Loving this new workout schedule. Has me doing speedwork Tues/Thurs--easy day Wed/Sat, and a long run on Sundays. Love the speed sessions--has me focusing on smaller distances at certain paces--just a new way to focus during the workouts.
Example-yesterday:
1/2 mi warm up; easy pace
1 mile; Cruise Interval (10k pace)
1/2 mi recovery; easy pace
1 mile; Cruise Interval (10k pace)
1/2 mi recovery; easy pace
6 x 200 m; Speed Interval (5k pace)
200 m recovery between each speed interval
10 minute walk cool-down
Tonight Cory and I are running Greenlake--an easy 3 miler--probably run/walk.
Also adding a marathon to my calendar for next Summer: http://www.littlemarathon.com/littlemarathon/tunnel/
It starts somewhere in Snoqualmie Pass and ends in North Bend--you run through a 2 mile tunnel--with a pinpoint of light at the end guiding your way.
I think I've roped Joe into it with me! Woot! Woot!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
October in August
A topic of great discussion around Seattle--the weather! Argh! I'm already pulling out my sweaters!
I planned on my long run for yesterday evening, thinking we'd have a hot day, and the evening would bring ideal temperatures for a run. Not the case. It was a beautiful sunny morning, but the clouds quickly rolled in.
I kept thinking it might break late in the day, but no such luck. I almost decided to 'brave' the rain, but thinking about how cold it can get---and 10 miles of it--no thanks! Also didn't feel like 2 hours at the gym--so what to do? I didn't want to skip the run, especially with the race only a month away.
I lugged our treadmill out into the living room, opened all the windows, and doors, got the fan going too. (It gets stuffy being on the top floor). Turned on the boob tube, and off I went. Yes, folks. 2 hours on the treadmill. I managed NOT to die of boredom! I'm sure I drove our downstairs neighbor crazy with the noise of the treadmill and TV for 2 hours. But, no complaints, so I guess that's a good sign!
The run went pretty well--trying to be really diligent about not pushing myself too hard. Especially with the speed workouts I'm doing. I slowed it way down and took lots of walk breaks. Wish I had more to share about exciting things I saw along my 'route', but I'm not sure you all want a play by play of what was going on in my mind for those 2 hours. It might scare you away!
...the sun will supposedly be out to play closer to the weekend.
Still dark and grey out, but the air does feel nice. Today is a rest day, but might be a good afternoon for a walk at Alki.
I planned on my long run for yesterday evening, thinking we'd have a hot day, and the evening would bring ideal temperatures for a run. Not the case. It was a beautiful sunny morning, but the clouds quickly rolled in.
I kept thinking it might break late in the day, but no such luck. I almost decided to 'brave' the rain, but thinking about how cold it can get---and 10 miles of it--no thanks! Also didn't feel like 2 hours at the gym--so what to do? I didn't want to skip the run, especially with the race only a month away.
I lugged our treadmill out into the living room, opened all the windows, and doors, got the fan going too. (It gets stuffy being on the top floor). Turned on the boob tube, and off I went. Yes, folks. 2 hours on the treadmill. I managed NOT to die of boredom! I'm sure I drove our downstairs neighbor crazy with the noise of the treadmill and TV for 2 hours. But, no complaints, so I guess that's a good sign!
The run went pretty well--trying to be really diligent about not pushing myself too hard. Especially with the speed workouts I'm doing. I slowed it way down and took lots of walk breaks. Wish I had more to share about exciting things I saw along my 'route', but I'm not sure you all want a play by play of what was going on in my mind for those 2 hours. It might scare you away!
...the sun will supposedly be out to play closer to the weekend.
Still dark and grey out, but the air does feel nice. Today is a rest day, but might be a good afternoon for a walk at Alki.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Last minute race--5k PR!
Up in Mt. Vernon visiting my seester and fam! Found a 5k going on this morning here in town--all proceeds go towards a local charity fighting hunger.
Christa decided to join in, too. So she and I, Mom, and Jaxon all loaded up in the car this morning and made our way to the start line!
Great morning for a race! Warm weather, but not too hot. Christa decided she was going to keep up with me as long as she could (never thought I'd be able to say that!). She ran a GREAT race. We were together for the first 1/2 mile until her shoe came untied and she had to stop to fix it.
Happy to report a PR of 26:34! (8:33 mile pace). Christa finished her first ever 5k in 28:33! Awesome! She placed first in her age division. I placed 3rd in mine. It was a small race, but still fun to "medal" in a race. (Okay, it was a ribbon and a t-shirt, but still fun!)
Blueberry pancake breakfast to follow, then we hit up the Farmer's Market. My nephew is hilarious!
10 mile long run tomorrow. I'm tired this afternoon. This week had a couple of speed sessions and great yoga classes. Probably will wait until evening for the long run.
Christa decided to join in, too. So she and I, Mom, and Jaxon all loaded up in the car this morning and made our way to the start line!
Great morning for a race! Warm weather, but not too hot. Christa decided she was going to keep up with me as long as she could (never thought I'd be able to say that!). She ran a GREAT race. We were together for the first 1/2 mile until her shoe came untied and she had to stop to fix it.
Happy to report a PR of 26:34! (8:33 mile pace). Christa finished her first ever 5k in 28:33! Awesome! She placed first in her age division. I placed 3rd in mine. It was a small race, but still fun to "medal" in a race. (Okay, it was a ribbon and a t-shirt, but still fun!)
Blueberry pancake breakfast to follow, then we hit up the Farmer's Market. My nephew is hilarious!
