Sadly, I am not one of those people that takes pictures while running (maybe someday), so this will be a boring post for those of you not interested in running!
Half marathon day finally arrived yesterday. It was a cool 35 degrees when we left our house, but it was sunny & we knew it would warm up pretty fast.
I've had the idea in my head for quite sometime that I wanted a sub 2:00 half. The weeks leading up to the race I'd gone over in my head what I needed to do to reach my goal.... & I had very little confidence I could attain it.
I told Peter the night before that I hadn't figured out my racing strategy yet. He told me, "Just run." Well, easy for him to say. I just kept thinking that finishing the race with a 9:09 pace (for my 2 hour goal) should be my strategy.... but I hadn't really trained for a 2 hour half. I actually didn't know what I had really trained for, but it just didn't seem like 2 hours was realistic. I was so scared that I would start with a 9:09 pace & then just die a few miles in & wind up with a crappy time. I was scared. Why? Probably just because that's my personality. When I was young and my parents would quiz me on homework or something I wouldn't give them an answer unless I was 100% sure it was right. I don't like to be wrong. I don't like to fail.... but enough about my childhood issues that have followed me into adulthood... onto the race.
Once Peter & I got to the start I decided to find the 2 hour pacer & just start there & see how I felt. If worse came to worse then I would just pull back & go for a more reasonable PR. I mean, the last time I ran this race 2 years ago I finished around 2:12 (10:11 pace). As long as beat that time I would be content.... and that shouldn't be a problem.
So, the race began... I kept the pacer in my sights for the first couple miles, but she seemed to be going slow...
Mile 1: 9:16
and then fast...
Mile 2: 8:35
WTF?!
I decided that I needed to find my own groove & run where I felt comfortable. So, I did.
Mile 3: 9:19
Mile 4: 9:12
Mile 5: 9:16
I felt pretty good. Those were pretty fast splits for me. I still was worried I'd hit a wall, so I conserved just enough energy to feel confident I wouldn't die.
Around this point is a gel station and then you get to the Goodman St hill. This is right around the corner from where we live, so I know how long it lasts & what I need to do to make it through.
Mile 6: 9:25
I knew a quick downhill would follow, so I just paced myself & got ready to head into the cemetery portion of the race... and here's where I started to feel like I was actually running a half marathon. There's some uphill at the beginning of the cemetery & then lots of turns & just miserable conditions... or maybe I was just tired.
Mile 7: 9:25
Mile 8: 9:17
Around this point I took the gel I brought with me. I've never taken 2 gels in a run, but I had only drank water at the stations (no Gatorade), and I just felt like I needed something else to fuel me. Plus, I knew there was caffeine in the gel I brought, maybe that would help too. So, I decided to listen to my body & sucked down that gel like a champ and just prayed that we'd be exiting the cemetery portion soon. I knew once we were out I'd only have a 5k to go & that comforted me.
Mile 9: 9:17
Mile 10: 9:14
Once I was out of the cemetery & had a 5k flat course left & checked my Garmin for the millionth time, I knew I'd need a miracle to finish in 2 hours. A serious miracle. I took a quick inventory of how my body felt & other than a sore right knee I felt pretty good. I knew I could push it the last 3.1 miles. I didn't think 2 hours was a realistic goal anymore, but damned if I was gonna throw in the towel & coast 'til the end. I knew I had some kick left in me, so might as well give the race my all.
Mile 11: 8:58
Not too bad. Mile 11 felt good, but I knew that 8:58 was not gonna get me to the finish line in 2 hours.
Mile 12: 8:40
Huh? Looking again at my Garmin I knew this could be close. At this point I remember having a conversation with myself after doing some quick calcs in my head. 2 hours still seemed pretty far off, but I needed to just push harder than I ever had & come as close as my body would let me. I also started thinking at this point that I could imagine myself finishing with a time of 2:00:01 just because it would really piss me off!
