Tag: long run

Week 39:Upcoming Races-Rock n Roll San Jose Training Week 11

Fallon @ Slacker Runner2 Comments

Upcoming Races-

  • Rock n Roll San Jose 13.1 (Thank you BibRave!)-10/8
  • City to the Sea 13.1-10/14- maybe
  • Rock n Roll Los Angeles 13.1 (Thank you BibRave!)- 10/29
  • Monterey Bay Half Marathon (Thank you BibRave!)- 11/12

Peek weak redux? More like epic fail.

Like I said in Friday’s post this week was less than stellar.   I was in a funk with no real reason as to why.    I started the week out sick and things just kind of went down hill from there.    We had an employee with a last day on Friday and it’s always sad when the team changes.  On the upside, I finally have a hotel for my work trip coming up in October so I won’t be sleeping in my car, haha.

The plan called for a 6 mile run, 6 mile pace run, 10 mile long run and 3-4 cross training workouts.

Monday- Sick
I felt fine in the morning and had my running gear with me at work.  However things went south around 4:00pm when I suddenly felt nauseous, clammy and like I was running a fever.   I went home and just curled up under a blanket.  It was still hot outside so it was a sign that I really wasn’t feeling well.

Tuesday- Liift4
I still wasn’t feeling well.  I couldn’t focus and everything took so much more effort.  I ran into my uncle during the day and he took one look at me and asked why the hell I went to work.  I’m stupid??  I felt like a total sloth so I dragged my way through a Liift4 workout in the late evening.  I did feel a little better after.

Wednesday-1.2 miles
Not what I intended.  I planned to attempt 5-6 pace-ish miles around the lake path but the path had other plans.  Creeper alert!  Both could have been false alarms but my #1 rule is Be Paranoid.   The first creeper was a windowless van parked on the path.  Ummm, why?  Next up was a gold Ford Fusion that slowed as it passed me, then drove in front of me.   When it came back for a second, slower pass, I was done -I’m out.  I’ll run another day.

Thursday- 3 miles
My leg was hurting.  I was stupid and sat in my chair this week- why do I keep doing that- and it aggravates my right leg in a bad way.  I toughed out 3 miles but managed to find a decent, easy pace actually.  I knew more would probably be stupid judging by how the leg felt though.

Friday- Nothing
I just wanted to stay in bed all day but I went to work.  I did bring back the desk chair instead of my stool though.

She had the right idea

Saturday-Nothing
And I mean nothing.  I set my alarm to get in my long run but when it came time to run I was so not feeling it.  In fact I was feeling like being a sloth.  So I did.  The upcoming month of October is looking to be crazy busy and this was my last weekend before things get crazy.  So, I did the bare minimum.  I ran 2 errands and I napped.

Sunday- 6.35 miles
I should have napped more.  I kept putting off this run because I really didn’t want to run.  I wanted to be lazy but I told myself that was stupid.   So I headed out for a run.   Why?  It was miserable.  It was too warm, I wasn’t into it and my leg started to hurt towards the end.  I walked a lot.   I was done.  I just looped and headed back to the car.   I should have just skipped it.  My pace wasn’t completely horrible- it was actually near marathon long run pace so I guess I have made some improvements in the last few weeks if I tanked that badly but it doesn’t look like it.

10.56 miles for the week.  Yay. And with that it’s race week.

How was your week?

Week 38:Upcoming Races-Rock n Roll San Jose Training Week 10

Fallon @ Slacker Runner2 Comments

Upcoming Races-

  • Rock n Roll San Jose 13.1 (Thank you BibRave!)-10/8
  • City to the Sea 13.1-10/14
  • Rock n Roll Los Angeles 13.1 (Thank you BibRave!)- 10/29
  • Monterey Bay Half Marathon (Thank you BibRave!)- 11/12

Welcome to peak week.  Or at least I think it was peak week.

Part of me feels like this week was a hot mess and the other part feels like it was a moderate success.  I thought about trying to combine those terms in a catchy way and it just sounded inappropriate so, oops.

I feel like there is something I needed to tell you about work but I can’t remember what it was so we’ll push pause on that.

The plan called for two 6 mile runs, a 10 mile long run, and 3 cross training work outs of some sort.