10 mile long run tomorrow. I'm tired this afternoon. This week had a couple of speed sessions and great yoga classes. Probably will wait until evening for the long run.
Monday, August 18, 2008
A Charitable Cause
Very tired during my 6 mile run yesterday, but I pushed on through. New training schedule has me rest Fridays, then run Sat & Sun, and rest Monday. It will allow my body to get more used to "running tired" doing my long runs (Sun) the day after a speed session (Sat).
My friend Mariah (for those of you who don't know her) and I have committed to doing the NYC marathon in November of next year. I've been really wanting to do a big race, and the thought of New York has crossed my mind several times. That's why when Mariah approached me about doing it together I was soooo excited!
This will be Mariah's first marathon! It's great having a long-distance training partner, and I'm looking forward to working together!
Here's the catch--it is very hard to get a spot in the race unless you have been rejected 3 years in a row, or you are an elite runner (4-5 min. miles). Since we can't keep up with the Kenyans, we'll go the 3rd route: raising money to support a charity is practically a guaranteed entrance! Otherwise, to get in you have to enter a lottery. And we certainly don't want to leave it to chance. Details will unfold as we begin planning--will keep ya posted.
Rest today--yoga tonight. 5 miles tomorrow, 4 miles Wed, 4 miles Thurs, rest Friday, 5k Sat., 12 miles Sunday. Visiting my sister this coming weekend--noticed there's a charity 5k in Mt. Vernon. The money goes towards hunger relief. Looking forward to seeing how I do!
My friend Mariah (for those of you who don't know her) and I have committed to doing the NYC marathon in November of next year. I've been really wanting to do a big race, and the thought of New York has crossed my mind several times. That's why when Mariah approached me about doing it together I was soooo excited!
This will be Mariah's first marathon! It's great having a long-distance training partner, and I'm looking forward to working together!
Here's the catch--it is very hard to get a spot in the race unless you have been rejected 3 years in a row, or you are an elite runner (4-5 min. miles). Since we can't keep up with the Kenyans, we'll go the 3rd route: raising money to support a charity is practically a guaranteed entrance! Otherwise, to get in you have to enter a lottery. And we certainly don't want to leave it to chance. Details will unfold as we begin planning--will keep ya posted.
Rest today--yoga tonight. 5 miles tomorrow, 4 miles Wed, 4 miles Thurs, rest Friday, 5k Sat., 12 miles Sunday. Visiting my sister this coming weekend--noticed there's a charity 5k in Mt. Vernon. The money goes towards hunger relief. Looking forward to seeing how I do!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
2009 New York City Marathon
Committed to doing the 2009 NYC ING Marathon. I'm VERY excited. More details to come soon!!!
You can't rush recovery....
I didn't anticipate how loooooong recovery might take. I wasn't prepared, but glad to say that now, more than 6 weeks later, I'm back to 100%. My IT band is good--still a bit of stiffness, but Yoga and more attention to stretching is a giant help. Also, less intense training.
Mostly what seemed to take the most time to bounce back, was my mental energy. A couple of weeks of a bit of the blues--nothing severe, but made focusing at work hard. But, I kept busy with things and took time to focus on friends and family in a way I hadn't in awhile!
Now focusing on balancing my schedule between work, friends, family, and a training plan I can be happy with. I'm getting there!
I have my next race on my schedule: Bellingham 1/2 marathon--September 28th. I'm running it with my friend Carol. I'm hoping I can keep up with her!
I biffed it pretty hard during my long run last weekend. It was one of those runs where I was crusing along in a euphoric state--at one with the world. The weather was perfect, the sun was just setting, the breeze was warm. Then all of the sudden I'm lying on the ground. Not sure what I tripped on--an air pocket I suppose.
A nice couple asked if I was okay, and gave me a bandaid--it covered the small gash on my hand, but my leg looks like I took a spill on my bike, and my hip is a little bruised, but it's nothing too terrible. I was able to get up and run the rest of the way home. I even found my focus again pretty quickly.
My goal for Bellingham is to shoot for finishing under 2 hours. I'm having fun with the new training schedule--it includes some speed work. This week has been a recovery week. 6 miles planned for this evening when the weather cools down. For now, I'll sit here and enjoy my coffee on this lazy Sunday morning.
Mostly what seemed to take the most time to bounce back, was my mental energy. A couple of weeks of a bit of the blues--nothing severe, but made focusing at work hard. But, I kept busy with things and took time to focus on friends and family in a way I hadn't in awhile!
Now focusing on balancing my schedule between work, friends, family, and a training plan I can be happy with. I'm getting there!
I have my next race on my schedule: Bellingham 1/2 marathon--September 28th. I'm running it with my friend Carol. I'm hoping I can keep up with her!
I biffed it pretty hard during my long run last weekend. It was one of those runs where I was crusing along in a euphoric state--at one with the world. The weather was perfect, the sun was just setting, the breeze was warm. Then all of the sudden I'm lying on the ground. Not sure what I tripped on--an air pocket I suppose.
A nice couple asked if I was okay, and gave me a bandaid--it covered the small gash on my hand, but my leg looks like I took a spill on my bike, and my hip is a little bruised, but it's nothing too terrible. I was able to get up and run the rest of the way home. I even found my focus again pretty quickly.
My goal for Bellingham is to shoot for finishing under 2 hours. I'm having fun with the new training schedule--it includes some speed work. This week has been a recovery week. 6 miles planned for this evening when the weather cools down. For now, I'll sit here and enjoy my coffee on this lazy Sunday morning.
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