When I posted that quote about the marathon last week it had a double meaning for me. On one hand it was saying it was OK to finish a marathon in whatever time I need to that day. On the other, it was saying that it might take many, many months or even years to get to the start line of a marathon and that was OK too. It was the second interpretation that resonated with me last week as I came to terms with the realization that the Eugene Marathon wasn't going to happen for me this year. I am officially dropping my registration from the full to the half-marathon.
This was a really difficult decision to make. I wanted this marathon BADLY. Ever since I finally ran a half I could be proud of last year this race has been my goal. I wanted this one to be my inaugural marathon. It was a chance to prove to myself how much further I can push myself and what I can accomplish. This race was going to be the best way I could think of to celebrate my 40th birthday which is the day before the race. Heck, when we scheduled the wedding we did it so that it happened after Eugene. So the decision to drop the race was emotional for me and difficult to accept. But facts are facts and this injury has kept me from running and training and there was no way I could be ready by May 1 to run any kind of race I could be proud of. I just feel lucky that the injury happened so early in training and not after four months of hard work.
Another reason this race meant so much is that we are going to try to have a baby after the wedding and getting the marathon done before that happened would have been perfect timing. Training while pregnant just sounds miserable and, especially considering my age, probably not safe. By the way, running through pregnancy is safe, just not hard training you haven't done before. I know I can run one after a kid is born but I am guessing that will be fairly exhausting as well. This race was my best possible chance to train my hardest and be at my best for the distance. And it's gone now. Unless of course there will be no babies then, woo-hoo, here come some races!
On the injury front, the calf has been (knock wood) much better and I am thinking about testing the waters with it this week. The sciatica is also better but still flares up a little. The back pain, which I never had before I started doing exercises for the sciatica, also seems to have mostly gone away. Running should be able to begin again soon which is good because I am less than eight weeks away from a half-marathon and I would really like that race not to suck.
As for the marathon, well I'm ready for that amazing journey Ms. Flanagan spoke about and I will write my own ending for it in another race this year. If I can run pain free very soon then Rock and Roll Seattle at the end of June is a possibility. Portland or Victoria in early October are also high on the list but while running in fall is fabulous, training in summer is a bitch and I don't know how I would do with that. For now I am just going to keep on with my PT program, cross-train while I can and focus on getting to the start line of 26.2.
Showing posts with label training. Show all posts
Showing posts with label training. Show all posts
Monday, March 7, 2011
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Beyond Frustrating
I just got back from my four mile run in the rain. Except it wasn't a four-miler; it turned into a two-miler because of pain in my right leg and rear that was there for the whole run and calf pain that turned up towards the end of the two miles. I don't know what to do. I'm not healing and I HAVE to start logging some serious miles or the race won't happen. I am so frustrated now and I don't know how to fix myself any quicker.
The only plan I have now is to demand a physical therapy appointment sooner than March 11. If I have to start crying on the phone to get one earlier I will totally do that. I am also going to attempt my scheduled seven miles tomorrow night and hope for a different outcome. Right now I just want to have a drink. Good thing it is bar trivia night.
The only plan I have now is to demand a physical therapy appointment sooner than March 11. If I have to start crying on the phone to get one earlier I will totally do that. I am also going to attempt my scheduled seven miles tomorrow night and hope for a different outcome. Right now I just want to have a drink. Good thing it is bar trivia night.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Marathon Training - Week 9
There isn't a whole lot to report on this front. Since that last run with the strained calf two weeks ago I have ran twice. Well, one three mile run and one .66 mile "this isn't going to work I still hurt and have wonky gait" run. The three-miler was last Wednesday and seemed to go pretty well. I could feel the tightness in the right leg but the calf was basically fine and I felt like as long as I watched the length of my stride the gait wasn't weird. I haven't been out since then because of snow and out of town company but I plan on heading out for a four-miler tomorrow night.
I think I am going to go back to where I left off on Higdon's Novice 2 plan rather than trying to jump ahead to what week 11 is going to look like. I can always compress the schedule somewhere else. It is probably a much smarter idea.
There are still two months until Eugene and if I can stay healthy I think I might still be able to pull this race out. If not, well, there is always the half.
Wish me luck this week. If all goes well with the legs Sunday will be my first-ever 14 miler and then we get to go to our first dance class with our new instructor. Nope, my legs won't be wobbly and worn out at all. We haven't given up on East Coast Swing but if we are thinking about doing a first dance we figured we should maybe try to do something more than the junior high stand in one spot and hold each other while swaying uncomfortably to the music.
I think I am going to go back to where I left off on Higdon's Novice 2 plan rather than trying to jump ahead to what week 11 is going to look like. I can always compress the schedule somewhere else. It is probably a much smarter idea.
There are still two months until Eugene and if I can stay healthy I think I might still be able to pull this race out. If not, well, there is always the half.
Wish me luck this week. If all goes well with the legs Sunday will be my first-ever 14 miler and then we get to go to our first dance class with our new instructor. Nope, my legs won't be wobbly and worn out at all. We haven't given up on East Coast Swing but if we are thinking about doing a first dance we figured we should maybe try to do something more than the junior high stand in one spot and hold each other while swaying uncomfortably to the music.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Injury Update
Turns out I don't have something as cool and runner-y as piriformis syndrome. Instead I have......sciatica. Other than arthritis I don't think there is an older people sounding diagnosis. Between sciatica and my bunions can gout be far behind? Will I need to start wearing comfortable shoes and handing out sticky purse-fuzz laden hard candies to people? Will I need to wear a babushka? Can I get a more old lady diagnosis? Well, frankly yes but it is still embarrassing.
Actually sciatica is a symptom and not a diagnosis. It means that I somehow tweaked my back in early January without knowing it and that is causing impingement on my sciatic nerve that causes pain and weakness down my right buttock, thigh and behind my knee. The physical therapist thinks that the sciatica and right side weakness probably exacerbated my already ridiculously tight left calf muscle. It was fascinating to do the strength tests and to realize my left side could resist all of her pushing and effort and the right side could be easily moved. In one move there was zero resistance on the right side. This is definitely nerve and not muscular because she had me do a few stretches and then retested and the right side was stronger than 10 minutes before. .
