Tag: treadmill

That’s What She Said

Anytime I have a day off during the week I like to rearrange my running schedule so I can run that day. During the winter that means one less day on the treadmill and anytime I can straight home after work is a plus. Since I have a business mixer on Thursday, I figured running Monday and Wednesday would work better anyways. At least that was the plan. However when the alarm went off the next morning, the room was spinning. I paused to notice the accompanying pounding headache and went back to bed.

It never fails, once a year in spring, usually on a long run, I get a little too much sun and feel like crap for the next 24 hours. However it usually happens in late March, early April- not February. I had a feeling I was going to regret not wearing a hat on Sunday. So instead of running, I took my usual rest day and slept some more. Then I spent the day doing a little bit of shopping in SLO. I picked up some new toys-Tuesday was supposed to be the start of running outside instead of my easy treadmill run. The sun didn’t get the memo and never came out to play. Where was the cloud cover when I was doing my long run on Sunday? Work ran over and by that time I had zero desire to head to the gym. Particularly when I knew I had a tempo on plan as my other run for the week. I’ve been trying to only look at the current week of the training plan. That way I can con myself into following it- it doesn’t seem so intimidating that way. 🙂 If I had noticed that I had a tempo two weeks in a row, I would have chosen the hill repeats last week.

It said a 15 min warm up, 3 miles at tempo followed by a 15 min cool down. Yeah, I didn’t have that kind of time. I started my new medication at the beginning of February and it has been an interesting experiment so far. One of the things I’ve figured out is that I have to eat earlier, either that or don’t go to sleep. Or skip eating dinner but that’s not a better option. So I shortened my run. I had 45 minutes so -10 minute warm up, 1 mile tempo, 60 second recovery, 1 mile tempo, 60 second recovery, .5 mile tempo, cool down. Random, right?

Holy crap, it didn’t suck!! In fact, it kind of rocked. I was able to hit my paces and keep my breathing under control. Yes, I should have skipped the little recoveries but I still maintained for 2.5 miles. That half mile was faster but I didn’t push the lap button until after I’d slowed down. If I hadn’t been pressed for time I would have completed that last full mile and my full cool down.

Oddly enough, I noticed a few things while on the treadmill this time. Walking I felt fine, no real achiness and I was walking in straight line. Hitting the tempo paces felt good as well. No aches or pains and again running in a controlled, straight line. And when I slowed down to a 10:30-12:00 pace? I was all over the damn place. Things ached and twinged, and I was bouncing off the sides again. What gives?! I tried to focus on my form throughout the whole run and I didn’t feel like anything had changed. I am curious to see what happens on the treadmill next week.

It was nice to leave the gym feeling like I accomplished something for once. I was still a nasty mess but I felt like it was a good nasty. Usually I just feel disgusting and nasty. What is it about the gym that makes me feel so gross? Is it Daylight Savings time yet?

When was the last time you were surprised by a run?

Does your form change when your pace changes?

It’s almost Thursday!!!!

If this is February-

I am getting a little nervous for summer. It was 80 today. Really? On one hand I love it but on the other hand- man it was warm.

I had a big work meeting on Thursday and I was a little stressed about it and figured that combined with the driving to and from and back to work, I would not be in the mood to run on Thursday evening. So I moved my 45 min easy run to Wednesday. After Tuesday’s tempo, I knew it was going to be a little rough but man it was a slog. I was just not feeling it. I hit 42 minutes but it was only 3.5 miles. I straight up walked 1 mile of it. Yeah, it was ugly.

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Thursday was my dress meltdown and the big meeting. They were presenting the President’s Award to one of the Heritage winners so part of the meeting was fun. My coworker took 1st runner up- woo hoo! My former boss and I cracked jokes that since we hired him, we could be equally excited. It was also pretty cool that when they called out the Heritage winners to the front, there were 3 from my location. 🙂 3 out of 19- sweet!

Friday was girls night and yes, we saw 50 Shades of Grey. I was proud of myself for not getting kicked out of the theater. ML and I always sit next to each other so we can whisper things but she knew I was going to be a total smart ass so she put everyone else between us. 🙂 This was the worst behaved theater I have ever been in, it was ridiculous. Some people had had way too much to drink before the movie and kept drinking the whole way through. The woman in the row behind us made a phone call during the previews because her friends had not arrived. Said friends arrived 5-10 minutes into the movie, laughing and talking about how they couldn’t find their seats in the dark. Seriously?! I think I heard 3 wine glasses break and the women in the front couldn’t go to the bathroom without going in multiples while laughing and yelling at each other as they left. At the end all the men in the theater boo’d and I laughed out loud. But other than that and the fact that the Mexican place we went to for dinner made me sick- it was an amusing and fun night.

This is my in pain grimace- why do my grimaces look more like smiles?

