I've been really busy at work and have been feeling pretty tired and stressed when I'm not at work so the blogging has kind of fallen by the wayside. I haven't even felt like running and when I am running, it's been just a mental struggle to get through each mile.
Since I have been doing this for 90 days now (WOW!!!), I have started to notice a pattern. The week before I get my little monthly visitor, I am exhausted and not really in the mood to do much of anything, let alone run. I also get insomnia, which confounds the exhaustion problem.
I did a little bit of googling and found out that this is completely normal:
"The hardest time for women to run fast is about a week before
menstruation begins (a week after ovulation). That’s when levels of the
key hormone progesterone peak, inducing a much-higher-than-normal
breathing rate during exercise. The excess ventilation tends to make
running feel more difficult." (Source)
So... since I should be expecting my period at the end of this week, I have just decided to "go with the flow" (you like that little pun there... lol) with what my body is feeling. I'm not going to punish myself with the extra miles that I'm scheduled to run but go the distance that my body "feels" like running that day until the cycle starts all over again.
Struggling to run miles that my body just doesn't want to run, simply because it's written down on a sheet of paper is so demoralizing and plain old, NOT FUN.
Running is supposed to be fun.
I'll be back later with a recap of the last few days' run stats. But for now, enjoy this little blog post about "How to Run with the Flow of Your Menstrual Cycle." She says it all so much better than I can!
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Days 79-84 (Feb 14-19): 29.29 miles
I got a little behind again since I stopped using the blogger app on my phone. When you add pictures in the app, the picture quality goes way down so I prefer to do it when I get to work. It's been a little bit busier here with it being tax season at all and it's been KILLING me not to update here as often as I had been. I've been toying around with the idea of just doing one weekly run post update and then filling in other days with other stuff that's running related like I see other bloggers doing. I have one post started with just new gear I've purchased this month that will go up at the end of February. I also have some review posts started.
Do you guys have a preference? Do you prefer a daily run update or multiple days in one post? No preference? For me, as a blog reader, it kind of depends on the author.
Day 79 (Friday, Feb 14):
6.0 miles. 1:02:44. 10:27 pace.
I honestly don't recall anything about this run. That's how utterly uneventful it was.
Day 80 (Saturday, Feb 15):
1.0 mile. 9:12 pace.
The day started off with this lovely work of art:
We were meeting Karl's parents in the parking lot of a grocery store that seriously has the best donuts for like a 500 mile radius. They were sold out of the one that I wanted (a cookies and cream long john filled with buttercream frosting) so I settled on this dog bone filled with whipped frosting. Amazing.
We shopped around a bit and found a treadmill at Sears that is pretty much just a step down from the one that I have picked out online. So, we got to see the size of it and stand on it (no running though... they took all of the safety keys) and Karl was completely sold on it. So... looks like I'll be ordering a new treadmill here shortly!
We hit up Olive Garden and I ordered the Tour of Italy. It comes with lasagna, fettucine alfredo, and chicken parmigiana. I pretty much got it because I couldn't decide between my regular (alfredo) and lasagna. I was disappointed in all but the lasagna. I didn't get enough alfredo on my fettucine and the parmesan crust on the chicken was a just ... eh... but the lasagna was delish!!!
We got home and just watched Olympics for a few hours and I finally dragged myself off of the couch to go run one mile, even though I was scheduled to run 5. I just wasn't in the mood.
Day 81 (Sunday, Feb 16):
10.0 miles. 1:46:00. 10:36 pace.
This run was so fantastically awesome. I watched an episode of Sherlock in my darkened basement in the middle of the day. I was really thirsty during the beginning of the run (my water drinking the day before was severely lacking) and then I started to get cold towards the end. My hands felt like icicles. Instead of gummy bears and gatorade I had two GUs and a bottle of orange flavored GU Brew (plus 2 20z bottles of water). I definitely could have run longer.
I came upstairs and Karl had stopped at that grocery store again while picking up the kiddos and they had some of the cookies and cream donuts this time!
I had the biggest sugar high. I could literally feel the sugar pump through my blood stream. Mercedes, of course, wanted me to share. How can I say "no" to that little bird!?
Later in the evening I heated up my Olive Garden leftovers. I think I got 3 bites. Mercedes stole the plate and then literally licked it clean.
Girl sure likes her Italian! She's lucky she's so cute with all of the food stealing she's been doing!!
Day 82 (Monday, Feb 17):
5.0 miles. 53:28. 10:42 pace.
I was scheduled to do 7 miles today and I totally could have, it's just the guilty mommy brain wanted to run shorter today so I could spend a little bit more time with my babies. Of course, they could have cared less. Callie was too busy playing Flappy Bird and Max was showing Taylor how awesome he is playing Minecraft. Mercedes had a princess nightgown and some play jewelry on and asked me when I came upstairs, "Want to dance with me in the living room?" At least 1 kid out of 4 wants to hang out with me!
Day 83 (Tuesday, Feb 18):
6.0 miles. 57:16. 9:33 pace.
I was supposed to do intervals today. I DID start them. I started to do 6x800s. After about 2 though, I just decided to turn it into a tempo run and change the speed up and down as I see fit like I used to do at the beginning of the streak. It was a lot more enjoyable this way. In fact, I could have run another mile or two and not have been completely wrecked afterwards. In essence.... I did a fartlek run today. And yes... I needed to type that because fartlek is the coolest word ever.
Day 84 (Wednesday, Feb 19):
1.29 miles. 12:48. 9:54 pace.
As soon as I got home from work I headed out the door to run outside. The last two days the temp had been in the mid to high 30s and we're expecting to get a snowstorm later this week before plunging back down below zero again next week. Since I hadn't run outside in awhile it took a little bit before my watch connected to satellite (plus it was cloudy) so I bet my total distance is about 1.5 miles. It was amazing. I mean... I really don't mind the treadmill... but spring can just hurry itself right up.
When I got home I was looking at the stats on my watch and I see that my VO2 max had been changed and thus my race predictor times have been updated. I was flabbergasted. For one thing... my first set of times seemed out of reach to me but I just saw it as a long term goal and thought, "maybe in a year I can come close to those times..." But now!? Jeez... How am I supposed to reach these times that Garmin predicts for me if as I get fitter, the bar is raised even higher!?
I guess we'll see come race day next month how much more work I have to do, huh? My time goal for the race changes depending on the day. Some days I just want to beat my last time of 2:12:13, and other times I'm shooting for sub- 2:05, and sometimes I think that I can even do sub-2:00. I'm so freaking excited for this race... I wish it was this weekend!
Well... no I don't... there'd be about a foot of snow on the roads... but you know what I mean!!!
