Tag: Training

Week 44- Oops

So, apparently I was stuck on week 42 for a while??? Like here and here. Oops.

You know how they say that if you want something put it out in the world? Well, there’s also the inverse- don’t jinx yourself. I was just rambling on about how I needed November to be better than October. And then I was taking my mother to the hospital at dark o’thirty on November 1. She’s out now, but things are still a little off.

Plus work has been a little stressful as we are interviewing for my location and have been running a little tight. I’m just going to be Thomas- I think I can, I think I can.

Monday- 2.7ish miles
There was a lot of smoke in the air but I was looking forward to this run. And it wasn’t too bad, yes breathing was a bit harder than I would like but not too bad. It would have been longer but a girl out walking spooked me on the path, then I spooked her going the other way and then there was a shady dog. So I called it at my car instead of running beyond like I usually do.

Tuesday- Nada

Wednesday- Poor Air Quality
I don’t understand the ways of wind but the fires burning 3 hours north and 3 hours south were pushing the smoke our way. The county was under an air advisory. There’s only so far I will push these whiny lungs.

Thursday- 3.1 miles
This run felt pretty good. It also made me realize that it would be last run after work in daylight. Boo.

Friday- Chaos
See above.

Saturday- Nada
I was exhausted. I sprung my mother from the hospital, picked up her meds and basically became a couch potato. My brain couldn’t process much so I spent my evening watching Hallmark Christmas movies. Which broke my vow of waiting until after Thanksgiving.

Sunday- 5ish miles
I needed the time change as I slept horribly. I dragged myself out for a few miles and chased Fall. Which is funny as it was 85*. It’s November and I was in shorts and a tank. I also kind of crawled this run but it is what it is.

10ish miles for the week. Could be worse, could be a helluva lot worse.

Just gotta keep moving.

How was your week?

Detour

Sometimes you get lost on the trail.
Actually that’s kind of fun, and something I’ve done more than once.

But sometimes, you’re paying attention to the trail markers and you head back the way you came before too much harm or drama.

Disclaimer: I received Gatorade Endurance products to use as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

In this case, I pause.

I had big plans for October. 1 road half and 2 hard trail half’s. The last one was supposed to be my victory dance for the year. Ok, maybe less victory and more proof of will power but still.

Then October knocked me back a few pegs. I feel like I lost 5 years of fitness in the last 4 weeks. Is that possible? I feel like it is now. This bout with asthma is kicking me hard. It’s been years since it’s been this rough and I still can’t figure out what triggered it. I ran 5 miles last week- 5. (Also consider this Week 43) How is that going to get me to a 50K? It won’t.

And for once I’ve been smart about things. I dropped to the 10K for both the road race and Space Rock. And that last trail half that was supposed to be a party? That was supposed to happen a few days ago- Sunday. I didn’t even try. I knew I wasn’t in the head space or shape for 13ish miles of hard effort climbing. And they had no shorter distances. Attempting it likly would have set me back months in the long run.

I’ve run numerous races sick, some feverish and possibly out of it. Why? Because Goonies never say die? That’s stupid. I may be getting to an age I don’t want to admit anymore but maybe I am finally learning a few things. Maybe.

So when the road hits a fork, you have choices. I could bury my head in the sand and just be a lazy bum until next year. I mean, cold weather is coming right?

Nope. I am still aiming for a 50K in the early months of 2020. So in keeping with that theme, I have a new plan for the next 7 weeks culminating with a local-ish 25k in December. This should give me time to make up some of the ground I lost in the last few weeks. Also this race is a known entity– I know where the killer climb is and where the other mountain is. And the cruel turn-around. And I will be training on these trails. If I say it decisively, it will happen, right?

I may have finally figured out how to fuel my body, now I just need it to breather properly.

Join me while I fight my way back?

Week 42- Whiplash

This weather is giving me whiplash. One day it’s 90 something then it’s 60ish with 20+mph winds. I actually like the lower temps but the fire winds could leave anytime. Soon would be better.

I had the beginning of the week off of work. I was so looking forward to a few days of rest and getting all those backed up errands done. Somehow, I never napped and the errands still need to be done. Like cleaning my car and an oil change. Oops. The time just seemed to fly by and then I was back to work on Wednesday.