So how do we treat this old lady symptom? Well, I start by purchasing a foam wedge so I can change the position in my car while I drive. And I get a desk chair at work that actually has lumbar support. Then I do a series of back stretches and strengthening moves to "un-impinge" the nerve. For my calf, I rest and do stretches, lots and lots of stretches. Once the pain is completely gone I can work on strengthening it too.
As for running, the therapist would like me to wait until I am completely symptom free on both sides but she must work with runners a fair amount because she said "but you are going to run before I think you are ready to aren't you" and I said "yup." That marathon won't run itself, lady. If the calf feels OK tomorrow I am heading out for an easy, flat four-miler to test it. I'm not sure what to do about my 15 mile long-run on Sunday but I will let my body dictate that decision. Wish me luck.
Actually sciatica is a symptom and not a diagnosis. It means that I somehow tweaked my back in early January without knowing it and that is causing impingement on my sciatic nerve that causes pain and weakness down my right buttock, thigh and behind my knee. The physical therapist thinks that the sciatica and right side weakness probably exacerbated my already ridiculously tight left calf muscle. It was fascinating to do the strength tests and to realize my left side could resist all of her pushing and effort and the right side could be easily moved. In one move there was zero resistance on the right side. This is definitely nerve and not muscular because she had me do a few stretches and then retested and the right side was stronger than 10 minutes before. .
So how do we treat this old lady symptom? Well, I start by purchasing a foam wedge so I can change the position in my car while I drive. And I get a desk chair at work that actually has lumbar support. Then I do a series of back stretches and strengthening moves to "un-impinge" the nerve. For my calf, I rest and do stretches, lots and lots of stretches. Once the pain is completely gone I can work on strengthening it too.
As for running, the therapist would like me to wait until I am completely symptom free on both sides but she must work with runners a fair amount because she said "but you are going to run before I think you are ready to aren't you" and I said "yup." That marathon won't run itself, lady. If the calf feels OK tomorrow I am heading out for an easy, flat four-miler to test it. I'm not sure what to do about my 15 mile long-run on Sunday but I will let my body dictate that decision. Wish me luck.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Marathon Training - Week 7
Trainus Interruptus might be a better headline to this post. I am hoping the interruptus doesn't last longer than a few days so my frustration level doesn't end up higher than it already is.
Monday - An hour practice for the next night's swing dance class after a wonderful blissful yet painful massage. My calves end up screaming after dancing so I am going to blame part of my woes on this whole dancing thing. I am still counting it as cross-training though.
Tuesday - An hour swing dance class. Cross-training!
Wednesday - Seven mile marathon pace run that went really, really well.
Thursday - Four miles that started with some sharp piriformis pain that went away after about a half-hour.
Saturday - Earlier in the morning while I was bounding down the stairs I felt my always tight left calf muscle go "tweak". It hurt. It bothered me the rest of the day, mostly going up or down stairs but I thought it was just more calf tightness. Then I went for my four miler, in the wind-storm downpour thank you very much. I limped through almost all the run and could tell my gait was off even when the limp became less prominent. I came home and iced and stretched but it still hurt.
Sunday - I decided to scrap my 14 miler because of the calf strain and the affected gait. The night before I needed a little convincing to not go but when I woke up and it hurt to roll over in bed I realized it was absolutely the right choice. No sense screwing up the rest of the marathon training for what is, in the grand scheme of things, a short run. I still felt like a big loser though for not being able to go out and run. I was actually looking forward to what would have been my single day mileage PR.
Oh, and I did my upper body and core strengthening program three times last week. Woo-hoo!!
Today I have a PT appointment after work to deal with the piriformis (buttocks and leg pain) and we will also address the constant calf tightness and mild-strain I had this weekend. I am hopeful they can get me back on the road (literally) to healthy running. Keep your fingers crossed for me, I'm getting antsy and annoyed.
Monday - An hour practice for the next night's swing dance class after a wonderful blissful yet painful massage. My calves end up screaming after dancing so I am going to blame part of my woes on this whole dancing thing. I am still counting it as cross-training though.
Tuesday - An hour swing dance class. Cross-training!
Wednesday - Seven mile marathon pace run that went really, really well.
Thursday - Four miles that started with some sharp piriformis pain that went away after about a half-hour.
Saturday - Earlier in the morning while I was bounding down the stairs I felt my always tight left calf muscle go "tweak". It hurt. It bothered me the rest of the day, mostly going up or down stairs but I thought it was just more calf tightness. Then I went for my four miler, in the wind-storm downpour thank you very much. I limped through almost all the run and could tell my gait was off even when the limp became less prominent. I came home and iced and stretched but it still hurt.
Sunday - I decided to scrap my 14 miler because of the calf strain and the affected gait. The night before I needed a little convincing to not go but when I woke up and it hurt to roll over in bed I realized it was absolutely the right choice. No sense screwing up the rest of the marathon training for what is, in the grand scheme of things, a short run. I still felt like a big loser though for not being able to go out and run. I was actually looking forward to what would have been my single day mileage PR.
Oh, and I did my upper body and core strengthening program three times last week. Woo-hoo!!
Today I have a PT appointment after work to deal with the piriformis (buttocks and leg pain) and we will also address the constant calf tightness and mild-strain I had this weekend. I am hopeful they can get me back on the road (literally) to healthy running. Keep your fingers crossed for me, I'm getting antsy and annoyed.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Marathon Training - Week 6
I am getting back on track, sort of, in regards to my running schedule. Last week was busy, busy, busy and I wasn't able to squeeze in one of my short runs. I am up against a similar situation this week with only one weekday with nothing but running scheduled after work so I am going to have to really flex the schedule to make it all fit.
Tuesday - Week three of East Coast Swing 2 and we get sweaty enough in this class that I am going to count it as cross-training.
Wednesday - Six crappy miles I posted about previously. I am still proud I gutted through those.
Thursday - Three easy ones around the neighborhood. Infinitely better than the day before. I also did my home strength training program after the run.
Sunday - 12 down by the lake. Slow and steady but done. I had leg tightness for about the first six miles but it loosened up after that. I also did a shortened version of my strength training while waiting for the interminable Super Bowl to end.
