Tag: Training

Tiny Tempo Time

Happy Hump Day!!!!

After Saturday’s race, I was feeling a little sore and my left ankle was not the happiest camper. In an earlier post I had mentioned that I was was rethinking my training plan. While I liked the way the app worked and laid out the plan, it just wasn’t my cup of tea. It went from my Slacker to crazy a little too quickly. Plus I kind of felt like running had become work. That I had to meet certain goals at certain times. So while I was still following it I was thinking of other ideas. Going back to the original plan but with a little twist, so bring on the Slacker Reboot! But that’s for a later post 🙂

Yeah, that's how we do rain, haha — Yeah, that’s how we do rain, haha

With that in mind as well as the ankle uncomfortable-ness, I took it easy on Sunday as opposed to getting in a long run. While everyone else may have been excited about the Super Bowl, my excitement was brought on by waking up to rain!!!! Nowhere near what we needed but it was still great. I waited for it to warm up a bit so I headed out for an afternoon run. I ran right through kickoff!! Yeah, the Super Bowl’s not really my thing. This time I was prepared in full pants, my warmest long sleeve short and a big ear warmer. It was so much better than Saturday, but it was also 15º warmer. My goal was to take it easy and just enjoy the lightly misting rain. As I topped the last hill and was just shy of mile 4, the sky opened up. Overall I hit 4.31 miles. My splits weren’t the best or share worthy but I love the pace of that last little bit 🙂

Monday’s post was all about the awesome SLO Marathon and how excited I am but I did get in a run that day. It was day 1 of new plan after all. It was a very sluggish 3.5 miles on the treadmill. At least that’s how I felt. My average pace was 10:06 and as a rarity, I ran a negative split. Sweet! Now if only I could do it intentionally. I was actually supposed to do 4 miles but just wasn’t feeling it. I decided not to push it. I did a short cool down walk before leaving. I always turn my Garmin or Nike+ off before my cool down. I can’t decide if its overly prideful because I don’t want to lower my pace or if it’s silly and I am shorting myself mileage. What do you think?

Tuesday was a planned rest day and it was so nice 🙂 Today I hit the gym again after work and got in a nice tiny Tempo run. I ran 6 miles with a warmup mile and a cool down mile, with the 4 miles in between at a 9:00 pace. At least that was the plan. Warm up and cool down went according to plan, but the 4 inner miles were 9:30 pace. Oops. My ankle was a little stiff but it eased up as I ran. I was also a little tired since I randomly decided to quit soda today. I am still trying to force myself to like coffee. I am not sure how long this is going to last as I have tried numerous times before but we’ll see how it goes! I told myself I could have soda on the weekends. That would be allowed… So when is it Saturday?

I admit that I am so over the treadmill. Part of me actually wonders if it is contributing to my sore ankle. This lovely article from Runner’s World tells me I no longer have to put the incline at 2, so sweet!!! Today’s run was at .5. I rewarded myself after my run with this yummy smoothie-

It is really sad how tired I am right now. I didn’t drink that much soda anymore anyways. The Doc took away my diet soda, so I cut down to a small coke a day. My head is actually not pounding right now so at least that’s something!

How is everyone’s week?

Anyone else stop their GPS early?

Want to come run SLO? I have a discount code!!!!

I’m an Ambassador!!!!!!

Last week, I promised big news and now for the follow through. I’m the type of person who likes to check and then double-check and the check again before announcing something. I want to make sure I read something right or that it wasn’t a mistake or that they won’t change their mind, etc. Anyways, on to the news!!!!

In my goals post I mentioned that I would love to race the SLO Marathon in April. I have wanted to run the half for the past 2 years but was never able to make it work. Either illness or finances would get in the way and I would spend part of race weekend mildly pouting. So this year I was making it a priority, I was going to run it. So when it popped up in my Facebook feed that they were looking for Ambassadors for the 2014 race, I about jumped out of my chair.

I love SLO, seriously if I could live there I would. The weather is usually amazing which is good because many of my races have been run in SLO. I spend many a weekend there shopping and eating- and running. I always come home with a little less money and a full stomach. Now being that I am a steak and potatoes kind of girl I admit that I don’t branch out often, but have enjoyed some of the best hamburgers and BBQ there. I consider it a reward for a good race– or a rough week. 🙂

Healthy all week until post race reward right?

I stared at the post for a bit and then texted a friend (I needed a little encouragement) before putting together an email and submitting it. I then proceeded to stalk my own email for a week or two. I was super excited but nervous as well. Even after a few years of running I still doubt myself sometimes. But I got an email back!!!!

They asked for a bio and a picture which I promptly sent back. I then still waited a little more before posting this (I also replied from the wrong email and had a temporary panic attack). I am so excited!!!!! I now have a new focus for training and a new goal race in April. 🙂 You’ll be hearing more about the race from me in future, hopefully I can convince you to come join us on race weekend!

Oh, did I mention that Dean Karnazes ran it?

