Tag: long run

Run!, Slacker, Training

Week 24- Heat Wave

Fallon @ Slacker Runner

It’s begun.

The work week was long and they are only going to get longer from here on out.   I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.  The last big conversion/ merger I went through was 4 years ago and I ended up falling back to running 1x during the week and both weekend days because I was putting in so much overtime.  Oddly enough, that’s also when I was the fastest but I am sure the 2 have no correlation.   πŸ˜›    Difference is, last time we were the company doing the buying not so there wasn’t a huge learning curve for me- it was just a super busy time.  This time, I’m looking at a Grand Canyon of things I don’t know and not knowing what I don’t know makes me uneasy.   I am trying not to stress about it though.

Trying.  I need to read more.  For relaxation I mean.  So I ordered some new books.


Monday- 2.5 miles  First day back at work.  Couple hundred emails, schedule overload,  work ran late, and we were down 50% of our staff.  By the end of the day I had zero desire to run after work.  Zero.  But I changed, laced up and headed for home town.  I turned it into a game- could I keep my heart rate in the green zone?  Yeah, no.  But I tried.  πŸ˜›

Tuesday- Rest I meant to do something productive workout wise but I didn’t.  And something about the shoes I wore to work pissed off my right foot.

Wednesday- Rest  Meeting #1 of meeting/ training polooza of the next month.   The day started abnormally early and by day’s end I was just living in migraine city.  I left my gym bag full of running gear at work and just went home.


Thursday- 4 miles  It had been too long since I ran in work town so that was my plan.  Success!  Similar MO to Monday- try to stay in the green zone.  Hell for the first 2 miles I had trouble getting into the green.    I felt like I was working but I guess the temp in the 60’s and a downhill made things easier than I thought.  Then there was the climb in mile 4 and my heart rate went right past green and into threshold.  Grrrr.     Once home I did 8 minutes with my kettle bell.  Ouch.

Friday- Rest  Seriously 8 minutes with a kettle bell should not kick my ass that much.

Saturday- 9 miles bike  I admit I slept in.  Then it was 106 and there was no way I was running in that.  I stuck to the bike.  Except I still haven’t replaced my fan so I was still ended up a sweaty mess.


Sunday- 7.3 miles  Long run fail.  I headed out around 8 to get in my planned long run of 10 miles but it was already too late.  It was 80 when I started.   It wasn’t bad in the beginning but it never got any better.  I started to feel the warmth around mile 4.  My mother was supposed to meet me around mile 5.5 and she was going to walk while I finished the rest.  She drove past me before I even hit 5.  I took a shorter route to her but I knew I wasn’t hitting 10.  I decided to try for 8 but at 7.3 when I was running- not sure what I was doing could be called running- brought me past the car again, I said F* it.  It was 90 degrees and it wasn’t even 10 yet.  I had somehow gone through 38 oz’s of water in 7 miles and both my packs were empty.   I was done.

13.8 miles run, 9 miles bike, 1 strength workout

Not exactly what I was hoping for this week but also not too shabby for a Slacker like me. Now if I can just drag myself out of bed earlier on the weekends.

How was your week?

What’s your weather like?

 

Run!, Training

Week 16- Short

Fallon @ Slacker Runner

Upcoming Races:

  • Destination Races Santa Barbara 13.1- May 13
  • Rock N Roll San Diego 13.1-June 4

I don’t know what it was about this week but every workout fell short from what I planned.  This week was kind of all over the place…or at least my brain was.   Maybe it was just me?   Who knows.

I experimented with lunch and breakfast changes last week and they did not go so well at all.  Boo, I am so over smoothies.

Monday- Rest  After a weekend of running with minimal pain, I decided to give my legs a rest.  They might have let me get in a long run without screaming but I didn’t want to push it.

Tuesday- Rest This is where things started to get odd.  Work ran long and I was just so tired, I ended up heading home after work and picking up a pizza.πŸ•


Wednesday- 2.3 miles  So not the plan.  I was aiming for 4-5 miles and although I started off with sluggish legs, I felt like they were warming up.  What was not on board was my stomach and things turned ugly in my second lap of the lake.  Grrrr.


