It's All Good

It's all good.  Well, except for the dating.  I think "The Continental" from SNL best describes my last date, but I'll share more in its very own post in a few days.  I'll even try to put the video clip on my blog so we can be in this together...

But let's talk running!  Coach had warned us that Saturday's Long Run down in Ken Caryl would be challenging. And because he typically describes challenging hills as rollers and rollers as flat, when he calls something challenging, well, it's scary.  However, I've been running well, so I thought ha! maybe challenging for others, but I can handle it! Well, you know where things went from there - only downward when you display such bravado.

This is what greeted us at the start of our run (thanks Kandy for the photo):

Thankfully it was not an omen for the day!  And we had perfect weather for running in the valley...

I felt strong on the way out, but was extremely fatigued on the way back.  It's nice to have a long run that kicks you in the butt, so you continue to work hard at running stronger.

I'm fairly certain that my fatigue had nothing to do with the jelly bean I swallowed whole at the 8 mile aid station.  Pretty sure it is still lodged in my lung.  Anyhow, the fatigue followed me around the entire weekend, along with a cranky IT Band, twitching quads and tight hammies & calves.  It was a result of not enough sleep, increasing my miles too much, and not enough carbs the week leading up to the run.  All things within my control for next time...

The cranky, twitchy and tight body parts have already returned to normal - so I am thankful that I seem to be able to recover more quickly.  I credit this to strength training with Melissa.  Probably stretching, foam rolling and good nutrition played a part too, but I really think my investment in strength training is the smartest thing I've done so far this training session. 

This week I can't make the long run with the group, so I'm hoping to find a suitable trail for 14 miles.  Suitable trail = not a lot of mud.  Fingers crossed that the precipitation that is expected in the next few days misses us.  I'm feelin' a little Jeep Road in my future.

Last I left you, I was waxing poetic (ok, really whining) about my fear of speed work.  I'm happy to report that I've conquered two speed work sessions since last I blogged.  And with the company of my pace group co-leader Nancy - she makes speed work fly by!

Speed work session #1: 2 miles of warm-up with plyos. And as usual, the warm-up was at my tempo pace. Then 2 miles of fartleks. I should have then done 2X800 repeats but the clock was ticking, so I did one and did an 800 cool down. So if you only do one 800, do you call it a "repeat"?

Speed work session #2: 2 miles of warm up with plyos, in which I demonstrated my general inability to talk while doing walking lunges.  Then 2 miles of hill repeats at 5km effort.  And 1.5 miles of recovery.  Half of the recovery should have included a hill repeat at 5km effort...but a side stitch made that seem difficult. 

Here's my training over the last few weeks. 

Week of February 7
Monday: rest
Tuesday: 5.0 miles
Wednesday: strength training
Thursday: 5.0 miles
Friday: strength training
Saturday: 10 miles
Sunday: 5.0 miles
Total Miles: 25.0 miles

Week of February 14
Monday: 5.06 miles
Tuesday: 5.0 miles
Wednesday: strength training and 3.02 miles
Thursday: 5.04 miles
Friday: strength training
Saturday: 12.0 miles
Sunday: 4.0 miles
Total Miles: 34.12 miles

Expect a return to more regular blogging as work is returning to its normal speed and running is gearing up.  I'm sure there are more consuming whole jelly bean stories to share...

Laura

Speed Work Postponed

While fast asleep this evening, our latest round of unpleasant winter weather will likely strike. Giving us 3-8 inches of the white stuff and cold temperatures. As a result, the first session of speed work with my running group has been postponed until next week. I will be on the treadmill in the morning - I can hardly contain my enthusiasm.

Am I sad that speed work will be delayed by a week? Nope. I'm not quite ready for it. Physically, I am ready to go. Mentally, I'm not quite there. The mental aspect is huge. For the most part, I will be surrounded by a group of 30 or so accomplished and very speedy runners. This provides for a weekly mind drain. I have to contend that even on my best day and on the others' worst day, we will never be equally matched - or even close to it. Looking forward to a weekly dose of this is not my idea of good times.

This feeling of not ever being able to measure up is compounded with my fear of speed. I'm afraid that my body will not do what I want it to do. There is some solace that I am not the only one out there who thinks this way...I read a lot of blogs.  Probably too many.  Some are instructive (don't do what I do).  Some are hysterical or inspirational.  And on occasion, a blog post speaks to me.

Now I have very little in common with this blogger.  First, he's a dude.  He's much funnier than I.  He's much faster than I.  But we both enjoy beer.  And he made a confession a few weeks back that still resonates with me.

"I am afraid of speed because

I feel my body will fail me."

So speed work for me is akin to facing my running fears head on in front of a small crowd on a regular basis.  Even though this small crowd is an encouraging bunch who are more focused on their own performance than mine, it takes me a great deal of mental strength to show up, let alone attempt the work.  But do so I will.  Speed work helps me test out different ways to stop the negative thinking and practicing using positive mental strength tricks for some of those particularly difficult times I'm bound to run into while racing (no pun intended of course).  Failing to participate in speed work would mean that I let my fears defeat some of my dreams.  And that would be unacceptable. 

Plus, I'm sure you all want to read about my speed work pursuits.  There are bound to be some funny stories!

Here's what my training looked like the past two weeks - time to kick up the mileage I think - if only mother nature would help the cause -  pics in this post were from Sunday:

Week of January 24 - January 30
Monday: rest day
Tuesday: 6.08 miles
Wednesday: strength training
Thursday: 6.05 miles
Friday: strength training
Saturday: 10 miles
Sunday: 3.0 miles
Total weekly mileage: 25.13 miles

Week of January 31-February 6
Monday:  2.19 miles (aborted run due to freezing rain!)
Tuesday: 5 miles (treadmill)
Wednesday: strength training
Thursday: 5 miles (treadmill)
Friday: strength training
Saturday: 12 miles
Sunday: 3.06 miles
Total weekly mileage: 27.25 miles

Have a great week!

Laura