Weekly Mileage: 21
Coming next week: a new one day distance record for me (hopefully). Also, much home stretching, changing my work ergonomics and a painful yet incredibly relaxing massage have improved the piriformis situation. It isn't 100 % yet but I also no longer feel the need to yelp in pain.
Tuesday - Week three of East Coast Swing 2 and we get sweaty enough in this class that I am going to count it as cross-training.
Wednesday - Six crappy miles I posted about previously. I am still proud I gutted through those.
Thursday - Three easy ones around the neighborhood. Infinitely better than the day before. I also did my home strength training program after the run.
Sunday - 12 down by the lake. Slow and steady but done. I had leg tightness for about the first six miles but it loosened up after that. I also did a shortened version of my strength training while waiting for the interminable Super Bowl to end.
Weekly Mileage: 21
Coming next week: a new one day distance record for me (hopefully). Also, much home stretching, changing my work ergonomics and a painful yet incredibly relaxing massage have improved the piriformis situation. It isn't 100 % yet but I also no longer feel the need to yelp in pain.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Running Can Be A Pain In The Rear
Sometimes the worst runs are the ones that can teach you the most. Let's take last night for example. First a little backstory. For probably about a month I have been having pain in the back of my right leg. Sort of started right where the buttocks meets the top of the thigh and then has progressed to the entire back of the leg and behind the knee with occasional twinges down into the calf. I have self-diagnosed it as piriformis syndrome. Thanks internet for my medical degree!
The pain is strongest when I drive and driving seems to exacerbate it. Since I average about two hours a day of driving it just keeps getting worse. I actually yelped while driving home from dance class Tuesday night. Fortunately, it hasn't bothered my running (until last night) other than noticing some tightness when I run and walking around Disneyland for three days straight actually seemed to make it go away for a short time. Good, except for the fact that my day involves sitting and not moving much so that doesn't help.
But onward to last night's run. I had six miles on the schedule and immediately knew it was going to be a bad run. The pain in the right leg wouldn't go away, my left ankle felt tight and uncomfortable and when I relaced the shoe to loosen it up then my heel would slip which changed my gait so my calf tightened up. Then the groin got in on the act. Really, Groin? Really? Anyway, I was doing two laps of a three-mile loop and at mile three I passed my car. I knew the run was crap by this point and I had even had to take a few walk breaks and I just wanted to stop. And there was my car and the opportunity to stop. But I didn't. Instead I did a quick assessment:
Are any of the pains you are having acute? No
Do you think running further will cause you harm? No
Are you just maybe being a whiny, namby pamby baby and could you run through this? Probably.
Will you regret stopping early? Yes
Than continue on, Grasshopper. And I did. And it felt good. Not physically good mind you but mentally good that I didn't wuss out. It took me years to get to the point of running through discomfort and pushing on when I want to stop. It wasn't pretty, it wasn't good but I did it. And that was my running victory last night. And my ass still hurts.
The pain is strongest when I drive and driving seems to exacerbate it. Since I average about two hours a day of driving it just keeps getting worse. I actually yelped while driving home from dance class Tuesday night. Fortunately, it hasn't bothered my running (until last night) other than noticing some tightness when I run and walking around Disneyland for three days straight actually seemed to make it go away for a short time. Good, except for the fact that my day involves sitting and not moving much so that doesn't help.
But onward to last night's run. I had six miles on the schedule and immediately knew it was going to be a bad run. The pain in the right leg wouldn't go away, my left ankle felt tight and uncomfortable and when I relaced the shoe to loosen it up then my heel would slip which changed my gait so my calf tightened up. Then the groin got in on the act. Really, Groin? Really? Anyway, I was doing two laps of a three-mile loop and at mile three I passed my car. I knew the run was crap by this point and I had even had to take a few walk breaks and I just wanted to stop. And there was my car and the opportunity to stop. But I didn't. Instead I did a quick assessment:
Are any of the pains you are having acute? No
Do you think running further will cause you harm? No
Are you just maybe being a whiny, namby pamby baby and could you run through this? Probably.
Will you regret stopping early? Yes
Than continue on, Grasshopper. And I did. And it felt good. Not physically good mind you but mentally good that I didn't wuss out. It took me years to get to the point of running through discomfort and pushing on when I want to stop. It wasn't pretty, it wasn't good but I did it. And that was my running victory last night. And my ass still hurts.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Marathon Training - Week 4 and 5
The three day trip to Portland for wedding vendor mania two weekends ago and the four day trip to Disneyland this last weekend have completely and totally thrown my training off schedule. Add to that some general overscheduling and you get a tired and unmotivated runner.
While in Portland I did manage to get up early and drag myself out to do my scheduled 6 miler around the river and I did the same thing in Anaheim (substitute river for theme parks) for that scheduled 6 miler. However, a couple of 3 milers were lost and the 12 I was supposed to do Sunday after flying back from California just didn't happen. I meant to do the 12 last night but....meh, I just didn't want to. So I have lost one complete week of training but I am getting it back on track this week. I will do my 12 this Sunday and all will be fine. I am far enough away from the race that completely screwing up one week will hopefully not kill me. Besides, this Sunday was scheduled to only be 9 miles so I think I am OK.
On the plus side though, I did manage to have one of those amazing runs where everything just clicks and you feel strong and fast in these two weeks of training. It was a mid-week 5 miler at marathon pace and I just didn't want to go. I was tired and cold but I went out anyway and posted the fastest miles I have run yet this year. It was a nice little reminder that training works and you will reap the benefits.
Oh, I also had a one-time session with a personal trainer to help work on some core and back strength issues for both the marathon and wedding time. I am also trying to make my arms not look like hams anymore.
While in Portland I did manage to get up early and drag myself out to do my scheduled 6 miler around the river and I did the same thing in Anaheim (substitute river for theme parks) for that scheduled 6 miler. However, a couple of 3 milers were lost and the 12 I was supposed to do Sunday after flying back from California just didn't happen. I meant to do the 12 last night but....meh, I just didn't want to. So I have lost one complete week of training but I am getting it back on track this week. I will do my 12 this Sunday and all will be fine. I am far enough away from the race that completely screwing up one week will hopefully not kill me. Besides, this Sunday was scheduled to only be 9 miles so I think I am OK.
