What is it about Wednesdays and rain lately? Two weeks in a row!
4:30 came early Wed morning and I looked out and saw the rain coming down. I checked the weather and didn’t see any info about thunderstorms in the area and the temp was 71°. So, I got in my car and drove to the gym. Again, like last week, I was hoping no one shows up so I could go home and go back to bed.
As I was hoping for, no one showed up. Then the decisions started rolling through my head - “Do I go home? Do I go in to the gym and workout? Do I just get over it and run in the rain?” After a few seconds of hesitation, I thought “Screw it!” and got out to run in the rain. After all was said and done, I was glad I did. I ended up running 4.7 miles at a pretty quick pace. The rain actually stopped about halfway though my run. But by the time I got back to the gym, it was pouring! And I could have cared less! It really was so nice to get out and run in the rain - on a warm morning.
Thursday I woke up ready to get out and run. I got to the gym and was asked, “Did you run yesterday?” Yes. “Did anyone else show up?” Nope. “You ran in the rain by yourself!? Wow.” Yeah, that felt pretty good! I ended up running 5 miles that morning. The humidity was around 100% and it felt like it the entire time. I was as wet when I returned to the gym as I was the day before in the rain! But it was nice to flush out the up tempo run from Wednesday and prep for the long run tomorrow.
Now, on to the skunk. As I was running on Wed, I was about 3 miles in when I heard a noise to my left. I looked down and saw two eyes, a nose, a little black body with a distinctive white stripe on it’s back. The run/world seemed to pause as I locked eyes with the skunk. The only thought that entered my head was “RUN!” The words that escaped my mouth was “Oh, (beep)!” My speed increased dramatically for a few moments as I did everything I could to get away from my little stinky friend. The funny thing was, I believe if he could have talked, the words to escape his mouth would have been exactly the same as mine!
The issue I had next was that I can’t smell, so I didn’t know if I had been “blessed” with the scent of skunk or not. I didn’t stick around long enough to see if it sprayed and I didn’t hear anything, so I was hoping I was safe, but I just didn’t know. When I got back to the gym I broke down and asked the desk worker if I smelled like a skunk because I have no sense of smell. He gave me a strange look and told me no and now I’m pretty sure that I can never look him in the eyes again! I was still unsure, so when I got home I went right upstairs and woke Sarah up to ask her. She laughed and said I was fine (except for my natural “post run” smell).
What a morning. And to think I would have missed out on such a great story to blog about if I had wimped out and not run in the rain!
Tomorrow is a 16 miler. I could never have imagined going that far a few months ago, but I look forward to the challenge! More to come on that very soon.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
Sluggin’ Through Last Week...
Last week was tough for me. It was known as a “recovery week.” These occur ever 4th week of training. While I didn’t mind the mileage on Monday, Wednesday or Thursday, I did mind the mileage on Saturday. My schedule called for a 6 mile run. I ended up only running 5-1/2 miles, mostly due to the route we took and some weather that turned out to be pretty nasty...
Now, the logical part of my brain tells me that last week was good for me. I KNOW this. But my heart - which logic generally does not control - told me that it was a lazy week. A bad kind of lazy. It was a frustrating week for me. Needless to say, I was glad when Saturday’s run was over and I could focus on the coming week.
This morning I ran a little over 5 miles. I felt like myself again. The slug has been vanquished! This is a good week. Speed on Wednesday, recovery run on Thursday and a 16 miler on Saturday. If all goes well, this will be my first 30+ miles week ever!
I can’t wait.
Now, the logical part of my brain tells me that last week was good for me. I KNOW this. But my heart - which logic generally does not control - told me that it was a lazy week. A bad kind of lazy. It was a frustrating week for me. Needless to say, I was glad when Saturday’s run was over and I could focus on the coming week.
This morning I ran a little over 5 miles. I felt like myself again. The slug has been vanquished! This is a good week. Speed on Wednesday, recovery run on Thursday and a 16 miler on Saturday. If all goes well, this will be my first 30+ miles week ever!
