I seriously think my body is begging me to take a couple of days off, and I really think that I pushed it too hard Wednesday morning during the 9 miler :(
This morning I headed out with intentions of running 12 miles, but after much debating I decided that 10 miles would have to do. There isn't like pain but I can definitely feel fatigue and soreness, and my body was not even close to interested in being out there on the road.
I miss the trails, I miss them so much but with how my feet are dragging right now it would be a very bad idea to go out on for a run on the trails. I've got 2 months and a couple days before the marathon, I wish it was sooner as this training is kind of really sucking right now. But, I've just got to relax and listen to my body, and take it easy for the next few days... maybe even take Monday and Tuesday off.
This morning I ran 10.1 miles in 1:49:44 with an average pace of 10:53 min/mile, a very slow long run for me. Elevation gain of 167 feet and a loss of 168 feet.
Laps/splits were:
Mile 1 - 11:29
Mile 2 - 10:54
Mile 3 - 10:45
Mile 4 - 10:43
Mile 5 - 10:42
Mile 6 - 10:36
Mile 7 - 12:03
Mile 8 - 11:09
Mile 9 - 10:27
Mile 10 - 9:56
10.1 - 9:37
Tomorrow will either be a rest day or an easy 5 later in the evening with Dorian, I'll let my body decide.
Saturday, August 30, 2014
Friday, August 29, 2014
Yesterday and Today
First off, the weather sucks. This weekend is threatening rain and thunderstorms, so I cannot even say with certainty if I will get a long run in on Sunday but hopefully I can get 3 or 4 miles in tomorrow.
My legs are really feeling fatigued and sore now, most likely Wednesday's hard 9 miler wasn't a good idea so soon after the 20 miler. Ugh, things are sore and achy and I feel like I need a few days off :(
Yesterday morning I got 4 miles in, my left hamstring wasn't aching like it was Wednesday but it was still feeling tight. I made sure to take it very easy though, and finished 4 miles in 43:46 with an average pace of 10:57 min/mile. I did some foam rolling throughout the day afterwards.
Laps/splits were:
Mile 1 - 11:25
Mile 2 - 10:57
Mile 3 - 10:48
Mile 4 - 10:37
It doesn't look like this heat is going to let up anytime soon, next week is showing temps in the low 90's and I am sure humid weather will follow with the early morning temps of 70-75 :( I am so looking forward to Fall and even Winter, even all the layers of clothes I have to put on during sub zero weather.
This morning my hamstring was feeling a tad better but both legs were pretty achy and just feeling fatigued, I still got 6 miles in this morning. Temperatures were 73 degrees and 94% humidity (blah) and no wind. This was just about as slow as yesterday's run, I just did my best to keep it easy and slow. I finished 6 miles in 1:05:22 with an average pace of 10:53 min/mile.
Laps/splits were:
Mile 1 - 11:25
Mile 2 - 10:43
Mile 3 - 10:52
Mile 4 - 10:48
Mile 5 - 10:26
Mile 6 - 11:05
Sunday is showing scattered thunderstorms all day, and by all day I mean from midnight to evening it will either be 40-50% chance of rain. Saturday is showing cooler temps with humidity in the 70s range.... but I was really craving a day off tomorrow, but after much thinking and debating I think I am going to aim for a 10 miler tomorrow morning and take Sunday and Monday off. I don't want to, but damn it I am not about to be forced to lose a long run due to mother nature.
Next Monday is September 1 (and Labor Day) and marks exactly 2 months until my first marathon, I am excited and getting more excited and anxious as the days count down. I am also nervous about the weather.... it is 100% out of my control and I am praying that it will be as beautiful as last year was. Please keep your fingers crossed for me :)
My legs are really feeling fatigued and sore now, most likely Wednesday's hard 9 miler wasn't a good idea so soon after the 20 miler. Ugh, things are sore and achy and I feel like I need a few days off :(
Yesterday morning I got 4 miles in, my left hamstring wasn't aching like it was Wednesday but it was still feeling tight. I made sure to take it very easy though, and finished 4 miles in 43:46 with an average pace of 10:57 min/mile. I did some foam rolling throughout the day afterwards.
