Tag: stress

Week 35- Way Back

How is it September?? Seriously?

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?

How was your week?

Week 26- Don’t Bet on Me

I wouldn’t even bet on myself.

I am my own worst enemy.

  • 2019 Race Schedule (so far):
  • 8/11 Oaktown Half (Thanks BibRave)
  • 7/20 Vintners 5 Mile or Rock to Pier 10K (not looking good)
  • 10/ 6 RnR San Jose (Thanks BibRave!)

I started the week with some drag and dropping of my training plan on Final Surge. I appreciate this feature with my training plan but the last few weeks, the ease of changing has enabled my inner Slacker to be even more Slacker like. I had a work function on Thursday and I knew I had to make adjustments for that.

I’ve also fallen into the bad habit of reading other blogs, but not commenting- I’m sorry! I’ve also stalled out in the book I am reading and the book I am listening to. May I should have called this post “Stall” since I kind of feel like that describes my running too the past few weeks.

Plan vs Reality

Monday 2.5 miles w/ strides/ 2.5 miles w/strides
I had originally thought about moving my hardest workout of the week to Monday but I was still dealing with migraine fog so I am glad I didn’t. I headed to the lake path for a few easy miles with 6 strides… or 7, I kind of lost count. My mom was out there too, she decide to join me and do a few laps of the lake herself.

Tuesday 1.5 miles/ 1.5 miles
I am really beginning to love these easy days. I am starting to realize that not every run has to be long to be worthwhile. Any movement is good movement. Sometimes I forget this.

Wednesday- 1.5 up/down, 2x 2mile repeats/ 1.4 up/down, 2x 2 mile repeats
I was scared of this workout. I didn’t think I could do it. I have also been starting to realize that I may have over reached with my goal for Oaktown Half and may need to adjust my pace settings. My goal for this workout was for each repeat to be at 10k pace- 9:32-9:49. I’m not there yet. But I tried- the miles ranged from 9:58 – 10:21. And they were hard. So hard. Oh did I mention it was almost 90 and I forgot water too?

Thursday- 1.5 miles/ Mixer
I had a feeling I wouldn’t run today due the mixer for work and that proved true.

Friday- 1.5 miles/ lazy
I originally planned on doubling up for this run and running 3 miles to make up for Thursday. Work was a little crazy and I ended up staying til close. I have a feeling I will likely do that most times I open- I feel guilty leaving before closing. Then I was just kind of done.

Saturday- 9 miles/ 3.1 miles
I was supposed to run my long run for the week but the snooze button was too tempting. So instead I headed out for a very easy 3 miler in the heat of the day. 95*- so much fun.

Sunday- Rest/ 5.5 miles
Once again, I was too friendly with the snooze button. Even as I was lying in bed, I knew I was just screwing myself over and only had myself to blame. Then as the day progressed and the temp rose, I was tempted to just bail on the run. However, after an internal argument, I made myself go for a run. Just run and see what happened. Well, it was 90* so what I got was a sluggish 5.5 miles. However that was better than being lazy.

So 18.4 /21.5 miles for the week and more red than green on my training calendar. Also a good amount of irritation with myself.

How was your week?

Week 25- Whimper

I so wanted the headline to say Nailed It. In fact, after the first 4 days of the week that title was looking pretty good.

The week started with such promise, almost nailed a super challenging tempo, I was hitting the miles, making healthy eating choices, etc, etc. Then my good friend migraine came to visit. He was very uninvited and stayed way too long.

Due to some other plans after work during the week, I had to shuffle some things around in the training plan.

Plan vs Actual

Monday- 1 mile up/down, 5 mile tempo/ Nailed It! Maybe
I was super nervous about this run. I am still not a fan of tempos. Blame it on Hanson’s or maybe I just got too comfortable being a Slacker all these years. I almost bailed but then I told myself to get over it and just run. Oh holy head wind. There were points in this run that I was being pushed backwards. I actually like headwinds but this was ridiculous. 2 of my 5 miles were on pace, 1 was damn close and 2 were 30 seconds slower. So, not exactly what I was supposed to do but it made me feel good about it.

Tuesday- 1.5 miles/ 1.56 miles + yoga
Oh, yeah I was feeing yesterday’s miles. I kept things super slow and easy. Then I did a yoga video when I was home.

Wednesday- 1.5 miles/ 1.6 miles
The schedule flip put 2 easy days back to back but I think I needed. My legs were still feeling the speed workout. That said this was a peppy 1.6 miles.

Thursday- 2 miles up/down, 4x 800 at 5K pace/ Nailed it! Well, almost
Another run I wasn’t exactly feeling. However I just went out and ran. I took the wrong freeway onramp so I ended up doing these repeats in home town on the streets. 3 of my repeats were on pace and was 1 was a minute slower. Oops. The slower one was the second one and at that moment I didn’t think I was going to finish the workout. But I did.