I can’t wait.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Rainy Day, Recovery and Crazy
Recovery from rain? No, no, no. Recovery from playing paintball...
First, the rain. I woke up Wednesday morning exhausted for some reason. I went downstairs and looked outside - it was drizzling. I expected to see it raining. In fact, I expected to see a downpour, giving me every reason in the world to go back to bed. Since it was only drizzling, I decided to head to the gym and hope that no one showed up. I wasn’t trying to avoid running in the rain, I was simply tired and wanted to go back to bed. I got to the gym and waited in my car. I waited and waited and then two of my fellow runners showed up. Dang! I guess this means we’re running...
When I walked into the gym it was still drizzling. Wen I walked out to start running, the rain had picked up. Oh well, I thought, this should actually be fun. And sure enough, it was a lot of fun running out in the rain. I like to imagine all the people in the cars passing us were thinking, “Those people are crazy!” Yeah, we are!
Our adrenaline got pumping at one point in the first mile as a dog came running/barking at us. Fortunately, it was just telling us to keep away from it’s property and nothing more. It scared the crap out of us at first, then it ticked me off. We are within city limits and there is a leash law. It’ possible that it could have gotten out on it’s own, but it’s sill the owner’s responsibility to keep tabs on their pets.
OK, off my soap box...
I must be getting serious about this marathon thing. Last night I was playing paintball for 3-1/2 hours. What a blast that was! I was out in the mud and forest, moving around, running, trying to avoid getting hit the entire time. Then, we were treated to White Castle after! I looked around the table and everyone was showing their “war wounds” and talking about how sore they would be in the morning and how late they were going to try and sleep in the next day. All the while I kept thinking about my 5 mile run in the morning. I mentioned to everyone that I was planning on that and the overall response was, “You’re crazy!” It’s funny how I’ve been hearing or thinking that a lot lately.
Well, I didn’t get in bed until 11:30 last night and 4:30 came very early! I did get out to run my 5 miles this morning. It was a good run. Tough run, but good. When I got to work and people asked me if I ended up running this morning, I told them, “Of course!”
To which I heard the response..well - you know!
First, the rain. I woke up Wednesday morning exhausted for some reason. I went downstairs and looked outside - it was drizzling. I expected to see it raining. In fact, I expected to see a downpour, giving me every reason in the world to go back to bed. Since it was only drizzling, I decided to head to the gym and hope that no one showed up. I wasn’t trying to avoid running in the rain, I was simply tired and wanted to go back to bed. I got to the gym and waited in my car. I waited and waited and then two of my fellow runners showed up. Dang! I guess this means we’re running...
When I walked into the gym it was still drizzling. Wen I walked out to start running, the rain had picked up. Oh well, I thought, this should actually be fun. And sure enough, it was a lot of fun running out in the rain. I like to imagine all the people in the cars passing us were thinking, “Those people are crazy!” Yeah, we are!
Our adrenaline got pumping at one point in the first mile as a dog came running/barking at us. Fortunately, it was just telling us to keep away from it’s property and nothing more. It scared the crap out of us at first, then it ticked me off. We are within city limits and there is a leash law. It’ possible that it could have gotten out on it’s own, but it’s sill the owner’s responsibility to keep tabs on their pets.
OK, off my soap box...
I must be getting serious about this marathon thing. Last night I was playing paintball for 3-1/2 hours. What a blast that was! I was out in the mud and forest, moving around, running, trying to avoid getting hit the entire time. Then, we were treated to White Castle after! I looked around the table and everyone was showing their “war wounds” and talking about how sore they would be in the morning and how late they were going to try and sleep in the next day. All the while I kept thinking about my 5 mile run in the morning. I mentioned to everyone that I was planning on that and the overall response was, “You’re crazy!” It’s funny how I’ve been hearing or thinking that a lot lately.
Well, I didn’t get in bed until 11:30 last night and 4:30 came very early! I did get out to run my 5 miles this morning. It was a good run. Tough run, but good. When I got to work and people asked me if I ended up running this morning, I told them, “Of course!”