On the plus side though, I did manage to have one of those amazing runs where everything just clicks and you feel strong and fast in these two weeks of training. It was a mid-week 5 miler at marathon pace and I just didn't want to go. I was tired and cold but I went out anyway and posted the fastest miles I have run yet this year. It was a nice little reminder that training works and you will reap the benefits.
Oh, I also had a one-time session with a personal trainer to help work on some core and back strength issues for both the marathon and wedding time. I am also trying to make my arms not look like hams anymore.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Marathon Training - Week 3
So far so good. I feel good and only had a little leg weakness after doing 18 miles in three days which my legs are not used to. Here are the stats.
Monday - Should have been a rest day but I had to get my long run in that I missed Sunday. I counted them towards last weeks miles but it contributed to some tired legs come Wednesday night.
Tuesday - Three around the neighborhood with light snow falling. Kind of pretty actually.
Wednesday - Six that were supposed to be at marathon pace but fell far short of that. Actually the first three were OK and then my legs started to feel wobbly and I slowed down a lot. I didn't mind too much when I reminded myself of the previous two days' mileage.
Friday - Three around the neighborhood. I am really starting to get used to the running in the dark thing.
Sunday - Eleven down by the lake. This came in at an even 12:00 which is probably where my long runs should be right now. What made me happy though was the last mile I managed an 11:13 which means I still had gas in the tank and could have either gone further or faster. This is a good sign. When I stopped after the eleven my legs were mighty wobbly though.
Weekly Total: 23 miles
According to Hal, this week was actually supposed to be my step-back week but I had to swap weeks because of the upcoming Portland wedding vendor marathon extravaganza. My long run next week is only six miles and I get to run it down by the river in downtown Portland. Oh, and I am adding strength-training in this week. And another round of East Coast Swing classes.
Monday - Should have been a rest day but I had to get my long run in that I missed Sunday. I counted them towards last weeks miles but it contributed to some tired legs come Wednesday night.
Tuesday - Three around the neighborhood with light snow falling. Kind of pretty actually.
Wednesday - Six that were supposed to be at marathon pace but fell far short of that. Actually the first three were OK and then my legs started to feel wobbly and I slowed down a lot. I didn't mind too much when I reminded myself of the previous two days' mileage.
Friday - Three around the neighborhood. I am really starting to get used to the running in the dark thing.
Sunday - Eleven down by the lake. This came in at an even 12:00 which is probably where my long runs should be right now. What made me happy though was the last mile I managed an 11:13 which means I still had gas in the tank and could have either gone further or faster. This is a good sign. When I stopped after the eleven my legs were mighty wobbly though.
Weekly Total: 23 miles
According to Hal, this week was actually supposed to be my step-back week but I had to swap weeks because of the upcoming Portland wedding vendor marathon extravaganza. My long run next week is only six miles and I get to run it down by the river in downtown Portland. Oh, and I am adding strength-training in this week. And another round of East Coast Swing classes.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Weekly Training Log - Week 14
Well, I hit another mileage PR this week: 26.2 miles. I only had 26 scheduled but figured that in the running world 26.2 was a nicer, rounder number. My legs sure felt it by the time I got done with Sunday's long run and today was a blissful running-free rest day. I also bought new shoes on Sunday and I can't wait to take them out and start wearing them in. I didn't realize exactly how broken down my old shoes were until I put on new ones and had that "oh, so this is how shoes are supposed to feel" moment. Apparently I was grinning like an idiot after taking them out of the store for a test jog. My achy, sore feet will be happy now. I realized my old shoes had well over 600 miles on them, it was time.
Monday - 1 hour yoga
Wednesday - Five miles at the lake. The lake miles always feel the best. This should bode well for Sunday's race there.
Friday - Five miles with some small rises and hills. Felt great even though the speed was slower. It's funny how not long ago five miles was a HUGE deal to me and now it doesn't feel like much at all. Maybe I can get that way with double-digit runs someday. Excuse me while I go day-dream awhile about that.
Saturday - 4.2 crappy ones on the same hilly route I did last week with no problem.
Sunday - 12 miles. Not much to say about this other than my legs were shot. They felt like lead and were tight the whole way. The weather, however, was gorgeous and that helped shut-up my inner whiner a little bit.
Even though the 12-miler sucked I feel pretty ready for Eugene. If nothing else I am ready to dial down the miles for a few weeks until I ramp up for the Seattle Rock 'n Roll half.
Monday - 1 hour yoga
Wednesday - Five miles at the lake. The lake miles always feel the best. This should bode well for Sunday's race there.
Friday - Five miles with some small rises and hills. Felt great even though the speed was slower. It's funny how not long ago five miles was a HUGE deal to me and now it doesn't feel like much at all. Maybe I can get that way with double-digit runs someday. Excuse me while I go day-dream awhile about that.
Saturday - 4.2 crappy ones on the same hilly route I did last week with no problem.
Sunday - 12 miles. Not much to say about this other than my legs were shot. They felt like lead and were tight the whole way. The weather, however, was gorgeous and that helped shut-up my inner whiner a little bit.
Even though the 12-miler sucked I feel pretty ready for Eugene. If nothing else I am ready to dial down the miles for a few weeks until I ramp up for the Seattle Rock 'n Roll half.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Weekly Training Log - Week 13
Only three more weeks until the half-marathon and I am definitely on track to PR but I am starting to worry about my speed. For the amount of training I have put in I feel like I should be faster.
This was a recovery week so the mileage is lower than it has been.
Monday - Yoga. This was a new class and a new type of yoga for me: kundalini yoga. If you read about it it sounds a little woo-woo but it is great breath work and mental cleansing plus a couple of moves that kicked my butt. A winner I think.
Tuesday - Cancelled the scheduled run because of some family health drama. All is normal again now.
Thursday - Four great miles around the home neighborhood. I chose the hilly route because I need some hill work and I am proud to say I didn't have to walk any of the hills. Even the beast that appears at about .15 miles in to the run. Woo-hoo!
