Category Archives: Run Recap

Don’t Blink

The 12 days or so since my last update have been a whirlwind. It seems like I just blinked and all of the sudden it was days/weeks later.

Two yoga classes, one run, nine days worked, one friend’s wedding celebrated, three days off and one impending injury that I’m trying to ward off.

That is not a recap I’m happy with in terms of working out, but it was a wonderful weekend with three days off and I lucky enough to be a part of a beautiful wedding for two wonderful friends.

So, instead of ignoring the lack of running and the, “life getting in the way,” I’m assessing it and going to take responsibility to figure out how to fit in the runs in the future.

Missed Runs

One factor of “falling off the wagon” these past weeks is that there there wasn’t a lot of harm done to my training plan overall. I’m not in full training yet for my November 5th marathon so at this point I’m just trying to get more fit and get more comfortable for when I start building mileage. If I’m going to prioritize other things over the training plan now is the time to do it.

But, at the same time – I did miss the runs. And I need to acknowledge that. One of my mantras that I say about mid-run is, “No one can do this for you, but you. You are responsible for your own health, entirely and completely. You are the only one who can keep you healthy.” That is true and in that respect I did let myself down.

While I will have more motivation in the future to get those runs in with the help of the 13.1 goal, there will always be busy weeks, busy days and bad weather. One way I can work to not fall into that trap is to have a large repitoire of activities to keep fit when the runs don’t work out, for whatever reason. I can find different ways to work out – even if it’s 6 a.m. and raining or 11 p.m. and dark.

Good run

I tried something new for my run this week. I think overall it was a great choice and it’s something I’m going to work in to my routine once a week as I train.

I’ve been using intervals as a crutch and I want to get out of that habit. The intervals tell me when to go what speeds and I never stray beyond those. The result is completed runs as planned, but it doesn’t leave a lot of room for pushing limits.

This past Thursday, I decided to turn off the “coaching” w/ my intervals and just run. Because I had taken a week off, I cut down the mileage, but instead of set intervals and time, I decided I was going to go as far as I could, for as long as I could, mixing in intermittent slower speeds with the pushing of the faster speeds. I think it was really a great run even if it was different. I wasn’t running for time, I was just running to run, and it was a great feeling. I’m going to make sure one of my short runs each week is just that – no time, just mileage and no coaching – just pure running.

Impending Injury

I wasn’t able to run my first half marathon in May due to peroneal tendinitis in my right foot. My run this week felt great, but today when I got up to run my left foot was tight and just felt off. I need to look in to some stretches and some ways to strengthen those areas so I don’t miss another race due to the same problem. Today, instead of pushing it, I took the morning off and I plan on another run tomorrow.

I think it’s important not to injure it before I even start training so I’m going to take advantage of these few weeks that I have to learn more about strengthening the areas before I lose training time.

Yoga

I took one class of yoga per week the past week and they were night and day for one reason – me. The class was the same, the location was the same, the teacher was the same, but I was different each week.

Last week it was a frustrating class. I was unfocused and it just felt like I wasn’t doing anything right, like my body was separate from my thoughts and actions. I left frustrated and upset with myself.

This week, I took the same class and went in with a new attitude. I focused on the breathing, focused on the motions and didn’t lose myself in frustrations when my hands slipped, or when I did something wrong – I just did the motions and it made all the difference. No frustrations and I left feeling energized and strong – strong enough to go back to running on Thursday. That’s hugely important to keep in mind in the future in all actions – my attitude has more impact than anything else on the outcome.


It all goes back to intention. This week, the importance of that intention was very visible in all aspects of my life and although I certainly didn’t succeed in all areas, I can be okay with that and not be disappointed in my shortcomings or failures, but rather enjoy the progress that occurs in all areas, each day.

Rise and Shine

Today’s run was early.

There are quite a few things that were different about this morning’s 3.1 – and just about all of them were good things.


Time: It was EARLY compared to my runs so far.  I don’t have a problem waking up early, but typically when I do it’s to get work done, go in to work early, have a meeting or go to a networking event.  I enjoy “easing” in to my day that way.  Running requires quite a bit more energy than I typically exert at 6:30 a.m., but none-the-less it was enjoyable.