To which I heard the response..well - you know!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Long Run and More
Well, I’ve done it. I’ve gone further than I’ve ever run before. What an adventure!
It all started Saturday morning at 3:50 am. That’s what time my alarm went off. At 4:30 am four of us were off and running. We ran the first 4 miles at a nice slow pace and worked our way back to the fitness center. We met up with another two runners and headed out for the final 10. Again, the pace was nice and steady. It was a cool morning - lower 60’s - so that made it even better. We arrived at our water break at the 9 mile mark. We fueled up and headed back out for the final 5. I felt pretty good overall. I think the excitement of going this distance was giving me strength.
We stopped again for water just before mile 12. After we started back up, I began to feel tired. My legs were aching and I was struggling to maintain my form. I just kept putting one foot in front of the other and continued moving forward. Our pace had quickened, as the more experienced runners told us that this is how one trains for a marathon. Oh my. I struggled keeping pace to the end. We finally turned the corner to the fitness center and my watch beeped 14 miles complete. I stopped running and my legs felt like Jell-O. Again, one foot in front of the other. My only thought at this point was “A marathon is another 12.2 miles??? What the hell am I thinking???” Ten minutes later, I was thinking, “Bring on the 16 miles in two weeks!”
Today was the usual, quick paced, 5 miler. I wasn’t sure about getting up at first. I was really tired from the weekend. I even went to bed early last night! But, I did drag my butt out of bed and made it to the high school by 5 am. The group went out together, but by the first mile those wanting to go fast were out ahead and those wanting to take it easy were behind. While I was running faster than I should have been going, I never felt like I was pushing too hard. I’ve come to really enjoy the challenge of Monday’s run, especially coming off the long run.
We’ll see if I still feel this way after 16 miles, 18 miles, 20 miles, etc.!
It all started Saturday morning at 3:50 am. That’s what time my alarm went off. At 4:30 am four of us were off and running. We ran the first 4 miles at a nice slow pace and worked our way back to the fitness center. We met up with another two runners and headed out for the final 10. Again, the pace was nice and steady. It was a cool morning - lower 60’s - so that made it even better. We arrived at our water break at the 9 mile mark. We fueled up and headed back out for the final 5. I felt pretty good overall. I think the excitement of going this distance was giving me strength.
We stopped again for water just before mile 12. After we started back up, I began to feel tired. My legs were aching and I was struggling to maintain my form. I just kept putting one foot in front of the other and continued moving forward. Our pace had quickened, as the more experienced runners told us that this is how one trains for a marathon. Oh my. I struggled keeping pace to the end. We finally turned the corner to the fitness center and my watch beeped 14 miles complete. I stopped running and my legs felt like Jell-O. Again, one foot in front of the other. My only thought at this point was “A marathon is another 12.2 miles??? What the hell am I thinking???” Ten minutes later, I was thinking, “Bring on the 16 miles in two weeks!”
Today was the usual, quick paced, 5 miler. I wasn’t sure about getting up at first. I was really tired from the weekend. I even went to bed early last night! But, I did drag my butt out of bed and made it to the high school by 5 am. The group went out together, but by the first mile those wanting to go fast were out ahead and those wanting to take it easy were behind. While I was running faster than I should have been going, I never felt like I was pushing too hard. I’ve come to really enjoy the challenge of Monday’s run, especially coming off the long run.
We’ll see if I still feel this way after 16 miles, 18 miles, 20 miles, etc.!
Friday, July 17, 2009
My Apologies!
I’m sorry that it has been a while since I’ve posted anything. It’s not that I’m not running, it’s because I get caught up with everything else in life, then at night - when I should be writing - I just veg out!
This week has been a very good week for running. So far, I’ve put in about 15 miles. Monday was a good “recovery” run from the 12 miler on Saturday. I put recovery in quotes because a true recovery run should be slow and steady - to work out the crud that builds up on a long run. However, my run on Monday was a bit faster than expected. An 8:53 pace to be exact. (BTW-that’s fast for me.) Weather was cool to start, but I was definitely warm by the end.