Friday - 3.5 craptastic miles. I haven't felt this sluggish on a run in a very, very long time. While I was out there I mentally went over my food intake for the day and I am pretty sure that is the culprit.
Sunday - 11 miles! My legs got really tired after mile 6 but I pushed on and finished without walk breaks. I had to really, really, really fight myself to not stop but I didn't and that was a huge mental boost for me. The bad part about this run was "Morton's Neuroma: The Return". Instead of the usual numbness I have always experienced, about 7 miles in I could feel sharp shooting pains start in my left foot. It got really bad in the last 1.5 miles; I actually yelped out loud a few times. Yes, I yelped. It was particularly painful when I would step on a pebble with just the right part of my foot. Most unpleasant. I am buying new shoes and new SuperFeet this weekend which will help down the road but I won't wear them for Eugene. There just isn't enough time to break them in properly. In the meantime I might just stay off of gravel paths.
Total mileage: 18.5
This was a recovery week so the mileage is lower than it has been.
Monday - Yoga. This was a new class and a new type of yoga for me: kundalini yoga. If you read about it it sounds a little woo-woo but it is great breath work and mental cleansing plus a couple of moves that kicked my butt. A winner I think.
Tuesday - Cancelled the scheduled run because of some family health drama. All is normal again now.
Thursday - Four great miles around the home neighborhood. I chose the hilly route because I need some hill work and I am proud to say I didn't have to walk any of the hills. Even the beast that appears at about .15 miles in to the run. Woo-hoo!
Friday - 3.5 craptastic miles. I haven't felt this sluggish on a run in a very, very long time. While I was out there I mentally went over my food intake for the day and I am pretty sure that is the culprit.
Sunday - 11 miles! My legs got really tired after mile 6 but I pushed on and finished without walk breaks. I had to really, really, really fight myself to not stop but I didn't and that was a huge mental boost for me. The bad part about this run was "Morton's Neuroma: The Return". Instead of the usual numbness I have always experienced, about 7 miles in I could feel sharp shooting pains start in my left foot. It got really bad in the last 1.5 miles; I actually yelped out loud a few times. Yes, I yelped. It was particularly painful when I would step on a pebble with just the right part of my foot. Most unpleasant. I am buying new shoes and new SuperFeet this weekend which will help down the road but I won't wear them for Eugene. There just isn't enough time to break them in properly. In the meantime I might just stay off of gravel paths.
Total mileage: 18.5
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Weekly Training Log - Week 12
I hit another weekly mileage PR last week: 23 miles. I think I am going to drop the overall mileage this week but still bump up the long run mileage on Sunday. The Higdon schedule I am ever so loosely following has this week as a recovery week so I think I will *ahem* run with that this week.
Monday - One hour of yoga. This was my first class since my Thursday night classes ended. It was taught at the Y and I didn't like it so much. I got some good stretching and strengthening but no time to quiet the mind. I am surprised by how much I missed that part of it. I found a different class at a different Y this week and I LOVED it.
Tuesday - 4 mile inadvertent tempo run at the lake. I meant this to be just an easy four-miler but everything just felt great so I went "fast".
Thursday - Blew off spinning class because I was exhausted. Felt some rest and grocery shopping were a better use of my time.
Friday - 5 miles of half-marathon pace at the lake. However, I couldn't hold myself down to that slow of a pace for some reason and ended up doing 30 seconds per mile faster then I set out to do. On the plus side, I was able to hold the entire 5 miles at the exact same pace which is almost impossible for me.
Saturday - 4 miles on a quesy stomach in the rain. I really wasn't feeling good but made myself go out and do this.
Sunday - 10 miles in gorgeous weather. This was much more difficult than last Sunday's run even though the conditions were vastly improved. I actually had to take a couple of walk breaks but I still cranked them out. Hooray for the out and back run because it leaves you no choice but to finish your distance.
Monday - One hour of yoga. This was my first class since my Thursday night classes ended. It was taught at the Y and I didn't like it so much. I got some good stretching and strengthening but no time to quiet the mind. I am surprised by how much I missed that part of it. I found a different class at a different Y this week and I LOVED it.
Tuesday - 4 mile inadvertent tempo run at the lake. I meant this to be just an easy four-miler but everything just felt great so I went "fast".
Thursday - Blew off spinning class because I was exhausted. Felt some rest and grocery shopping were a better use of my time.
Friday - 5 miles of half-marathon pace at the lake. However, I couldn't hold myself down to that slow of a pace for some reason and ended up doing 30 seconds per mile faster then I set out to do. On the plus side, I was able to hold the entire 5 miles at the exact same pace which is almost impossible for me.
Saturday - 4 miles on a quesy stomach in the rain. I really wasn't feeling good but made myself go out and do this.
Sunday - 10 miles in gorgeous weather. This was much more difficult than last Sunday's run even though the conditions were vastly improved. I actually had to take a couple of walk breaks but I still cranked them out. Hooray for the out and back run because it leaves you no choice but to finish your distance.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Weekly Training Log - Week 11 or Why It's Good to Have a Race on the Schedule
If I didn't have my half-marathon coming up in five weeks there was no way two of this week's runs were going to happen. But I do, so they did.
Monday - Four miles around the neighborhood.
Tuesday - My first spinning class. This was hard. Very hard. And it hurt my ....um.....nether regions. This is great cross-training though and I will be back. Maybe someday I can increase resistance every time the instructor does. There were a few times when my heart was willing but the legs said "no".
Friday - Now this was supposed to be a five miler Thursday night but events conspired against me and it was dark by the time I got home. There was no way I could talk myself onto the treadmill so I said "I'll go in the morning" which usually means I don't end up going. But with the upcoming race I knew I needed to get mileage in and couldn't go that night so I did a quick three around the neighborhood before work.
Saturday - Four miles around the neighborhood. Different path; hills are hard.