I didn’t go to bed particularly early, in fact it was later than I usually do.  Today is also day 15 of 20 consecutive work days – definitely not an energy-filled time frame. But, I’m tired of putting it off and waiting until conditions are right. I am tired right now, but I feel strong and centered. I believe my body is better for the miles and this is proof that even in the worst conditions I am capable of making time to better myself.  “Tired” is not an excuse.

Intervals: This morning was also an important milestone in my training- I increased my run  intervals a full minute from where I’ve been at and I’m back to where I was when I got injured in March.  I’m back to the pace I was at when I was building miles and I feel stronger in that place.  I’m still one month away from building steady mileage in preparation for my first half marathon, but that gives me confidence and strength that I can push even longer and harder than where I’m at now and potentially even add an additional minute to my run interval before I’m ready to train.

Weather: Today’s weather was a wonderful break from the pounding midwest heat I’ve been suffering through.  60 degrees and cloudy was a great way to start the day!

Doing it anyways

Fact: I am a perfectionist.

At times, a failed perfectionist, but a perfectionist none-the-less.  That’s a big part of my challenge with running and getting in shape.  Nothing is going to be perfect when you’re learning a new skill and getting past the perfectionist ticks is a challenge.

Yesterday I was a few minutes in my 3.2 and considered just turning around.  I wasn’t feeling great about it already and something just felt off.  I had places to be, my husband was waiting for me to get back so we could go somewhere and it was early in the morning on a day off.  It would have been easy to just turn around and skip the day’s miles, especially since weather kept me off the trail the rest of the week.

But, I didn’t turn around – I pushed ahead and even more than that – I pushed faster, longer than I had planned.

I couldn’t keep the speed up for all the intervals – in fact, as I couldn’t keep up the speed during a good portion… but I did run faster than I have and I enjoyed the feeling.

In the end, it was a good workout after all and I was glad I didn’t quit at the beginning.  I’m hoping I can keep that dedication up over the next (very busy) month despite the fact it will be a long time of still learning, unknown challenges and it will get harder as the temperature and humidity kicks up.

I’m adding in yoga in June – a 75 minute class once a week – plus adding 2 days of weights/week.  Lofty goals with this month’s schedule, but I’ve got high hopes that I can keep it going.

June Goals:
Time:
– 360 minutes/week workout (equivalent to 1 hour, 6 days a week)
– Accomplish by running 3 days a week, 2 days of weights and 1 day of yoga/week.
Mileage goals:
– 10 miles/week: (4/3.5/2.5)

Respectable Run

Fact: Today’s. Run. Hurt.

I was really happy coming off of Monday evening’s run.  I really felt strong during Monday’s mileage.  For the first time in weeks it wasn’t as humid out, I could breathe and I hit all my intervals just how I wanted to.  My GPS was dying and it underestimated the mileage, but I know I ran faster than I have in a while (back up timing), which was awesome. During the run and at the end of the run, I felt strong.

Today?  Well today I felt pain.

My shins, feet and ankles were on fire for most of the run.  I ran a bit farther than I planned, but I had to cut my intervals down.  Today I didn’t feel strong, I felt brittle.

Not weak, exactly, but brittle.  I was happy to be home, and happy to have the miles in when I was done, but not exactly a banner evening.

Stepping back a bit – I can appreciate how far I’ve come since the beginning of my training.  3.2 miles on a bad day – that would have been laughable when I started.  Before I got my asthma under control – I would have LOVED to have my feet or ankles hurt before I had to stop for inability to breathe.

When I decided to start training last fall I felt pain while training – but it was a different pain, an out-of-shape pain as opposed to a pain from overwork.  So, today, I’ll take that victory.  There’s victory in progress, however slow it comes.

Total Mileage: 3.2

High Point: Perspective on some problems that were bothering me today.  I had one of those bummer mornings where you forget your lunch, something breaks, idiot drivers are around and I let it get the best of me in the A.M.  I was able to zone out on the run and really get back to center to remember what’s important.

New Goals: Pain was a low, but it made me remember that I need to start lifting and cross-training to build those muscles.