Wednesday was my speedwork day. A 5 mile total run with 3 miles up tempo. My tempo averaged 7:58. This was not easy for 3 miles. Plus, I was not feeling great that morning. I was tired because I was back to my normal schedule and Monday’s run wiped me out a bit. Overall, I was happy with my speed. And I was really happy to be done!
Now Thursday...
Thursday was supposed to be an easy day. An “easy recovery” day from the speedwork. Again, supposed to be...We started out great! A nice easy 10:00 minute pace. We kept this up for the first 2-1/2 miles. Then, for some reason, a few people started to speed up. And for some other reason, I decided to as well. We were really moving for a while - then took a short walk break. Then, the real speed came into play. We started running much faster (mostly to finish faster, but also due to egos). A runner’s ego is a dangerous thing. It’s really not about outrunning someone else, but about pushing your limits to see how far/fast you can go. And we were running very, very fast. According to my Garmin, I hit a max speed of a 5:15 pace. That is insane! I was glad that it was over quickly. I then realized that elite runners move faster than that for 26.2 miles! No thank you...
Needless to say, I am thankful for my rest day today. And I can’t wait for tomorrow - venturing into the unknown territory of a 14 mile run. This is the start of my “long” runs. From here on out, except for a recovery run every 4th week and of course the taper, the runs are 16 miles or longer - topping out at a 22 miler! I am really excited.
I feel that my training is now officially beginning!
This week has been a very good week for running. So far, I’ve put in about 15 miles. Monday was a good “recovery” run from the 12 miler on Saturday. I put recovery in quotes because a true recovery run should be slow and steady - to work out the crud that builds up on a long run. However, my run on Monday was a bit faster than expected. An 8:53 pace to be exact. (BTW-that’s fast for me.) Weather was cool to start, but I was definitely warm by the end.
Wednesday was my speedwork day. A 5 mile total run with 3 miles up tempo. My tempo averaged 7:58. This was not easy for 3 miles. Plus, I was not feeling great that morning. I was tired because I was back to my normal schedule and Monday’s run wiped me out a bit. Overall, I was happy with my speed. And I was really happy to be done!
Now Thursday...
Thursday was supposed to be an easy day. An “easy recovery” day from the speedwork. Again, supposed to be...We started out great! A nice easy 10:00 minute pace. We kept this up for the first 2-1/2 miles. Then, for some reason, a few people started to speed up. And for some other reason, I decided to as well. We were really moving for a while - then took a short walk break. Then, the real speed came into play. We started running much faster (mostly to finish faster, but also due to egos). A runner’s ego is a dangerous thing. It’s really not about outrunning someone else, but about pushing your limits to see how far/fast you can go. And we were running very, very fast. According to my Garmin, I hit a max speed of a 5:15 pace. That is insane! I was glad that it was over quickly. I then realized that elite runners move faster than that for 26.2 miles! No thank you...
Needless to say, I am thankful for my rest day today. And I can’t wait for tomorrow - venturing into the unknown territory of a 14 mile run. This is the start of my “long” runs. From here on out, except for a recovery run every 4th week and of course the taper, the runs are 16 miles or longer - topping out at a 22 miler! I am really excited.
I feel that my training is now officially beginning!
Monday, July 13, 2009
Back in the Saddle!
Finally, after a crazy week, everything seems to be getting back to "normal" around here. The sinus infection is gone and it's back to work for me - tomorrow...
I got out on Saturday for the 12 mile run. It was hot and humid as usual and I was very nervous starting out. Having only run once last week (an easy 5 last Monday) and being sick made me a bit apprehensive about the 12. My energy throughout last week was zapped. By Friday, I was feeling much better and thought the long run on Saturday would be tough, but but certainly doable. Pretty much nailed that feeling. We started out slow and steady. But, for some reason after mile 2, the pace picked up. Someone would comment that we're going too fast and we'd slow down, but soon we would be moving again. All I kept thinking was that if we continue this pace, I will not make the full 12. Fortunately, we did find a pace to keep everyone happy. We made 3 water stops - all were ABSOLUTELY necessary! By mile 10, I was just about done. I didn't have much left in the tank.