Laps/splits were:
Mile 1 - 11:25
Mile 2 - 10:57
Mile 3 - 10:48
Mile 4 - 10:37
It doesn't look like this heat is going to let up anytime soon, next week is showing temps in the low 90's and I am sure humid weather will follow with the early morning temps of 70-75 :( I am so looking forward to Fall and even Winter, even all the layers of clothes I have to put on during sub zero weather.
This morning my hamstring was feeling a tad better but both legs were pretty achy and just feeling fatigued, I still got 6 miles in this morning. Temperatures were 73 degrees and 94% humidity (blah) and no wind. This was just about as slow as yesterday's run, I just did my best to keep it easy and slow. I finished 6 miles in 1:05:22 with an average pace of 10:53 min/mile.
Laps/splits were:
Mile 1 - 11:25
Mile 2 - 10:43
Mile 3 - 10:52
Mile 4 - 10:48
Mile 5 - 10:26
Mile 6 - 11:05
Sunday is showing scattered thunderstorms all day, and by all day I mean from midnight to evening it will either be 40-50% chance of rain. Saturday is showing cooler temps with humidity in the 70s range.... but I was really craving a day off tomorrow, but after much thinking and debating I think I am going to aim for a 10 miler tomorrow morning and take Sunday and Monday off. I don't want to, but damn it I am not about to be forced to lose a long run due to mother nature.
Next Monday is September 1 (and Labor Day) and marks exactly 2 months until my first marathon, I am excited and getting more excited and anxious as the days count down. I am also nervous about the weather.... it is 100% out of my control and I am praying that it will be as beautiful as last year was. Please keep your fingers crossed for me :)
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
A Fast but Challenging 9 Miler
This morning almost didn't happen, Dorian was very restless all night and then at 3 AM he was awake and I thought for sure I wouldn't be able to go out for my run. Luckily I reset my alarm to 4:05 AM and when it went off he was back to sleep. Temperature was 76 degrees outside, 89% humidity and a dew point of 72.... no freaking wind as usual. I left the shirt at home this time and I was determined to run this one just outside of my comfort zone (but to uncomfortable level in the heat) and due to the heat I was having to stop every mile to catch my breath and recover as quickly as possible. By mile 7 I had to hit some of the hillier roads, I can't forget to mention that my left hamstring was very tight throughout the whole run - I kept trying to stretch it every time I stopped but it just wasn't helping.
Overall it was a great run and definitely let me see where my fitness is at and how I might handle my first marathon.
I ran 9 miles in 1:22:57 with an average pace of 9:13 min/mile, elevation gain of 195 feet and a loss of 188 feet.
Mile 1 - 11:00
Mile 2 - 9:38
Mile 3 - 9:31
Mile 4 - 9:27
Mile 5 - 8:55
Mile 6 - 8:57
Mile 7 - 8:27
Mile 8 - 8:51
Mile 9 - 8:10
As you can see, it was a pretty good run and I cannot wait until colder weather to see what I can really do.
Overall it was a great run and definitely let me see where my fitness is at and how I might handle my first marathon.
I ran 9 miles in 1:22:57 with an average pace of 9:13 min/mile, elevation gain of 195 feet and a loss of 188 feet.
Mile 1 - 11:00
Mile 2 - 9:38
Mile 3 - 9:31
Mile 4 - 9:27
Mile 5 - 8:55
Mile 6 - 8:57
Mile 7 - 8:27
Mile 8 - 8:51
Mile 9 - 8:10
As you can see, it was a pretty good run and I cannot wait until colder weather to see what I can really do.
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Two Days after my First Twenty
First, I want to say how surprised I was that by ear Sunday evening I was feeling really good for having ran 20 miles that morning. DH says that it just might be a sign that I could possibly have what it takes to run ultra distances - I am hoping he is right.