Thursday- 3.65 miles Again fewer miles than planned but this time I was ok with it.   With all my shoe issues I decided to try running in the Nike’s and for some reason that was a sign to my legs to move.   I was feeling out of breath in mile 2 and getting pissed off because I didn’t feel like I was moving that fast so I took a long walk break- almost 2 minutes.  That’s not counting the 1 or 2  30 second walk breaks I had already taken.  I figured out I was running too fast when mile 2 clocked in at 10:54.  Wait, with all that walking- how the hell fast was I was running?  Instead of fighting it I just let my legs do what they wanted to do.  I ran like hell for a while and walked anytime I needed a rest.    I was also singing and dancing to my music while running down the street.  πŸ˜›

Friday- Rest  It ended up being an open to close kind of day and I was beat after work.   It’s always a great day when you’re told you shouldn’t go to lunch right? πŸ˜‚

Saturday- Rest  I planned on running to make up the missed miles from earlier in the week but I kept procrastinating.   Run didn’t happen.


Sunday- 10 miles  Ouch.  I had prepped for a morning 12 miler.  However when I woke up my stomach informed me that the only place I was running was to the bathroom.  😞   So I pushed my run to the afternoon.  It was only supposed to be in the mid 70’s so I figured it would be ok.  Ha!  I was so hot and so slow.  It was seriously the slowest 10 miles I have ever run.     It shouldn’t have felt that warm to me but we haven’t been that warm yet this year with all the rain.  I’ve only run in shorts twice and I guess I haven’t acclimated.   I just kept moving forward- it took a lot of walking but I finally made it home.  I did sit down outside the elementary school for a moment in a effort to cool off a bit.  Grrr.

15.95 miles for the week.    Grrrr.  That’s all I got for this week.  Maybe a run on Saturday would have made things better but it was almost 90 so maybe not.   Time to put it behind me as I should be running a race next weekend.  Which would be fine if I had a pair of shoes that didn’t hurt.  The PureFlow’s start to aggravate my arch around mile 9-10.   Seriously, barefoot running is looking better by the day.

How was your week?

Do anything fun?

Run!, Training

Week 15- Ouch

Fallon @ Slacker Runner

Upcoming Races:

  • Destination Races Santa Barbara 13.1- May 13
  • Rock N Roll San Diego 13.1-June 4

Ouch, ouch, ouch.  It hurts.  Cue panic.   I have a half in 2 weeks and Wine Country in 26 days.  Why?!?!

This week was tiring.  There wasn’t any real reason I can pinpoint it was just tiring.   I actually bought a few beers to help me relax a bit the last time I was at the store but to show how rarely I drink- when I went to have one I realized I didn’t have a bottle opener.   Well crap.  Who knew those multi purpose race medals would actually come in handy? πŸ˜›

After a good week of running last week I was looking forward to more of the same this week.   Ha!

Monday- Rest  I had planned on running after work but things ran a little later than I thought.  This is when the tiredness started.  I was also supposed to help my parents with their taxes so I decided there just wasn’t enough time.  I hate taxes.

Tuesday- Rest Hmmm, apparently this is the black hole day of the week.


Wednesday- 3.5 miles Where it all went to hell.  Ok, maybe that was a tad dramatic.   I headed to home town for what I thought was going to be a nice, easy 4-5 miler.  20 feet in I had a feeling it was going south.  My left knee hurt- like a sharp stabbing pain right under the knee cap.  Do I stop or is it going to work itself out if I run on? I ran on, slowly.   By mile 2ish, my knee was under control but now my left shin was throbbing.   My shin is always a hot point but never usually this bad.  What the hell! I had turned around before that point and was gimping my way back to my car.  Walking made my knee hurt but running aggravated my shin.  Both sucked.   Later that night I had shooting pains in my right leg… compensation maybe?

Thursday- Rest  My knee hurt at odd points throughout the day, I did the smart thing for once and just went home.   This was beginning to get irksome.

Friday- Rest  My knee felt 85% better but my shin was still twinge-y.  For only having hobbled my way through 3.5 miles during the week, I was stupid tired.  I took a nap on my lunch.


Saturday- 4 miles  I helped my mother move a bunch of rocks in the morning which may or may not have been the best idea.    I joked that I was just working on my squats and hip openers.    I headed out for a test run in the afternoon to see how things went.  One thing I changed was my shoes- Wednesday’s run was in the Sayonara’s and this was in the PureFlow’s.  I tried to keep things easy and walked anytime I felt any sort of twinge from my left leg.  All in all, it wasn’t a bad run at all.  If anything, my legs really wanted to run but I wouldn’t let them.