Do you guys have a preference? Do you prefer a daily run update or multiple days in one post? No preference? For me, as a blog reader, it kind of depends on the author.
Day 79 (Friday, Feb 14):
6.0 miles. 1:02:44. 10:27 pace.
I honestly don't recall anything about this run. That's how utterly uneventful it was.
Day 80 (Saturday, Feb 15):
1.0 mile. 9:12 pace.
The day started off with this lovely work of art:
We were meeting Karl's parents in the parking lot of a grocery store that seriously has the best donuts for like a 500 mile radius. They were sold out of the one that I wanted (a cookies and cream long john filled with buttercream frosting) so I settled on this dog bone filled with whipped frosting. Amazing.
We shopped around a bit and found a treadmill at Sears that is pretty much just a step down from the one that I have picked out online. So, we got to see the size of it and stand on it (no running though... they took all of the safety keys) and Karl was completely sold on it. So... looks like I'll be ordering a new treadmill here shortly!
We hit up Olive Garden and I ordered the Tour of Italy. It comes with lasagna, fettucine alfredo, and chicken parmigiana. I pretty much got it because I couldn't decide between my regular (alfredo) and lasagna. I was disappointed in all but the lasagna. I didn't get enough alfredo on my fettucine and the parmesan crust on the chicken was a just ... eh... but the lasagna was delish!!!
We got home and just watched Olympics for a few hours and I finally dragged myself off of the couch to go run one mile, even though I was scheduled to run 5. I just wasn't in the mood.
Day 81 (Sunday, Feb 16):
10.0 miles. 1:46:00. 10:36 pace.
This run was so fantastically awesome. I watched an episode of Sherlock in my darkened basement in the middle of the day. I was really thirsty during the beginning of the run (my water drinking the day before was severely lacking) and then I started to get cold towards the end. My hands felt like icicles. Instead of gummy bears and gatorade I had two GUs and a bottle of orange flavored GU Brew (plus 2 20z bottles of water). I definitely could have run longer.
I came upstairs and Karl had stopped at that grocery store again while picking up the kiddos and they had some of the cookies and cream donuts this time!
I had the biggest sugar high. I could literally feel the sugar pump through my blood stream. Mercedes, of course, wanted me to share. How can I say "no" to that little bird!?
Later in the evening I heated up my Olive Garden leftovers. I think I got 3 bites. Mercedes stole the plate and then literally licked it clean.
Girl sure likes her Italian! She's lucky she's so cute with all of the food stealing she's been doing!!
Day 82 (Monday, Feb 17):
5.0 miles. 53:28. 10:42 pace.
I was scheduled to do 7 miles today and I totally could have, it's just the guilty mommy brain wanted to run shorter today so I could spend a little bit more time with my babies. Of course, they could have cared less. Callie was too busy playing Flappy Bird and Max was showing Taylor how awesome he is playing Minecraft. Mercedes had a princess nightgown and some play jewelry on and asked me when I came upstairs, "Want to dance with me in the living room?" At least 1 kid out of 4 wants to hang out with me!
Day 83 (Tuesday, Feb 18):
6.0 miles. 57:16. 9:33 pace.
I was supposed to do intervals today. I DID start them. I started to do 6x800s. After about 2 though, I just decided to turn it into a tempo run and change the speed up and down as I see fit like I used to do at the beginning of the streak. It was a lot more enjoyable this way. In fact, I could have run another mile or two and not have been completely wrecked afterwards. In essence.... I did a fartlek run today. And yes... I needed to type that because fartlek is the coolest word ever.
Day 84 (Wednesday, Feb 19):
1.29 miles. 12:48. 9:54 pace.
As soon as I got home from work I headed out the door to run outside. The last two days the temp had been in the mid to high 30s and we're expecting to get a snowstorm later this week before plunging back down below zero again next week. Since I hadn't run outside in awhile it took a little bit before my watch connected to satellite (plus it was cloudy) so I bet my total distance is about 1.5 miles. It was amazing. I mean... I really don't mind the treadmill... but spring can just hurry itself right up.
When I got home I was looking at the stats on my watch and I see that my VO2 max had been changed and thus my race predictor times have been updated. I was flabbergasted. For one thing... my first set of times seemed out of reach to me but I just saw it as a long term goal and thought, "maybe in a year I can come close to those times..." But now!? Jeez... How am I supposed to reach these times that Garmin predicts for me if as I get fitter, the bar is raised even higher!?
 |
I guess we'll see come race day next month how much more work I have to do, huh? My time goal for the race changes depending on the day. Some days I just want to beat my last time of 2:12:13, and other times I'm shooting for sub- 2:05, and sometimes I think that I can even do sub-2:00. I'm so freaking excited for this race... I wish it was this weekend!
Well... no I don't... there'd be about a foot of snow on the roads... but you know what I mean!!!
Friday, February 14, 2014
Day 78 (Feb 13): 4.25 miles
4.25 miles. 44:43. 10:31 pace.
Here's what happened. I had EVERY intention of running at LEAST 6 miles today. My ghetto treadmill had other ideas for me.
Karl had started mentioning that sometimes he feels like his foot sticks to the deck. The belt isn't slipping or anything (we fixed that issue) but he couldn't really explain what it felt like or what could possibly be happening.
Well... I TOTALLY KNOW WHAT HE'S BEEN TALKING ABOUT NOW.
It's the weirdest thing. It's kinda like the bottom of the shoe and the belt are melting together or something. I can't explain it. I doubt they were really melding together but it was such an ANNOYING feeling, I just knew I wasn't going to make complete my scheduled run. I started noticing it at mile 4.10 and it just got so much worse, so quickly I BARELY made it to mile 4.25. Like literally... barely. I was holding onto the hand rails and everything.
Super annoyed. I had literally JUST found my groove too. It takes me sometimes 3.5 miles to fully warm up to the point where I'm not feeling like I'm going to drown in my own sweat or that my legs are going to fall off. Is anyone else that way..??? Like you're super hot and wishing you had about 50 more fans on you until a certain point and then you're body's all like, "oh... ok... just kidding... I thought we were running Badwater..." and then you're all of a sudden not hot anymore? If I'm running really long towards the end of the run I start feeling chilly... but I'm pretty sure that's a hydration issue haha. And this phenomenon is most noticeable on the treadmill where the temp and everything is consistent. Maybe I'm just a freaking weirdo... :)
So anyway... this ghetto treadmill of ours is dying. Like, it's gotten its affairs in order and is transitioning into hospice care.
I've been researching treadmills all week. I have literally spent HOURS doing this during the slow times at work.