Monday I woke up with just a bit of tightness/soreness in my left calf but other than that I felt great. Granted, my hydration pack had rubbed me raw in a spot on the right side of my back, it still freaking hurts. Not sure if I want to go shirtless anymore during long runs with my hydration pack.... ouch. Monday was a no run day for me, but I did do some crunches - again I felt great and that must be a good sign. I focused on using the foam roller on my left calf probably 4 times yesterday.
This morning, the tightness in my left calf was very minimal and I used the the foam roller before my run and after. It was 75 degrees, dew point of 73 and humidity at 94% - no freaking wind. It was pretty nasty and just blah but I made sure to take it easy for the first 3 miles, no stopping except for when waiting to cross the busy street. The final mile I did push it, just pushing the limits for my legs while not going over board - wanting them to feel the fatigue while also pushing hard. I slowed down and ran easy for .3 miles afterwards. I ran 4.3 miles in 45:03 with an average pace of 10:29 min/mile, slow and easy but with a little more in the last mile.
Laps/splits were:
Mile 1 - 11:27
Mile 2 - 10:51
Mile 3 - 10:56
Mile 4 - 8:52
Mile 4.3 - 9:55
Overall, I am feeling really good. I did decide that for the final long runs after this last Sunday, I will be consuming either Grape gatorade or Lime gatorade because that is what they will have at the race and I don't feel like carrying a hydration pack or belt - I will carry a couple chocolate outrage gu's though, I am pretty sure they will have the strawberry lime, or berry crap but hey that stuff isn't awful.
Monday I woke up with just a bit of tightness/soreness in my left calf but other than that I felt great. Granted, my hydration pack had rubbed me raw in a spot on the right side of my back, it still freaking hurts. Not sure if I want to go shirtless anymore during long runs with my hydration pack.... ouch. Monday was a no run day for me, but I did do some crunches - again I felt great and that must be a good sign. I focused on using the foam roller on my left calf probably 4 times yesterday.
This morning, the tightness in my left calf was very minimal and I used the the foam roller before my run and after. It was 75 degrees, dew point of 73 and humidity at 94% - no freaking wind. It was pretty nasty and just blah but I made sure to take it easy for the first 3 miles, no stopping except for when waiting to cross the busy street. The final mile I did push it, just pushing the limits for my legs while not going over board - wanting them to feel the fatigue while also pushing hard. I slowed down and ran easy for .3 miles afterwards. I ran 4.3 miles in 45:03 with an average pace of 10:29 min/mile, slow and easy but with a little more in the last mile.
Laps/splits were:
Mile 1 - 11:27
Mile 2 - 10:51
Mile 3 - 10:56
Mile 4 - 8:52
Mile 4.3 - 9:55
Overall, I am feeling really good. I did decide that for the final long runs after this last Sunday, I will be consuming either Grape gatorade or Lime gatorade because that is what they will have at the race and I don't feel like carrying a hydration pack or belt - I will carry a couple chocolate outrage gu's though, I am pretty sure they will have the strawberry lime, or berry crap but hey that stuff isn't awful.
Sunday, August 24, 2014
My First Twenty
First I have to say that when my alarm went off at 3:15 AM, I didn't want to get out of bed... I know I've said that before but I was seriously tired and the thought of running 20 miles made me feel even more exhausted. I got up anyways, drank coffee and water and tried to get myself all worked up for it as I got dressed.
I didn't take my mp3 this time, and let me tell you I don't know if it had any effect on me or not. I freaked myself out during the first hour which was still dark and along some dark roads, but luckily everything turned out alright. I had my 2L hydration reservoir and I had put a lot of ice in it to keep it cold for as long as possible (it started warming up around mile 14).
It was 75 degrees, 89% humidity and a dew point of 73 so it wasn't too awesome that is for sure - I toughed it out anyways and this time I included walk-breaks when necessary after mile 8 and a lot between mile 14 and 18. I consumed one Chocolate Outrage at mile 8 and at mile 14 I tried the Chocolate Raspberry Roctane which was a little bitter, but not bad.
It was bloody freaking tough man, my legs were sore and tired and by mile 13 my quads were screaming for a merciful death while my toes and feet in agreement. I have to say this was the toughest run to date, and in the past I hated the idea of walk-breaks so I would normally stop for a minute or two but this time I was determined to keep moving no matter what.