Monday- 36ish minutes on the bike
I was going to run in the early afternoon since I had the day off. However I ended up taking my dad back to the doctor. By the time I got home, I was feeling super lazy but I made myself ride the bike while watching Ridiculousness. That was what my brain could handle.

Tuesday- 3 mile struggle bus run
I don’t know if it was because it was over 90 again, or if it was lingering asthma issues but this run was rough. I had originally planned on running more but just couldn’t.

Wednesday- 30 minutes on the bike
Wasn’t feeling a run but didn’t want to be lazy.

Thursday- 3.1 miles
Dude. This run was so easy, breezy. The temp had dropped, my heart rate stayed low and it wasn’t a struggle to legit run easy. It was such a chill run I was kind of in shock. Even the crazy wind wasn’t a downside. Why can’t all runs be like this?

Friday- Nope
Open to close is going to be the name of the game for a while at work. I don’t see much in the running front on any Friday in the future.

Saturday- Nap
I worked in the morning but I really did intend to run in the afternoon. I did but instead I napped for 2 hours. Oops.

Sunday- 6.3 miles
Miserable miles. I had plans of running 7-8 miles but hopped on the struggle bus from the get go. It was warmer than I thought it would be, my asthma was flaring, I was crawling. It was all I could do to finish the 6.3. I even parked it on a bunch 5ish miles in because I was so done. Grrrrrr.

12ish miles for the week. And Sunday’s miserable run was followed up by a massive asthma flare on Sunday night so that was fun. But hey 5/7 days isn’t bad! At least for me.

How was your week?

Week 42- What Day Is It?

Seriously, what day is it? I was wrong most days last week. The drama of Sunday continued on into the week. Roll with it right?

My dad had more health drama, I was supposed to be running a half marathon on the weekend. I tried to cancel, he insisted I go. It was a lot of back and forth. I also drove around the county numerous times. I knew a couple vacation days were coming at the end of the week, so I just tried to hold on. I was feeling a little fried.

Oh, and I got a new watch!

Monday- Rest or Stress
I dropped my dad off at the hospital in the early morning and made my way to work. I had running gear for an after work run but then things changed and I ending up leaving work early because they said I had to pickup my dad at 2:30. Get there and they wanted another hour. I was regretting leaving my running gear at work. I could have run laps around the hospital. I napped in the car.

Tuesday- Nothing
Or just something I did that I can’t remember.

Wednesday – 3ish miles
After so many days off, I had a feeling this was going to be rough. It honestly felt pretty good. In fact I probably would have run more but every now and again, the end section of the street where I park my car gets super full. Like cars idling in odd spots and people talking to each other in and out of cars. And I mean like 10 cars. It’s always odd so I bounced.

Thursday- Nothing
I had planned on running and was hoping to break in my new watch but again life. My dad had gone back to the ER on Wednesday night and then he wasn’t answering his phone that afternoon. So I went straight to check on him after work.

Friday- Road trip!
After much back and forth with both of my parents, I headed down towards Santa Clarita for my Saturday race. By this time I had already messaged the race and dropped from the 13.1 to the 10K. I had canceled my hotel in the beginning of the week so I was also booking a hotel en route. Oh, and Northern Los Angeles was on fire.

I picked up my bib and did a little wandering around Vasquez Rocks.

Saturday- Space Rock Trail Race
Recap to come.

Sunday-Recovery
And coughing and wheezing.

So, 9 ish miles for the week. This is not how you approach running a 50K. Not even if you are training glacially slow.

How was your week?

Rambling Up to San Jose

Disclaimer: I received an entry into Rock n Roll San Jose as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

It’s been a rough week. But it’s race week!!!

Also, this is going up late since I have been having WordPress issues. Anyone else?

This weekend should be seeing my 40th half marathon but I have a feeling it will be seeing a 10K instead. Maybe I shouldn’t have said I hate them?

I was looking forward to this weekend and the race, I was feeling good after last week’s peppy 8. Then I had an endoscopy on Tuesday. And hurt so bad I could barely move the next 2 days. I’ve talked to doctors and surgical centers on the phone so much this week. I had one years ago and was fine, we all have no idea why I reacted like this this time. Grrrr.

I am still looking forward to the race. I still get to race through San Pedro Square, errrr walk? I still get to enjoy the sights of downtown. And we never know I may just do something stupid.

No, I will be smart, I will be smart. If I repeat it over and over, I have to follow through right? Catch you on the flip side!

What are you doing this weekend?