Tomorrow...

I will post what I have been up to the last MONTH!
Yowsers. Been while...I promise...it's nothing exciting.

long overdue post

So, the one person who reads this blog told me this week that I haven't posted in a while.  Sorry about that.  its been a busy week and my running has sucked this week.

I have been car shopping (no car to show for it yet), sofa shopping (I am waiting on it now to be delivered) and being lazy.  Oh and I got my teeth drilled on.  Yeah, that's the most fun!

I did get my hill repeats in this week on Monday.  I went and test drove a car an hour away on Tuesday.  Yesterday was the 4th and I just plain didn't run.  

And then, there's today.  Met my neighbor this morning at 6 am.  Got through a mile and I started bloating/cramping pretty bad in my lower stomach area.  So, I said, let's stop and walk just a sec.  Then we started running again and it got worse.  So, I told her to go on because it was hurting bad enough.  She said, do you want me to come get you when I get home?  I said, nah, I will be ok.  As soon as she started running, I yelled out, yes, come get me!  Well, 2 nano seconds later, it turned into GI issues.  I desperately was seeking a porta potty.  Nope, none to be found...so I walked a snail's pace.  I didn't know if I would make it.  Then, she shows up about a half mile from home.  Just in time.  

Ever have GI issues?  I have only had one or two and today reminded me that I don't like issues like that!  Needless to say, I didn't get my run in today.  

Training is just not going as planned right now.  Hope to get it back.

Blisters and heat are not for me

It just... Well, hot. Hotter than hot. The temps for this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are 104.
Read it again. 104.
Oh.my.word.
What's that gotta do with running. This girl does not mix running with heat very well and I am having a hard time with it.
Today's 5-miler was a near disaster but I got through it. Paces were off in that there was lots of walking involved. Was it the heat of just the mental ge of it all? Who knows!
I do know that I hate blisters and there is one that keeps popping up on the right side of my big toe nail. I have tried bandaids when I run but it's doesn't help. Any suggestions cause it hurts like hell.
Tomorrow I get to get my drill on with the dentist. That might be worse that today's run. Good news is they have cable and Wimbledon is on. I hope I can see over that big drill in the back of my mouth. Yuck.

Tip Over speed is 2

On the bike, I know that tip over speed is 2mph...in that, if you go that slow...well, you tip over.

So, what is the slowest you can run without tipping over...almost found out on hill repeats today.  

Last week, I only ran up half way on the hill and completed 6 repeats.  

Not today!  I decided to run the whole hill no matter how slow I had to go.

I did not in fact tip over but man, I came close.  It was so steep.  It went up and sort of (I say that losely) leveled off and went up again...you get the picture.  It did that 3 times.  

I was able to complete 3 repeats with jogging back down and covered a mile doing that.  

Hell hill repeats done. 

I really hope this helps strengthen my legs.  

Long run last Saturday was close to 11 miles.  Had good pace in there.  Not too worried about that just yet.  

One week down.  19 more to go!  Woot!

wow- yasso's

Let's start off my putting this out there...running at 6 am is MUCH MUCH better than running at 9 am outside.  I know it wouldn't seem like that big of a difference but it makes about 15-20 degrees of difference.  And it is much more shaded.  

Yesterday I had a 5 mile tempo run on tap and didn't get started (out of laziness) until 9:00.  Brutal.  I got it in and I ran my pace but ugh ugh ugh.  I was ready for it to be over.  On a positive note, I ran this solo and I know those kind of runs are going to help me mentally be strong.  

Today's run, I ran with a friend-neighbor.  It was 3 miles but included 2 yasso's.  We did the first mile and a half up hill and 'easy'...how is up hill ever easy?  but anyway.

Then we started the half mile repeats.  She is trying to get back into shape and I knew she was a good runner.  But today I found out she ran track in high school way back when.  and half mile and mile were her events.  great.  Anyway again,  it was great having someone to help pace me.  We ran the two repeats in 3:59 and 4:04...which was GREAT!  A little faster than I needed but I will take it!  