I did my best to not think about miles until mile 10, then I still tried to ignore it until mile 12 where I began to slowly count down each mile and was very happy when I reached mile 15 because I only had 5 more miles to go but by mile 17 I was ecstatic to know I only had 3. When I reached mile 18, I was crossing another milestone and that final step making 20 miles was pure joy (joy to be freaking done lol).
I ran 20 miles in 3:33:31 with an average pace of 10:40 min/mile and an elevation gain of 291 feet, loss of 296 feet. I am only posting the splits for documentation purposes lol.
Laps/splits were:
Mile 1 - 11:33
Mile 2 - 10:46
Mile 3 - 10:30
Mile 4 - 10:08
Mile 5 - 10:09
Mile 6 - 10:22
Mile 7 - 10:07
Mile 8 - 10:03
Mile 9 - 10:54
Mile 10 - 10:00
Mile 11 - 10:10
Mile 12 - 9:59
Mile 13 - 11:21
Mile 14 - 9:50
Mile 15 - 12:13
Mile 16 - 13:23
Mile 17 - 11:01
Mile 18 - 11:21
Mile 19 - 9:33
Mile 20 - 10:07
Well, there you have it - my first 20 miler and it went pretty well for being so humid and crap and on tired legs. And that gives me 45 miles for week 9, a bit of a jump from week 7 (39) and week 8 (34) but next week I am going to try and cut it down to 40-42 and a LR of 14 to give my body a little rest for doing such a great job this week.
I didn't take my mp3 this time, and let me tell you I don't know if it had any effect on me or not. I freaked myself out during the first hour which was still dark and along some dark roads, but luckily everything turned out alright. I had my 2L hydration reservoir and I had put a lot of ice in it to keep it cold for as long as possible (it started warming up around mile 14).
It was 75 degrees, 89% humidity and a dew point of 73 so it wasn't too awesome that is for sure - I toughed it out anyways and this time I included walk-breaks when necessary after mile 8 and a lot between mile 14 and 18. I consumed one Chocolate Outrage at mile 8 and at mile 14 I tried the Chocolate Raspberry Roctane which was a little bitter, but not bad.
It was bloody freaking tough man, my legs were sore and tired and by mile 13 my quads were screaming for a merciful death while my toes and feet in agreement. I have to say this was the toughest run to date, and in the past I hated the idea of walk-breaks so I would normally stop for a minute or two but this time I was determined to keep moving no matter what.
I did my best to not think about miles until mile 10, then I still tried to ignore it until mile 12 where I began to slowly count down each mile and was very happy when I reached mile 15 because I only had 5 more miles to go but by mile 17 I was ecstatic to know I only had 3. When I reached mile 18, I was crossing another milestone and that final step making 20 miles was pure joy (joy to be freaking done lol).
I ran 20 miles in 3:33:31 with an average pace of 10:40 min/mile and an elevation gain of 291 feet, loss of 296 feet. I am only posting the splits for documentation purposes lol.
Laps/splits were:
Mile 1 - 11:33
Mile 2 - 10:46
Mile 3 - 10:30
Mile 4 - 10:08
Mile 5 - 10:09
Mile 6 - 10:22
Mile 7 - 10:07
Mile 8 - 10:03
Mile 9 - 10:54
Mile 10 - 10:00
Mile 11 - 10:10
Mile 12 - 9:59
Mile 13 - 11:21
Mile 14 - 9:50
Mile 15 - 12:13
Mile 16 - 13:23
Mile 17 - 11:01
Mile 18 - 11:21
Mile 19 - 9:33
Mile 20 - 10:07
Well, there you have it - my first 20 miler and it went pretty well for being so humid and crap and on tired legs. And that gives me 45 miles for week 9, a bit of a jump from week 7 (39) and week 8 (34) but next week I am going to try and cut it down to 40-42 and a LR of 14 to give my body a little rest for doing such a great job this week.