Friday- 1.5 miles/ Nothing
This day was crazy at work and I felt the beginnings of headache move in around 4 and grow worse over the last few hours. I decided to skip the run hoping rest would make it go away.

Saturday- 8 miles/ Migraine
The migraine was in full force when my alarm went off, I went back to bed. I made it out for a few errands but wound up taking a seriously long nap.

Sunday- Rest/ Migraine
Funny how a migraine doesn’t feel very restful.

13.4 miles for the week. Not even close to what was planned.

How was your week?

Week 18-Embrace the Change

First full week with Endure Strong Coaching and first full week at the new job. I got this!

Maybe.

I think I can, I think I can. Maybe, this week took a lot out of me. Well, and the previous week. I need to get better about how/ when I eat now. I also drank way less than normal and that is not good. I ate so much crap but at the same time not enough. I lost 3 pounds but can’t claim that it was out self control and healthy choices.

  • 2019 Race Schedule (so far):
  • 6/2 RnR San Diego (Thanks BibRave)
  • 8-11 Oaktown Half (Thanks BibRave)

Planned vs Actual

Monday- 1.5 easy miles/ 1.53 miles
Short, easy miles. I can do this!!! Except I will say that figuring out a 1.5 mile route is harder than it sounds.

Tuesday-2.5 miles hills/ Nada
I was having lingering wardrobe malfunction issues from Sunday’s race and any movement hurt. I had mostly ignored it the day before but I just couldn’t.

Wednesday- 1.5 easy miles/ 2.64 miles hills
I chose to do the missed workout instead of the easy run. I still wasn’t comfortable exactly but the hills felt decent. Until I checked my elevation gain at the end and realized it kind of sucked. But I ran that hill multiple times!

Thursday- 3 miles with strides/ 3.1 miles with strides
Strides are fun! The rest was easy miles and they felt ok. The mileage doesn’t worry me with this plan- the back to back running does which is why I chose a beginner plan, ha!

Friday- 1.5 miles easy/ 1.72 miles easy
Wait, what? Running on a Friday? After work? I don’t think I can…I did! And again planning a 1.5 mile route was the hardest part. Oh and this “easy” run had more elevation gain than my hill workout a few days back. Ha!

Saturday- 5 mile long run/ 5 mile slog
The long run wasn’t long so when I woke up to a spinning room courtesy of my head and not an earthquake this time. I went back to sleep and figured I could just run later. Which I did but it was freakin’ miserable. I was hot, overheated, dehydrated and just couldn’t. I should have turned around 2 miles in and taken the short cut but I pushed on. I wouldn’t call it running, it was mostly walking and then stopping to try to prevent more damage to an already popped blister. Plus, the shoes I wore on Wed- Friday had pissed off my left ankle.

Sunday- Rest day/ REST day
I did nothing. I tried to nap but couldn’t, boo.

14 ish miles for the week. And I only missed 1 workout! Who am I????

How was your week??

Week 17- Again

Oops- I skipped 16, hah!

Last week was jam packed full with life, work and running. Also Avengers but possibly not enough sleep.

  • 2019 Race Schedule (so far):
  • 4/28 SLO Half Marathon
  • 6/2 RnR San Diego (Thanks BibRave)
  • 8-11 Oaktown Half (Thanks BibRave)

As I mentioned in Friday’s post my work world saw a lot of change last week. I had 3 days to pack and transition out of my former position/location and I was in the new one by Thursday.

I knew the week had a lot going on so I front loaded my miles. Which works for the old Slacker but the new Slacker started a new training plan with a Coach last Monday and totally failed at week 1. But more on that later.

Oh and it was Endgame week so you know I had to clear my schedule for those 3 hours. Well plus the time to ruminate on it. 😂😢

Monday- 2.3 miles
I wanted to run in work town as a sort of Sayonara run but a super heavy marine layer rolled in. Instead I headed to the lake path for some easy breezy miles. It was kind of a so long run to the lake path as well. It’s now in the wrong direction of travel so I have to really want to run there to drive there.

Tuesday- 4 miles
The marine layer held so I headed out for my goodbye run. We actually ran really late that day and I would have blown it off if it wasn’t my last chance to run there. I was slower than normal but I was also pausing to take a lot of pictures so it makes sense.

Wednesday- Yoga
Oh, good golly. I did another Beachbody yoga and it kicked my ass. I was looking for a gentle flow/ stretch for the lower half but this was freakin’ intense. I also had the first coaching call with Endure Strong.

Thursday/ Friday- Adapt
No working out just survival.

Saturday- Work/ Expo
I worked a shift in the morning, it was busier than the last Saturday shift I worked. Once off work, I jetted down to SLO to pick up my race packet for the next morning. And maybe do a little shopping. Then I couldn’t take it anymore and made an evening showing of Avengers: Endgame. 😍

Sunday- SLO Half Marathon
What was I thinking? Race recap to come.

19.5 miles– getting better.

How was your week?