Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Redemption

  Feeling SOOOO much better after today's run!!!  I still kept it short, only 3.27 miles, but I finished uploading the Garmin with an entirely different attitude.  Today my overall average pace was 8:29, as opposed to yesterday's 9:30.  Woo HOo, 1 minute per mile faster.  I think yesterday the shock of getting back on the road scared me.  I didn't remember what it was like to have to hold my own pace rather than relying on the whirling belt of the treadmill.  I was proud of myself for jumping right back in to another outside run today rather than literally running from it.  I actually couldn't wait, I knew I had something to prove.  Now all that being said, I am still intimidated by the 10K coming up.  Haven't decided for sure if I will change the registration to 5K, or suck it up.  A few more test runs of longer distances will tell this coming week, but one thing is for sure.  This girl is BACK!!!

Did you continue your winter training outside in the cold, or were you a treadmill runner?

Did/Do you have a hard time getting back on the road?

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Conclussion

  So, I finally got outside today.  I have mentioned before that I am a complete cold weather wimp.  I have not run outside since Christmas Day, and that was only because I got some new cold weather gear.  Today was a balmy 36 degrees with almost no wind, so it felt really nice.  I slipped in to the Under Armour cold geat and a light jacket, running pants and my Kayano's and I was off.  My shins hurt a little right off the bat, leaving me wondering what this run might bring.  I left with intentions of running 5-6 miles, and let's just say those intentions quickly changed.  I have really been having some issues rebounding from my long runs.  My shins seem to be sore and my calves tight for 2-3 days after.  UGH!!  I can't take that many days recovery you darn 40 yr. old body!!!  Throughout the winter I have obviously done all of my training on a treadmill, and unlike most, I love a good treadmill run.  I have increased my 5K time to around 8:00 mi. pace and can easily run 10K in 9:00 pace (or less).  Well, let's just say that confidence did NOT translate to the road.  Maybe it was just a bad run, or maybe it was my sore shins, but I struggled to keep the pace under 9:30.  YIKES!!  I ended up running 3.28 miles at a 9:29 pace.  I decided that should be enough for day one on the road.  I had better slowly venture back to avoid worse shin splints than I already have.  Isn't it said that after you're on a boat you need to find your "land legs"?  Well, I definately need to find my "road legs".  Seriously, it felt like I had never gone fast before in my life. 
  I have filled out the paperwork for a very fast approaching 10K, but I may have to consider switching to the 5K.  We'll see what happens in the next week.  I am confident that I will get my groove back, it may just take longer than I had anticipated.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

10 is the magic number

  Isn't that from the Electric Company, or Sesame Street.  Ahh well anyway, it had a ring to it.   I got my long run in today on the treadmill.  I am just not up to dealing with the freezing cold and wind yet, or ever for that matter.  I grabbed a GU to try and headed to the gym to pop off the big 10.  I have had a few issues with long runs.  I usually get them done, but they're not my favorite.  I like runs that build my confidence and keeping me wanting more.  Long runs do neither of those things for me.  When I'm doing speed work I feel FAST... (relative term of course),  I race for PR's on the treadmill (LOL, I know) and feel so accomplished as I see my time improving.  Tempo runs teach me that I can sustain a respectable pace for an extended amount of time.  Long runs...I got nothin'.  I am "supposed" to run my long runs at a 10:00 (or slower) pace, which I get no gratification out of.  Today I decided I needed something to mix it up.  I decided for the first 7 miles I would run at a steady 10:00 pace, but alternate hill workouts.  It worked!  It kept my mind off the slow pace and on the fact that I was doing my leg strengthening a big favor.  My ipod died at about mile 5, so I was forced to finish the last half without music.  I have Never run without music, so this was a new experience.  Kinda liberating I must say.  The last 3 miles I ran at 1/2 marathon pace (9:05).  It did give me some confidence to know I could finish strong at pace.  Hopefully I have unlocked a secret to not only getting through the long runs, but feeling good about it.
   Oh, and about the GU.  Kudos to those of you who can tolerate them.  I tried one after 1 hour on the treadmill (even though I knew I really didn't NEED one),  I must say, I kinda gagged and threw up in my mouth.  YUCK!!  I will stick with the sport jelly beans until I find something else.  Any advice on what I might try next?

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Get over it

  So, there is a race looming in the distance.  No, not the BIG 1/2 marathon I've spoke of, but a small town Earth Day 10K and 5K.  No big deal right...well, I've got a decision to make.  Am I gonna do the "oh, I'm so comfortable and confident" 5K, or the "break out of my comfort zone and suck it up" 10K.  I have trained plenty for the 10K, in fact, I'm in the middle of 1/2 training, so the distance isn't an issue, just the fear.  I feel like in a 10K I have to run fast the entire time to finish in a respectable time.  (fast being a relative term of course)  I can just buck up for 3.1 miles, but 6...UGH!!  I'd like to finish in less than 54 minutes and I am so competitive that failing is hardly an option.
  So...last night I did a test run.  I ran 6.2 miles in 54:30.  That brought me in at something like an 8:47 pace, which I would be happy with.  The real problem is that I am so confident on the TM and I panic on the roads.  Weird huh??  Everyone I know hates the TM and loves the road.  I'm this weirdo strange runner who started on the treadmill and I've gained so much speed and confidence on it that I get scared when I'm forced to step out of the box. 
  Alrighty, so here it is....I am gonna get it out in print, which means I have to do it, right.  I am gonna do the 10K.  There, I typed it..now it will become reality.  Now let the positive self talk begin...I can do this..I CAN DO THIS!!!I CAN DO THIS!!