Sunday- 10 miles 2 less then my original planned long run but maybe more than I should have done.   A cool front and an incoming storm meant I could run in the afternoon again.  I helped my mother with more buckets of rocks and then got the run in before Easter dinner.   Can I count all the rock lifting as cross training this week?  I wasn’t sure how many miles I was going to get in but I figured I would give it a shot.     I ran the same route as last week and coming up on mile 4 I knew I had a choice- turn left and turn it into and 8 mile run with more hills or go straight across the bridge for a slighter flatter 10 miles.  I was feeling ok so I headed across the bridge.  Per usual, I picked up the pace running across the bridge and slowed it down after that.   The river path is super over grown right now so lately  I slow down, pause my music and keep an eye out for rattlesnakes.  πŸ˜•    Coming back across the bridge my leg was starting to talk, not pain but not happy.  Ok, 8 miles would have been a better idea.    I slowed down and just kept moving forward.  I think I can, I think I can.  10 miles done.  Where’s my foam roller?

17.5 miles for the week.   Less then I wanted but more than I thought I would get considering how I felt on Wednesday.   I will be spending lots of time with my foam roller and stretching throughout the week to come.  Maybe this will be the kick in the pants to use the roller more consistently?   As for the pains, I think the knee may be a problem with my shoes.  If so, this is the quickest I’ve ever killed a pair of shoes- the Sayonara’s only have 174 miles on them.  I think I might know what triggered the shin so I am testing a theory this week.

Oh did I mention I tried to knock myself out on a tree branch?  πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚

Last week had some shiny moments-  I made it to the movies to see Fate of the Furious.  Yeah it had it’s over the top moments but it was still awesome.

How was your week?

Happy Marathon Monday!!!!

Run!, Slacker, Training

Week 14- Somewhat Normal

Fallon @ Slacker Runner

Upcoming Races:

  • Destination Races Santa Barbara 13.1- May 13
  • Rock N Roll San Diego 13.1-June 4

This week was a little over the place.   First week post merger, crazy busy and I had to spend time fighting with the IRS to prove that I was me.  That was real fun.   Identify theft is a never ending story.  I was actually a little worried going into the appointment-  the picture on my drivers license is over 15 years old, I swear it’s me!   I also hit a possum and felt traumatized.   😒

All stress aside, this was a slightly more normal week running wise.  Woo hoo!  And I ending up buying myself the entire Fast and Furious collection so I had a couple of relaxing weekend evenings.πŸ˜›

Monday- Rest  I took all my gear to work but didn’t really account for the chaos of the first day post merger.  Which was silly because this was not my first rodeo.   Anyhow, the day was insanely busy and my boots did not cooperate with my feet at all.  By the end of the day, I was done.  I limped to my car and just went home.


Tuesday-  4 miles  I ran from work, I just felt like it was a day for the eucalyptus grove.  While I keep my pace easy for my work route I push the threshold in other ways.  I often run without water and try to not use my inhaler.   In a town that often has a heavy marine layer.  It sounds crazy but I do it every couple of weeks as a workout of sorts for my lungs.    I always have my inhaler with me if I need it but I like to try run the whole run without using it.

Wednesday- Rest– Once again, Wednesday is a black hole.  I am sure I did something but I have no idea what.


Thursday- 2 runs, 2.6 miles each  Grrr, I had to leave work early for my IRS appointment and had hoped I would have enough time to get in a 5 mile run before I had a tire rotation appointment.   Yeah no.    I squeezed in 2.6 which started sluggish and ended speedy- 8:50 pace for the .6.  Then it was off the get my tires done.   Once home, I managed to head out for another 2.6 in the evening.  This were more evenly pace miles and I learned that the elementary school is a madhouse after 6.  I was dodging cars right and left and lost track of how many times I stopped to avoid getting hit.   Aaagh!!!   Just get me home!  5.2 miles for the day.

Friday- Rest Oh I ate so much food!  It was my 10 year anniversary at work (even with the new company) and my boss and coworkers brought me donuts and pizza!


