Running and Riding

Yesterday, two friends from work and I managed about 6.2 miles on the Bobolink Trail. There were a few of these signs at a couple of trail markers.

Yikes! I didn't feel very good about that. If you've ever read The Beast in the Garden you'll understand why. But, you may not want to read it if you like running trails. But, then again, maybe you should. It's a good read.

We set out to do a tempo run and managed about 6.2 miles. My iPhone battery was running out of juice so I only tracked the run up to the turn around point. I have to remember to try out my solar powered battery back up the next time I am out on a sunny day.

I also tried out my new trail running shoes that I bought the day before. They are Adidas Kanadia TR 3 and they were on sale at Sports Authority, and I had a $15 off coupon as well. They seemed pretty comfy as I walked around in the store a bit and the price was right so I thought I'd give them a shot on the trails. They felt pretty ok. A little stiff but I think that's just because they are new. I think they'll work just fine. It was nice to have a little trail tread. I think I'll try them out on Sunday. (More on that later!)  There could very well be some snow to run on then.

I did feel a bit tired on this run for some reason. It felt good but tiring. Right before hitting the turn around spot I started feeling like I wanted to turn around, so that was good timing. On the return run, I felt much better. I even felt like I had a little left to push it to the finish. I pushed it as we closed in, stretching out my legs to the finish, but barely made it there. I petered out right at the end. I was ok with that because I knew I'd worked hard. I felt pretty tired by the time I got home. I was also starving and it was also pretty late. We didn't eat dinner until 8pm.

Here I am post run and pre-ride. It was a good day!

I really like that skirt. It's a Nike tennis skort that I found on the clearance rack at Sports Authority. The only thing I don't like is that it doesn't have any pockets. So, I wear it when I plan to carry my fanny pack. It's very comfy. My hair is now long enough to require the bandanna too. That kind of sucks since the weather is getting warmer. But, maybe it'll be long enough for a ponytail soon. Hopefully by Estes it will be ponytail length.

7 weeks until Estes

I think I figured out that I was making myself sick worrying about my training. Is that irony? Anyway, even though I didn't run at all during the week, I managed to run nearly 7 miles on Saturday. That was nice! I ran with a friend and we talked the whole way. We walked some bits and that was cool too. I needed that! Today I ran 3.2 miles in a light drizzle. That was nice too. I thought about taking the day off. I felt sore from Saturday's long run but I'm glad I went out there and got more miles done. My legs were much happier than I thought they'd be. I managed to run most of the way and at a pretty good pace too. Yay!

I've learned about some running routes in Atlanta when I am there. And I think I'll be happy to get some miles on the treadmill in Alaska. I'll just play that by ear and not worry about it. Just get it done over the next two weeks and have that base built up before I leave. It's all good. :-)

7 weeks until Estes! Woot!

Am I sick or just tired?

Hmmm. Neither is acceptable right now. I need to train. After my last run, Sunday's 4.6 miles at Matthews Winters Park, I am now really tired. I actually feel exhausted. That's not good. Is it because of the run? Or maybe I'm getting a cold? Ugh! I need to train. Only 3 weeks until the Colfax relay. Only 8 weeks until Estes!! Sigh. I am only stressed about Estes because three of those 8 weeks I'll be out of town and I'm not sure how I'll get my training done. My longest run so far has only been a 10K. :-(

Time to stop making excuses and just get it done....

But, I'm so tired.... Why am I so tired?

April 4th - Boot Camp Test Day

The next fitness boot camp session began yesterday. It always begins and ends with a test day, designed to provide a baseline for improvement over the 5 week session. Now, even though I am not participating in the full session, I am attending to do my make up classes from the last session. I had to stop going last month to give myself a longer break and to help my body rest and recover from over doing it. So, I missed 5 classes which means I can attend one day a week this session. I also missed the last sessions test day, which was ok. The last test day for me was February 2nd.

Every session we do the same tests: recovery heart rate step test, crunches within 2 minutes or to fail, push ups to fail, static squat test up to 4 minutes, and a mile run. Here are my stats from yesterday and compared to the previous test.

Recovery heart rate: 108 (Feb), 87
Crunches: 86 (Feb), 104
Push Ups: 32 (Feb), 20
Squat test: 2:20 (Feb), 1:12
Mile run: 10:05 (Feb), 9:32

I was hoping this test would reflect that my new training plan, more running and less boot camp, would show the appropriate improvements and it did. I was most pleased with my recovery heart rate as it's never been that low. That was quite exciting. I did more crunches than last time which surprised me but I have been working on my fast abs during my boot camp break. Fewer push ups made me sad but I did expect that as well so that's ok. The mile run time was also pleasing. The time prior to the 10:05 time was 9:31. So, I was hoping to see something less than 10 minutes this time around. I was very very pleased with 9:32. :-)

So, it seems my plan is working. I am less stressed as well with my workouts, and with missing one or two. Today I forgot my sports bra so didn't get my run in at lunch. But, tomorrow is boot camp so I'm not too worried about missing it. I'll make it up at some point or I won't. It's all good.

Now, I need to find a race for April. :-)

Week of April 4th

I keep forgetting to utilize my Runner's World Smart Coach app on my iPhone. I set it up a few weeks ago for the Estes Park Half. Here is the running training plan for this week, according to the app:

Monday - Rest/XT [test day boot camp/Fast Abs]
Tuesday - 2 miles, easy run
Wednesday - Rest/XT [boot camp]
Thursday - 5 miles, tempo run
Friday - Rest/XT [Fast Abs/Arms]
Saturday - Rest/XT [Starbucks walk]
Sunday - 6 miles, long run

I like this app because you can program which days are long days, which days are rest, etc. So, it fits into my own plan but gives me a training schedule that will get me to the race.

This week is the start of the first outdoor boot camp session. I'm only attending one day a week and I've chosen Wednesday for that workout day. Last year, Wednesday's were often trail days where we did runs and workouts either in Chautauqua or at Mount Sanitas or some other challenging place. As much as I struggled on those trail days, I know it helped my running, so I'm hoping to take advantage of that. We also spend lots of time on the hill in the park as well, which is also very good for my running. I'm looking forward to finally starting my real training and this push into the next two months before the race. I really need to build my miles before my 3 week break for work travel and vacation. If I can manage that I'll be really really happy.

So, in addition to the runs posted above, I will attend the test day for boot camp on Monday, which includes a timed mile run, Wednesday boot camp session, and maybe do a short run on Saturday or a Starbucks walk. I also need to get back to my Fast Abs workout, which I didn't do at all this week. Need to do some arm workouts too, just because I want to. That'll come with boot camp as well though.