Monday-3 miles
My legs generally aren’t fans of running the day after a long run but this was what fit the schedule.   That said I knew I wasn’t going to get the 6 miles the training plan called for.   Especially since work ran a little later due to being short staffed that day.   I kept the pace nice and easy and my legs actually weren’t as cranky as they could have been.

Tuesday- Nada
I was feeling lazy after doing what I needed to do.  Oops.

Wednesday- 6 miles bike/ 21 day Upper Fix
I planned on running however realized I had a problem when I changed into my running clothes after work.   My crops which had been with me for so many miles over the years had given up the ghost.   😂 No running was going to happen that night.  I knew I should have packed an extra pair of shorts.

Thursday- 5 miles
All right, let’s try this again.  I was feeling blah but I changed and headed to the river path after work to get in a few miles.  I told myself to at least get started.  I left my water in the car because I had a feeling I would be back soon.  Except at the 5k turn around point, I went left instead and kept running.   My brain was exactly on board but my legs were so I let them do all the talking.

Friday- Rest
I was lazy again.  Uh oh…the Slacker may be coming back more than I would like.

Saturday- Shopping
Yeah, I know not really exercise but I defenitlty put in my steps while getting some things done.  I thought about trying for my long run that evening but it was still above 90 until the evening so I passed.

Sunday- 8.5 miles
I ran in the morning!   I actually got up!  Granted a little later than I planned but still.  I headed out for my planned 10 miles.  The plan was to run 10 miles to a certain point- have my mother pick me up then go to lunch with her and my brother.  I had stashed a shirt change with her the day before in case I followed through with running in the morning.

About 1.5 miles in I heard my name being shouted- huh? Oh hey, I know you!  I ran into a friend watching her son play soccer so I stopped and chatted for a bit.   Between that conversion and a couple of lengthy stoplights as I made my way across town I was only able to fit 8.5 miles before the rendezvous time.   That said the miles I did fit in were surprisingly strong considering the struggle bus I’ve been riding lately.   I considered going out for another 2 later but once again it was 96.  Ummmm, Fall where are you?

16.5 miles for the week.  A not great peak week but not a bad one either.  Only 2 weeks to go to San Jose!

How was your week?

Week 37:Upcoming Races-Rock n Roll San Jose Training Week 9

Fallon @ Slacker Runner6 Comments

Upcoming Races-

  • Rock n Roll San Jose 13.1 (Thank you BibRave!)-10/8
  • City to the Sea 13.1-10/14
  • Rock n Roll Los Angeles 13.1 (Thank you BibRave!)- 10/29
  • Monterey Bay Half Marathon (Thank you BibRave!)- 11/12

This week was ruled by sunburns, migraines and then peeling.  Oh yay!

That said, it surprisingly wasn’t a complete wash on the workout front.   I was feeling a little adrift after the Liift4 challenge was done so I joined another challenge group but this one is less focused and you pick your own workout so I was a little slacker-like in that respect.

The plan called for a 4 mile run, 30 minute pace run and a 10K race.  It was kind of a step back week.  There weren’t any 10k’s locally so my original hope was to sub in a 10 miler.

Monday-Rest
The sunburn from hell kept me from doing anything too active.  I wore one of my loosest dresses but even that made me cringe anytime I moved at work.

Tuesday-4.2 ish miles
I headed for the river path to get in a few miles. I really wasn’t feeling it but I told myself to just get started and see what happened.    I felt better once I got started and even threw in some tempo bits.  I guess I should say fartleks.  I was glad I didn’t bail and followed through with my run like planned.

Wednesday- 21 day Fix- upper fix
What the hell? After 8 weeks of Liift4, I figured 21 Day Fix would be a walk in the park.  People, I was sweating in the 2 minute warm up.  10 minutes in, I was like what the hell is this?????   I finished but need to reassess my fitness level.

Thursday- 3.6 miles
The plan called for a 30 minute pace run.   The migraine that rolled in had other plans.   I still headed to the lake path for a few miles but I wasn’t optimistic.  The pace run didn’t happen but I did get a few easy miles around the lake.  Took a few walk breaks whenever I felt like I needed and just kept putting one foot in front of the other.

Friday- Nothing
I meant to do another 21 day fix but the migraine was still hanging around and by the time I got home after 7, I was done.

