Tag: Training

Week 42- Strong Start

Upcoming Races-

Rock N Roll Las Vegas 5K
Rock N Roll Las Vegas 13.1!!!!!

I was feeling pretty good after last week’s race- my quads were a little sore but the residual excitement of running a good race made that seem like nothing. I was looking forward to jumping right back on the training band wagon. My only concern was that I knew I was drastically cutting back on my thyroid medication so I wasn’t sure how that was going to hit me. I was choosing to be optimistic though.

Monday- 3 miles I had the day off of work and maybe my mind had written a bigger check than my legs could cash. I slept late in the morning and headed out for a run in the afternoon. I was hoping for 5 miles. My legs were so not on board. It’s when I really knew my quads were feeling the race. I cracked a joke on Twitter that if there was record for taking breaks in a 3 mile run I just broke it. 😛

Tuesday- Chaos errr, I mean rest. I didn’t get off work until well past 6. I don’t really think I sat down. I took the bare minimum required lunch. It wasn’t that it was super busy but we were down a person so things got a little hectic.

Wednesday- 2.25 miles Ran a little late getting off work again. I really need to get more reflective gear and figure out how to put my blinking lights on my Orange Mud packs now that I don’t run with a belt. Ok, I also need to find them. I am pretty sure they are in my car somewhere. 😛

Thursday- 3.5 miles ish I think? I accidentally paused my GPS a block into my run and didn’t notice it for about 4-5 blocks. Then my Garmin tried to die around 2.5 so I stopped and saved it before starting it again and running on. I ran in work town so I had plenty of light but damn that last uphill takes a lot out of me.

Friday- Nah Open to close. And a moment of oddness. I was feeling super tired by weeks end but I was chalking to up to the medication change. Then as I was walking from my desk to a cabinet I had a moment where the whole world spun and tilted. Apparently it was fairly obvious because a coworker yelled out “grab the counter”. WTH? I stayed upright but it was touch and go there for a moment.

Saturday- Rest The Pioneer Day Parade was happening in town so I knew my long run was not happening in the morning. Trying to dodge the parade crowds and rerouted traffic just sounded like a recipe for disaster so I was more than happy to turn off my alarm and sleep in obscenely late.

Sunday- Fail I set my alarm for an early morning run but things were not ok when I woke up. My stomach was horrible but that I could have rolled with. My stomach is jacked up 85% of the time. What I couldn’t roll with was the dizzy spells that had come back accompanied by nausea. I thought about trying to run anyways but decided that would be stupid and just crawled back into bed. I was hoping I would feel well enough to try for a few miles in the afternoon before my little brother’s birthday dinner but it didn’t happen. Instead I watched an obscene amount of Battlestar.

So just shy of 9? Over 9? I have no idea. Either way, the week started out fine and ended with a whiny- I just want to run! Grrrr. The dizziness is odd, not sure if I am coming down with something or if is the change in medication. Hopefully the mostly sitting in a dark room today took care of it.

How was your week?

2017 City to the Sea 13.1 Recap

What do you do when need to run a long run and need the motivation to get up early? Sign up for a race!

Let’s count the things that did not go like planned-

Had stomach issues on Saturday but hoped they would go away by race morning.
It didn’t, it was even worse. To the point where I had a complete change in wardrobe plans. If I could have run in a dress I would have. I needed the least amount of pressure possible.
Ran in a skirt I haven’t worn in 2 years, probably qualified as something new on race day. Ditto to the Camelbak I decided to use.
I was late leaving the house, then spent too much time at a Chevron station using the facilities due to above mentioned GI issue.
Lost one of the zip ties for the timing chip. Found it again after tearing apart car.
Strolled up to the start with 3 minutes to spare.
Ran the race on Zero calories.
With my back issues, I was thinking this would be slower than long run pace. My parents were meeting me at the finish line- I told them over a 2:30 finish.