In my research I found out that the treadmill that we purchased on sale for $400 is technically not meant to be run on. It's pretty much designed for little old ladies to walk on. It is not built for serious running to be done on it. It is also not built for really tall dudes over 250 pounds to run on. So... needless to say, Karl and I have literally run this thing into the ground. The belt floats above the deck probably a half inch. The suspension is shot and the motor gets tired and slows for a few seconds at a time if it's been running for awhile.
What's funny is that I think that I'm harder on the treadmill than Karl is. Obviously I put more miles on it than he does but he's double my weight and yet I feel like my footsteps are WAY louder than his.
My mom has the same treadmill as we do. I used it last Sunday to run my 10 miles, remember? Well, when I started... the belt was flat on the deck. When I finished, the belt was floating above the deck maybe a quarter inch. I'm not sure if as the belt heats up it tightens itself and that causes it or if the suspension is just terrible on these cheapo machines. I don't weigh a whole lot and I take quick little steps (my cadence is usually about 180 but it ranges from 175-200 according to my fancy Garmin watch. See... I knew those stats would come in handy someday) so my size and form should have nothing to do with the crappiness of this treadmill. ugh.
We have decided on an upgrade. Well... I have decided on an upgrade. Karl didn't say no yet like he did to the Boston Marathon one. (He seriously has to be the ONLY RUNNER ALIVE that doesn't think that the speed ring thingee is cool).
On Saturday we're going to go and shop around for treadmills at Sears, 2nd Wind, and Dick's. If nothing catches our eye there then you can bet your britches I'll be ordering the one I picked out. The website says it'll take up to 2 weeks to arrive. Little Ghetto Horizon... you BETTER LIVE THAT LONG!!!!!
I'm not going to say which one I've picked out until it's ordered just in case I either find something on Saturday or I change my mind. I'm a woman. That happens.
My appetite started to come back today (well... technically yesterday since today is actually Feb 14). Guess what I had for lunch?
I forget that Hardee's puts mayo on their burgers... so it was only ok. The onion rings were fantastic and I love the fact that they have fountain cherry coke.
In case you haven't figured it out yet I am not a "clean" eater. My idea of clean eating is washing your hands first. I love processed garbage. It makes me feel like poo sometimes but it is oh so tasty.
Happy Valentine's Day! I'll be spending my evening on the ghetto treadmill while Karl takes care of the sugared up kids. Tomorrow (Saturday) we are going to go shopping like I mentioned and are going to hit up Olive Garden. So excited. And we're going to be KIDLESS!!!! Adult conversation!? Breadsticks!? Shopping!?
It's going to be amazing....
Here's what happened. I had EVERY intention of running at LEAST 6 miles today. My ghetto treadmill had other ideas for me.
Karl had started mentioning that sometimes he feels like his foot sticks to the deck. The belt isn't slipping or anything (we fixed that issue) but he couldn't really explain what it felt like or what could possibly be happening.
Well... I TOTALLY KNOW WHAT HE'S BEEN TALKING ABOUT NOW.
It's the weirdest thing. It's kinda like the bottom of the shoe and the belt are melting together or something. I can't explain it. I doubt they were really melding together but it was such an ANNOYING feeling, I just knew I wasn't going to make complete my scheduled run. I started noticing it at mile 4.10 and it just got so much worse, so quickly I BARELY made it to mile 4.25. Like literally... barely. I was holding onto the hand rails and everything.
Super annoyed. I had literally JUST found my groove too. It takes me sometimes 3.5 miles to fully warm up to the point where I'm not feeling like I'm going to drown in my own sweat or that my legs are going to fall off. Is anyone else that way..??? Like you're super hot and wishing you had about 50 more fans on you until a certain point and then you're body's all like, "oh... ok... just kidding... I thought we were running Badwater..." and then you're all of a sudden not hot anymore? If I'm running really long towards the end of the run I start feeling chilly... but I'm pretty sure that's a hydration issue haha. And this phenomenon is most noticeable on the treadmill where the temp and everything is consistent. Maybe I'm just a freaking weirdo... :)
So anyway... this ghetto treadmill of ours is dying. Like, it's gotten its affairs in order and is transitioning into hospice care.
I've been researching treadmills all week. I have literally spent HOURS doing this during the slow times at work.
In my research I found out that the treadmill that we purchased on sale for $400 is technically not meant to be run on. It's pretty much designed for little old ladies to walk on. It is not built for serious running to be done on it. It is also not built for really tall dudes over 250 pounds to run on. So... needless to say, Karl and I have literally run this thing into the ground. The belt floats above the deck probably a half inch. The suspension is shot and the motor gets tired and slows for a few seconds at a time if it's been running for awhile.
What's funny is that I think that I'm harder on the treadmill than Karl is. Obviously I put more miles on it than he does but he's double my weight and yet I feel like my footsteps are WAY louder than his.
My mom has the same treadmill as we do. I used it last Sunday to run my 10 miles, remember? Well, when I started... the belt was flat on the deck. When I finished, the belt was floating above the deck maybe a quarter inch. I'm not sure if as the belt heats up it tightens itself and that causes it or if the suspension is just terrible on these cheapo machines. I don't weigh a whole lot and I take quick little steps (my cadence is usually about 180 but it ranges from 175-200 according to my fancy Garmin watch. See... I knew those stats would come in handy someday) so my size and form should have nothing to do with the crappiness of this treadmill. ugh.
We have decided on an upgrade. Well... I have decided on an upgrade. Karl didn't say no yet like he did to the Boston Marathon one. (He seriously has to be the ONLY RUNNER ALIVE that doesn't think that the speed ring thingee is cool).
On Saturday we're going to go and shop around for treadmills at Sears, 2nd Wind, and Dick's. If nothing catches our eye there then you can bet your britches I'll be ordering the one I picked out. The website says it'll take up to 2 weeks to arrive. Little Ghetto Horizon... you BETTER LIVE THAT LONG!!!!!
I'm not going to say which one I've picked out until it's ordered just in case I either find something on Saturday or I change my mind. I'm a woman. That happens.
My appetite started to come back today (well... technically yesterday since today is actually Feb 14). Guess what I had for lunch?
 | |
| Hardee's bacon cheeseburger, for the win! |
I forget that Hardee's puts mayo on their burgers... so it was only ok. The onion rings were fantastic and I love the fact that they have fountain cherry coke.
In case you haven't figured it out yet I am not a "clean" eater. My idea of clean eating is washing your hands first. I love processed garbage. It makes me feel like poo sometimes but it is oh so tasty.
Happy Valentine's Day! I'll be spending my evening on the ghetto treadmill while Karl takes care of the sugared up kids. Tomorrow (Saturday) we are going to go shopping like I mentioned and are going to hit up Olive Garden. So excited. And we're going to be KIDLESS!!!! Adult conversation!? Breadsticks!? Shopping!?