Sunday - Nine miles in miserable, cold, monsooning buckets of rain. There is a quote from "The Runner's Rule Book" that says "Running any given route in the rain makes you feel 50 percent more hard core than covering the same route on a sunny day". Ain't that the truth. Cold, pokey, "oh hell, now it is blowing sideways off the lake", torrential, everything on my body (and it was wicking fabric) is soaked completely through and is sticking to my skin and holy crap am I miserable, kind of rain makes it at least 75 percent more hard core. On the plus side, my pace was 30 seconds faster per mile than my Eugene race pace for last year.
Total mileage: 20.0 (whee! Every week lately has been a mileage PR)
Oh, I need to sing the praises of my boyfriend who was actually quite worried about me and met me at the door with a warm blanket and a hot cup of tea after I came home from Sunday's long run. He didn't think I had dressed appropriately for the conditions and was concerned that I would get soaked (I did), chilled (I did) and be injured and have to walk back 4.5 miles to the car which would put me into a hypothermic state (I didn't and absolutely wouldn't have). If I had been out trail running I could see the worry but running on a path by the rich folk's houses I would have been fine. Still, it was very sweet and it did take me about 30 minutes of being wrapped in a blanket, drinking tea in front of the fireplace before I truly warmed up. The worry was completely unnecessary but it is nice to know if it was necessary he would be there (which I already knew). I have also been asked to take my cell-phone with me next time "just in case". Isn't he cute?
Monday - Four miles around the neighborhood.
Tuesday - My first spinning class. This was hard. Very hard. And it hurt my ....um.....nether regions. This is great cross-training though and I will be back. Maybe someday I can increase resistance every time the instructor does. There were a few times when my heart was willing but the legs said "no".
Friday - Now this was supposed to be a five miler Thursday night but events conspired against me and it was dark by the time I got home. There was no way I could talk myself onto the treadmill so I said "I'll go in the morning" which usually means I don't end up going. But with the upcoming race I knew I needed to get mileage in and couldn't go that night so I did a quick three around the neighborhood before work.
Saturday - Four miles around the neighborhood. Different path; hills are hard.
Sunday - Nine miles in miserable, cold, monsooning buckets of rain. There is a quote from "The Runner's Rule Book" that says "Running any given route in the rain makes you feel 50 percent more hard core than covering the same route on a sunny day". Ain't that the truth. Cold, pokey, "oh hell, now it is blowing sideways off the lake", torrential, everything on my body (and it was wicking fabric) is soaked completely through and is sticking to my skin and holy crap am I miserable, kind of rain makes it at least 75 percent more hard core. On the plus side, my pace was 30 seconds faster per mile than my Eugene race pace for last year.
Total mileage: 20.0 (whee! Every week lately has been a mileage PR)
Oh, I need to sing the praises of my boyfriend who was actually quite worried about me and met me at the door with a warm blanket and a hot cup of tea after I came home from Sunday's long run. He didn't think I had dressed appropriately for the conditions and was concerned that I would get soaked (I did), chilled (I did) and be injured and have to walk back 4.5 miles to the car which would put me into a hypothermic state (I didn't and absolutely wouldn't have). If I had been out trail running I could see the worry but running on a path by the rich folk's houses I would have been fine. Still, it was very sweet and it did take me about 30 minutes of being wrapped in a blanket, drinking tea in front of the fireplace before I truly warmed up. The worry was completely unnecessary but it is nice to know if it was necessary he would be there (which I already knew). I have also been asked to take my cell-phone with me next time "just in case". Isn't he cute?
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Weekly Training Log - Week 10
Tuesday - 4.3 around the work neighborhood. Thank you Daylight Savings Time for giving me more running options.
Thursday - 4 pretty speedy ones around the lake. This one felt good.
Friday - 3 miles with 1/4 mile intervals around the work neighborhood. This area has some of those subtle hills; the kind you don't really notice until you start running. I probably would have met with greater success if I had gone to a track or down to the nice, flat lake.
Sunday - 8 miles! Longest run year to date. The first two miles were slow but I got into a rhythm and just plodded along. Miles 7 and 8 were far and away my fastest. I think I need to start trusting myself to go out faster at the beginning so I can get my pace down. I am always worried that I won't have enough energy to finish if I start off too fast. Also, maybe a dinner of movie popcorn and Swedish Fish the night before wasn't the smartest nutrional move to make.
Total mileage 19.30
Thursday - 4 pretty speedy ones around the lake. This one felt good.
Friday - 3 miles with 1/4 mile intervals around the work neighborhood. This area has some of those subtle hills; the kind you don't really notice until you start running. I probably would have met with greater success if I had gone to a track or down to the nice, flat lake.
Sunday - 8 miles! Longest run year to date. The first two miles were slow but I got into a rhythm and just plodded along. Miles 7 and 8 were far and away my fastest. I think I need to start trusting myself to go out faster at the beginning so I can get my pace down. I am always worried that I won't have enough energy to finish if I start off too fast. Also, maybe a dinner of movie popcorn and Swedish Fish the night before wasn't the smartest nutrional move to make.
Total mileage 19.30
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Weekly Training Log - Week 8
Woo-hoo! This was my highest mileage week ever: 18 miles. Now you can either look at this as a) Hooray, you ran more miles then ever before or b) Wow, all the years you have been running and this is seriously your biggest mileage week? I choose option A 'cause it just is happier.
Tuesday - 3 miles on the mill. Thank you "Lost" for being so absorbing that I forget that I am exercising like a rodent.
Thursday - Yoga for one hour.
Friday - Ran 4 miles; 1/2 mile warm-up, 3 miles tempo, 1/2 mile cool-down. I still don't love my speedwork but this wasn't as dreadful as some past attempts.
Saturday - Ran 4 miles in beautiful, glorious 60 degree temps with blossoms bursting everywhere and the sweet smell of petals in the air. The run wasn't so glorious but, man, what a beautiful day.
Sunday - 7 slow ones. Nothing special but I wasn't feeling it and still ground them out which always feels good.
Tuesday - 3 miles on the mill. Thank you "Lost" for being so absorbing that I forget that I am exercising like a rodent.
Thursday - Yoga for one hour.
Friday - Ran 4 miles; 1/2 mile warm-up, 3 miles tempo, 1/2 mile cool-down. I still don't love my speedwork but this wasn't as dreadful as some past attempts.