And yet-

Miles 1-4 9:38, 9:39, 9:44, 9:58

The race starts off downhill so I figured the first few miles would be my fastest but I had been thinking high 10’s. Mile 1 clocked in and I remember thinking “what the hell legs? We can’t maintain that”. Then mile 2 took freakin’ forever. I’ve run this course 5 times and I couldn’t figure why the hell it was taking so long so I finally looked at my watch. Mile 2.86. Oh I missed the mile marker, good to know I am not crazy. I was trying to not look at my watch but I knew my legs were still running a pace they had no business running. My friend Bix came up behind a little after mile 3. We chatted a bit before she pulled ahead a little after mile 4. I had to crash soon right?

Miles 5-8 10:20, 10:44, 11:13, 9:34

Mile 5 starts a long slow climb which I like as it loosens up any leg tightness I may have. I also took my first walk break as my back gave a tiny twinge. Mile 6 saw lots of walking as those stupid stomach issues came rearing back. Are you kidding me?!?! The last aid station at mile 4 and the next one wasn’t until past mile 7. I also was suddenly surrounded by people. What the hell? It was the 2:15 pace group. Wait, I was in front of the 2:15 pace group for 6 miles? What year is this? 2015? 😛 They pulled ahead but I kept them in my sights until the bigger hill on mile 7- more walking thanks to a cranky back. I wasn’t worried as I knew there was a downhill coming and I love downhills. As you can see by that mile 8 up there.

Miles 9-11 10:48, 12:34, 10:26

Catching up to the pace group was short lived. I lost them on the Bob Jones Trail. I was slowing down but what else do you expect when your longest run in 2 months has been 8 miles? I ran on the dirt on the side of the trail hoping it would lessen some of the pavement pounding but by mile 10- the biggest hill- my back was very not happy. I walked a lot and it shows in my mile time. I tried to stretch it out as I walked. Mile 11 was pretty good actually but I felt like I was crawling.

Miles 12-13.1 10:51, 11:40

Come on back, I’m so close! 2 miles to go! Run til I feel a twinge, walk it out, repeat. Ran alongside a woman for a bit, we commiserated over pains. She was having Plantar issues. She pulled ahead. Finally I hit mile 13 and all I had left was the longest .1 ever. Seriously- I swear this .1 is longer than any other race I have other run.

Finish- 2:18:59

How, now? Under trained, messed up back, hot mess of a morning and I finish my fastest race in 2 years? In fact, my fastest race since City to the Sea 2015? How does that even make sense? I just decided to let my legs and back fight it out. I took my head out of the equation.

Maybe I need to try that more often? 😛🙂

Week 40- Plot Twist

Upcoming Races-

~~Rock n Roll San Jose 13.1?????????~~
Rock N Roll Las Vegas 5K
Rock N Roll Las Vegas 13.1!!!!!

People, I ran twice last week. Twice! That was not the plan. Not all.

Although last weekend’s long run of 8- should have been 10- had gone well and my back wasn’t any worse after it, I was doubting San Jose. The idea of sitting in a car for hours, then sleeping on a hotel bed then running a race on a course that is purported to flat and fast ( I hate flat) just sounded bad. So I let the registration window lapse and canceled both of those hotels that I had booked.

It was the right decision. That’s not to say I didn’t race last week. No one ever said I was that smart. 😛

In all honesty, I needed more miles than I got in last week. I took a chance on something work wise and didn’t get the best news. I needed to get out of my head for a while. Still do, so hopefully that can happen this week.

Monday- Rest I planned on running- it was Monday after all and I try not to miss Mondays but work ran almost an hour late and I haven’t quite prepared myself for night runs yet. I need to find and charge both Knuckle Lights and get a better reflective vest.

Tuesday- Rest Oh crap, ouch. I was trying to show something to a customer when I felt a sharp pull in my back. I spent the next 5 minutes helping them and trying not to cry actual tears. When it still hurt even more than the normal level these days at closing, I took another rest day.

Wednesday- 3 miles Nice and easy miles. Running actually makes my back feel a little looser, I wish I could have run a few more miles last week. And funnily enough, the sharp pain of the day before seemed to have really loosened things up in my back. Who knew?