During this point I started to observe the runners around me. Maybe observe is a bad word... I actually started to pity them... okay, maybe that's not the best word to describe it either. Basically what I was thinking at this point, is that it's a shame these people aren't going to get their 2 hour half. 2 hours is a big half marathon milestone... but I digress...
I ran that last 1.1 miles as fast as I could. My lungs burned. My legs hurt. I felt tears coming on... but the tear were actually tears of joy, because I felt like a runner that last 1.1 miles. I felt like I was running the race of my life & I was going to win.
Mile 13: 8:17
I crossed the finish line with the clock at 2:00:17. Peter found me right away & told me he thought I got it. My Garmin said 1:59:51, but I didn't trust it.
We got to my car & I pulled out my phone. The race organization is doing this new thing where they text you your race time. My text said my time was 2:00:14. Son of a bitch! I showed Peter & he said that was definitely wrong. We didn't cross the start for at least 20 seconds after the gun, and the clock definitely said 2:00:17 when I crossed, so he didn't know where this 2:00:14 came from. I was concerned at this point that my chip never registered the time I crossed the start.
I resigned myself to failure... no, not really. I had one final chance... the official results would be posted soon.
So, around 3 hours after I completed my race, the official results were uploaded to the race site.
My official time was 1:59:55
I could have cried tears of joy.
Showing posts with label running. Show all posts
Showing posts with label running. Show all posts
Monday, April 30, 2012
Monday, April 23, 2012
Tapering... and maybe some cat photos...
I love tapering! 7 miles for my long run this week- EASY! 3 mile easy run today- DONE (with an actual smile on my face). So glad that tapering time is finally here, 'cause I was really starting to get burnt out. Tapering rock!! Less than 7 days 'til the half!
This weekend was quite a lazy one. Not just for me, but for some kitties, as well...
I swear they don't like eachother
In case you don't know, that is my side of the bed... I had to start my Sunday early since I had no room to sleep!
Today we woke up to a winter wonderland... more like slush wonderland, actually. I know one kitty that was not a fan...
"Uh, WTF is this?!"
Today was also my day off for the week (yes, I was blessed with a 3 day weekend), so I did a ton of errands, including picking up a very important item...
The bib makes it so real!
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Ice Bath
Two weeks 'til race day! I went for my long training run yesterday! I attempted 13 miles, but stopped at 12.3 miles when my knees started to get a little too achey. I'm not too proud to stop. In a race situation I would've had no problem finishing, but this wasn't a race, and I have no desire to injure myself... especially this close to race day!
Ya think the cuteness of my running skirt outweighs the dorkiness of my fuel belt?
Yesterday I took my very first ice bath! I felt it was as good a time as ever. It took my body hours to warm up after, but I think it was worth it. Today my muscles feel good.... tired, but not sore.
Good pain... I think
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Corned Beef Hash
Today Peter & I did the Spring Forward Distance Run 15K at Mendon Ponds. It was kinda intense. The distance was not my worry... the hills were. To say I was scared of this race is an understatement. Rochester is pretty flat and my training has not incorporated much hill work. Luckily we survived. It was tough, but not nearly as tough as I anticipated. My calves were screaming by the end, but (except for exhaustion) I felt pretty good. I finished in 1:27:27 which gave me a pace of 9:24. I was impressed with myself, but once again I think it just goes to show that I continually underestimate myself. I think if I could just give myself a good kick in the ass I could be a pretty decent runner.
Yesterday Peter & decided that we would enjoy mimosas & a nice brunch after the grueling race. Upon arriving home we drank a mimosa & shared some bacon and then I promptly passed out on the couch for a few hours. So, the plan changed & we made some pretty awesome corned beef hash for dinner. We used the leftover corned beef, and then everything else was from our garden- homegrown potatoes, peppers & onions!
Hash prep
Rendering some fat from corned beef scraps!
Browning the potatoes
Peter wanted photographic evidence of the mimosas, so he took this wonderful picture of me post 15k run/post nap. Awesome.
