week 6 recap

After getting all of my mid-week runs in, Friday I slipped and missed my recovery run. I had obligations and did not make it out. Saturday I spent the day at my parents and helped my dad install a window in the upstairs of his barn while my mom and Steph went shopping.

I also decided to pick up an X5 on Saturday...

No, not this one:

This one:

Yeah, that's right a new vacuum. I get excited about little things I guess, but it is a cool vacuum - and much cheaper than the Dyson. I was shocked by how much more cat hair came up with it than the old vacuum…

On Sunday I got up a little later than I expected and didn’t get out for my run until a little after 9:00 am. It was already a little humid and the sun was promising to make it warm, but it seemed pretty comfortable. When I started out I felt great. It seemed like an easy run and my pace was right where it was supposed to be. I got through my run feeling great – not euphoric, but just feeling great. Afterwards I was tired, but my lack of sleep is catching up with me. This week will be another hectic one at work, so we’ll see how my running schedule goes… It is the beginning of mesocycle 2 and there is a whopping 18 mile run to cap it all off.

sex and six

Do I have your attention?

Steph ended up going to the doctor yesterday to be checked out - she had a concern and they decided to do another ultrasound to make sure everything looked alright. This time "Squishy" cooperated and we found out that we will be having a baby girl :)

On the running front, I got out for my 6 mile run - no rain, and not terribly humid, though I did sweat quite a bit... an easy recovery run tonight (hopefully) and then try to squeeze in 12 miles this weekend... busy, busy...

strides and recovery

After my race/long run Sunday, I took Monday off as a rest day. And, quite honestly, much needed. My knee was "complaining" a little - most noticeably on stairs. Then yesterday, it was fine. When I set out for my run I tried to take it somewhat easy, knowing that I needed to do my 100m strides. I was able to do my strides relatively easy, though the last one I definitely felt. Today was an easy 3 mile recovery run and I had a hard time keeping an easy slow pace. Felt good during the run, muscles still a little sore, but otherwise felt good. Tomorrow's run is another general aerobic run. Looks like it might even be in the rain... can't wait.

42k relay race report and week 5 recap

The weather was more cooperative this year than last. It was a beautiful day - starting out in the low 60's and reaching low 80's late in the afternoon.

The team name for the relay was "2 Fast, 2 Furious" - a bit cheesy, but appropriate. Our team members were myself, my friend Jason, our co-worker Andrea and her husband John.

I was first to go again this year and also ran the last lap, so my total mileage during the relay was 8.2 miles. We all did a great job, though I started out a little slower than last year, my overall pace was faster - 7:42/mile. I was very happy with my results. Our overall team time for the relay was 3:24:31. About 6 minutes faster than last year.

I did have one mess up during the relay - John, who was last in the rotation ran much faster than he thought and caught me sitting down - I thought I had another minute or two before I had to be at the exchange zone. I was about ready to get up and go over there when I hear my name being screamed... oops. I think we lost about 15 second on that transfer... oh well, we still had lots of fun and are already talking about doing it again next year - but with maybe another team or two...

After we got done, we packed up and Jason, John and Andrea headed out for some lunch, but I, trying to stay dedicated to my training schedule, headed out to get the remaining 8.8 miles in. My plan was to go nice and slow and just get my miles done and I even ran it faster than I expected - at a 9:37/mile pace. Most of the path was shaded and it was very pleasant, but as I got to 6.8 miles, my legs just wanted to rest they were done for the week.

The good news is: I got all my runs in and just 2 mile short for the week, but I think that is still a victory. Next week is a step back week of sorts, so I can let my legs rest a little.

18 week update

This is a photo from our doctor appointment two weeks ago (18 weeks along). We are actually now at 20 weeks and a day... Unfortunately we could not determine gender of baby much to my disappointment, but from certain measurements that they took, they feel there is a strong chance it is a girl. But since we are not sure 100% we have given the baby a nickname for the time being... we're calling it "squishy" since it seems so squished up... the good news is that mother and baby are healthy and everything looks great.

easy 8

I got my 8 miles in this evening. There was a chance of rain, but when I started it only looked a little cloudy, but it was still sunny and humid. At the half way point the dark clouds rolled in and the wind picked up. I seemed to be staying in front of the clouds, but they soon overtook me and my pace picked up trying to beat them home, but honestly was looking forward to running in the rain again. With about a mile left to go, it did start to "try" to rain, but it never amounted to much more than some scattered large drops.

I finished up in a decent time (74 minutes), averaging a 9:16/mile pace... felt good for the run. Things seem to finally be coming together for me.

Tomorrow is a 3 mile recovery run, so I hope to get back on the trails for this one. It has been quite a while since I have had the opportunity to run some trails, so it should be a nice change of pace.

wet behind the ears

and everywhere else...

I started out my recovery run yesterday morning at 5:30am, squeezing it in before I had to be at work to head up to Michigan. I checked the radar before I left and the rain looked to be north of me, so no big deal. One mile into my run it started to rain, then pour. Seeing that I could not possibly get home without being drenched anyway, I continued my run to get my 4 miles in. I actually enjoyed running in the rain. The only downside was the "squish, squish" as I ran...