Thursday- Rest Sometimes life happens and running doesn’t. I may have done something a little last minute too.

Friday- Haha. Another open to close so no to running. Although I did think about it and that was before the not so good news dropped. Then I really thought about it but ending up indulging in a giant quesadilla at a Mexican restaurant instead.

Saturday- Packet Pickup And some wandering around SLO doing some shopping. While I didn’t get in a shakeout run, I definitely got my steps in for the day. Packet pickup was at the Running Warehouse and the place was nuts. Of course I had to go inside- I somehow lost my Body Glide and I needed to replace it. 😛 Then I may have done a thing at Best Buy on the way home. Who said you needed to relax before a race? Besides I was treating it like a training run, right?

Sunday- City to the Sea 13.1 Race recap will be up Thursday but let’s just say nothing went how I thought it would. 🙂

16.2 miles for the week. Which over only 2 runs doesn’t suck but isn’t exactly smart either. My Slacker handle really fits these days. Maybe I should rename myself- Confessions of a Chaotic Runner. 😛

In other news, I did get my PT referral started last week so I am finally on track that way. We are also changing the dosage on my thyroid medication so it’s time to ride that roller coaster again. That said, fingers crossed I have a more consistent running week. The thoughts in my head still need it.

How was your week?

Any head clearing tips?

Week 39- Keeping On

Upcoming Races-

Rock n Roll San Jose 13.1?????????
Rock N Roll Las Vegas 5K
Rock N Roll Las Vegas 13.1!!!!!

Week 39? How did that happen? It’s October people! How did that happen? Anyone else feel like this year is flying by? Damn that’s a lot of questions, I’ll stop.

My back was better last week but still very present if that makes sense. I went with 3 days of running instead of 4. Thought about adding a 4th on Sunday but ultimately decided not to.

Monday- 3 miles My legs were feeling a little tight from the previous day’s hot mess of a long run so I kept things nice and easy. And short. My legs were a little stiff in the beginning but they loosened up. I ended up walking more than I would have liked at the end as a man had 2 large off leash dogs running around on the river path. They looked friendly but I don’t take that chance. I don’t have the best track record with dogs. 😛

Tuesday- Rest Holy crap, I was walking out the door to go to work and I was hit with the worst charlie horse! I get them occasionally while sleeping but this was a first while moving. Weird.

Wednesday- Rest My back was cranky and it was 90* in home town at 6. I had changed and planned on running but when my mom called and suggested we meet up for pizza, it didn’t take much convincing. 😛

Thursday- 2.8 miles ish Maybe?? Work ran late so I had a late start. It was still almost 90 in home town when I started running. I forgot my hat, luckily I had a visor. Should have worn shorts not capris. Probably shouldn’t have started a run when my Garmin was at 8%. Thankfully the changing seasons had the sun dropping quickly. Less cool was that my Garmin died completely around 2 miles in. 1 tiny buzz of “low battery” to black screen. No!!! I stopped and said a few colorful words but I only had myself to blame. I pulled up Strava and tried to squeeze in what I could in the dying light. Running wise- it was a decent run. It also told me that I really need to start carrying my Knuckle Lights with me.

Friday- Rest Open to close. Let’s be real, by Friday- I’m a little loopy- nothing extra outside of work is happening. 😛 I was looking forward to sleeping in the next day.

Saturday- 8 miles I swear I was planning on sleeping in but somehow I was turning off my alarm and getting ready to run. I planned on running 10 miles from my house and ending at my mother’s tennis practice. However a couple of wardrobe malfunctions had me crunched for time. I first realized that the shorts I wanted to wear were dirty so I went with my second choice. Except when I went to use the bathroom one last time before leaving the house I found a huge hole in leg. WTH? Ok, what is my 3rd choice? I ended up running in a skirt. Which I use to run in all the time but I don’t anymore because I feel uncomfortable in them being that I am a little overly fluffy right now. Thankfully, it didn’t suck.