Super Fun Run 5K- Recap

After Thursday’s recap, I took Friday as another rest day. Attempted Runner asked if I had thought about just doing the last 3ish that I needed to hit 80 on Friday. But I don’t generally like running the day before a race plus work turned into a longer day than planned. After work I had the very exciting Friday night plans of making a new playlist and picking out the clothes for today’s race. I probably should have done laundry. Then I tried to get to sleep earlier. That never seems to go according to plan. Instead it was spent tossing and turning.

The Super Fun Run is a small 5k /10k that raises money for the local Boys and Girls Club. I ran it last year with a few friends and it was my official 5k PR and the first time that I know of that I age group placed. I was 1st!!! So I was excited going into this race. I was torn between running the 5K or the 10K and I admit it was pride that made me choose the 5K.

My goals going in were-
A- beat official PR- 29:36
B- beat unofficial PR- 27:41 (during HOB 10K)
C- shot in the dark- sub 27

Apparently I can’t handle the cold. My alarm went off and after turning it off I checked the temp. Mid 20’s. Ugh, so I went with the pants. At the last minute I grabbed a headband to cover my ears. Even though the race was within in walking distance of my house, I still drove down. Why? It was freakin’ cold and I had to have somewhere to put the shirt and goody bag after bib pick up. I waited as long as I could in my car after getting my bib before heading to start line.

There were a few pre-race announcements, a count down and then it was go time. We ran across a baseball field and up a driveway before hitting pavement. From there it is an out and back course with a few turns to add mileage. Knowing the course and the small hill in the middle, I was aiming for a 3 mile sandwich- fast, medium, fast. My toes were so cold, I could not feel them. I felt like I was running awkwardly. I kept hoping they would warm up but they never did. 😦 3/4 of a mile in, I had a tightness in my chest and breathing sucked. It hurt to breath. A little past the mile 1 marker and halfway up the hill, I had to walk. Ugh!!! The downhill that followed was great, though.

Mile 1 was actually a great pace but I felt like I was in trouble. I kept pushing but had to take another walk break on the next incline. Meanwhile, 2 women come flying past on the return and I think crap! I wasn’t even halfway and they were already headed back. The turn around point was about 50 yards past the only water station so I grabbed some on the way back.

I cranked it up and flew down the downhill. However my lungs were so very angry and when I hit the return uphill there was no way I was running it. Another walk. After that it was mostly flat and I tried to push it but I just felt like I could not get enough air and that I was crawling. I didn’t even look at my Garmin the last 1.5 miles. My toes were still frozen, my chest hurt but my head was suddenly too hot. I ripped off my headband and kept going. I took 2 more walk breaks. I rounded the final corner and crossed the finish line. I stopped the Garmin at 27:56.

Now I realize that more than half the country and Canada are dealing with sub zero temperatures, crazy windchill and mountains of snow, so today’s 30 should have been no big deal. However, I would rather run in 115 weather than cold. I have no training with cold running. It is dark and cold when I leave for work, but then I get a nice warm car for the next 45 minutes. I am always cold, I have a space heater under my desk that I run every day at work. Seriously. This race kicked my ass. Overall I took 5 walk breaks and they weren’t just at the inclines.

I met my mom and Zoey after crossing the finish line. I drank some water and tried to catch my breath. She and the puppy left and I hung around to try and get some clue of the official standings. I couldn’t remember seeing that many people coming back before I hit the turn around, but I was kind of on my own planet.

Official Time- 27:54
8th finisher overall
3rd female finisher, 3rd female age group

I have no reason to feel down. I made my primary goal but missed B by 15 seconds. I am proud of what I accomplished but wish I could run the course again about 15 degrees warmer. It was 30 when we started and it was still 30 when I left the race. The website said that only 1st age group finishers received a medal so I ending up leaving early. I could not handle the cold anymore. And those 2 women who flew past me? They finished in 18 minutes. Hot damn! I wish I could be that fast!

I was supposed to run another 9 miles after the race to complete my long run for the week but I made it home and ended up sitting on the ground by the slider in the sun until I could feel my toes again. I’m so weird, I know. 🙂 My legs felt stiff all day so I decided to push my long run back to tomorrow.

The shirt this year was actually really cute and much better than last years. This was an actual dri-fit tee and last year’s was all cotton and not football themed at all. I did treat myself to some post race frozen yogurt- 9 hours later when I was warmer. 🙂

How was everyone’s Saturday?

Am I just a big baby when it comes to the cold?

January Recap

Yesterday was a glorious rest day. It was a longer than usual work day, so that plus my tiredness from Monday and Tuesday turned into a rest day. I won’t lie, it was pretty nice. I still played nice with my foam roller but other than that no running or running shoes. I did end up going up and down a ladder a ridiculous number of times at work. We finally took down the last of the Christmas decorations; the garland strung around the exposed beams in the ceiling. That turned out to be more of a workout than I had planned. 🙂

My plan called for 6 miles yesterday but just like the 8 on Tuesday, I made adjustments. I swapped yesterday’s run and today’s rest day. I was still not feeling it this evening so I ran 5 and called it done. I think that a plan needs to be adaptable to the runner. I could have forced myself to run the last 3 on Tuesday and the last 1 today but they would have been crappy miles. I would rather have quality over quantity. Which is kind of contradictory as I am trying to up my mileage, but I want to do it smartly.