Saturday- 10 miles I woke up with a headache and I knew there was a cycling event on my running route so I decided to go back to sleep.   The rain that came through on Friday kept the temps down  so I headed out for my long run around 4.   Oh man, the wind was nuts at some points.   I felt like I was being blown backwards.   My legs felt fine for this run and I didn’t really feel tired but I couldn’t ever really get my  head in the game.   My stomach started to cramp around mile 7 but considering what I had eaten over the past few days, I really couldn’t blame it.  It wasn’t a bad run by any means, it was just meh.  It did reinforce my opinion that I hate running west across the bridge.  East- no problem, west? Yuck.

Sunday- Rest Well, crap, my calves were sore.   The PureFlow’s seem to be working out but I forgot how long it took me to transition to a 4mm drop.  Oops.

19.2 miles for the week.  That missing .8 kind of bothers me but hey it’s 7 more miles than last week.  I was super tired this week but finally figured when I am not going to be?  Might as well just run.  πŸ˜›

How was your week?

Anyone race this weekend?

Watch any movies lately?

Run!, Training

Weekly Recap 10- Hello Sun

Fallon @ Slacker Runner

Upcoming Races:

  • Livermore 13.1 -March 26
  • Destination Races Santa Barbara 13.1- May 13

This week was a little over the place.  When I think back on it, it feels more like a month than just 7 days.

Monday- Rest  I woke up feeling broken.  I hurt everywhere and felt exhausted.  I felt like calling in sick but someone already had the night before so I knew I was going to work.  I dragged myself in but just felt worse as the day went on.   I made it through the day and treated myself to In N Out on the way home.  One of the few times I allow myself it is when I am not feeling well.

Tuesday- Rest I was feeling a little better but still not right.  I figured why chance it.


Wednesday- 2.5 miles I headed to lake path after work to get in a few miles.     We have been having some crazy wind and for some reason I didn’t have my Buff.  My ears were so damn cold.  I admit I turn into a big baby when my ears get cold.   I made it 2.5 miles before I called it.   Plus I was still afraid of getting sick.   With a half so close, I didn’t want to chance it.   Being sick for pretty much all of December is still giving me flashbacks.  Which is a bummer because my stride actually felt on point for that second mile. 


Thursday- 4 miles I set out from work and told myself I was going to do an easy 3 mile run.  Somehow that turned into the fastest 4 miler I’ve done in 6 months.   Oops!  Maybe it was the pre-workout from Beachbody I am testing? Maybe I was just feeling good?  I don’t know.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m still way slower than I was but it’s nice to see the numbers going in the right direction.     Plus the State Park was open for the first time since Lucifer so I had to run through the Eucalyptus grove.

Friday- Rest  Same ol’ Friday except I started the day in a great mood which is rare.  It lasted until around 3 when work kicked me in the face.   Thanks.


Saturday-10 miles The plan was to run early so I could finish at the high school and meet my mom for lunch after my run and her tennis practice so I dragged myself out of bed in the morning.   A mile into my run, I was rethinking things.   I was stripping off my long sleeve because I was already hot.   I was keeping to 3/1’s but seemed to be keeping a decent long run pace.  I think- I’ve taken the pace off my watch face.   I ran into an old friend and stopped to chat for a moment.  I did 2 laps of a hill, I ran across the the bridge at what felt like a restrained pace considering how I usually sprint across it.  Pace wise and legs wise I was feeling good- however I was just past mile 5 and I knew I was going to have a  problem.  I was hot, too hot.    10 in the morning and it was pushing 75.  Which, don’t get me wrong is amazing but it came out of nowhere and I was not prepared.   I was overheating and running out of water.  I slowed to a crawl going up a hill as I tried to cool down and figure something out.   I texted my mother to see if anyone was using the high school track.  My original route took the long way to the high school but had no stores or working water fountains along the way.  The high school is the only place in town I know the water fountains work.  I finally just decided to take the shortcut to the high school, empty track or not.  I couldn’t maintain the 3/1’s anymore, I was just in survival mode.  I made it to the school, refilled my water bottle and was able to finish my run on the thankfully empty track.   I love the sun and the warmth but I was so not ready for it on this run.


Sunday- Rest  Shopping around SLO counts as active recovery right?   Plus some foam rolling.    And I picked up some pretty new shoes, fingers crossed they work!

16.5 miles for the week.  Slowly going up.  I won’t lie, I’ve been in a running funk, I’m hoping DST gives me a good kick in the pants.  Plus I have a new or old mentality so we’ll see if that helps too.

How was your week?

How was your weekend weather?