Friday, August 22, 2014
Yesterday I bit the bullet and went to the gym around 5 PM, mainly because 98 degrees outside just didn't sound too awesome. I felt like a total newbie, I felt eyes on me and the treadmill I was on was just obnoxiously loud. The worst part... I swear their thermostat was set to 80 or something, barely ten minutes into my run I was sweating as if I were outside. I felt very self-conscious about it, around 1 mile the towel I had been using for my face fell off the treadmill and I thought "f&(^k" I must look like an idiot. I waited until about 1.26 to pick it up, I really didn't want to bend down or turn off the treadmill so I did my best to set on the sides, squat down and grab it... well the stupid emergency cord thingy that was clipped to me was short enough to pull the key thingy out and shut off the treadmill. Yeah I was frustrated...
I'm going to say I ran for 31-32 minutes...? I do not want to say miles because I didn't go anywhere damn it, and I left after that - I wanted to try out some of the upper body machines (especially the back hyper extension thingy - the one where you bend over from your hips/waist) but all your usual buff morons were all over those and I am too shy to shove my way through.
This morning I was thinking no way, I had 5 miles planned and I just really didn't want to go to the gym and sweat like a freaking pig as if I were outside and be stuck in one place. Temperature was 79 degrees, humidity of 80% and a dew point of 72, no wind. I said screw it and threw on my shorts and a tank and hit the road, and was seriously sore from the treadmill run yesterday, I had it set to an 11 min pace and it still felt like I was going like 10 min/mile pace. Yes I sweated like a pig but I felt it was much more deserved outside than inside. I kept my eyes open for anything strange, but nothing out of the ordinary.
I ended up running 6 miles in 1:01:43 with an average pace of 10:17 min/mile.
Laps/splits were:
Mile 1 - 11:14
Mile 2 - 10:11
Mile 3 - 10:15
Mile 4 - 10:15
Mile 5 - 9:59
Mile 6 - 9:46
I really didn't have any plans to run tomorrow, but I might throw in a 3 miler before dawn and I am trying to talk my sisters into going to the gym later that day with me.
Right now, this area is dealing with some horribly humid and hot weather... and it looks like it is going to last into next week. I've got my first 20 miler planned for Sunday, wish me luck.
I'm going to say I ran for 31-32 minutes...? I do not want to say miles because I didn't go anywhere damn it, and I left after that - I wanted to try out some of the upper body machines (especially the back hyper extension thingy - the one where you bend over from your hips/waist) but all your usual buff morons were all over those and I am too shy to shove my way through.
This morning I was thinking no way, I had 5 miles planned and I just really didn't want to go to the gym and sweat like a freaking pig as if I were outside and be stuck in one place. Temperature was 79 degrees, humidity of 80% and a dew point of 72, no wind. I said screw it and threw on my shorts and a tank and hit the road, and was seriously sore from the treadmill run yesterday, I had it set to an 11 min pace and it still felt like I was going like 10 min/mile pace. Yes I sweated like a pig but I felt it was much more deserved outside than inside. I kept my eyes open for anything strange, but nothing out of the ordinary.
I ended up running 6 miles in 1:01:43 with an average pace of 10:17 min/mile.
Laps/splits were:
Mile 1 - 11:14
Mile 2 - 10:11
Mile 3 - 10:15
Mile 4 - 10:15
Mile 5 - 9:59
Mile 6 - 9:46
I really didn't have any plans to run tomorrow, but I might throw in a 3 miler before dawn and I am trying to talk my sisters into going to the gym later that day with me.
Right now, this area is dealing with some horribly humid and hot weather... and it looks like it is going to last into next week. I've got my first 20 miler planned for Sunday, wish me luck.
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Runs so Far this Week, and Some Bad News
First the bad/sad news - two women are missing in my area, one from Boonville who has been missing since Friday morning last week and the other one from Evansville who has been missing since last month. Police swear there are no connections, the 3rd woman who went missing Sunday was found.... in the White River near Hazleton, IN.... her body that is. BUT, she apparently had a history of drug use and the pic they used when searching for her was a mug shot so I am assuming she decided to go for a swim in the river either sober or wasted and the current took her under.