I worked on Saturday, so I knew I would be eating a later lunch than usual. This was also apparent when I set out for my run. The training plan called a 45-55 minute run and fairly shortly, I knew it was going to be closer to 45. My stride felt off and everything ached. I was at the top of a hill, 1/2 mile from home when I wanted to curse out loud. The outside of my right knee and the area a couple of inches up started screaming. Are you freakin’ kidding me?! My right leg never hurts, my left one is the problem child. It felt like something was about to rip. I instantly stopped and just started stretching on the side of the road. A few minutes later I decided to see how it felt, I ran home and concentrated on my form just keeping an easy pace. I felt a little tight but made it home. I walked up half of my driveway backwards and spent extra time stretching and rolling with my foam roller and stick.

Yesterday’s pain made me nervous for today’s long run. The plan called for 10-12 and yeah, 12 wasn’t happening. I headed to the lake path, thinking that flat and outside would be best. It was also easy access to my car if I needed it. I was a little worried I would get bored lapping the lake so many times but I have run 10 miles on both a treadmill and the track before so it had to be better than those. Right? I headed out around 2:00, thinking that I should take it slower and might need more time. So for the second time in 2 days, I ran too soon after lunch, for me at least. According to McMillan, my long run pace should be between 10:34-11:54. I was aiming for 11:15-11:30, I was afraid it was going to hurt and I did not want to push. My knee felt ok but my left hamstring is still sore from last week’s strength training fail. I walked my warm up as usual and then picked up the pace.

When miles 2, 3, and 4 clocked in at 10:04, 10:10, and 10:11, I was a little ticked. It didn’t feel hard but I knew I wasn’t going to be able to sustain it with the way I felt and the temp being around 80. My mom had joined me today and was walking the path and I ran into her on lap 4. I took that opportunity to extend my walking break. Since the park was so busy, I walked the playground section every lap- easier to dodge the little people and their parents. 🙂 Even with that longer break, mile 5 was 10:36. 6-10, the heat was getting to me and I finally slowed down a bit. Those miles clocked in between 10:41-10:50. Except for 8, that was 11:12. I admit I almost quit after 8 miles just because I was tired and hot and irritated that I just could not control my pace. I had a conversation with myself and decided that I wasn’t hurting and should just start acclimating to the heat now since it’s only going to get hotter. So I finished my 10. 10 miles is a little more than 8 laps so the last .5 mile was me running back and forth between 2 of the exercise stations because I didn’t want to do another lap. 🙂 Plus by then my mom was waiting for me.

I am a little concerned by all the achiness that I have been feeling lately. It’s one of reasons I passed on my long run last weekend. I am hoping it’s just the treadmill. Normally I dropped to running 3x a week during winter so only one run would be on the treadmill. I run differently on the treadmill and I remember being a little achy last year but not like this. I am kicking that thing to the curb in 20 days. But for now, I am pretty sure I can get in a 30-35 minute run outside after work. I can do my easy run that way and just use the treadmill for my speed work of the week until Daylight Savings time. The work route is all hill so I could still get in hill repeats too, the workout might just be a little shorter.

How was your weekend? Who raced?

Anyone else go to the movies?

Anyone else run differently on the treadmill?

The Oddest Taper

It’s almost Friday!! And I’m on vacation! 😛

But let’s back up. Even before the reality of a trail 25K kicked my ass, I knew I may have to adjust some things this week. I figured if I was feeling extra achy and sore after Sunday, I would push Tuesday’s run to Wednesday and Thursday’s to Friday since I took a few days off for Surf City. Ummm, what was I thinking running a 25K and a half 7 days apart?

13.1 It Takes a Special Kind of Idiot... I think I should start training for a half marathon :) — 7 days later, ouch source

I was a little achy but headed to the gym on Tuesday per usual. I ran super slow but I was just fine with that. 3.5 miles later, I stretched and called it a day. Even though my pace was slow, I unintentionally pulled off the perceived effort progression that was on tap per my training plan. Calling that a win! Oh and my gym now has those scary stair things, it was interesting watching people on them. But much better than the freaky cut-the-alien-out-of-the-stomach sci fi movie on in front me. Blech, I love sci fi but not creature flicks.

Going Tuesday worked out well as I was so tired on Wednesday I overslept that morning. Then I fell asleep in the comfy chair trying to watch Supernatural that night. How I didn’t knock the laptop off my lap, I have no idea. I had planned on running today per usual but my stomach was rebelling pretty badly so I went back to the Friday plan. Well hopefully. 🙂 I kind of need to pack at some point too.

I got this... right? — I got this… right?

I took a few days off around Surf City because I figured these 8-9 days were going make me pretty tired. However when I planned that I didn’t realize that was also my window to complete reviews at work. So I spent most of this week trying to kick those out. Or at least to a point where I only have to make some minor edits when I return. Writing reviews stress me out, maybe that’s contributing to my tiredness. I am so turning off the alarm tomorrow morning.

Wednesday was also my re-check with my gastro. He’s at a loss, so we’re changing my medication. This kind of freaks me out, I’ve been taking it for 12 years, what’s going to happen? He actually warned me that I could have a rough couple of days when I make the change, so we agreed that I could do that Monday after the race. Plus I have those days off so yay? Way less exciting than the original plan to go to Disneyland on Monday. But you know, measles.