And to close...the cooler temps at 6 am made for a HUGE difference.

I look forward to a much deserved rest day tomorrow and then a good long run on Saturday.  

My favorite moment is when I walk in the house and my Cupcake immediately says, "Mommy go running?"  and I said...yes!

Day 2--cross training

Today is day 2 of SMT (savannah marathon training). My schedule calls for cross training. I am following the advice from Run Less Run Faster in doing non weight bearing cross training to give the legs the appropriate rest they need. So, I hopped on the stationary bike at the gym. I used an app by the makers of LoLo. They make GREAT interval apps for gym equipment. Anyway, this one is for cycling. It is no joke. My legs were jello when I got off. I got in about 7.5 miles on the bike and I did a few arm machines. Feeling good on day 2.

Oh and I pulled out my geriatric compression socks last night to wear while I sleep. My shin was noticeable yesterday and I wanted some blood circulating down there. So I slept like grandma in her socks. I walked into cupcakes room this morning... She usually points out my shoes or socks... She wasn't quite sure about these. Lol!!!

Ice Ice Baby

And so it begins...Training that is!  Yep, today is the day.  Got my plan all mapped out in pencil.  Watched two marathon movies to get me pumped up this weekend.  (cheesy, yes, I know but hey, whatever).  And what do you know...Day 1 is here.  

Started the day off getting an email from coach.  Everyone needs words of encouragement and it came at just the right time.  I literally was heading out the door for my first training run.  

I did 2 easy miles and then 1 mile consisting of hill repeats and recoveries.  The hill I chose was short and steep.  Did I mention steep?  Its one of those where you grit your teeth and grunt and say, son of a b**** as you get near the top.  Ok, maybe only I do that and maybe I am the only one who would think its hard.  But, it was.  I can see feel in my legs how this is going to help strengthen them which is the whole freakin' point.  

So, yay for me and yay for training.  

*queue Vanilla ice....cause I am having to ice my shins to keep some nasty splints away.  All my running peeps are stove up and injured.  I told them to keep their hurts to themselves.  

this week a dud

This week has been a dud...as far as running goes.  Mr. Weatherman has really cranked up the heat and I just wimper. 

Come Monday...gotta put on my big girl panties cause I got some training to do!

I ran at my local running store on Wednesday.  They have a big group run/social on Wednesdays.  Lemme just say...melt.  The heat/humidity was ever present.  Time to acclimate!!! 

Love free stuff!!

BUT...they did have some tables set up with Nuun samples.  I have been hearing about this so it was great to try some and get free samples!!  I also scored a free body glide sample!! yee-ha!

Other than that...I have been a sloth.  With being out for the summer from teaching, I though I would have all this time and really get my running on.  Well, all this time makes for real laziness.  I mean I am still in my pjs, drinking coffee at 10 a.m.  pa.the.tic. 

Next week I start fresh.  Even though about getting up at 5:30 to hit BodyPump. hmmm.... we will see about that.

Oh and I re-committed myself to logging my food on My Fitness Pal...I made some new "friends" there to keep me going. 

Brang it!

all mapped out

Eeee!!!  I have my plan for Savannah all mapped out....training, that is. 

Got the okay except for a few things here and there from coach Mark.  

So, starting Monday, we are a-go.

It is an ambitious but doable plan.  

I was looking at marathonguide.com the other day and looking up my times.

Kind of funny...back a few years ago (ok, 9), I ran 3 marathons.  I first two were in February and May.  I ran those with times almost the same as the one in February.  But I was actually trying to RUN those and this year, I ran/walked the whole thing Galloway style.  

Then the third one that year was in Dec. and it was my PR by 30 minutes from the first two.

It gives me hope to see those numbers.  I might can run another good marathon.  Good by my standards, maybe not someone else's.

Here we are and 20 1/2 weeks out from Savannah.  Bring it!

registered

In honor of National Running Day...I registered for Rock n Roll Savannah Marathon.

