Yesterday was Memorial Day - a holiday by most standards, unless you're a grad student in which case the half day I put in was even lucky. Because I had work to do, despite the holiday and "relaxed" schedule, it still turned into one of those days I figure out 10 minutes beforehand when I can sneak in a run. This happened yesterday around noon. BF and I ran 4 miles together. It was a nice run, a nice pace and a nice day in the park.
The rest of the afternoon, after I finished my work, was spent on a friend's building's terrace, grilling salmon, chicken kebabs, corn, and s'mores. And of course drinking beer. We sat outside in the heat and sun for a few hours. By the time I returned home, around 8pm, it was turning into a perfect evening. The sun was setting, the breeze had cooled off, and the air temp was not too hot, not too cold. When I got to my apartment, I'm not sure why, but I was incredibly restless and just needed to get outside and DO something. And the best way I know how to do this is to run. So on went the running shoes and out the door I went. I left behind the iPod and the watch and headed out for my normal 4-mile loop in the park, which I decided to do backwards. With a crampy stomach full of partially-digested meat and beer, I plodded along. Good thing I wasn't trying to set any land speed records, but soon the stomach felt better and I kept myself at a pace that I couldn't feel - I didn't feel like this was a workout, per se, just a way to enjoy being outside. I was able to look around me: at the families enjoying the waning hours of holiday sunlight, at the groups of people walking and running, at the NYC skyline, at the fact that the park looks incredibly different when I run my tried-and-true loop backwards, at the street musicians around which crowds were gathered... my restless need to get out the door turned into a "this is why I run" run. I guess maybe it's been a while since I've had one of these - I didn't have to worry about speed or distance or someone else with me or anything - just me and my breathing and the road. It was just what I needed.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
This week
M, 5/21, 9:00 Remembering-how-to-run-again 4 miles in 33:29 (8:26mpm). If not for Ron I would have probably not gotten myself up to run... but felt great once I got going. Beautiful day, legs felt fresh (no wonder, after being lazy for a few days!), and a good way to delay the return to work post-vacay!
16:30 Training session - legs. My trainer attempted homicide of my legs. Oooooh boy, will I be sore tomorrow!
T, 5/21, 9:00 Reservoir loop - 5.5 miles in 47:20 (8:34mpm) My legs aren't sore yet, but they're definitely tired. Lots of stretching afterwards (and a banana with breakfast!) to hopefully get rid of the worst of what's sure to set in later...
W, 5/22, 1800 4 miles in 34:34 (8:42mpm) My legs felt slightly tired - had to stop and stretch the ol' calves after 1 mile. I had lots of energy and my breathing felt fine so I'm kind of bummed I couldn't go longer, but probably better to cut it short today and have a great run tomorrow. The foam roller was definitely put to use post-run!
Th, 5/23, am Tempo run with Ron. 6.4 miles in 52:49 (8:17mpm). ~11 min to warmup, 4 miles in ~31:30, ~10:30 min to cool down. Really felt good - pace was hard, but comfy. Mile paces were pretty even, even though I think I didn't take them at exactly the right places. Really felt like it was a good tempo-run pace - could have held it for longer, but was glad to be done :)
1700 Training session - arms Now attempted homicide of my arms... I wonder if my trainer is trying to tell me something, hahaha.
F, 5/23, rest day Much needed - legs definitely tired today, so I'll give them some TLC!
S, 5/24, 09:00 8.3 miles in 1:11.03 (8:32mpm). Pretty hot (80*) and humid - the first run of the year that I felt the heat element. But BF and I had a pretty good pace, despite that.
S, 5/25, TBD 4 miles
Anticipated total: 30-33 miles
16:30 Training session - legs. My trainer attempted homicide of my legs. Oooooh boy, will I be sore tomorrow!
T, 5/21, 9:00 Reservoir loop - 5.5 miles in 47:20 (8:34mpm) My legs aren't sore yet, but they're definitely tired. Lots of stretching afterwards (and a banana with breakfast!) to hopefully get rid of the worst of what's sure to set in later...
W, 5/22, 1800 4 miles in 34:34 (8:42mpm) My legs felt slightly tired - had to stop and stretch the ol' calves after 1 mile. I had lots of energy and my breathing felt fine so I'm kind of bummed I couldn't go longer, but probably better to cut it short today and have a great run tomorrow. The foam roller was definitely put to use post-run!
Th, 5/23, am Tempo run with Ron. 6.4 miles in 52:49 (8:17mpm). ~11 min to warmup, 4 miles in ~31:30, ~10:30 min to cool down. Really felt good - pace was hard, but comfy. Mile paces were pretty even, even though I think I didn't take them at exactly the right places. Really felt like it was a good tempo-run pace - could have held it for longer, but was glad to be done :)
1700 Training session - arms Now attempted homicide of my arms... I wonder if my trainer is trying to tell me something, hahaha.