Looking to do 8 miles this afternoon if all goes well... maybe it will even rain on me...

break on through to the other side...

I began my week without any expectations. On the schedule for Monday was a 7 mile LT run with 3 miles at half marathon pace.

When I started out, my pace was 10:18/mile...much slower than I thought and it felt faster than that. The plan was to run the first two miles nice and easy (no problem there), then run the next three at half marathon pace (which I am not sure what that really is, so I guessed at around 8:30/mile). As soon as I hit the beginning of mile 3 I picked up the pace - surprisingly effortlessly. I wasn't sure if I could manage it for all 3 miles, but before I knew it I was there. Then I tried to slow down, but it didn't happen as easily as I thought. my last 2 miles were still sub-9's.

So, a little redemption for me and a nice way to start out the week. A nice recovery run tomorrow morning then 8 miles on Thursday. So far so good...

week 5 looking ahead

With two more weeks in the first mesocycle in Pfitz's training plan, I am going to try to establish a better routine, but also try to be as flexible with my time as possible. It appears that I will have to adjust the schedule as I move forward and hope that I can still do the long run mileage on the weekends. On tap for this week:

Monday: LT run Tuesday: Recovery run Wednesday: XT Thursday: GA Run Friday: Recovery run Saturday: Rest Sunday: 17 miles*

*I have a 42k Relay Race that morning and will be running 8.2 miles in that and the other 8.8 miles afterwards

the ultimate betrayal

With week 4 having been less than perfect for me, I was looking for some redemption in my running with my long run this morning. The weather was practically perfect (starting out around 60 degrees with a nice breeze).

On my schedule was 15 miles, so the idea was to do an out and back to force me to get my mileage in. I felt pretty good for the first 7.5 miles then it was time to turn around... I think it was all mental, but then it seemed like a daunting task to run back to where I had started... I stretched and took in some sport drink and started back. It was about a mile into my run that I was passed by a runner who I would have guessed to be Kenyan, but I later found out it was just a guy who runs and has never run a marathon... that probably made me feel even slower... another mile down the road I take another break and drink a little more and push on a little further. With 4 miles to go, my body was giving up. It did not want to do anything with running and it was becoming such an effort to maintain any sort of forward momentum. I pushed for 2 more miles and then I had to stop and stretch. It took every ounce of strength I had to get going again only to see a bench about a 1/4 mile later that called my name. I stopped, sat down and massaged my aching muscles for about a minute then I pushed on to then end.

My body had betrayed me today, but in all fairness I think it was my fault. I didn't have much of a dinner last night and I never have much for breakfast before I run, so it had no fuel to keep me going. I felt like I had run a full marathon when I was done - and it got me thinking about my ability to train for a fall marathon... I think the good thing is it is still early in the schedule and I believe I have time to make this work... another tough week coming up...

On another note, my friend Brooke will be running the US Half Marathon in Copper, Colorado tomorrow. Looking forward to hearing all about it. Check her blog next week for a race report... Until then, Happy Running to all.

we interupt this training schedule to bring you...

LIFE

It has been awhile since I have blogged... life seems to be getting a little out of control - or at least not as orderly as I like things. Everything has its place you know. My running was going well last week. I got all my runs in, went to dinner on Friday night where I ordered a pasta dish that apparently did not agree with me at all and left me hurling all night. Needless to say, my 14 mile long run the next day did not happen, nor did it happen the next day. A big "bagel" for mileage this past weekend.

Then my work schedule kept me from getting any runs in early on in the week. I was up early to go to Michigan Monday morning, not getting back until 11pm, then up at 4:30am on Tuesday to go to an early meeting, working late to try to "catch up" which didn't do any good. Then it was up early again to go to Michigan on Wednesday, getting back around 7pm, but feeling so incredibly drained that running would not have been a good idea. I literally had no time to get a run in. It has left me stressed out and reconsidering running a marathon this fall. I do not like it when I fall short of my goals and I really do not like missing any of my runs.

After my day at work yesterday, I left just a few minutes early to get home a go for a run. I needed it, I needed an outlet for my stress and frustration and running was my only hope. I headed out to the park and settled on 7 miles. I was ready to get started and went to get my watch ready when I realized I had forgotten it at home... just one more small thing to piss me off. I shrugged it off and decided to just run - to hell with time. I knew the distances, so that wasn't a big deal. I headed out and just ran. It was me and my music, running as hard as I could, charging hills and trying to pick up the pace whenever I could, leaving my stresses behind me - kind of like that Propel commercial with the song "Pressure" playing in the background (which is a great song to run to BTW) . So, I am struggling to get back on track, but am finding myself falling further and further behind in my mileage. I am going to rework my schedule once again to attempt to get "caught up" before the weekly mileage really climbs. I have some baby news updates, but will save it for another post. I'd rather keep my dismal running performance separate from that stuff. Until then - just keep on running - I'll catch up with you...