(never mind that I saved $20 on registration today!)

So excited. So nervous. So everything!  yippee!!

I worry about the heat in Savannah in November.  But oh well.  It is what it is.

Met up with fellow blogger, Yo Momma Runs yesterday.  So fun!  

Hope to meet up again!

Also, ran into old college friend who is also running in Savannah.

So, maybe those were the signs I needed to go ahead and register.

done.

end of school year

end of school year + crazy teacher = no running.

Decision 2012

Savannah

i am the most indecisive person

Seriously, I am the most indecisive person in America. I have to research everything to the core. And so picking a fall marathon is not easy. Especially with my parameters...mostly flat and cold. Living in the south...that poses a problem. I am trying to decide between Columbus in October and Savannah in November. Columbus is almost always perfect weather and a great course. Savannah...good course but you just never know about the weather in the south in november. I would have to fly and leave Cupcake at home for Columbus but we could drive to Savannah and bring my best cheerleader. What to do, what to do. This might just drive me cray cray in the head. I seriously think about this way too hard.

Great long run and such

Only got in 2 runs last week. Busy with some teacher stuff. Had a program for the kids and had to set up Thursday afternoon. We had a poetry reading Friday cause I am hip like that. Well, guess I am getting old because I was completely worn out Friday afternoon and had to take a quick nap before I pick up Cupcake. Pathetic. Tried a new pre-long run meal Friday night...some kind of grilled panini sandwich from Panera. I was all okay with it until I look up nutritional value. Yikes. Glad the London the next day was so good. We decided to do the very hilly 10 mile route. I also decided it was time to cut the walk breaks. If I am shooting for these goals...no more walkie breaks. Durn. Coach joined us for some of it and we got to talk and he threw out some suggestions and beliefs he has about training. I agreed with them and agreed with this one big belief...not to change form...as in running form. My form is ugly but I get from A to B. Also, looks like I am possibly targeting a different race other than savannah. I was on the fence with savannah because of temps. I am not a hot weather running...het definitely affects me. So there is another one in october that I am looking into...mre to come. But if it pans out, traing starts June 3rd...yikes! That's soon.

Time Trial-complete plus a running coach

Here is what I emailed my coach...yep, i said coach.  I "hired" someone who won't let me pay him.  Guess I will pay him with dinners and Patron. :)

"Ok, time trial ( I feel very tour de France when I say that) is complete. Ran 3 miles and felt the pace and time represents my current fitness well. I don't think race atmosphere would produce that much better of time...maybe a few seconds. But my quads are quite tight right now so I know I pushed it.  It didn't make me puke but it was hard effort.
That being said, was it stellar. No. But it is a starting point.I do think weather plays a factor or at least is affects me negatively.

I ran 3 miles in 28:27.
Mile 1: 9:35
Mile 2: 9:22
Mile 3: 9:32

I didn't go out as fast as yesterday and I think it helped...especially not being warmed up.
This is also the time I have been getting on the treadmill when I have been doing speed work...so that makes me feel like that is working a bit.

I plugged that time into McMillan running calculator and it projects a 4:47 marathon time. I totally think I could do that now with run/walking. So who's to say what I could do with proper training, weight loss and taking the walk breaks out?

My first goal is a 4:30... That is not my lofty goal this fall but I wouldn't be disappointed.
My other goals are (PR) 4:26, 4:20, 4:15... If I can reach one of those this fall, it will be time to go to the next level. ;)
BUT, I am not sure if I can get myself in goal shape for the fall. I am going to try."

Here is his reply:
" Good for you. Ok let's work on a plan. Just make sure you only move up in small increments.  I'm a believer in that. In miles, long run, and more importantly for you - increase in speed.

And make sure you listen to the aches and pains you feel. You know they can lead to injuries. Not so good ones.

Ask Amy about the foam roller we've been doing with P90X2. I think that's a huge benefit for runners.