It's going to be amazing....
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Days 73-77 (Feb 8-12): 26.05 miles
Bad blogger, I am. I'm so far behind on posts and it was starting to overwhelm me so I just decided to do it this way.
Day 73 (Saturday, Feb 8):
6.05 miles. 1:02:59. 10:25 pace.
I um... slightly underdressed for this run. I did it outside, but it was still pretty windy. I wore a pair of Under Armour ColdGear tights and my thighs were pretty numb by the time I got home. I also wore only a lululemon long sleeved swiftly on my arms. I had a tank underneath and a fleece vest over. Brr. I did it though!
Day 74 (Sunday, Feb 9):
10.0 miles. 1:47:00. 10:42 pace.
I had to do this run in chunks. I decided to go to my mom's and use her treadmill since she was out of town and wanted me to check on her doggie. She has steam heat at her house and whatever it is called that makes her house warm is right next to her treadmill in the basement. After running in subszero temps the day before, I definitely felt like I was running in the seventh circle of hell. After 3 miles I went outside (where there was something like a -17 wind chill) to cool off before going back for more. After another 3 miles I did it again. The last 4 miles were pure torture to finish. I had forgotten my gummis at home and so the only "fuel" I had was a single bottle of Gatorade. I hadn't eaten anything in over 6 hours. I gutted it out though. So happy to have finished. The first double digit run since last June!!!!!
Day 75 (Monday, Feb 10):
5.0 miles. 53:48. 10:46 pace.
I didn't realize how tired and dead feeling my legs were until about 2 miles into the run. My stubborn self willed me to finish and then I collapsed onto the couch face first mumbling something along the lines of "fuck you Hanson brothers and fuck your cumulative fatigue"
Day 76 (Tuesday, Feb 11):
1.0 mile. 10:47 pace.
I ended up having to switch my speed day with my rest day. It was my turn to help out in the concession stand at the varsity girls basketball game tonight. I didn't get this run in until about 9:45pm. If it wasn't for the streak and my stubbornness, I would have just gone to bed.
Day 77 (Wednesday, Feb 12):
4.0 miles. 38:00. 9:30 pace.
I was supposed to do 5x1000m repeats tonight. I ended up doing 3x1000m repeats. During that 3rd interval my legs were on fire and my abs were starting to burn and I was in a hurry to try to get done so that Karl could use the treadmill (he had called it for the after work slot and I snuck down there before he got home to hopefully get my run done beforehand. I didn't want to be running until 8 or later if I'd waited for him to be done). So... I was really anxious and I REALLY didn't want to turn the speed down for the 4th and 5th intervals (I was running the intervals at 7mph, about an 8:34 pace or so) so after the 3rd interval recovery I set the treadmill to my tempo pace and finished the last 3/4 mile or so at that speed. So... even though I cut the run short by about a mile and a half, I'm still pleased with my time and effort. I guess my legs are still tired from the weekend.
What's up next:
Tonight: Supposed to be 6 mile tempo run. It's going to be an easy paced run. I guarantee you that.
Friday: 6 miles easy (which I might push the pace on so I get a tempo like run in for the week)
Saturday: 5 miles easy
Sunday: 10 miles easy
Monday: 7 miles easy
Tuesday: Supposed to be 4x1200m intervals but I'm going to redo the 5x1000 or the 6x800 depending on how I'm feeling.
Wednesday: 1 mile easy.
I'm still working on the Under Armour Armour Bra review. I'll give you a clue. I'm sending it back. I feel there is a serious design flaw with it which makes it not worthy of the $58 price tag. Stay tuned......
Day 73 (Saturday, Feb 8):
6.05 miles. 1:02:59. 10:25 pace.
I um... slightly underdressed for this run. I did it outside, but it was still pretty windy. I wore a pair of Under Armour ColdGear tights and my thighs were pretty numb by the time I got home. I also wore only a lululemon long sleeved swiftly on my arms. I had a tank underneath and a fleece vest over. Brr. I did it though!
Day 74 (Sunday, Feb 9):
10.0 miles. 1:47:00. 10:42 pace.
I had to do this run in chunks. I decided to go to my mom's and use her treadmill since she was out of town and wanted me to check on her doggie. She has steam heat at her house and whatever it is called that makes her house warm is right next to her treadmill in the basement. After running in subszero temps the day before, I definitely felt like I was running in the seventh circle of hell. After 3 miles I went outside (where there was something like a -17 wind chill) to cool off before going back for more. After another 3 miles I did it again. The last 4 miles were pure torture to finish. I had forgotten my gummis at home and so the only "fuel" I had was a single bottle of Gatorade. I hadn't eaten anything in over 6 hours. I gutted it out though. So happy to have finished. The first double digit run since last June!!!!!
Day 75 (Monday, Feb 10):
5.0 miles. 53:48. 10:46 pace.
I didn't realize how tired and dead feeling my legs were until about 2 miles into the run. My stubborn self willed me to finish and then I collapsed onto the couch face first mumbling something along the lines of "fuck you Hanson brothers and fuck your cumulative fatigue"
Day 76 (Tuesday, Feb 11):
1.0 mile. 10:47 pace.
I ended up having to switch my speed day with my rest day. It was my turn to help out in the concession stand at the varsity girls basketball game tonight. I didn't get this run in until about 9:45pm. If it wasn't for the streak and my stubbornness, I would have just gone to bed.
Day 77 (Wednesday, Feb 12):
4.0 miles. 38:00. 9:30 pace.
I was supposed to do 5x1000m repeats tonight. I ended up doing 3x1000m repeats. During that 3rd interval my legs were on fire and my abs were starting to burn and I was in a hurry to try to get done so that Karl could use the treadmill (he had called it for the after work slot and I snuck down there before he got home to hopefully get my run done beforehand. I didn't want to be running until 8 or later if I'd waited for him to be done). So... I was really anxious and I REALLY didn't want to turn the speed down for the 4th and 5th intervals (I was running the intervals at 7mph, about an 8:34 pace or so) so after the 3rd interval recovery I set the treadmill to my tempo pace and finished the last 3/4 mile or so at that speed. So... even though I cut the run short by about a mile and a half, I'm still pleased with my time and effort. I guess my legs are still tired from the weekend.
What's up next:
Tonight: Supposed to be 6 mile tempo run. It's going to be an easy paced run. I guarantee you that.
Friday: 6 miles easy (which I might push the pace on so I get a tempo like run in for the week)
Saturday: 5 miles easy
Sunday: 10 miles easy
Monday: 7 miles easy
Tuesday: Supposed to be 4x1200m intervals but I'm going to redo the 5x1000 or the 6x800 depending on how I'm feeling.