Saturday - Ran 4 miles in beautiful, glorious 60 degree temps with blossoms bursting everywhere and the sweet smell of petals in the air. The run wasn't so glorious but, man, what a beautiful day.
Sunday - 7 slow ones. Nothing special but I wasn't feeling it and still ground them out which always feels good.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Weekly Training Log - Weeks 6 and 7
OK, I am a little behind with these but I have (mostly) been doing the work.
Week 6
Sunday - 3 uneventful miles
Monday - 5.6 strong miles at the lake. These felt seriously good.
Wednesday - 3.5 on the treadmill. There were some great Olympic moments on TV that night that made this much easier. I also did 1/4 mile intervals which I had never done on the treadmill before. I wasn't sure I was going fast enough for the intervals but by the end my legs were getting very rubbery so I figured I did alright.
Thursday - Yoga. Didn't get into this one; just wasn't feeling it at all.
Total weekly mileage: 12.1
Week 7
Wednesday - 6 miles at the lake. These are faster by about 22 second per mile then the same distances this time last year. This was one of the best runs I have had in recent memory. The kind where you find yourself breaking into smiles and you feel like you are floating and can run forever. *sigh* Sadly, these can be fleeting.
Thursday - Blew off yoga class to go home and run 3 sucky treadmill miles.
Friday - 4 sucky miles. I forgot I was supposed to be doing speedwork but there was no way my legs were going to handle it.
Saturday - 3 marginally less crappy miles on the treadmill. I was supposed to go 4 but the idea of one more mile on that thing and one more minute in the garage was making my skin crawl so I called it a night.
Total weekly mileage: 16
I really need to get my running days spread out because I know that I am not as effective if I bunch them all together. Besides, that just seems like an injury waiting to happen. Hopefully after this week (where I overbooked myself again) I can get into a more reasonable running rhythm. Also maybe start the cross-training I have been neglecting.
Week 8 should be a new weekly mileage record for me. Woo-hoo!
Week 6
Sunday - 3 uneventful miles
Monday - 5.6 strong miles at the lake. These felt seriously good.
Wednesday - 3.5 on the treadmill. There were some great Olympic moments on TV that night that made this much easier. I also did 1/4 mile intervals which I had never done on the treadmill before. I wasn't sure I was going fast enough for the intervals but by the end my legs were getting very rubbery so I figured I did alright.
Thursday - Yoga. Didn't get into this one; just wasn't feeling it at all.
Total weekly mileage: 12.1
Week 7
Wednesday - 6 miles at the lake. These are faster by about 22 second per mile then the same distances this time last year. This was one of the best runs I have had in recent memory. The kind where you find yourself breaking into smiles and you feel like you are floating and can run forever. *sigh* Sadly, these can be fleeting.
Thursday - Blew off yoga class to go home and run 3 sucky treadmill miles.
Friday - 4 sucky miles. I forgot I was supposed to be doing speedwork but there was no way my legs were going to handle it.
Saturday - 3 marginally less crappy miles on the treadmill. I was supposed to go 4 but the idea of one more mile on that thing and one more minute in the garage was making my skin crawl so I called it a night.
Total weekly mileage: 16
I really need to get my running days spread out because I know that I am not as effective if I bunch them all together. Besides, that just seems like an injury waiting to happen. Hopefully after this week (where I overbooked myself again) I can get into a more reasonable running rhythm. Also maybe start the cross-training I have been neglecting.
Week 8 should be a new weekly mileage record for me. Woo-hoo!
Monday, February 15, 2010
Weekly Training Log - Week 5
Another good week. I love this time in training when you experience rapid, consistent improvement because you come from such slow speeds and short distance. Every run feels pretty good at this point and my speeds are picking up. Here is how the week played out.
Sunday - 5 miles while everybody else was watching the Super Bowl. It was very quiet out there. These miles felt strong and good. I actually had to remind myself to slow down so I wouldn't burn out before I got back to my car.
Monday - 3 miles at the lake.
Thursday - Yoga for one hour. I am really starting to get into this class. I definitely plan on keeping up with it after the session is done in four weeks. I also came home from yoga and ran on the treadmill for 3 miles.
Saturday - 4 miles on the treadmill. I got really excited watching Apollo Ohno skate and almost fell off the side of the dang thing while cheering him on. Nothing inspires you to have a good run like watching the Olympics.
Totals for the week: 15 miles; one yoga session. I never did any cross-training last week because I wanted to spend some time with my sweetie who finally came home after 25 days of mountain climbing (and wine tasting) but will try to get one session in this week.
Sunday - 5 miles while everybody else was watching the Super Bowl. It was very quiet out there. These miles felt strong and good. I actually had to remind myself to slow down so I wouldn't burn out before I got back to my car.
Monday - 3 miles at the lake.
Thursday - Yoga for one hour. I am really starting to get into this class. I definitely plan on keeping up with it after the session is done in four weeks. I also came home from yoga and ran on the treadmill for 3 miles.
Saturday - 4 miles on the treadmill. I got really excited watching Apollo Ohno skate and almost fell off the side of the dang thing while cheering him on. Nothing inspires you to have a good run like watching the Olympics.
Totals for the week: 15 miles; one yoga session. I never did any cross-training last week because I wanted to spend some time with my sweetie who finally came home after 25 days of mountain climbing (and wine tasting) but will try to get one session in this week.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Weekly Training Log - Week 4
A good week this was. Here are the stats.
Sunday - Ran 5 miles. I just downloaded the Garmin today and discovered that the last two miles were actually the fastest. I think I was in a hurry to get done and get back to the car.
Tuesday - I never thought I would say this but "thank you treadmill". Because of some family medical drama (everything is back to normal now) I missed my normal after work run but I still got home by 9:00. The problem was this was the season premiere of "Lost". If I didn't have the treadmill and the TV in the garage my run would have been completely forgotten. Instead I hopped on the treadmill and did 3 miles while having my mind further twisted into knots by that show.
Thursday - One hour yoga class. Stretchy, stretchy, good, good.
Friday - More later night running on the treadmill. 3 miles that seemed extra hard.