Good for you. Good run today. Hope to run on Sat."

time trial = epic fail

So I went and got me a coach.  He's a runner friend that I have decided to use as a coach to reach some lofty goals I have set for myself.  After yesterday, not sure if I can possibly reach them.

My first assignment...time trial.  So, yesterday, all ready to go...I decided to do a 3 mile, relatively flat time trial. 
1st mile: 9:20.  Feeling good, confident that my splits were going to be good. 
2nd mile:  first part, look down, I am running 9:15...nice. 
then...about a quarter mile, it all fell apart.  Right calf on verge of cramping.  Just no go. 
3rd mile: walking mostly.  Then, last mile, run at about 9 minute pace because there were some creepy people on the path I was running and I wanted to get to my car, stat.

So, will attempt again today and try to hydrate better throughout the day. 
oh yeah, temps were about 89 yesterday...May 1st....89.  nice and H.O.T.

confidence is not high at this point.  ugh. 
Today is a new day and I am going to see what I can do.  Also, logged all my food yesterday.  Let the training begin!!  running and weight loss training....

Down down down

I am down in the dumps... Weight...terrible Health...crud ths week Running...shins hurt again today Blah. BUT I did actually contact a guy who coaches runners. Checking out price and thoughts. We shall see. I have some goals. I would love to reach them but I gotta get out of his dark whole I am in.

Runner brain food

Look at these goodies I picked up from the library today. Yum!!!

and now...not back on track

OMG-I am so frustrated.  So...this week, runs are going well then yesterday about a mile into it...bam, shins!  Same as last week.  I did back off the pace and this new pace this week was not all that hard.  totally felt great.  So, I am thinking its my shoes.  I tend to have shoe drama.  I just bought these shoes.  These are the shoes I sported in Memphis during St Jude Marathon.  I had problems late in the race with lower legs locking up but I attributed it to poor training.  But I did move from the 2100 series of Asics to the Kayano's for Mercedes Marathon.  No Problems.  Then I just went back to the 2100 series and bam...problems.  Even had a twinge of the leg lock up feeling in a long run and now two days of shin issues.  Maybe its all in my head but I am ordering Kayanos today and just have to suck it up and use my whole paycheck for the upgrade.  As long as my legs are happy....

back on track...

quick post...back on track and encouraged with speed work.  Had to readjust goal pace.  But that's okay.  This will not be the only round of speed work I do.  And actually my overall average was only 4 sec off per mile than when I went all out and couldn't complete the workouts.  I felt great!
yippee!!!

unexpected meetings

Don't you just love expected but unexpected meetings?  I knew we were having some sort of meeting yesterday but was hoping it was during one of my breaks during school time but no.  It was after school...and there was a chance it would last an hour!  But it didn't but it lasted long enough that I didnt have time to change, run and pick up Cupcake at her school.  ugh.  When stuff interferes with running, make me not a happy camper.  Plus...Cupcake was all out of sorts.  short nap make anyone irritable.  fun times!

I did get a nice 10 miler in on Saturday.  We even did a hilly route.  The good thing about this route is when you top the big hill, the reward is running through the beautiful neighbors past it.  It was great.  I think we are going to do it again this Saturday. 

I totally felt the excitement of Boston yesterday.  I had it streaming here at work and would peep at it during my breaks.  Oh how I wish I could run it one day. 

It did spark some goal setting in me.  Lofty goals at that.  I have some work to do in the next year or so!!

Time to adjust

Working on speed is tough. Real tough. First starting out, when the intervals were small, I could hang on with the treadmill set at 7.0. Feeling good and confident. Fast forward to week 4... Two workouts that didn't pan out. My right shin started killing me in the second interval today and I had to stop. I texted my hubby all down and out. I think I tried to grab something that my body wasn't ready for. Too much too soon. So... Time to adjust goal pace and I am okay with that this first go round. Going to shoot for 6.5 or 6.6. I think that is much more attainable.Oh it wasn't energy levels cause when you are so hungry and you stop at the dollar general on the way to the gym... This is what you come up with... Buzzing!!!

I am looking...

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