Tag: heat

May Recap = No Excuses Summer

May was a long, kind of rough month that also felt like it passed in the blink of an eye. But enough whining, lets move on to the numbers-

Races-

Run or Dye– ?????
Bands on the Run 10K- 59:28

May turned out to be my lowest mileage for the year so far. This was due to a variety of reasons but at this point I calling bullshit and saying that they were all excuses and poor planning on my part. Which leads into my summer plans-

#noexcusessummer

As of June 1st, I am done whining. This is going to be really hard so I may need your help. 🙂 What this means is that going forward I will do at least 10 minutes of exercise six days a week. Doesn’t really sound like anything at all, but considering all I do right now is run and sit on my butt, it’s a step in the right direction.

So I will run a minimum of 3 days a week, 4 if I’m feeling feisty. But I will focus more on quality than hitting a mileage goal.
The yoga DVD has made it’s way into the dvd player and will be done once a week, the kettle bell dvd should be done once a week as well.
Also on the plan is to start using the gym I pay for but haven’t been to in 3 months. And by use I mean something other than the treadmill 🙂

As for the no excuses, I have made a lot of them lately. Work was crazy, it was hot, my stomach hurt, I had the paper to work on, etc. Enough is enough. Work is going to be crazy until at least the end of the year, so I may as well get over it. The heat? As someone pointed out, I live in central California, it’s just a fact of life. I should be thankful that we don’t have humidity. I don’t know how anyone runs in that. My stomach? Well, realistically, it’s never going to work right, I’ve been told that, so why wait in vain for it to be perfect? As for the paper, it’s done and the class is done. Not my best work. 😦

There are 24 hours in a day and really I have next to no obligations. There is nothing stopping me from exercising before or after work other than my Slacker-ness. While it may be hot in my home town, my work town usually runs about 25º cooler. Granted, to run more than 4 miles I will have to find roads with actual shoulders but I’m sure it can be done. And if not, well then there is the nice air conditioned gym. 🙂

In keeping with this new attitude, Sunday I completed the yoga dvd and day 1 of the AB challenge that is floating around right now. After the race on Saturday followed by a 3 mile hike with my mom and the puppy that night, I gave my legs a break from running. We did the same hike as the Firehouse 5K race, it’s still hard just walking. But yoga equals exercise so day 1, done!

Monday was a vacation day for me, which was awesome. I had planned to run 6 miles in the AM and followed by a busy day of errands and helping my mother with her tennis banquet that night. I woke to find that day 2 was going to be a challenge. My stomach was horrible and there was no way I was running then. I did some thinking and knew I had a small window around 1:00 to squeeze in some miles, so I slept a little longer. By 1:00, my stomach was barely better but I couldn’t quit after a 1 day streak so I went out for a slow run. I kept it easy and walked every time it got a little worse. I came to a complete halt at 3.5 miles for a few moments but I pushed though. 4.5 miles completed! Normally, I would have blown off all exercise for the day.

I was supposed to help my mother hand out the awards during the banquet but the puppy was not doing well with the unusual crowd at the house. Finally to calm her down, I took her for a walk. It was supposed to be short, but she had energy to burn and maintained a steady pace for 2.5 miles. She never does that! So in a hap hazard way, I hit my mileage goal for the day anyways. 🙂 I only completed half of the ab challenge though, my stomach was in no mood to do sit ups or crunches.

Today was another vacation day, yay! I met a friend for lunch to celebrate her birthday tomorrow ( Happy birthday ML!). It was yummy. My stomach is still not happy so I was planning on taking it easy and doing the yoga dvd in the evening. Then I ended up helping my mother with tennis practice. It’s spring practice for fall right now, and she has like 30 girls out there. She likes when I come help because I am more of a drill sergeant out there. I lost count of how many times I yelled bend your knees. Even though that could have counted as my exercise of the day and Tuesdays are a usual running rest day, I couldn’t pass up a vacation day and not run. So I set out for 4 miles.