Wednesday: 1 mile easy.
I'm still working on the Under Armour Armour Bra review. I'll give you a clue. I'm sending it back. I feel there is a serious design flaw with it which makes it not worthy of the $58 price tag. Stay tuned......
Monday, February 10, 2014
Day 72 (2/7): 5.0 miles + Mini Bra Review
5.0 miles. 52:28. 10:30 pace.
Well, there's another chapter in the bra saga for you to enjoy. Tonight while I was waiting for a prescription to be filled at Walmart, I found myself looking at their sports bra selection. Since I had some time to kill, I kinda wanted to see how truly "high impact" their bras labeled such actually are. In the past, both Target's and Walmart's idea of high impact support has been kinda laughable to me. I grabbed a couple, including one labeled "extreme impact" and headed off to the dressing room.
The "extreme impact" one really truly surprised me. Enough that I bought it. Holy shiz right!?
Now, the smallest size they have, 34B is slightly too big for me in the band, but I felt it offered the same level of support as my 32C Moving Comfort Juno. I had to do roughly the same number of bra adjustments as the Juno, if not less. It feels really comfortable over the shoulders and back, and I feel like this could be an everyday bra as well.
Tonight I wanted to try this bra on it's own to see how it would fare. After a mile, I did end up tossing another cheapo bra over the top of it and that combo was perfect.
My only complaint about this bra (besides the lack of sizing variety) is the straps. In the back there are adjustable straps and they loosen too easily. This is probably why I had to toss another bra on after awhile. At the $13 price point, however, I have no problem sewing the straps so that the sliding adjuster is unable to move.
Since I plan on going back to Walmart and picking up the other 34B that they had in stock I feel like I can recommend this guy. If anyone else has tried this bra out or had any other Walmart/Target sports bras surprise them, let me know!
So anyway... back to the run. It was pretty uneventful. Just a basic, run of the mill 5 miler. Afterwards I came upstairs and watched the Olympic Opening Ceremonies with Karl and Mercedes (Max was in his room and Callie and Taylor were at a basketball game). Mercedes didn't last long. My little sleepy snuggle muffin kept me warm and I loved it.
I was really impressed with the opening ceremonies. Granted, I've never watched either an opening or closing ceremony before but wow, the projections on the floor of the arena were amazing!!!
Well, there's another chapter in the bra saga for you to enjoy. Tonight while I was waiting for a prescription to be filled at Walmart, I found myself looking at their sports bra selection. Since I had some time to kill, I kinda wanted to see how truly "high impact" their bras labeled such actually are. In the past, both Target's and Walmart's idea of high impact support has been kinda laughable to me. I grabbed a couple, including one labeled "extreme impact" and headed off to the dressing room.
The "extreme impact" one really truly surprised me. Enough that I bought it. Holy shiz right!?
Now, the smallest size they have, 34B is slightly too big for me in the band, but I felt it offered the same level of support as my 32C Moving Comfort Juno. I had to do roughly the same number of bra adjustments as the Juno, if not less. It feels really comfortable over the shoulders and back, and I feel like this could be an everyday bra as well.
Tonight I wanted to try this bra on it's own to see how it would fare. After a mile, I did end up tossing another cheapo bra over the top of it and that combo was perfect.
My only complaint about this bra (besides the lack of sizing variety) is the straps. In the back there are adjustable straps and they loosen too easily. This is probably why I had to toss another bra on after awhile. At the $13 price point, however, I have no problem sewing the straps so that the sliding adjuster is unable to move.
Since I plan on going back to Walmart and picking up the other 34B that they had in stock I feel like I can recommend this guy. If anyone else has tried this bra out or had any other Walmart/Target sports bras surprise them, let me know!
So anyway... back to the run. It was pretty uneventful. Just a basic, run of the mill 5 miler. Afterwards I came upstairs and watched the Olympic Opening Ceremonies with Karl and Mercedes (Max was in his room and Callie and Taylor were at a basketball game). Mercedes didn't last long. My little sleepy snuggle muffin kept me warm and I loved it.
I was really impressed with the opening ceremonies. Granted, I've never watched either an opening or closing ceremony before but wow, the projections on the floor of the arena were amazing!!!
Day 71 (2/6): 4.0 miles
4.0 miles. 40:02. 10:01 avg pace.
I decided that instead of doing race pace runs on Thursdays that I would do runs that are harder than my easy days but not quite as hard as my speed days on Tuesday. Which would mean a pace that is close to (preferably under) 10:00/mile. Every tempo run I've attempted thus far has just been downright terrible and it was hurting my confidence and making the next couple of runs feel not so great as well.
Today's run was a scheduled 6 miles, 5 of which were supposed to be tempo pace.
I got to 4 miles and paused the treadmill to grab some water when I heard Mercedes (my three year old) sitting at the top of the stairs whining, "Momma I want you...." I started to say just a couple more minutes, but then common sense kicked in and I remembered what was important in my life. So, I went upstairs and we snuggled on the couch and watched The Little Mermaid.
I had good intentions to go back downstairs after the kids went to bed and finish those last 2 miles but as the evening wore on... it became less important to me. Plus my legs were stiffening up from immediately parking my keister on the couch.
I don't regret quitting early at all. I feel like I still got a good workout in and singing all the songs from my favorite Disney movie with my favorite toddler was a heck of a lot more fun!
No pictures today... I'm posting this 4 days late. Grrr.. bad blogger I am.
I decided that instead of doing race pace runs on Thursdays that I would do runs that are harder than my easy days but not quite as hard as my speed days on Tuesday. Which would mean a pace that is close to (preferably under) 10:00/mile. Every tempo run I've attempted thus far has just been downright terrible and it was hurting my confidence and making the next couple of runs feel not so great as well.
Today's run was a scheduled 6 miles, 5 of which were supposed to be tempo pace.
I got to 4 miles and paused the treadmill to grab some water when I heard Mercedes (my three year old) sitting at the top of the stairs whining, "Momma I want you...." I started to say just a couple more minutes, but then common sense kicked in and I remembered what was important in my life. So, I went upstairs and we snuggled on the couch and watched The Little Mermaid.
I had good intentions to go back downstairs after the kids went to bed and finish those last 2 miles but as the evening wore on... it became less important to me. Plus my legs were stiffening up from immediately parking my keister on the couch.
I don't regret quitting early at all. I feel like I still got a good workout in and singing all the songs from my favorite Disney movie with my favorite toddler was a heck of a lot more fun!
No pictures today... I'm posting this 4 days late. Grrr.. bad blogger I am.
Friday, February 7, 2014
Day 70 (2/5): 1.0 mile + REVIEW of Clif "cookies & cream" protein bar
1.0 mile. 10:08.