Adding the onions
Muff enjoying the warmth from the dryer as she watched us cooking
Corned beef finally added to the mix
I like my potatoes extra crispy!
We planned on having leftovers, but somehow we ate this entire pan of hash for dinner... it was so good!
And here's some photographic evidence of this morning's race. When I showed Peter this pic he stated: "Well, that seems to sum up my running abilities nicely....struggling to keep up with an old man and woman."
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Into the Groove
The past 6 months have not been my finest when it comes to my running career. Back in April when my knee problems began I was ready to cry out of frustration. As the months went by, to call me "discouraged" would be an understatement.
This past month since I've returned from my vacation out west I've made it my goal to try to balance pushing myself to run my best & not doing too much. Unfortunately, I found that I was babying myself & my legs far too much to get the results I was looking for.... I needed a new approach.
Two weeks ago I decided to make a new plan. I searched for a local 5k race at the end of the month. I decided to run at least 3 miles twice a week & walk 3 miles once a week & do other activities that didn't involve running once or twice a week as well. I set a goal of finishing the 5k race in under 30 minutes. Then, I started my training. I've ordered myself not to make any excuses. I decided that if I have minor knee pain, I'm running through it. If I have knee pain that's serious enough to cause me to stop running, then I'm making an appointment with my orthopedic surgeon. (I mean, after all, what's the point of meeting your deductible with a few months left, if you're not willing to go to specialists for the now "discounted price").
So, it's been 2 weeks, and how is it going? Awesome. I feel awesome. I'm hyperaware of my knees, which means I'm taking care of them so much better. I'm back to sneakers that are perfect for my feet & gait. I stretch my legs out religiously, and I ice my knees after every single run or walk I do. So far, so good.
Today I even went running in 48 degrees, raining & windy. I layered on my Underarmour & hit the road for what I was sure would be a miserable 3.1 miles. Ya know what, it wasn't. I felt awesome & finished it in 28:25 (a 9:10 pace). I couldn't be happier.
I've missed running so much. It's seriously my favorite escape. So many times in the past when I was running I was so focused on doing it for losing weight, or burning calories . Now, honestly, when I'm running, I'm not doing it for those reasons. I'm doing for pure pleasure & enjoyment. I guess I'm also doing it to challenge myself. There's nothing better than finishing your 5k 20 seconds faster than your last.
Conclusion: I'm trying not to focus on all the bad things that can happen. I'm focusing on keeping myself healthy & to continue to improve my running.
This week's stats:
Total miles run: 6.2
Total miles walked: 6.2
Other workouts: Pole 101 (I'll save that for a follow up post!)
Favorite song on my current playlist:
Superbass (Nicki Minaj)
Superbass has been one of my fave workout songs for a while, but my love for it has recently been renewed due to one little girl who does an impressive job of singing it. Not that this is the most appropriate song for this 8 year old to be singing, but oh, well, she's awesome!
This past month since I've returned from my vacation out west I've made it my goal to try to balance pushing myself to run my best & not doing too much. Unfortunately, I found that I was babying myself & my legs far too much to get the results I was looking for.... I needed a new approach.
Two weeks ago I decided to make a new plan. I searched for a local 5k race at the end of the month. I decided to run at least 3 miles twice a week & walk 3 miles once a week & do other activities that didn't involve running once or twice a week as well. I set a goal of finishing the 5k race in under 30 minutes. Then, I started my training. I've ordered myself not to make any excuses. I decided that if I have minor knee pain, I'm running through it. If I have knee pain that's serious enough to cause me to stop running, then I'm making an appointment with my orthopedic surgeon. (I mean, after all, what's the point of meeting your deductible with a few months left, if you're not willing to go to specialists for the now "discounted price").
So, it's been 2 weeks, and how is it going? Awesome. I feel awesome. I'm hyperaware of my knees, which means I'm taking care of them so much better. I'm back to sneakers that are perfect for my feet & gait. I stretch my legs out religiously, and I ice my knees after every single run or walk I do. So far, so good.