At this point, I just kept putting one foot in front of the other and I started wondering if this is what the last few miles of the marathon would be like. Then I thought, that's 26 miles - this is only 12! I finally got to our stopping point and wanted to collapse. It was already everything I could do to get there, now I have to walk 1/4 mile to the gym??? I was pleased that I got through that run. I felt like it was a confidence booster.
This morning we ran 5 miles. It was at a pretty quick pace (as usual for a Monday). I was very sore starting out. But flushed out everything by the end and I'm feeling really good now. Funny thing about Kentucky weather, this morning it was cooler than Saturday, but much more humid. Within 2-3 hours, the humidity was gone and today has turned out to be one of the nicest days of the summer! I'm am so glad I didn't have to work today!
Tomorrow is a rest day then speedwork on Wednesday and an easy 4 on Thursday. This weekend I journey into the unknown. The farthest I've ever run in my life so far is 13.1 miles. I will be passing that distance with a 14 miler on Saturday!
Honestly, I can't wait!
I got out on Saturday for the 12 mile run. It was hot and humid as usual and I was very nervous starting out. Having only run once last week (an easy 5 last Monday) and being sick made me a bit apprehensive about the 12. My energy throughout last week was zapped. By Friday, I was feeling much better and thought the long run on Saturday would be tough, but but certainly doable. Pretty much nailed that feeling. We started out slow and steady. But, for some reason after mile 2, the pace picked up. Someone would comment that we're going too fast and we'd slow down, but soon we would be moving again. All I kept thinking was that if we continue this pace, I will not make the full 12. Fortunately, we did find a pace to keep everyone happy. We made 3 water stops - all were ABSOLUTELY necessary! By mile 10, I was just about done. I didn't have much left in the tank.
At this point, I just kept putting one foot in front of the other and I started wondering if this is what the last few miles of the marathon would be like. Then I thought, that's 26 miles - this is only 12! I finally got to our stopping point and wanted to collapse. It was already everything I could do to get there, now I have to walk 1/4 mile to the gym??? I was pleased that I got through that run. I felt like it was a confidence booster.
This morning we ran 5 miles. It was at a pretty quick pace (as usual for a Monday). I was very sore starting out. But flushed out everything by the end and I'm feeling really good now. Funny thing about Kentucky weather, this morning it was cooler than Saturday, but much more humid. Within 2-3 hours, the humidity was gone and today has turned out to be one of the nicest days of the summer! I'm am so glad I didn't have to work today!
Tomorrow is a rest day then speedwork on Wednesday and an easy 4 on Thursday. This weekend I journey into the unknown. The farthest I've ever run in my life so far is 13.1 miles. I will be passing that distance with a 14 miler on Saturday!
Honestly, I can't wait!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Vacation and sickness
Yes, it has been a while since I've blogged. As the title suggests, there are two very good reasons for this. I've been in Ohio for the past 3 days - sick. I got a chance to run on Monday and that was awesome, but I have not been able to do much since.
The good news is, I am on the mend. I hope to be back up to 95%-100% by Saturday's 12 miler. And hopefully a good report!
The good news is, I am on the mend. I hope to be back up to 95%-100% by Saturday's 12 miler. And hopefully a good report!
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Happy Belated Birthday America!
Very typical for me - a day late and a dollar short when it comes to birthdays!
Yesterday's run was terrible! Awful, awful, awful! OK, it wasn't that bad, but it wasn't good either. Having run for a few years I expect the occasional bad run. I always look forward to getting them out of the way so I can get back to the good runs. Well, Saturday, the bad run came - always seems to show up on long run days too. We went 10 miles yesterday. After 1, I was ready to head back.
I woke up at 4:30 am feeling sick. Sarah and Emma had something over the past week that finally caught up with me. So, off to a good start. Plus, I was still sore from the speed work from Wednesday. Strike two! Strike three was the run itself. It was all I could do to get through it. I never felt good. We finally made it back to the gym and I was never so happy to be done with a run!