Tonight started out a little stiff but just over a mile in, it finally eased up. I wanted to keep it easy tonight but my feet must have disagreed- I kept punching the treadmill! 😦 Oops. I made sure to keep my breathing even and if I felt like I was getting huffy, I would slow down. I took advantage of those moments to drink water without spilling it all over myself. 🙂 NikeC showed up at some point and texted me that I had outrun everyone around me. When I showed up, the treadmills were mostly full but I found one near the door surrounded by people who were just arriving and jumped on. 2 miles in they were all gone. Did I smell or something?

I finished out my 5 and walked a cool down. I then stretched before cleaning my machine. Yes, I stretch on the treadmill; those bars sure are handy. 🙂 I chatted a bit with NikeC before heading out. She’s running Surf City this weekend, woo hoo!!! She’s gonna rock it, I know. I then headed home for a nice warm shower and my roller. I was also able to catch up on Supernatural while working on this post. I was only distracted a few times. 🙂

Back to upping my miles, I decided to try doing a monthly recap. That way I can see and share what I’ve done- what worked and what didn’t. Tonight was my last run for January, so here goes-

77 miles?! Sweet, especially considering I took 8 consecutive days off when I was sick. Looking at those numbers makes me proud but it also shows me why I am tired. I went from a 30 mile month (granted it was December) to just shy of 80. I would like to stay around this number of monthly miles but I am rethinking some things, got to work out the kinks. I think I had a few good ideas while running tonight but any great epiphany had while running should always be slept on first. Right?

Tomorrow is Friday, woo hoo!!!! How was everyone’s weeks?

How did your resolutions/ goals go for January?

Who are you rooting for on Sunday?

Tired miles and a foam roller

I am so thankful that tomorrow is Wednesday. Tomorrow will be a longer day at work, so I will be taking a rest day. Woo hoo! I love running but I am kind of sore and achy. Sundays long run took a little more out of me than I thought. I have been very close to my foam roller these past few days. 🙂

Yesterday’s run was scheduled to be 5 miles. I woke up tired, and it took hours to perk up. Ok, I admit, a second soda did wonders for my perkiness. My left calf felt extremely tight all day. I wore my lowest heels hoping it would help. When work was done for the day, I changed into my gear and headed for the gym.

The gym was super busy when I got there but I found a treadmill and after a small warm-up and some earphone troubles, started running. Oh the tight calf was not my friend, not by a long shot. I kept trekking along, after a little over a mile, it loosened up a bit. I told myself I could stop at 3. At 3,I felt ok so I pushed on for another mile. I finished mile 4 and walked a cool down and stretched some before leaving. I was heading to a cold smoothie, a hot shower and my foam roller. I just had a little issue to fix first.

On the seriously irritating side, when I was getting out of my car before the gym, I noticed my left, front tire was flat. What?!! I was just at the tire place on Friday and they said they fixed it. Maybe that irritation helped get me to mile 4. What’s a girl to do when the same tire goes flat twice in 2 weeks? I won’t lie, I called my pops. I can change a tire but I have problems with the jack placement. Plus he has all the fancy tools. My dad changed it and using a flash light, we found the nail and drew a circle around it for the tire shop. 🙂 Then I threw it in the trunk and today was spent driving around on the donut. Not cool. I was driving a little slower than usual but still at the speed limit but so many people passed me. Slow down, people!

After how stiff I was yesterday, I was thinking of taking today off. I was able to make another tire appointment for 4:30 so I could get my tire fixed and firmly express my irritation that it wasn’t done the first time. The tire shop is just a 5 minute drive from the gym. I figured I was already going to be there so why waste the opportunity? So I changed into my running gear before leaving work. At the tire shop, they apologized numerous times and promised that it was fixed now. So I headed to the gym.

The schedule today had called for an 8 mile progression run but that was not going to happen. My initial plan was for a minimum of 3 miles and see how I felt after that. 3 turned into nice steady 5 miler. When I was running I thought I was doing a 5 mile progression. A 1 mile warm up, 3 miles at increasing pace and a 1 mile cool down. While I was running, I felt like I was doing that, however my splits told me differently. Oops! Steady but not faster, oh well, I’ll take it! Obviously, I’m still a little tired, but it felt like a better run. Afterwards was another date with my foam roller. And maybe some pizza. 🙂

Sadly, the ear buds I have been using for the last few years died. They were just the ones that came with my iPhone 4 a few years ago but I liked them the best. Even over the ridiculously expensive Yurbuds I purchased but rarely ever wear. My new iPhone came with ear buds but they are different and I haven’t tried them out yet. Guess I will be now!

On the upshot, I am really loving my daily lunches! Not as pretty as Pinterest but seriously who has the money and space for all those plastic containers?

We’re almost halfway through the week, how is everyone doing?

Any calf massage ideas?