Today I even went running in 48 degrees, raining & windy. I layered on my Underarmour & hit the road for what I was sure would be a miserable 3.1 miles. Ya know what, it wasn't. I felt awesome & finished it in 28:25 (a 9:10 pace). I couldn't be happier.
I've missed running so much. It's seriously my favorite escape. So many times in the past when I was running I was so focused on doing it for losing weight, or burning calories . Now, honestly, when I'm running, I'm not doing it for those reasons. I'm doing for pure pleasure & enjoyment. I guess I'm also doing it to challenge myself. There's nothing better than finishing your 5k 20 seconds faster than your last.
Conclusion: I'm trying not to focus on all the bad things that can happen. I'm focusing on keeping myself healthy & to continue to improve my running.
This week's stats:
Total miles run: 6.2
Total miles walked: 6.2
Other workouts: Pole 101 (I'll save that for a follow up post!)
Favorite song on my current playlist:
Superbass (Nicki Minaj)
Superbass has been one of my fave workout songs for a while, but my love for it has recently been renewed due to one little girl who does an impressive job of singing it. Not that this is the most appropriate song for this 8 year old to be singing, but oh, well, she's awesome!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
The Big Day
The big day is finally here! "D" day! Doctor (ie Orthopedic Surgeon) Day!!!
So, you ask, how did it go? Well, my friends allow me to tell you the short version of my 70 minute doctor's visit this afternoon...
Erroneous! That's what I wanted to tell my PA. Apparently the world really is separated into 2 groups: runners & non-runners. Non-runners just don't get it. I actually think they don't want to get it & prefer to live thinking that they are superior beings! My PA told me he played soccer & basketball, but whenever he tried to run he would get hurt... I wanted to tell him that maybe if he was a little smarter he would know how to prevent running injuries (and maybe be an MD instead of a PA), but I held back... I figured that comment would get me no where fast.
The gist of it is that I was diagnosed with bilateral patellofemoral pain... runner's knee. (Surprise, surprise!) He said it could be something else & if the pain gets intense again that I should come in for a follow-up. However, it seemed like this was simply runner's knee & I've been doing all the right things. As much as this was a relief, it was also annoying 'cause he did leave it open to possibly being something else.
Then, he went on telling me that it's likely my body can't handle the mileage that I was doing before my injury & that I will probably have to settle for running no more than a 10K for the rest of my life... seriously. I nodded & smiled & agreed to up my elliptical time to 45 minutes like he suggested, but the entire time all I could think of was the book "Born to Run." I suppose if I'm going to use that book as my motivation to defy all odds & prove my PA wrong I should finish reading it, but I've read enough reviews to know where the book is going & thus where my running journey is about to take me... Barefoot Running! The time has come to venture into new territory!
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Quick Running Update
It's been almost 4 weeks since I've gone running.
I still have bilateral knee pain- on & off.
I decided the other day that it was time to call the doctor.
It's obvious to me I won't be running for a while, so I figured it can't hurt to see a doctor. My appointment is still 2 and a half weeks away. During this time my goals are to cross train, strength train, do some yoga & lose 5 pounds... all in the hopes that when I go to see the doctor in 2 weeks he will tell me that my knees look good & it was probably just a bad case of runner's knee.... that's my dream! Only time will tell.
I'm missing running even more than I expected. I knew it would suck not to run, but not being able to run when the weather is finally nice is killing me. Before we left for New Zealand, running had become such a big part of my routine. I was running religiously 3-4 times a week for several months... it's hard to have to break a habit like that. Most days when I get out of work I just want to go home, change, and head out for a run.
Hopefully I'll get good news on June 21st...
I still have bilateral knee pain- on & off.
I decided the other day that it was time to call the doctor.
It's obvious to me I won't be running for a while, so I figured it can't hurt to see a doctor. My appointment is still 2 and a half weeks away. During this time my goals are to cross train, strength train, do some yoga & lose 5 pounds... all in the hopes that when I go to see the doctor in 2 weeks he will tell me that my knees look good & it was probably just a bad case of runner's knee.... that's my dream! Only time will tell.