I honestly don't think it is murder, or that there is any connection to the Boonville woman and Evansville woman but sadly they are/were both mothers to two children (each) and are missed dearly by friends and family. Until they are either found alive or worse, DH and my mom don't want me running alone during the dark by myself so I have gotten a gym membership (BLAH!) for using the treadmill BUT I will be sneaking my Wednesday and Sunday long runs outside as I just don't know if I can handle an hour and a half run on the treadmill, let alone a 3 hour run... plus I would like to get back to weight training again - at least my upper body and core, as I try to be very careful with my legs so that I don't tire them or even injure them.
Yesterday evening I and Dorian went for our 4 miler, it sucked - 86 degrees (feels like 93), 66% humidity but a dew point of 72 and the pressure was awful because of the storm hovering above but never letting loose. I ran the 4 miles in 40:52 with an average pace of 10:12 mine/mile, elevation gain of 120 feet and a loss of 104 feet.
This morning was my 9 miler and due to it being 72 degrees, 94% humidity a dew point of 69 I decided not to take Rocky with me as I knew he would die. I am normally very aware of my surroundings but this time I was extra vigilant and paid attention to even the smell of cigarettes in the air just after the first mile. Nothing fishy this time, but I will definitely be more vigilant from now on and I might not even take my mp3 with me during my Sunday long runs.
Anyways, I ran 9 miles in 1:30:18 with an average pace of 10:02 min/mile and an elevation gain of 194 feet and a loss of 189 feet.
Laps/splits were:
Mile 1 - 11:08
Mile 2 - 10:34
Mile 3 - 10:06
Mile 4 - 10:13
Mile 5 - 10:15
Mile 6 - 9:47
Mile 7 - 9:44
Mile 8 - 9:39
Mile 9 - 8:52
Tomorrow morning (hopefully) will be my first time back in a gym in over 2 years... hopefully there won't be a lot of people in there at 4 AM because I hate looking like a newbie or even an idiot. I've got 3 miles planned - 4 if it feels better than expected, and then I'll do some back strengthening exercises.
I honestly don't think it is murder, or that there is any connection to the Boonville woman and Evansville woman but sadly they are/were both mothers to two children (each) and are missed dearly by friends and family. Until they are either found alive or worse, DH and my mom don't want me running alone during the dark by myself so I have gotten a gym membership (BLAH!) for using the treadmill BUT I will be sneaking my Wednesday and Sunday long runs outside as I just don't know if I can handle an hour and a half run on the treadmill, let alone a 3 hour run... plus I would like to get back to weight training again - at least my upper body and core, as I try to be very careful with my legs so that I don't tire them or even injure them.
Yesterday evening I and Dorian went for our 4 miler, it sucked - 86 degrees (feels like 93), 66% humidity but a dew point of 72 and the pressure was awful because of the storm hovering above but never letting loose. I ran the 4 miles in 40:52 with an average pace of 10:12 mine/mile, elevation gain of 120 feet and a loss of 104 feet.
This morning was my 9 miler and due to it being 72 degrees, 94% humidity a dew point of 69 I decided not to take Rocky with me as I knew he would die. I am normally very aware of my surroundings but this time I was extra vigilant and paid attention to even the smell of cigarettes in the air just after the first mile. Nothing fishy this time, but I will definitely be more vigilant from now on and I might not even take my mp3 with me during my Sunday long runs.
Anyways, I ran 9 miles in 1:30:18 with an average pace of 10:02 min/mile and an elevation gain of 194 feet and a loss of 189 feet.
Laps/splits were:
Mile 1 - 11:08
Mile 2 - 10:34
Mile 3 - 10:06
Mile 4 - 10:13
Mile 5 - 10:15
Mile 6 - 9:47
Mile 7 - 9:44
Mile 8 - 9:39
Mile 9 - 8:52
Tomorrow morning (hopefully) will be my first time back in a gym in over 2 years... hopefully there won't be a lot of people in there at 4 AM because I hate looking like a newbie or even an idiot. I've got 3 miles planned - 4 if it feels better than expected, and then I'll do some back strengthening exercises.
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