside the entire time I was out there. Ha! 3 miles
So, still not a lot of miles but an overall improvement on the entire year, really. Now the question is can I repeat it?
The 106* temps aren’t helping me adjust. On one hand, I am anxuiusoly awaiting Fall temps but I am not looking forward to it getting dark sooner. Also, I am not looking forward to the Pumpkin Spice- everywhere. Sorry but it’s true.
Last week was both good in ways and rough in ways. Running was better but I find myself in a funk I am having trouble swinging my way out of. People’s new penchant for making fun of my name isn’t helping.
I also had an appointment with my gastro last week. Which was good because I received a med change as well an appointment for an endoscopy. He also finally addressed the elephant in the room that is my weight. Do we have a direction to go? Not really but the fact that I’ve put on 40+ pounds in a not long period of time is finally ringing someone else’s bell than just mine.
I am still running plan- less as I prepare for all my October races. Which I was fine with because I somehow convinced myself I had plenty of time. Only to have the realization last week that I actually only have 5 weeks until my next half. What?!?
40 minutes of slogging and we drop 3 degrees
Monday- 3.1 miles I was a little concerned how this was going to feel after essentially 2 weeks off but it felt pretty ok. Granted, I backed off on pace a lot as it was still 100 degrees by the time I ran and this idiot packed pants. Really?
Tuesday- 3.6 ish miles I had new shorts to try out from Athleta and I was hoping they would be a good fit as they were cute. I was also feeling like running so I set out for my 5 mile route. Instead around 2.5 miles in, I was trying to map a shortcut in my head. The shorts and I were not getting along. I even tried Vaseline lip gloss as a substitute body glide but I feel like it just made things worse. The last mile was probably more bowlegged hobble than a run.
Wednesday- Recovery The wounds of Tuesday needed time to recover. Plus this was my doctor’s appointment day.
Thursday- 3.1 miles This was a kind of stressful day and I just wanted to turn my brain off. I went back to basics and ran the route I ran back when I was first starting out years ago. I just wanted to turn off my brain and run. And I maybe should have carried water- 95 felt hotter than I thought it would.
Friday- Nada The beauty of no training plan is that I no longer have to lie to myself about running on a Friday. I don’t even attempt to plan it anymore.
Saturday- oops I set an alarm to run but then didn’t get up. I also didn’t make it out in the afternoon as even I’m not stupid enough to run in 106*.
Sunday- 2.94 miles See above and repeat. I did drag myself out after dinner for a few miles but as it was literally 10 minutes after eating, this was a walk. But something is better than nothing right?
12.9 sluggish miles for the week. Still an improvement on the previous 2 weeks. Small victories, right?
I had such good intentions last week, I really did.
You know what the say about good intentions? Yep.
The week started of good with an easy 5K run on Monday. After the previous 4 days off, I knew it could feel a little bumpy but it felt pretty good. Granted, I am running slower as I am toying with heart rate training. Y’all that crap is hard.
Then the poor paving started.
I meant to run after #bibchat on Tuesday but instead I spent a couple hours cleaning my car. Yes, it was that dirty. I am ashamed. But I also finally put on my current registration tags and a new 26.2 sticker to replace the magnet that mysteriously disappeared.
Then Wednesday, I had a van certification class for the high school after work. So much fun. However there were some questions asked during class that made me glad I don’t have kids in high school sports because I would Never let them ride in a car driven by those people. Seriously.
Part of the venue
Thursday was rough, I was feeling horrible all day but I knew I had a mixer after work. I made myself get through it all. The only thing I could keep down was curly fries, ha! It was also kind of a rough day at work.
Friday was still a little rough. I maybe have downplayed how rough my GI disorder has been treating me the last few months. It’s been so awesome, ha! But I do have a doctor’s appointment coming up.
Naps all around?
Saturday and Sunday were a hot mess. The weather man lied and the weekend temp was around 10* hotter than he said. You would think after Saturday was so wrong, I wouldn’t have trusted Sunday’s… but I did. And it was 106 so yeah, I was super lazy this weekend. Oops. Wait, does going to the movies count as activity? Nope. Oh well, at least Angel Has Fallen was good.
So yeah, 5k for the week and 0 MM100 workouts. Double oops.
How was your week? How long does it take for you to change your tags?
Slacker Runner 