Friday, March 18, 2011

Doing the best I can

  I am just finishing up my second week of uninterrupted 1/2 marathon training.  I say uninterrupted because the first few weeks were hampered with chest colds and shin splints.  It has felt good to get in some quality workouts and feel my speed increase.  As I progress, I am really loving the speed and even tempo workouts that build my confidence and tell my brain that "I can", indeed pull of these once believed superhuman feats.  I have been improving my 5K time to just over 8:00 pace and have recently run 6 miles all under 8:50 pace.  These runs all took place on the treadmill, so hopefully they translate to good times on the pavement soon.
  I'd be lying if I said eveything was all rosy.  I seem to be hopping from one injury or ailment to the next.  Right now I spend my days icing my right knee that is swollen and sore.  I can run through it, but not sure that is the "right" thing to be doing.  I am motivated by the fact that I need to see my miles increase for the May 1st marathon I am planning for, yet I don't want to do anymore damage.  It also seems that mid week (after 2-3 hard runs) my shin splints start reappearing.  While I can deal with the knee pain, the shin splints are an entirely different story.  The pain of running on them is sometimes unbearable.
  The temps this weekend are supposed to be in the high 40's, so I'm hoping for my first long run outdoors.  I have become a winter wimp and have done nearly all (okay, all) of my training on the treadmill.   I know that I need to get these legs ready for outdoors and the changing conditions that brings. 
  So, here's hoping for some great weather and miraculous recoveries.  Have a great weekend everyone, and RUN ON!!

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Back in the saddle

  So, I am back on track and it feels great!!  I vowed to get back to the plan on Monday, after having a terrible chest cold that wouldn't let go.  Monday I ran 3 miles in the morning at the rec center and then ran out of time due to the 30 min. max.  The treadmills got full, so I did the only decent thing and got off after my 30 minutes.  I decided to go back in the evening to finish the final 2-3 miles and had the BEST run I have had in a while.  I have a goal of doing a 5K at an 8:00 pace at some point this summer.  Monday I sights on completing 2 miles at 8:00 pace to see where I was at.  After 2 miles I felt great and decided to go for it.  I finished the 3 miles and even had some energy for a kick at the end.  Woo Whooo!!  It felt great!!  I have a really great relationship with the treadmill, and typically I can run faster times on the treadmill (I've been told that is rare) so, I'm hoping I can duplicate that pace on the road. 
  Tuesday I took a rest day and did some core work on the stability ball and Wednesday morning I ran 5 miles at an easy pace.  Tonight (thurs) I am heading out for a pizza with some girl friends, so I'm not sure if I will get the run in tonight or not, but the rest of the week I have runs scheduled, along with volleyball on Sunday. 
   What I need to do now is actually press the REGISTER button for my first 1/2.  I keep saying I"m doing one on May 1st, but haven't actually registered.  Need to do it before I become a big chicken and back out.  Here's hoping I stay healthy and motivated.

Do you have lots of races on your 2011 schedule?  When?  Where?

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Completely Craptastic

  Okay, so I am forwarning you that this post will be filled with more negativity than you might need to hear.  If you are an "only fill my mind with fluffy positive thoughts" kinda creature, then you may want to skip it.  Weird thing is...I am usually one of those people who doesn't care to hear it, yet I also find the need to just get it out sometimes.
  Here's the thing, I am feeling completely craptastic the last few weeks.  I pretty much had one good week of 1/2 marathon training and it's been all down hill from there.  I started by running a few too many miles in my Kinvaras (Can you say SHIN SPLINTS??) , For the next entire week I iced, wore my compression socks to bed and used the marathon stick daily.  by the following week I was able to get in a semi long run and they've felt good since then but... since then I have had a terrible chest cold on and off.  I was miserable for 3 or 4 days and then it seemed to clear up for a day or two, now it is back, rearing it's evil head again.  I am coughing so hard at night I nearly need an adult diaper to stop from wetting myself.  Seriously, after you've had 5 kids, much of the control is out of your hands.  I start to feel better mid day, but by the time I can get out for a run, I'm exhausted and congested again.  Ugh!!  I'm trying to be positive...atleast my legs will certainly be fresh after this.
  I guess the bright side is that it is very early in training and I will be able to rebound, but it is frustrating nonetheless. 
  Okay, so there's my pity party.  I'm feeling much better now!!  Have a GREAT day!!