Saturday- 21 day Lower fix
I was supposed to do my long run.  I was supposed to go to my boss’s boss retirement party.  Instead I didn’t get out of bed until 10 AM and I took a 2.5 hour nap in the afternoon.  Damn migraine, you can leave anytime now.  I did manage to complete another workout in the evening though.

Sunday- 7.2 miles
I woke early to run but my head was still fuzzy and I admit when I saw the temp was 42*, I wimped out.  Where did the cold come from?? So like an idiot, I put it off until the afternoon.  Where I rode the struggle bus.  I had hoped for 10 miles but yeah no.  My headphones died just past mile 2.  My stomach cramped horribly around mile 4.  Cramped like I started walking a lot- there were no bathrooms on my route.   I had the driest mouth ever- even though I was chugging all the Gatorade.  I called it at 7 miles.

15 miles for the week and 2 cross training workouts.  Considering how I felt for most of it, I am calling that a quasi-win right now.

How was your week?

Week 36:Upcoming Races-Rock n Roll San Jose Training Week 8

Fallon @ Slacker Runner1 Comment

Upcoming Races-

  • Rock n Roll San Jose 13.1 (Thank you BibRave!)-10/8
  • City to the Sea 13.1-10/14
  • Rock n Roll Los Angeles 13.1 (Thank you BibRave!)- 10/29
  • Monterey Bay Half Marathon (Thank you BibRave!)- 11/12

Fried.  That’s how I would describe this week.

I knew it was going to be a hectic one and I thought I planned accordingly.   But well, life.

The week was already short due to the holiday and then I was off Friday to chaperone a multi-day tennis trip for my mother’s team.    I tried to cram all I could in at work in 3 short days as well as get in all my workouts before we left.

The plan called for a 6 mile run, 50 minute tempo, 9 mile long run and the last 4 Liift4 workouts.

Monday- 9 miles/ Liift4
Long run on a Monday- say what?? I knew the weekend ahead was going to be super busy so with a Monday off work I thought I would get my long run out of the way.  Yet, I woke up nauseaus again.  I did a crazy Liift4 workout in the morning and debated skipping the run.  I headed out in the late afternoon for what I was sure was going to be a 4 mile slog.   Instead I somehow had the best 9 mile run that I have had in over a year.     Hell, it was the best long run I’ve had in years.  Who knew?

Tuesday- Liift4
This final week of workouts was kicking my ass.  I don’t think I’ve ever sweat this much in my life.

Wednesday- Rest
I meant to do another Liift4 workout but my stomach was being a total asshat.  So instead I picked up some last minute supplies for the weekend trip.

Thursday- 3.75 miles
This was supposed to be longer but my legs weren’t feeling it.   This was actually slower paced than Monday’s long run too.  Way to bring me back down to earth legs.   My right hip was cranky, I really need to start doing my PT exercises again.

Friday/ Saturday- Tennis Road Trip
So tired, the days were long and stressful and so freakin’ hot!   I layered on sunblock, I stayed in the shade as much as possible, I wore a hat and somehow I still ended up with my worst sunburn in years.   It hurt.   By the time we got home on Saturday, I was just mentally done.  Teenagers are hard.

Sunday- Rest
This was not the plan.  I needed another 6 miles and should have completed the leg workout for Liift4.  However… the sunburn.  Owwww!  Everything hurt.  It hurt to the touch, it hurt to move, clothing hurt- there was no way I was putting a sports bra on.  Nope.

12.77 miles for the week.  Stupid sunburn!  Also the Liift4 challenge is complete even if I missed a few and I feel a little adrift.   Oops.

How was your week?

Week 32:Upcoming Races-Rock n Roll San Jose Training Week 6

Fallon @ Slacker Runner10 Comments

Upcoming Races-

  • SLO ULTRA 5K-9/2
  • Rock n Roll San Jose 13.1 (Thank you BibRave!)-10/8
  • City to the Sea 13.1-10/14
  • Rock n Roll Los Angeles 13.1 (Thank you BibRave!)- 10/29
  • Monterey Bay Half Marathon (Thank you Bibrave!)- 11/12

This was an odd one.

I ran but not enough.  I lifted but not enough.  I had an odd headache on Wednesday, my side pain became a little worse and then my back started hurting towards the end of the week.  Really?? I can’t blame the lifting because I barely did it this week.