I apologize for the 2 day delay in getting this posted. I didn't get my run in until 10:30 at night. We bought a new belt for our el cheapo treadmill and it took him over 3 hours to replace it. I don't think that our treadmill was meant to be taken apart. He had to break two pieces off in order to get the deck off because the manufacturer super glued a plastic cap over where the hole for the screw was. I don't have pictures... but just take my word for it. It was quite a job. I'm going to have to re-lube the deck this weekend and I'm not looking forward to it because I'll have to loosen the belt again and the tightening/centering of the belt took a good 45 minutes. Grr.
But... We have a working treadmill for both of us now. The last two weeks I've been the only one able to use it because I didn't need the belt tightened as much as Karl did to avoid the belt slipping. If we were to tighten it any more, the crease in the belt would have rubbed against a the plastic motor housing and eventually would have caused the belt to split into two pieces, I'm sure of it.
Since we've gotten the belt replaced, the treadmill feels a bit more rickety... but that could be because it isn't in exactly the same place that it was before and we (stupidly) have it just on our concrete basement floor which isn't completely level. I'm going to stop at Lowe's tonight after work to see if they still carry the rubber workout flooring. Hopefully it won't raise the height of the treadmill too high for Karl to be able to use. He's 6'4". We currently have the treadmill situated between floor joists so he has some head room. Oh the things you don't have to consider when you're short....
So... I've been in a "try new things to review" kind of mode lately. Today since it's just a one mile post you're going to get one of those reviews.
I follow a few people on instagram that post mostly about their workouts and things related to their workouts. A lot of people have been posting pictures of this cookies and cream flavored Quest bar. Well... I haven't been able to find any in my town. I think they are available at GNC though from what I gather on Instagram. I can't find a stock photo (I don't want to borrow anyone's Instagram shot) of the actual bar to use to show you just how yummy this thing looked. It looked like cookies and cream ice cream but in a bar form if you can picture that.
So imagine my surprise when I'm at the grocery store picking up a couple of Lara Bars when I saw that Clif had a protein bar in the cookies and cream flavor.
As soon as I got to work I wanted to try it out.
I tore off the wrapper and was a little surprised that I saw a chocolate coating. I guess I just expected it to look exactly like the Quest bar which is mostly white.
Undeterred, I took a bite.
And that's when the REAL surprise occurred.
I was expecting this bar to taste sorta like an Oreo. This tasted like a really bad peanut butter and chocolate knock off.
I even went on Google to find a picture of what the actual Clif bar looked like because I was convinced that there was a mix up at the factory and the wrong label was but on this bar. As it turns out... there was no mistake and this is exactly what it is supposed to look like.
I gave a bite to my mom to try (we work in the same office) and she said that she could taste the cookie and cream flavor. I told her she could have it.
I'm sorry Clif. I know that this flavor seems to have gotten pretty high reviews on Amazon, but when I think of something that is a cookies and cream flavor... I expect there to be a cream (a.k.a. white chocolate) flavor. Where is that in your bar? The cookie chunks were also few and far between.
Alrighty... I'm pretty much done hating on Clif for their "cookies and cream" flavored protein bar.
I think I'll pick up some mega stuff Oreos tonight. At least they never let me down!
I apologize for the 2 day delay in getting this posted. I didn't get my run in until 10:30 at night. We bought a new belt for our el cheapo treadmill and it took him over 3 hours to replace it. I don't think that our treadmill was meant to be taken apart. He had to break two pieces off in order to get the deck off because the manufacturer super glued a plastic cap over where the hole for the screw was. I don't have pictures... but just take my word for it. It was quite a job. I'm going to have to re-lube the deck this weekend and I'm not looking forward to it because I'll have to loosen the belt again and the tightening/centering of the belt took a good 45 minutes. Grr.
But... We have a working treadmill for both of us now. The last two weeks I've been the only one able to use it because I didn't need the belt tightened as much as Karl did to avoid the belt slipping. If we were to tighten it any more, the crease in the belt would have rubbed against a the plastic motor housing and eventually would have caused the belt to split into two pieces, I'm sure of it.
Since we've gotten the belt replaced, the treadmill feels a bit more rickety... but that could be because it isn't in exactly the same place that it was before and we (stupidly) have it just on our concrete basement floor which isn't completely level. I'm going to stop at Lowe's tonight after work to see if they still carry the rubber workout flooring. Hopefully it won't raise the height of the treadmill too high for Karl to be able to use. He's 6'4". We currently have the treadmill situated between floor joists so he has some head room. Oh the things you don't have to consider when you're short....
So... I've been in a "try new things to review" kind of mode lately. Today since it's just a one mile post you're going to get one of those reviews.
I follow a few people on instagram that post mostly about their workouts and things related to their workouts. A lot of people have been posting pictures of this cookies and cream flavored Quest bar. Well... I haven't been able to find any in my town. I think they are available at GNC though from what I gather on Instagram. I can't find a stock photo (I don't want to borrow anyone's Instagram shot) of the actual bar to use to show you just how yummy this thing looked. It looked like cookies and cream ice cream but in a bar form if you can picture that.
So imagine my surprise when I'm at the grocery store picking up a couple of Lara Bars when I saw that Clif had a protein bar in the cookies and cream flavor.
As soon as I got to work I wanted to try it out.
I tore off the wrapper and was a little surprised that I saw a chocolate coating. I guess I just expected it to look exactly like the Quest bar which is mostly white.
And that's when the REAL surprise occurred.
I was expecting this bar to taste sorta like an Oreo. This tasted like a really bad peanut butter and chocolate knock off.
I even went on Google to find a picture of what the actual Clif bar looked like because I was convinced that there was a mix up at the factory and the wrong label was but on this bar. As it turns out... there was no mistake and this is exactly what it is supposed to look like.
I gave a bite to my mom to try (we work in the same office) and she said that she could taste the cookie and cream flavor. I told her she could have it.
I'm sorry Clif. I know that this flavor seems to have gotten pretty high reviews on Amazon, but when I think of something that is a cookies and cream flavor... I expect there to be a cream (a.k.a. white chocolate) flavor. Where is that in your bar? The cookie chunks were also few and far between.
Alrighty... I'm pretty much done hating on Clif for their "cookies and cream" flavored protein bar.
I think I'll pick up some mega stuff Oreos tonight. At least they never let me down!
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Day 69 (2/4): 6.0 miles
6.0 miles. 57:08. 9:31 pace.
oh. em. gee. This run went fantastically well.
In case anyone wants to replicate this workout and not have to think about it I typed it up for you to print off. Change speeds if desired. It won't hurt my feelings.