I'm missing running even more than I expected. I knew it would suck not to run, but not being able to run when the weather is finally nice is killing me. Before we left for New Zealand, running had become such a big part of my routine. I was running religiously 3-4 times a week for several months... it's hard to have to break a habit like that. Most days when I get out of work I just want to go home, change, and head out for a run.
Hopefully I'll get good news on June 21st...
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Update on my running...
I am no longer running.
The End.
But seriously...
My knees (plural!) have not been right since returning from New Zealand. I've had one or MAYBE two pain free runs. I made a quick decision upon my return home to scrap the half marathon I had been training for & try the duathlon with my wonderful husband instead. Sadly, the runs that led up to the duathlon continued to be difficult & moderately painful, so I decided it was best to cancel that idea as well (your welcome, Peter) and limit my running & do a bunch of cross training.
Well, fast forward 3 weeks later & my knees are worse than ever... actually, I think Saturday they were worse than today, but pretty close. I haven't run, or gone spinning, or even yoga (squats & lunges are not my friends right now), or ANYTHING for that matter (in case you're curious, it's slowly killing me inside) and my knees are still hurting me. Not a fan. I've been hoping that this was just runner's knee(s), but the more time that goes by the more I'm thinking it's not. My runner's knee in the past has never been this persistent! Sunday I mentioned the pain to a friend & she said that it sounded just like when she tore her meniscus. Ugh! Hearing those words was like a knife in my heart!
I've been researching meniscus tears & it's definitely possible that is what I have. I especially think it's a possibility since I told Peter a few weeks back that it seemed like I twisted my knee (Don't worry, honey, I don't expect you to remember me saying that to you.). It's a pain that's underneath & on the inside of my knee. It's not there all of the time, but comes & goes. It started out as a sharp pain, but now it's just a dull ache. The only really weird thing is that this pain isn't on just one knee, but both.
After all of my research, I decided to swear off running, follow the RICE plan. I also looked up some physical therapy exercises to do. I was going to reevaluate myself in 2 weeks & try to re-introduce yoga & the elliptical and then slowly increase my exercising until I felt it appropriate to try running again. That was yesterday...
Now, while nothing with the status of my knees has changed, I'm thinking it's time to be a big girl & head on out to a knee doctor.
I think I'm just scared that he'll tell me I need surgery... or that I'll never be able to run again. I think both of those scenarios are doubtful, but I'd be super pissed if I rehabbed myself for 2 months only to find out then that I should've/could've done something more for my knees NOW.
I have the doctor's number in my hands & plan on calling tomorrow... maybe.
The End.
But seriously...
My knees (plural!) have not been right since returning from New Zealand. I've had one or MAYBE two pain free runs. I made a quick decision upon my return home to scrap the half marathon I had been training for & try the duathlon with my wonderful husband instead. Sadly, the runs that led up to the duathlon continued to be difficult & moderately painful, so I decided it was best to cancel that idea as well (your welcome, Peter) and limit my running & do a bunch of cross training.
Well, fast forward 3 weeks later & my knees are worse than ever... actually, I think Saturday they were worse than today, but pretty close. I haven't run, or gone spinning, or even yoga (squats & lunges are not my friends right now), or ANYTHING for that matter (in case you're curious, it's slowly killing me inside) and my knees are still hurting me. Not a fan. I've been hoping that this was just runner's knee(s), but the more time that goes by the more I'm thinking it's not. My runner's knee in the past has never been this persistent! Sunday I mentioned the pain to a friend & she said that it sounded just like when she tore her meniscus. Ugh! Hearing those words was like a knife in my heart!