F, 5/23, rest day Much needed - legs definitely tired today, so I'll give them some TLC!
S, 5/24, 09:00 8.3 miles in 1:11.03 (8:32mpm). Pretty hot (80*) and humid - the first run of the year that I felt the heat element. But BF and I had a pretty good pace, despite that.
S, 5/25, TBD 4 miles
Anticipated total: 30-33 miles
Monday, May 21, 2007
MIA
I spent Wednesday-Saturday in Orlando and Cocoa Beach with my siblings and my sister's fiance and his siblings. It was a great few days on the beach relaxing with nothing to do!
I only ran once :( Every time I leave for vacation, I plan in my head how many times I will run, subtract one, and that's what I pack for. I figured I'd find time to run Wednesday after I arrived (since I flew early there was really no way I was waking up at 4am to run), Friday and Saturday ams. Well, Friday am happened! It was fun to run on the beach, my feet got soaked and my calves burned, but I'd guess I ran about 3.5 miles in 30 mins.
I guess I just have to tell myself that missing a few days of running isn't going to kill me! But, when my hardcore training starts, I do think I have to make sure that I don't miss as many workouts. I guess it's easier to sneak away from the group when you can say you're training for a marathon... haha... but the point of this vacation was to spend as much time meeting my soon to be new family, spending time with my siblings, and bonding. Right now, I sort of regret not running one more day, but in the grand scheme of things, I will look back on this trip when I'm 50 with fond memories of the time I spent with people, and not remember that I didn't run. I guess, if I want to make sure to get another run in, it means setting the alarm to wake up before everyone else ;)
I only ran once :( Every time I leave for vacation, I plan in my head how many times I will run, subtract one, and that's what I pack for. I figured I'd find time to run Wednesday after I arrived (since I flew early there was really no way I was waking up at 4am to run), Friday and Saturday ams. Well, Friday am happened! It was fun to run on the beach, my feet got soaked and my calves burned, but I'd guess I ran about 3.5 miles in 30 mins.
I guess I just have to tell myself that missing a few days of running isn't going to kill me! But, when my hardcore training starts, I do think I have to make sure that I don't miss as many workouts. I guess it's easier to sneak away from the group when you can say you're training for a marathon... haha... but the point of this vacation was to spend as much time meeting my soon to be new family, spending time with my siblings, and bonding. Right now, I sort of regret not running one more day, but in the grand scheme of things, I will look back on this trip when I'm 50 with fond memories of the time I spent with people, and not remember that I didn't run. I guess, if I want to make sure to get another run in, it means setting the alarm to wake up before everyone else ;)
Monday, May 14, 2007
The 10-pound hamburger
Yesterday was a day of not-so-nutritional food. The healthiest thing I ate all day was the Fage yogurt/Grape Nuts/strawberries/honey concoction I had for breakfast. After that, it was a day of ballpark food at the Mets game (all worth it: Budweiser, a hot dog, nachos, and Carvel ice cream in a little plastic hat!), bloody Marys enjoyed on the balcony to soak in the last of the sun, and a delicious burger cooked medium-rare with blue cheese and caramelized onions.
I do believe the baseball goodies deposited themselves in my left leg, and the burger in my right leg, because on this morning's run, each leg felt about 10 pounds heavier than normal. They weren't sore, just heavy. I got plenty of sleep, so I think the low-fuel potential of yesterday's food was to blame (and perhaps a touch of dehydration). It's amazing how much my body can sometimes react to what I put in it! I had to turn a 5.5-mile run into a slooooow 4-miler. I mean, don't get me wrong, the food was worth it, but it made me appreciate how cognizant I truly have to be about the day before a run to truly feel my best during a run! A slow 4-miler isn't the end of the world (or a training program), but if this was a scheduled speed workout or longer run, I would have been in T-rouble!
I do believe the baseball goodies deposited themselves in my left leg, and the burger in my right leg, because on this morning's run, each leg felt about 10 pounds heavier than normal. They weren't sore, just heavy. I got plenty of sleep, so I think the low-fuel potential of yesterday's food was to blame (and perhaps a touch of dehydration). It's amazing how much my body can sometimes react to what I put in it! I had to turn a 5.5-mile run into a slooooow 4-miler. I mean, don't get me wrong, the food was worth it, but it made me appreciate how cognizant I truly have to be about the day before a run to truly feel my best during a run! A slow 4-miler isn't the end of the world (or a training program), but if this was a scheduled speed workout or longer run, I would have been in T-rouble!
Friday, May 11, 2007
Establishing a Routine
I suppose if I'm going to keep up with this blog during training, it's best for me to start posting every day NOW, then it will seem like old habit in a few weeks when training starts! So, even though this isn't technically training yet, I'll post this week's workouts!