Warm up 1 mile: 5.6 mph
Mile 1.0-1.5: 7.0 mph
Mile 1.5-1.75: 5.6 mph
Mile 1.75-2.25: 7.0 mph
Mile 2.25-2.5: 5.6 mph
Mile 2.5-3.0: 7.0 mph
Mile 3.0-3.25: 5.6 mph
Mile 3.25-3.75: 7.0 mph
Mile 3.75-4.0: 5.6 mph
Mile 4.0-4.5: 7.0 mph
Mile 4.5-4.75: 5.6 mph
Mile 4.75-5.25: 7.0 mph
Mile 5.25-5.5: 5.6 mph
Mile 5.5-6.0: 6.5 mph
I was technically done with the workout after 5.5 miles but my OCD brain can't stand it when I don't complete whole miles while on the treadmill. So, I ran an extra half mile at tempo pace (about 9:10/mi). I was still feeling pretty good anyhow.
Now, don't think that I felt this workout was easy. It wasn't. Each interval I was literally counting down the distance to being done. My legs burned towards the end of each. I was just so flipping excited at having completed this workout at the speeds I did. If I had done this at the gym I would have ran around giving everyone hugs and high fives.
I am still excited about it. I look at the time and pace and think, "wow, I'm awesome."
To keep track of each interval I would place a gummi bear on the treadmill display ledge. I should have lined up six gummi bears at the start and just ate one after each interval. Next time, I guess!
To drag out the bra saga a little bit longer... I wore the 32C Moving Comfort Juno one last night. Solo. I tried to make a conscious effort NOT to adjust the thing. I just tried to think about something else instead of wasting the physical and mental energy of constantly fiddling with my bra. It worked... kinda.
The two Armour bras by Under Armour showed up. I ordered one more size to try and it will be here tomorrow (Feb 6). If I end up keeping one to try on a run, expect a full review. If not... well... you'll get a mini review on why I'm not keeping them.
Anyone else have a fantastic run lately??
oh. em. gee. This run went fantastically well.
In case anyone wants to replicate this workout and not have to think about it I typed it up for you to print off. Change speeds if desired. It won't hurt my feelings.
Warm up 1 mile: 5.6 mph
Mile 1.0-1.5: 7.0 mph
Mile 1.5-1.75: 5.6 mph
Mile 1.75-2.25: 7.0 mph
Mile 2.25-2.5: 5.6 mph
Mile 2.5-3.0: 7.0 mph
Mile 3.0-3.25: 5.6 mph
Mile 3.25-3.75: 7.0 mph
Mile 3.75-4.0: 5.6 mph
Mile 4.0-4.5: 7.0 mph
Mile 4.5-4.75: 5.6 mph
Mile 4.75-5.25: 7.0 mph
Mile 5.25-5.5: 5.6 mph
Mile 5.5-6.0: 6.5 mph
I was technically done with the workout after 5.5 miles but my OCD brain can't stand it when I don't complete whole miles while on the treadmill. So, I ran an extra half mile at tempo pace (about 9:10/mi). I was still feeling pretty good anyhow.
Now, don't think that I felt this workout was easy. It wasn't. Each interval I was literally counting down the distance to being done. My legs burned towards the end of each. I was just so flipping excited at having completed this workout at the speeds I did. If I had done this at the gym I would have ran around giving everyone hugs and high fives.
I am still excited about it. I look at the time and pace and think, "wow, I'm awesome."
To keep track of each interval I would place a gummi bear on the treadmill display ledge. I should have lined up six gummi bears at the start and just ate one after each interval. Next time, I guess!
To drag out the bra saga a little bit longer... I wore the 32C Moving Comfort Juno one last night. Solo. I tried to make a conscious effort NOT to adjust the thing. I just tried to think about something else instead of wasting the physical and mental energy of constantly fiddling with my bra. It worked... kinda.
The two Armour bras by Under Armour showed up. I ordered one more size to try and it will be here tomorrow (Feb 6). If I end up keeping one to try on a run, expect a full review. If not... well... you'll get a mini review on why I'm not keeping them.
Anyone else have a fantastic run lately??
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Day 68 (2/3): 1.0 mile
1.0 mile. 10:12 pace.
I know what you're thinking. What the heck!? It's not Wednesday! Wednesday's are 1 mile days.
Well... here's what happened.
I got home at my normal time.
But I was HANGRY.
I ate something small (I don't like running with a lot of food in my belly), but I was still crabby.
For the first time in almost 2 months, I just did. not. want. to. run.
Not because I was too tired or because I didn't have enough time.
It's because I was too crabby.
All I wanted to do was lay on the couch under a blanket and eat junk food while the kids destroy the place because I just didn't care.
You've had those kinds of days, right?
I even had something new to try out on my run today and even that didn't help in the motivation department.
I picked up some of those Dr. Scholl's Active insoles to replace the insoles on my Brooks Pure Flow 2's. The shoes only have 140 miles on them but they have felt dead to me since about mile 90. I hate running in them even though they look really cute on my feet. (Oh come on... you know that's important). I was hoping that these $20 inserts would save me from having to drop $100 on a new pair of shoes so soon.
I got them cut to size and walked around the house in them for a little bit. They are a bit thicker than the original insoles, especially in the heel. It's probably only a millimeter or two but when I'm used to a 4mm drop, it's definitely noticeable.
Because the insole is thicker, it actually made the whole shoe fit a little bit better. It actually hugged my foot.
I thought I would absolutely hate running in them. It felt like just a lot of shoe on my foot.
Strangely though, I didn't really mind them.
I'll let you know what I really think about them after this weekend's long run.
I know what you're thinking. What the heck!? It's not Wednesday! Wednesday's are 1 mile days.
Well... here's what happened.
I got home at my normal time.
But I was HANGRY.
 |
| Hangry. |
I ate something small (I don't like running with a lot of food in my belly), but I was still crabby.
For the first time in almost 2 months, I just did. not. want. to. run.
Not because I was too tired or because I didn't have enough time.
It's because I was too crabby.
All I wanted to do was lay on the couch under a blanket and eat junk food while the kids destroy the place because I just didn't care.
You've had those kinds of days, right?
I even had something new to try out on my run today and even that didn't help in the motivation department.
I picked up some of those Dr. Scholl's Active insoles to replace the insoles on my Brooks Pure Flow 2's. The shoes only have 140 miles on them but they have felt dead to me since about mile 90. I hate running in them even though they look really cute on my feet. (Oh come on... you know that's important). I was hoping that these $20 inserts would save me from having to drop $100 on a new pair of shoes so soon.
 |
| Dr. Scholl's Active Series Insole from good ole Walmart. |
I got them cut to size and walked around the house in them for a little bit. They are a bit thicker than the original insoles, especially in the heel. It's probably only a millimeter or two but when I'm used to a 4mm drop, it's definitely noticeable.