I've been researching meniscus tears & it's definitely possible that is what I have. I especially think it's a possibility since I told Peter a few weeks back that it seemed like I twisted my knee (Don't worry, honey, I don't expect you to remember me saying that to you.). It's a pain that's underneath & on the inside of my knee. It's not there all of the time, but comes & goes. It started out as a sharp pain, but now it's just a dull ache. The only really weird thing is that this pain isn't on just one knee, but both.
After all of my research, I decided to swear off running, follow the RICE plan. I also looked up some physical therapy exercises to do. I was going to reevaluate myself in 2 weeks & try to re-introduce yoga & the elliptical and then slowly increase my exercising until I felt it appropriate to try running again. That was yesterday...
Now, while nothing with the status of my knees has changed, I'm thinking it's time to be a big girl & head on out to a knee doctor.
I think I'm just scared that he'll tell me I need surgery... or that I'll never be able to run again. I think both of those scenarios are doubtful, but I'd be super pissed if I rehabbed myself for 2 months only to find out then that I should've/could've done something more for my knees NOW.
I have the doctor's number in my hands & plan on calling tomorrow... maybe.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Week in Review
This week was pretty good. I followed my schedule as planned. Well, not exactly. I was supposed to do a speedy 5K this weekend, but my sacred Garmin held me back. For some reason it couldn't find satellites. Not quite sure what the issue was, but after warming up for 1.5 miles trying to get my Garmin to find my location, I just gave up & did a relatively easy 5 mile run.
Now, you may be asking, "Why couldn't you just do the speed workout without the Garmin?" Well, my friends, cause that's just not how I roll. Having no time on my watch to reassure me would drive me crazy. I would either have to just do what feels right, or do some quick math in my head... not my forte. So, I decided to scrap the speed & just do a reasonable distance at a pretty good pace (just under 10 min miles). However, during my run I came up with my workout schedule for this week, including a great running idea. The duathlon was 2 weeks from yesterday. I decided that I'm going to try to replicate the race for myself on Thursday. Thursday's my day off, so I'll have time to dedicate to this. I'm going to run a 5K, rest/stretch/hydrate for 1 to 1.5 hours, and then run my second 5K. I'm pretty excited about this! I'm interested to see how I'm going to feel during the second 5K!
This week's stats:
Total miles run: 13
Total miles biked: 5
Yoga: 1 class, 1 video
New songs added to my running playlist:
Give me everything (Pitbull Ft. Ne-Yo)
Now, you may be asking, "Why couldn't you just do the speed workout without the Garmin?" Well, my friends, cause that's just not how I roll. Having no time on my watch to reassure me would drive me crazy. I would either have to just do what feels right, or do some quick math in my head... not my forte. So, I decided to scrap the speed & just do a reasonable distance at a pretty good pace (just under 10 min miles). However, during my run I came up with my workout schedule for this week, including a great running idea. The duathlon was 2 weeks from yesterday. I decided that I'm going to try to replicate the race for myself on Thursday. Thursday's my day off, so I'll have time to dedicate to this. I'm going to run a 5K, rest/stretch/hydrate for 1 to 1.5 hours, and then run my second 5K. I'm pretty excited about this! I'm interested to see how I'm going to feel during the second 5K!
This week's stats:
Total miles run: 13
Total miles biked: 5
Yoga: 1 class, 1 video
New songs added to my running playlist:
Give me everything (Pitbull Ft. Ne-Yo)
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Week in Review
I've been home from vacation for just over a week, so I think it's time to address my running status. While I didn't run a ton on vacation I was still fairly active. We did a 5K run early on in the vacation, and then we did a bunch of walking & hiking, and even a 10 mile bike ride in the middle of the trip. So, when I got home and was supposed to be running 10 miles the day after my plane landed I wasn't too worried. Now, I wasn't gonna go out & run 10 miles, but I felt a 5 mile run at a 6 mph pace was well within my capabilities. So, I headed on out & felt pretty good for the first 2.5 miles. Unfortunately, as I continued I developed a stabbing pain underneath my right knee cap. I stopped to walk for 0.5 miles. The pain went away, but as soon as I returned to running the pain didn't hesitate to come back immediately. Not a fan. When I got home I stretched, iced my knee & took some IBUs. The next day I decided to just go for it & do a short jog. I didn't even get 1 mile into it before I had to stop. Not a fan. I continued to walk the rest of the way & my knee continued to hurt which was not promising...