I don’t know if it was my stomach or just because I mentally think of Tuesday as a rest day but it was hard. I ran so slow. Then I got stuck behind a truck doing an awkward 5 point turn in mile 2 and a phone call in mile 3. Ok, I get it, not a fast run day, but still got it in. 🙂 So 3 for 3 so far! Let’s see how far I can go!

It’s back to work for me tomorrow. 😦 Plus I have to get a few miles for National Running Day! I might check out the gym equipment too. But seriously? How do you use that stuff?

What are your goals for June?

No really, any gym tips?

Someone Kick Me

I had good intentions about getting in some really good runs over the long weekend. You know what that saying about good intentions? Yeah. I had hoped to run a few miles Sunday evening after the hike but it didn’t happen. There was some drama with the mother’s puppy and that made a perfect excuse. Monday was a day off from work, perfect opportunity to get in some miles, but nope, saw Godzilla instead. May has been a pretty off month for me; I am kind of nervous for my race on Saturday. I feel completely unprepared and it’s just the 10K. I am so glad I didn’t sign up for the half this time around.

I did get in a few miles after work on Tuesday. But honestly, starting in 96º was not the best idea. 4 miles turned into a 5K, a slow, hot 5K. I ran at the lake so I am still walking the construction section and I was so thankful for those walk breaks. I even tried to take a picture to show how hot I was. I felt like I was panting like a dog, ugh.

Speaking of dogs, my mom had a banquet thing for tennis, so I hung out with the puppy for a bit after my run. She got hurt on Sunday trying to protect her yard and had to go back to the vet Tuesday. She does not like her medicine. Plus she is sad that she can’t play with her toys for a few weeks. 😦 We just chilled on the patio. She would doze off next to me, then wake up to see if I was still there. It was kind of cute. 🙂

I once again hit the path for a few miles tonight. 4.5 sluggish miles. The goal was a nice, easy pace of 10:00. Pace met, but it didn’t feel easy. I don’t know why running feels so hard lately. I haven’t even run over 6 miles since my last half marathon. Apparently May is synonymous with Slacker. I was very happy to see the walking sections tonight as well. But sooner rather than later, they will finish the construction and I will no longer be able to rationalize the walking so easily. Wah Wah. I really need to kick this- whatever this is.

Ok, it no longer be called a lake — Ok, it can no longer be called a lake

Tomorrow I hope to get to packet pickup for the race on Saturday. It’ll be tight with work but I think I can make it. Less stress for race morning then. 🙂 Is it too much to hope that this race will be the kick in the pants I need? And a cookie counts as carb loading right? Now if I can just hold myself to 1.

How has your week been?

Anyone else have a rough month or so of training?

What are your weekend plans?

Keep Left

My week of self imposed torture is almost done! I’ve missed running and reading all your posts. I did manage to read some posts, I tried to hit “like” on what I did read, but my comments were kind of sparse. Sorry 😦 Since this week has been so off and all over the place, this post is going to be a little different-

Things I’ve Learned this week-

*Procrastinating is not as cool as you think and working under pressure does not make things more exciting. And, yes I knew that before but have been forcibly reminded.

*I found something slower than a treadmill mile- and a typo

I found something g longer than a #treadmillmile – an #LAfreewaymile – help!

— SlackerRunner (@SlackerRunner) May 16, 2014

*Compression socks are awesome for your circulation on a long drive. However, if you are wearing said socks under skinny jeans and are stuck in traffic in a poorly ventilated car- watch out! I was so flippin’ hot and I couldn’t loosen my pant leg enough to get the socks off. But Pro Compression did retweet me!

Love my @PROCompression socks for #running and #recovery how about a 9 hours in a car? #roadtrip pic.twitter.com/aPqOg6805F

— SlackerRunner (@SlackerRunner) May 16, 2014

*When your GPS app is telling you to keep left, you should keep left! Instead of making it have to recalculate and circle around. If the app could talk, I think it would have had some choice things to say.

*No matter how clean the rooms are or how friendly the staff is, care facilities are depressing. Just straight up sad and I don’t do well with that. 😦

*Why yes, I do eat my feelings. And it’s usually pizza.