M 5/7, 9:45 Reservoir Run - 5.5 miles in 47:15.
Nice way to start the week! Ran at a comfy pace, with BF.
5:30 Training session at gym - legs today
Felt a slight pang in my right knee at the end, while doing squats. Stopped immediately, stretched, felt fine after the session.
T 5/8, 18:30 Tempo Run - 6.4 miles total in 52:26 (included 4 miles in 32:00)
Don't have exact mile splits to know how evenly I hit the splits. Felt pretty good - hard but comfy. No knee pain!
W 5/9, 9:30 Reservoir Run - 5.5 miles in 48:01
Wanted a nice, easy recovery run after last night's tempo run. Was proud of myself for not letting BF push the pace too much, as he was feeling fast.
Th 5/10, 16:55 Training session at gym - plyometrics and obstacle course.
Also ran to/from the gym, for another 1.5 miles onto the week. Session was interesting, lots of different exercises to keep me distracted!
F 5/11 Rest day. (unless you count our softball game that may or may not get rained out later) Already at 19 miles, so don't want to push myself too high, considering last week's mileage was 25.
S 5/12, 09:30 10 miles in Central Park in 1:27:43
Perfect day for running - sunny and 67*
S 5/13 Will be a rest day.
Total mileage: 28.9
M 5/7, 9:45 Reservoir Run - 5.5 miles in 47:15.
Nice way to start the week! Ran at a comfy pace, with BF.
5:30 Training session at gym - legs today
Felt a slight pang in my right knee at the end, while doing squats. Stopped immediately, stretched, felt fine after the session.
T 5/8, 18:30 Tempo Run - 6.4 miles total in 52:26 (included 4 miles in 32:00)
Don't have exact mile splits to know how evenly I hit the splits. Felt pretty good - hard but comfy. No knee pain!
W 5/9, 9:30 Reservoir Run - 5.5 miles in 48:01
Wanted a nice, easy recovery run after last night's tempo run. Was proud of myself for not letting BF push the pace too much, as he was feeling fast.
Th 5/10, 16:55 Training session at gym - plyometrics and obstacle course.
Also ran to/from the gym, for another 1.5 miles onto the week. Session was interesting, lots of different exercises to keep me distracted!
F 5/11 Rest day. (unless you count our softball game that may or may not get rained out later) Already at 19 miles, so don't want to push myself too high, considering last week's mileage was 25.
S 5/12, 09:30 10 miles in Central Park in 1:27:43
Perfect day for running - sunny and 67*
S 5/13 Will be a rest day.
Total mileage: 28.9
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Here I go!
I am blatently stealing a friend's idea (thanks Cat!) to keep a blog while I train for my 3rd marathon.
This year, instead of running the NYC marathon, I will be heading back to my MN roots, and running the Twin Cities Medtronic Marathon on October 7.
My training officially kicks off June 4. Between now and then I'm just concentrating on maintaining my 25-ish mile per week base. I can say I feel more confident in my running now than I did before my previous two marathons!
My previous times were 4:24 for my first in 2005, and 3:58 last year. I do have that elusive BQ on my mind, so I want to train with that as my most ambitious goal (I need to hit 3:40). I'm planning on following Hal Higdon's Advanced-I training plan. I'm not worried about the total mileage, since my base is strong right now, but will admit the intensity is a little daunting. I chose this plan over the Intermediate plans because of the incorporation of speed workouts. My back-up plan, if my body tells me this one is too excruciating, will be to adapt the Intermediate plan a bit to include some speedwork.
So my plan is to log my workouts, both in advance and report on how they went. It will be completely run-centric (well, perhaps a bit of nutrition, strength training, and the woes of juggling school, running, and a social life thrown in there ;) ) in hopes of getting myself in the mindset to train the best I can!
This year, instead of running the NYC marathon, I will be heading back to my MN roots, and running the Twin Cities Medtronic Marathon on October 7.
My training officially kicks off June 4. Between now and then I'm just concentrating on maintaining my 25-ish mile per week base. I can say I feel more confident in my running now than I did before my previous two marathons!
My previous times were 4:24 for my first in 2005, and 3:58 last year. I do have that elusive BQ on my mind, so I want to train with that as my most ambitious goal (I need to hit 3:40). I'm planning on following Hal Higdon's Advanced-I training plan. I'm not worried about the total mileage, since my base is strong right now, but will admit the intensity is a little daunting. I chose this plan over the Intermediate plans because of the incorporation of speed workouts. My back-up plan, if my body tells me this one is too excruciating, will be to adapt the Intermediate plan a bit to include some speedwork.
So my plan is to log my workouts, both in advance and report on how they went. It will be completely run-centric (well, perhaps a bit of nutrition, strength training, and the woes of juggling school, running, and a social life thrown in there ;) ) in hopes of getting myself in the mindset to train the best I can!
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