Long story short, the half marathon, which is only 3 weeks away has officially been postponed. I don't think my knee is ready to endure long runs. It was a tough decision to make (especially since I've been labeled a quitter for most of my life), but there are still at least 2 more half marathons locally before winter. Since I was concerned about being called a quitter, I came up with a back up race to train for. Instead of doing the Flower City Half Marathon as planned, I decided that Peter & I would do the Flower City Duathlon!
The duathlon is set up as 5K run/20 mile bike ride/5K run. You can do it by yourself or as a relay. I told Peter I would run the 5Ks if he would do the bike ride. He has tentatively agreed. This, of course, is all dependent on my capability to run 6.2 miles. I'm confident that I'll be able to pull it off. There will be a break in the middle, so I'm thinking that my knee will hold up. I'm trying to look at this like a blessing in disguise. I'm hoping that by focusing on cross training & shorter runs that I'll be able to increase my speed while recovering. Too ambitious? We'll see how this goes. I've been resting my knee, stretching & doing yoga. I have since gone running in 2 mile increments pain free. I find this promising. I'm feeling good about my running season this spring/summer/fall.
Here's my planned workouts for this week:
Monday: Easy 5K Run
Tuesday: Bike 5 miles
Wednesday: Yoga
Thursday: Easy Long Run (not quite sure what "long" will be yet)
Friday: REST
Saturday: Speed 5K Run
Sunday: Yoga
This is all contingent on my knee, of course. I've decided that if my knee even slightly hurts I'm stopping dead in my tracks & I'm going home & icing it. Only time will tell....
Long story short, the half marathon, which is only 3 weeks away has officially been postponed. I don't think my knee is ready to endure long runs. It was a tough decision to make (especially since I've been labeled a quitter for most of my life), but there are still at least 2 more half marathons locally before winter. Since I was concerned about being called a quitter, I came up with a back up race to train for. Instead of doing the Flower City Half Marathon as planned, I decided that Peter & I would do the Flower City Duathlon!
The duathlon is set up as 5K run/20 mile bike ride/5K run. You can do it by yourself or as a relay. I told Peter I would run the 5Ks if he would do the bike ride. He has tentatively agreed. This, of course, is all dependent on my capability to run 6.2 miles. I'm confident that I'll be able to pull it off. There will be a break in the middle, so I'm thinking that my knee will hold up. I'm trying to look at this like a blessing in disguise. I'm hoping that by focusing on cross training & shorter runs that I'll be able to increase my speed while recovering. Too ambitious? We'll see how this goes. I've been resting my knee, stretching & doing yoga. I have since gone running in 2 mile increments pain free. I find this promising. I'm feeling good about my running season this spring/summer/fall.
Here's my planned workouts for this week:
Monday: Easy 5K Run
Tuesday: Bike 5 miles
Wednesday: Yoga
Thursday: Easy Long Run (not quite sure what "long" will be yet)
Friday: REST
Saturday: Speed 5K Run
Sunday: Yoga
This is all contingent on my knee, of course. I've decided that if my knee even slightly hurts I'm stopping dead in my tracks & I'm going home & icing it. Only time will tell....
Sunday, March 6, 2011
End of Week Wrap Up
First off, no, I did not run the Shamrock Run yesterday. I could give you a hundred excuses why I backed out, but feel free to just call me a quitter (that's what my family does). While I did not do the 5 mile race, I did run 7 miles at a 10:42 pace at the gym!
Total miles: 18
Spinning: no classes
Yoga: 1 class
Weight Training: 1x
New songs added to my running playlist:
Ghost (Fefe Dobson)
Pretty Vegas (INXS)
(NOTE: I was in Buffalo & listening to my fave canadian radio stations always reminds me of fab songs that I've forgotten about!)