*Running into a headwind doesn’t always suck. For example, when its 90º+ outside. I still walked a lot but thank you wind. Was it too hot to run? Possibly but after 3 days off, I really wanted to run. Saturday’s original goal was 6 but that wasn’t happening. 3.5 instead.

*Visor’s really do make a difference. Took a run break from the research today and realized I forgot my visor 1/2 mile in. I thought I would be ok as it was 10º cooler than yesterday. So not true. I was hot and sweaty and sweat was dripping in my eyes. I don’t think that has ever happened before. I did an uncomfortable 4 and called it.

*Finding said visor and dunking it water before taking the puppy out for a puppy jog-awesome! I was so much cooler. The puppy also had a really good walk/jog. She loves to roll in grass. I think this needs to be our weekend tradition.

I have 2 deadlines, one Monday and one Wednesday, and then freedom! Haha. I am sure something else will come up 🙂

How was your weekend?

Anyone race?

Am I the only procrastinator?

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?

Well, that was a hot one

Happy Daylight Savings Time!!! You know, I hated this day before I was a runner. Not I count down the days until it comes. 🙂

Not only was Friday a rest day but it was just one of those days. It started with a 4:30 AM text and went on from there. It left me feeling harried all day and that can sometimes make me crave crappy food. And I indulged. A few too many of these ↓ followed by pizza for dinner.

I had planned my long run for Saturday morning, I had been thinking 9-11ish. I was giving myself 2 hours to run 10 miles; I knew I wouldn’t use the full 2 hours but I wanted to make sure that I took it easy. Well, 9 turned into 9:40. I have been trying to train myself to sleep differently and it’s not going so well. 🙂 I finally headed out the door after making the last minute decision to lose the long sleeves.

The first 3 miles were solid even if my body was telling me that it did not appreciate the pizza for dinner the night before. It was warmer than I had expected so I was glad I was running in a tank and shorts. I planned my route the night before but as I passed the cemetery the first time I saw that they were setting up for a service. I try not to run by when they are having a service, sometimes I can’t avoid it, so then I slow down to a crawl and try to be super quiet. Today though, I could see it so I knew I had to change my route. I had planned on doing a hill loop twice so instead I added a third. By the third pass I was getting tired, it was getting hotter and I was only at 6.5 miles. One of my former co-workers lives on that street and the first 2 times I ran down, her husband was outside. I thought about saying hi but figured he would have no idea who I was. Third time back down, she was outside too. Yay for a break!!! I stopped and we chatted a bit. It was a good little rest.

After saying our goodbyes, I headed off to finish my run. Of course, stupid pride makes you run faster when you think someone you know is watching, haha!!! I was also still trying to figure out the route in my head so I threw in another half of the same hill loop; 3/4 of the way up, there is another option for coming back down. I then headed back towards home. It was hot and it was getting rough. By mile 9 I was done. I ran out of Gatorade at that point as well. I have never run out water or Gatorade before. I dragged myself through mile 10 and shut off my Garmin. I was still half a mile from my house and was trying to remember if the grocery store 2 blocks away had a water fountain.

The weather had started in the low 60’s but by the end of my run it was almost 80. I have run in much hotter temps before but for some reason, I was not prepared for yesterday. It kicked my butt. It also burned through my sunblock, my back is a lovely shade of red. I made it home and went straight for the water. Then a little chocolate milk and 2 bottles of Nuun.

I then managed to clean my car, finally. My mother had a tennis match yesterday and she wanted to show her team the puppy. So I picked up the puppy and took her for a ride. She was a little confused at first, but overall very well behaved. She wasn’t prepared for stop signs though, and tumbled off the seat at the first one- oops!!!

I rounded out the day by doing the usual errands and topped it all off by watching Catching Fire, again. Today was mostly chill, I took the puppy for another puppy jog- 3 miles in 56 minutes. She was a little slower today but much better behaved. She only barked at one car. 🙂

I am excited for the daylight time to run this week after work. It’s also inspection time at work, so I may have the need to run off some stress. 🙂 And my first half of the year is just two weeks from today!

How were your weekends?

Ever had a run turn out to be way warmer than planned?