Ever use those scary stair machines? I am not even sure I could even get on one without falling.

Would you chance the measles?

Anyone racing this weekend or having a Super Bowl party?

Who cried at the Budweiser commercial?

A Sleepy Frog

Happy almost Friday! And the first full week of the year. 🙂

I don’t know what it is but I have been so tired this week. I have slept through my first 3 alarms every day. That’s even with going to bed earlier- since Directv and NBC have been fighting, I haven’t been watching the news or Jimmy Fallon. Last night I actually clocked the first 7 hours of sleep on a work night since I bought my Fitbit. Wow. On Tuesday, I headed to the gym after work for a few miles. I was actually sore after hiking Cerro San Luis but per usual the DOMS didn’t kick in until Tuesday. But that just helped me not push it. Finding a consistent easy is kind of hard. I’ve noticed that it takes almost 2 miles on the treadmill to feel comfortable. Then when I do, I have the problem of running into the front of the machine because I want to run faster. I managed 5 miles around a 10:41-10:54 pace. Once again one of the tvs had North Woods Law on and it made the miles seem less miserable.

When I first arrived at the gym I was surprised to find around 10 treadmills free, I had expected more Resolutioner’s to be there. The ellipticals were full though. Part of me feels bad being irritated that they filll up the gyms in January. I mean at least they are making an attempt right? But when you see a man talking on the phone while on the elliptical and a woman reading with a book right up to her face while walking so slowly, I feel less guilty. Then there were the chatty trio who got on the treadmills to my right. They were so loud! I could hear every word of their conversation over my headphones and I wasn’t willing to blow out my own eardrums and keep turning it up. I said this in a comment to FL Runner Boy but I think a gym should be like a library- necessary conversations only. 🙂 But then again, I am the one who hit the emergency stop 2 miles in- oops. My mind is like, "Let's go to the gym!", but my body is all, "Dude chill, this couch is really comfortable." The plan was for another 4-5 treadmill miles tonight but after changing and starting my drive to the gym I had to admit that i don’t feel so well. It feels like a head cold which I could have run on but I decided that running back to back longer runs this weekend was more important for training than some treadmill miles tonight. My 25K is in less than 3 weeks with Surf City right after. I am trying to think smart here but I feel like a baby. Plus I also didn’t think anyone at the gym would appreciate my excessive coughing or throat clearing. Asthma already puts a frog in my throat but now I feel like his friends have moved in to party. Ugh. So instead I am bundled up in the comfy chair catching up with you guys! Oh maybe I should be productive and go update my Goals and Gear page that I haven’t touched in way too long.

How has your week been?

Have you braved the gym?

Festive Follow Through

Merry Christmas Eve Eve!!

In all honesty, the last two weeks of running have been more miss than hit. I started December strong but went a little off track once my vacation was over. I drive past the lake path every night and wish I was running there instead of the gym. Driving home last night I noticed that the sunset lingered a little more than usual. I then did a happy little cheer in my car once I realized the solstice was the day before. Here’s for gaining more daylight every day!

Between Christmas activities, shopping trips and my stomach, longs runs have been non-existent the past 2 weeks. It’s not like I have a 25K in 5 weeks right? Oops. Actually, that was the first time I counted and now I am scared! Now I am really glad I followed through tonight. 🙂

I have over 400 Christmas songs but I love these. So odd, I know.

By the time I was off work, I had lost all desire to run- at least on a treadmill. But it was my only option, so I told myself to tough out 3 miles and head to the gym. I have been tired lately, and reading 80/20, so I set it to a 10:46 pace after a short warm up. I had Christmas music playing in my ears and there was hardly anyone in the gym, so that was nice. I found myself distracted by one of the tv’s; it was playing a show called North Woods Law. I admit that the extent of my reality tv is the Biggest Loser so I had no idea what it was. After a few minutes I gathered that it was like cops but with game wardens. 5 miles later I was still watching.. and running. Sweet! A new episode had just started but I didn’t think another 5-6 miles would be the best idea. Driving home, it occurred to me that after my warm up of .5 mile, I ran the rest without any walking breaks. So my stomach let me run 4.5 miles straight, woo hoo, bonus Christmas gift!! I kept the pace easy but other than the usual treadmill aches, I felt good! Oh and my shoes came untied 3 times. Seriously? I really need to put new laces in my Sayonaras.

I hope everyone is all caught up and prepared for the upcoming festivities. Hopefully not too many last-minute details. As for me I am looking forward to a shorter day at work before dinner with my family. And a little bit of re-wrapping. Putting gifts under the tree early apparently was too much temptation for the puppy-Do you run to holiday music?

Ever have a pet open/ damage a Christmas present? When my brother and I were kids, one of the cats clawed open the wrapping on a Sega Genesis- we knew what we were getting that Christmas!

Are you ready?