By the time I got out the door, I figured I would only have time for 9 miles. That said, it was a surprisingly even paced run. I was feeling pretty good. My back was cooperating and so was my shin. Halfway, I see someone running my way and think I recognize them. I do! It’s NikeC! So we stop and chat a bit before going our separate ways. Then I ran on knowing I now only had time for 8 miles. Fine by me. In fact it was barely 8. I was coming up on 7.7 trying to get to the high school when my mother called. She had finished practice and wanted to know where I was. I’m trying! I ended up having to run a circle in the parking lot to hit 8 miles. 😂

Sunday- Rest This time I did sleep in. It was awesome. Less awesome was the 90* temp of the day. My back was a little fussy, not hugely more than usual but with the higher temps I kept pushing a possible run back. I finally cleaned my car and sadly it was so dirty that it was quite a work out. 😛

13.8 miles for the week. Still low but the back is feeling a little better. I do have a doctor’s appointment this week and I am still going to ask for a referral to a PT. Can’t hurt right?

How was your week?

Week 37- Hobble, Hobble, Ouch

Upcoming Races-

Rock n Roll San Jose 13.1???
Rock N Roll Las Vegas 5K
Rock N Roll Las Vegas 13.1!!!!!

As much fun as last week’s trail race was, it took me much longer to recover from it than I had thought I would need. I was walking funny for days. I ended up taking an extra rest day last week and only running 3 days. But there was a very unhappy twinge from my left shin area that I’ve learned that ignoring it can lead to bad things. Another day off was the better option.

Monday- 2.3 miles Ha! I could barely walk straight but I was hoping that I could try to run it out. I managed 2 laps of the lake but it was more a hobble-walk-tiny jog. I still felt so stiff and sore, my legs just weren’t working right.

Tuesday- Rest And flats again to work. Still had trouble getting on and off my stool. 😛

Wednesday- Rest I was moving better so I planned on trying a run after work. I even changed. Once in my car, I had one of my OCD moments where I forgot something very important so I jumped out of the car and ran back to check. Pain shot up my lower left leg. Enough to make me doubt the intelligence of a run. I debated it on the drive back to home town. I ultimately decided to play it safe and decided not to run.

Thursday- 3.1 miles I was definitely moving better and the odd leg pain hadn’t reappeared so I set out for an easy run after work. I was back to following doc’s orders of taking it easy so I went back to 1 minute run/ 1 minute walk. I was sluggish but overall I felt ok. I just kept it nice and easy. I also had a vanity moment where I tried to save a good hair day while running but it drove me nuts and only lasted a mile. 😛

Friday- Rest This day was odd as we said goodbye to my boss after 3 years. So now, we’ll see what happens next.

Saturday- 8ish miles I planned on running my long run on Sunday so I decided to sleep in and catch up on some things. I ended up spending the day shopping in SLO with my mother. Not exactly catching up on rest but fun. Once I got home I randomly decided there was just enough time left in the day to get in my long run. So I changed and took my car across town.

I was under hydrated and not properly fueled but this was surprisingly one of my best long runs in months. I stuck to my 1 run/ 1 walk intervals and just trucked on. I was probably running too fast as my pace wasn’t too far off my typical long runs. It all felt pretty good though. The only irritations were accidentally hitting the lap button halfway through and then completely stopping the watch when some girls shrieked in the riverbed. Turns out they were just trying to carry a piece of driftwood out and dropped it. Well, they freaked me out!

Sunday- Rest I thought about running. I did. My leg was a little ache-y. I was a little tired. I took the parents to the movies. When my dad mentions in passing that he wants to see a movie in the actual theater, I will make it happen. We saw American Assassin. Then I was in a popcorn coma and ended up taking a nap. Oops!

13.7 miles for the week. I miss the miles of that missed run but I know my leg was a little angry after the race. So, maybe don’t run mountains after 2 months of lackluster training months? Haha. 🤣

How was your week? Do anything fun?

Longest it’s taken you to recover from a shorter race?