Because the insole is thicker, it actually made the whole shoe fit a little bit better. It actually hugged my foot.
I thought I would absolutely hate running in them. It felt like just a lot of shoe on my foot.
Strangely though, I didn't really mind them.
I'll let you know what I really think about them after this weekend's long run.
Day 67 (2/2): 8.0 miles
8.0 miles. 1:25:35. 10:42 pace.
This run went a lot better than I thought it would.
I only wore two sports bras this time. A hot pink one from my daughters' bin and my size 34B Moving Comfort Juno bra. It helped when I would adjust the pink one (that I wore under the Juno) so that the sides came up really high under my arms. The gals do kind wrap around my side a wee bit (so most bras tend to give me armpit fat no matter what I do) so I'm wondering if the issue is more that I just need more support in that area. I ordered an Armour Bra from Under Armour that will arrive today (2/4) that looked like it came up higher on the sides than the Juno did. Hopefully I'll be closer to a solution here.
I had no real plans for this run.
If you remember from Day 66, my legs were completely toast. I barely made it 3.5 miles on a 6 mile run.
For this run... I waited until almost dark. I started feeling anxious prior... full on butterflies and everything.
I was hoping for 6 miles, but I just planned on taking it one mile at a time.
When I got to about 5.5 miles... my feet started to feel tired. Shortly thereafter, my hips started to ache.
It wasn't painful enough for me to quit, it was just merely an annoyance.
I made it to 8 miles and then decided I had better stop. I had a sneaking suspicion that the shoes I was wearing, my beloved Brooks Pure Flow 1, were worn out. If it weren't for the achiness I was feeling. I would definitely have run at least one more mile, if not 2.
I was so happy for hitting 8 miles. I rode that endorphin high the rest of the night!
This run went a lot better than I thought it would.
I only wore two sports bras this time. A hot pink one from my daughters' bin and my size 34B Moving Comfort Juno bra. It helped when I would adjust the pink one (that I wore under the Juno) so that the sides came up really high under my arms. The gals do kind wrap around my side a wee bit (so most bras tend to give me armpit fat no matter what I do) so I'm wondering if the issue is more that I just need more support in that area. I ordered an Armour Bra from Under Armour that will arrive today (2/4) that looked like it came up higher on the sides than the Juno did. Hopefully I'll be closer to a solution here.
I had no real plans for this run.
If you remember from Day 66, my legs were completely toast. I barely made it 3.5 miles on a 6 mile run.
For this run... I waited until almost dark. I started feeling anxious prior... full on butterflies and everything.
I was hoping for 6 miles, but I just planned on taking it one mile at a time.
When I got to about 5.5 miles... my feet started to feel tired. Shortly thereafter, my hips started to ache.
It wasn't painful enough for me to quit, it was just merely an annoyance.
I made it to 8 miles and then decided I had better stop. I had a sneaking suspicion that the shoes I was wearing, my beloved Brooks Pure Flow 1, were worn out. If it weren't for the achiness I was feeling. I would definitely have run at least one more mile, if not 2.
I was so happy for hitting 8 miles. I rode that endorphin high the rest of the night!
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Day 66 (2/1): 3.5 miles
3.5 miles. 38:15. 10:56 pace.
So…. I was supposed to run 6 miles today. I even thought my legs felt pretty good when I went downstairs to run. I was wrong. My quads are toast. My brain didn't want to run either.
It didn't help that the sun was shining so brightly into the window above the treadmill (I really need to cover that thing up). Earlier in the day I looked outside and was thinking with the sun shining so brightly that it must be warm enough to run outside. Nope. I was wrong. It was 11 degrees… but a "feels like" temp of -5. No thanks. Too windy.
I've stopped checking the weather for what the forecast will be. It's too depressing. Never a warmup. Always more of the same. This winter will never end. There will still be snow on the ground on the Fourth of July.
So anyway… back the the run. I put on an episode of Sherlock to watch. Not even that could hold my attention. The nearly 11 minute pace felt really hard in that my legs just felt like dead weights and didn't want to move. It's definitely harder for me to run at these slower paces on the treadmill because my form is different. Outside it's easy to shuffle at a slow pace. On the treadmill I just can't. The slow paces make me feel like my form is exaggerated. I feel like I 'clomp' down more too. I don't know, I can't really explain it.
So…. I was supposed to run 6 miles today. I even thought my legs felt pretty good when I went downstairs to run. I was wrong. My quads are toast. My brain didn't want to run either.
It didn't help that the sun was shining so brightly into the window above the treadmill (I really need to cover that thing up). Earlier in the day I looked outside and was thinking with the sun shining so brightly that it must be warm enough to run outside. Nope. I was wrong. It was 11 degrees… but a "feels like" temp of -5. No thanks. Too windy.
I've stopped checking the weather for what the forecast will be. It's too depressing. Never a warmup. Always more of the same. This winter will never end. There will still be snow on the ground on the Fourth of July.
 |
| Seriously. |
So anyway… back the the run. I put on an episode of Sherlock to watch. Not even that could hold my attention. The nearly 11 minute pace felt really hard in that my legs just felt like dead weights and didn't want to move. It's definitely harder for me to run at these slower paces on the treadmill because my form is different. Outside it's easy to shuffle at a slow pace. On the treadmill I just can't. The slow paces make me feel like my form is exaggerated. I feel like I 'clomp' down more too. I don't know, I can't really explain it.
At 3.5 miles I threw in the towel. I figured I would just go down later and finish the last 2.5 miles. The couch was occupied so I just laid in bed for like an hour. I damn near took a nap, and if you know anything about me… I don't do naps.
I realize that the Hanson's say that I'm supposed to feel this way… that cumulative fatigue is beneficial come race day. But this is a kind of fatigue that is making me dread my runs.
At least I didn't spend the 3.5 miles adjusting my bra the whole time. Because I wore three. Two of them belonged to my 12 year old daughter. So um… yeah. I still did a little bit but it wasn't as bad as it has been.
I've been craving a wrap lately like nobody's business. So I made one yesterday for lunch:
That is quinoa, spinach, carrot, zucchini, salt, pepper, and garden vegetable cream cheese on a tortilla. It's delish.
Last night, since I didn't go back and finish my run, I did just a wee bit of strength training to my upper body. I managed 24 (girlie style) pushups and a 1 minute plank. Seems I have some work to do….
Tomorrow's run is supposed to be 10 miles. The thought of running this distance on a wonky treadmill in a dusty basement kind of makes me want to set myself on fire. In all likelihood it will be another short distance day.
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