Saturday - Home after dark again but it was early enough that I figured I should be outside so I put on my reflective vest, grabbed my flashlight and got 3 in. I also almost tripped and fell flat on my face. A flashlight only works if you aim in on the ground consistently.
Total mileage: 14 miles.
This week starts "official" half-marathon training. I am using Hal Higdon's Intermediate plan but I am going to modify it a little bit. I am going to run four days a week and cross-train on one of the short run days. Of course, the days of the runs will have to be bounced around to accommodate my yoga class and different activities that come up. Eugene here I come!
Sunday - Ran 5 miles. I just downloaded the Garmin today and discovered that the last two miles were actually the fastest. I think I was in a hurry to get done and get back to the car.
Tuesday - I never thought I would say this but "thank you treadmill". Because of some family medical drama (everything is back to normal now) I missed my normal after work run but I still got home by 9:00. The problem was this was the season premiere of "Lost". If I didn't have the treadmill and the TV in the garage my run would have been completely forgotten. Instead I hopped on the treadmill and did 3 miles while having my mind further twisted into knots by that show.
Thursday - One hour yoga class. Stretchy, stretchy, good, good.
Friday - More later night running on the treadmill. 3 miles that seemed extra hard.
Saturday - Home after dark again but it was early enough that I figured I should be outside so I put on my reflective vest, grabbed my flashlight and got 3 in. I also almost tripped and fell flat on my face. A flashlight only works if you aim in on the ground consistently.
Total mileage: 14 miles.
This week starts "official" half-marathon training. I am using Hal Higdon's Intermediate plan but I am going to modify it a little bit. I am going to run four days a week and cross-train on one of the short run days. Of course, the days of the runs will have to be bounced around to accommodate my yoga class and different activities that come up. Eugene here I come!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Weekly Training Log - Week 3
This was a pretty dang good week even if I missed my scheduled run on Saturday. Here is how it broke down.
Sunday - Three miles of suck around the neighborhood. At this point I still think it is a fueling issue.
Tuesday - Three more miles of suck at the lake. Why is this so hard lately? Arrggh!
Wednesday - A-ha! Breakthrough day. I was tired and starving after my Weight Watchers meeting after work but I knew, because of upcoming plans that if I wanted to get my four days in I had to run tonight. So, onto the evil, "I will suck your will to live", treadmill. I know some people have no problems with treadmills. I, however, loathe them. I would rather run outside in cold, pokey rain and dark then be on the treadmill but it was getting late and I am not real keen on the late night outside runs. Surprise, surprise....it felt great. The pace was slow but I plodded through my three miles without feeling so dang tired like I have been. Why did this feel so much better then most of my runs lately? Pace. I slowed down. I think my problem has been going out too fast and then getting fatigued. We'll see how this theory plays out.
Thursday - An invigorating yet relaxing yoga class. I am getting good stretches but am also walking away feeling.......I guess the word would be "cleansed". Plus, I get to see my dear friend Liane every week since she is taking the class too. Bonus!
Saturday - I had a five miler on tap but woke up too late before I had to get out the door for the Enumclaw Chocolate and Wine festival. I told myself that I would get on the treadmill when I got home. The day ended up being much longer than I anticipated and when I walked through the door at midnight I was in no mood for getting on the treadmill. Where this turns good is that I got out the door and ran my five miles today and felt strong and good the entire time. Again, the secret was pace. I started to feel really strong and felt my pace kicking up and when I noticed this I forced myself to reign it in. Longest run since September. I might have my running mojo back.
Sunday - Three miles of suck around the neighborhood. At this point I still think it is a fueling issue.
Tuesday - Three more miles of suck at the lake. Why is this so hard lately? Arrggh!
Wednesday - A-ha! Breakthrough day. I was tired and starving after my Weight Watchers meeting after work but I knew, because of upcoming plans that if I wanted to get my four days in I had to run tonight. So, onto the evil, "I will suck your will to live", treadmill. I know some people have no problems with treadmills. I, however, loathe them. I would rather run outside in cold, pokey rain and dark then be on the treadmill but it was getting late and I am not real keen on the late night outside runs. Surprise, surprise....it felt great. The pace was slow but I plodded through my three miles without feeling so dang tired like I have been. Why did this feel so much better then most of my runs lately? Pace. I slowed down. I think my problem has been going out too fast and then getting fatigued. We'll see how this theory plays out.
Thursday - An invigorating yet relaxing yoga class. I am getting good stretches but am also walking away feeling.......I guess the word would be "cleansed". Plus, I get to see my dear friend Liane every week since she is taking the class too. Bonus!
Saturday - I had a five miler on tap but woke up too late before I had to get out the door for the Enumclaw Chocolate and Wine festival. I told myself that I would get on the treadmill when I got home. The day ended up being much longer than I anticipated and when I walked through the door at midnight I was in no mood for getting on the treadmill. Where this turns good is that I got out the door and ran my five miles today and felt strong and good the entire time. Again, the secret was pace. I started to feel really strong and felt my pace kicking up and when I noticed this I forced myself to reign it in. Longest run since September. I might have my running mojo back.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Weekly Training Log - Week 1
Since I am training for another half-marathon and have some running goals I WILL hit this year I am going to start posting my weekly miles and other work-out stuff. Hopefully this will help keep me on track and motivated.
Monday - Ran three miles at the lake after work. Slow.
Tuesday - Ran three miles at the lake after work. Slow.
Thursday - One hour yoga class. Good leg stretching.
Saturday - Ran three miles in neighborhood. Slow.
The runs have been a struggle for me so far this year. I don't know if it is because I have been running more in January then I did in December or if it is the reduced calorie intake from the Weight Watchers plan. One more week doing things the way I did them this week and if I don't feel stronger on the runs then I will revisit the fueling issue.
Monday - Ran three miles at the lake after work. Slow.
Tuesday - Ran three miles at the lake after work. Slow.
Thursday - One hour yoga class. Good leg stretching.
Saturday - Ran three miles in neighborhood. Slow.
The runs have been a struggle for me so far this year. I don't know if it is because I have been running more in January then I did in December or if it is the reduced calorie intake from the Weight Watchers plan. One more week doing things the way I did them this week and if I don't feel stronger on the runs then I will revisit the fueling issue.
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