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
O Happy Day!
The long awaited day has arrived..... I have finally been united with my Garmin Forerunner! I deviated from my routine & didn't go straight to the gym after work. I headed home & was hoping to find my package on the front porch. The USPS site said my package was in transit! It was only 7 degrees when I headed to work this morning, but upon leaving work it was about 36 degrees & crazy sunny so it felt much warmer! I thought for sure I would run outside & finally experience the Garmin.... alas, it was not meant to be. My mailman decided to wait until the sun went down to deliver the package. I don't know what that was all about, since my mail it always on my porch before 4 pm (conspiracy, perhaps?)! I was not a happy camper. It's okay though, 'cause it needed to be charged & I had to learn how to work it.
The sacred Garmin on my freakishly small wrist!
Now I must wait for the next day I have enough courage to brave the cold. My poor little body will not be happy, but that's okay, 'cause I'm sure the endorphins & pure joy of having an accurate workout recording device will keep me going.
Do endorphins help Reynaud's?
For now I'll just stare at the pretty tulips I bought at Wegmans, dreaming of warmer days when running outside won't seem impossible or life threatening...
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Can't Wait for my New Toy!
A few weeks ago I decided that I really, REALLY wanted a GPS to run with. I've been trying to justify spending the money. Finally, yesterday, I justified it to myself & bought it before I could change my mind. It should be arriving from Amazon in 5-10 days!
Last year in the beginning stages of my half-marathon training I decided to invest in the Nike + system. It wasn't that much of an investment. For the Nike Sports Kit it only cost $29.99 at Best Buy. Sadly, it is not compatible with my iPod classic or my Shuffle, but luckily my husband has a second generation iPod Nano lying around that he no longer uses since he upgraded to the iPhone way back when. Thankfully, the ancient Nano is compatible! So, I was super excited about my Nike + system.... for a couple weeks. The system is basically a glorified pedometer. Sure, it keeps track of your time, distance & pace, and will even read it back to you over your iPod, BUT it is horribly inaccurate. Try, try as I might, I could not calibrate the thing to accurately report my distance. My 3 mile runs were always around 2.5 miles according to my iPod, and the longer I ran the greater the discrepency. Regardless, I continued to use it through my half-marathon in April, and on into the summer.
Eventually I felt it was time to upgrade! So, as I said earlier, I started looking into GPS for my runs. Finally, I settled on the Garmin Forerunner 110!
Last year in the beginning stages of my half-marathon training I decided to invest in the Nike + system. It wasn't that much of an investment. For the Nike Sports Kit it only cost $29.99 at Best Buy. Sadly, it is not compatible with my iPod classic or my Shuffle, but luckily my husband has a second generation iPod Nano lying around that he no longer uses since he upgraded to the iPhone way back when. Thankfully, the ancient Nano is compatible! So, I was super excited about my Nike + system.... for a couple weeks. The system is basically a glorified pedometer. Sure, it keeps track of your time, distance & pace, and will even read it back to you over your iPod, BUT it is horribly inaccurate. Try, try as I might, I could not calibrate the thing to accurately report my distance. My 3 mile runs were always around 2.5 miles according to my iPod, and the longer I ran the greater the discrepency. Regardless, I continued to use it through my half-marathon in April, and on into the summer.
Eventually I felt it was time to upgrade! So, as I said earlier, I started looking into GPS for my runs. Finally, I settled on the Garmin Forerunner 110!
I really wanted the 410, but it was hard enough to justify spending the money on the 110. The 410 can do a lot more things, but the one thing that I really liked about it is that it can give you your instant pace, as opposed to the 110 that can only give you the average pace per mile. I decided that I was okay without the instant pace feature.... especially since that would've cost me an extra $150.... couldn't really justify that one!
Now I wait. As if I wasn't excited about the impending warm weather & outdoor runs already!
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