This next week should be fairly easy. I'm on vacation so sleep can come much easier. Plus, I'll be able to take an extra day off this week from running. I've got a 12 miler this weekend, then on to distances I've never been. I really can't wait. I love this about running; even though yesterday's run was crappy, I still can't wait to get out there!
Yesterday's run was terrible! Awful, awful, awful! OK, it wasn't that bad, but it wasn't good either. Having run for a few years I expect the occasional bad run. I always look forward to getting them out of the way so I can get back to the good runs. Well, Saturday, the bad run came - always seems to show up on long run days too. We went 10 miles yesterday. After 1, I was ready to head back.
I woke up at 4:30 am feeling sick. Sarah and Emma had something over the past week that finally caught up with me. So, off to a good start. Plus, I was still sore from the speed work from Wednesday. Strike two! Strike three was the run itself. It was all I could do to get through it. I never felt good. We finally made it back to the gym and I was never so happy to be done with a run!
This next week should be fairly easy. I'm on vacation so sleep can come much easier. Plus, I'll be able to take an extra day off this week from running. I've got a 12 miler this weekend, then on to distances I've never been. I really can't wait. I love this about running; even though yesterday's run was crappy, I still can't wait to get out there!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
I Survived!
The first day of speedwork is done! Thank goodness. I can say that now that I've let several hours pass. It was a killer this morning. Just terrible!
Actually, it wasn't that bad. It was painful and at times it did suck, but really it wasn't that bad. We ended up doing 5 miles total - 3 miles at an up-tempo pace. The first mile was a nice warm up. The temperature outside was nice, there was a nice breeze blowing. It seemed like all would be fine. Then we hit mile two and we took off! I wasn't sure I was that "warmed up" by that point and was ready to be done right then! But I kept going. I reached mile three and I was still cruising. We went down a huge hill to our turnaround point and started back up. Uhg. I was ready to yak by the top of the hill. Fortunately, I got through that and hit mile four. I just kept going - at this point I knew I only had less than a mile to go at this speed. Finally, I reached the end of the speed distance and stopped, then took a nice stroll as I waited for everyone else to catch up. (Note: I was not the first to the stopping point...) We walked a little and then ran really easy into the gym. First week of speed - done.
As we finished, I told everyone I had "good news" and "good news" regarding next week's speedwork. The first good news was that we only had to run 2 miles at tempo during a 5 mile run. The second good news was that I wouldn't be there (VACATION!!!!!) so they wouldn't necessarily need to do that workout. Win, win!
Next up, an easy 5 and then a 10 miler on Saturday. Yeah, I think I've decided not to run the 5k and just do the full distance.
Actually, it wasn't that bad. It was painful and at times it did suck, but really it wasn't that bad. We ended up doing 5 miles total - 3 miles at an up-tempo pace. The first mile was a nice warm up. The temperature outside was nice, there was a nice breeze blowing. It seemed like all would be fine. Then we hit mile two and we took off! I wasn't sure I was that "warmed up" by that point and was ready to be done right then! But I kept going. I reached mile three and I was still cruising. We went down a huge hill to our turnaround point and started back up. Uhg. I was ready to yak by the top of the hill. Fortunately, I got through that and hit mile four. I just kept going - at this point I knew I only had less than a mile to go at this speed. Finally, I reached the end of the speed distance and stopped, then took a nice stroll as I waited for everyone else to catch up. (Note: I was not the first to the stopping point...) We walked a little and then ran really easy into the gym. First week of speed - done.
As we finished, I told everyone I had "good news" and "good news" regarding next week's speedwork. The first good news was that we only had to run 2 miles at tempo during a 5 mile run. The second good news was that I wouldn't be there (VACATION!!!!!) so they wouldn't necessarily need to do that workout. Win, win!
Next up, an easy 5 and then a 10 miler on Saturday. Yeah, I think I've decided not to run the 5k and just do the full distance.
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