I also stupidly dropped a migraine pill down the side of my recliner on Thursday evening and spent 3 days tearing the chair apart, vacuuming sides trying to find the damn thing.  Meanwhile my cat was confused as to why she wasn’t allowed in my room for 3 days.   Surprisingly the chair still holds together after I put it back together- although I feel a little crooked.

This training week called for a step back week and a 5K race.  However that didn’t fit my  not running life schedule.  Plus I have a 5k scheduled for the following week.  So I decided to flip weeks 6 and 7.  Except somehow I still screwed it up.

The week should have played out like this- a 6 mile run, 5 mile run and a 9 mile long run.  4 Liift4 workouts sprinkled around for cross training.

And reality?

Monday-Liift4
I had planned on running after work but we got out really late.  Combine that with who beats who game I play with the cleaners and that I had already seen their truck pull in and I just decided to push the run to Tuesday.   Then I ended up stuck in traffic on the way home.    However I stuck to the lifting plan.

Tuesday-Rest
I had plans for running and plans for Liift4 but my side pain which is mostly tolerable these days was intense.   Something I did that day must have angered it but I don’t know what.  But considering I am 8 months in without a diagnosis who knows???

Wednesday-1.2 miles
Epic fail!  I headed to the lake path for a 4 miler but all of my gear was in the wrong places in my car.  As I was getting my pepper spray from my gym bag as opposed to my pack, I put my car key down on the front seat.  Can you guess what comes next?  Yep.  Locked my key in my car.  Tried all my doors and pushing the windows down.  Nope.  I talked my parents into getting my spare and driving it to me on the caveat that I take them to dinner after.  😛  I then squeezed in a lap of the lake while waiting for them.  In all honesty, I may have called it at a lap anyways as there were 2 total creeper cars on the backside of the lake.

Thursday-5 miles -tempo intervals
Not gonna lie, after the previous days’ fiasco and the last week of rough running, I was not feeling this run.   And for some reason, I thought I had a 40 minute tempo on the plan.   We were under an air quality warning the latter half of the week so I broke the tempo into intervals- it was supposed to 15-15-10 but it was more like 12-12-6.   I ran a completely different route than normal and there was a hellacious headwind that damn near shoved me backwards in the last interval.   I made up for it in the cool down though when I inadvertently hit an 8:30 pace for 1/2 mile thanks to The Big Gigantic.  Oops, not how to cool down.  Then the chair drama started.

Friday-Liift4
More chair drama.  I searched for hours and tore the thing apart to no luck.  Grrr.

After she was allowed back in

Saturday-Rest
I had a work event at the homeless shelter in the morning.  I was thankful for the chance to help out, I’ve missed helping out since it’s been a few years since we ran a dinner night each month.   This event was a walk and I was calling on all years of race experience working the registration tables.
Afterwards I went home and performed more surgery on the chair and was finally successful.  The pill was found!    After that I was in a cleaning mode so I kept organizing a few things before running some errands and then being lazy.

Sunday- 8.23 miles
When my alarm went off in the morning, I kind of growled at it.  I just wasn’t feeling it.  I wasn’t feeling like doing much of anything.  I made a quick trip to SLO to the Running Warehouse to exchange the Neuro’s and then came home and took what was supposed to be a 20 minute nap.  An hour later I finally decided to head out for my run.  I wasn’t feeling like a long run anymore so I figured I would just run a short run and break in the new shoes instead.

And yet, I kept running.  Up one hill and down the other.  There’s a reason I don’t do long runs in my neighborhood.  I stopped twice to BodyGlide my heels as I felt a blister forming from the new shoes.  I told myself to bring a band aid but forgot.   Oops.  A funny moment happened around halfway when I ran past a car that had been in an accident.   It looked like it had been rear ended- it still had the bumper of the other car attached- and the it had hit something else.  They must have it had towed there but it still smelled like a car accident- that metal on metal on burnt plastic smell?  Apparently that brings back memories for me as I kind of started to hyperventilate.  😛   I’ve been in a few accidents but until today I wouldn’t have said that smell would trigger any reaction.    On the return route I went a different way.
For not wanting to run my long run, I ended up running all 8.  Only to check the plan later and realize it should have been 9.  Oops.

14.52 miles for the week.  How did I ever come close to 1000 miles in a year once?

How was your week?