Man am I tired of running in the cold...
It was in the low 20s when we took off this morning, so layers was again key. I stayed up way too late last night and didn't have enough water late yesterday to make today fun. While I did complete the four miles ahead of most, I ended up walking on probably 4 separate occasions. The sinuses run when it's cold, so I have to stop and blow my nose! I tried doing that running a few times but practically keeled over since you cannot blow your nose and breathe at the same time!
One purchase I made this week was a new watch. I paid about $35 at Costco for a Nike watch that is specifically for runners. It has a pace alarm (so you can set, say, a 10 minute pace) and a lap timer. I may use that on the local track when the weather warms up a bit, rather than on the treadmill.
I've now completed the four mile course three times - only one was what I could consider moderate to easy (Wednesday night). This week calls for 3.5 miles easy on Monday, 4.5 miles mixed on Wednesday, then 5 miles on Saturday. Considering the 10K is just 5 weeks from today, that should put me in good shape to make the 10K a very "do-able" run! I will do my best to meet the group on Wednesday - since that seemed to be the best run yet and the motivation to keep going was there.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
10K Team in Training - week 6 - mid week runs
Well, I have the chance so want to document my workouts this week. Monday was done on the treadmill. After 1.6 miles of running (mostly), the machine quit. I had to start over which was a total distraction. So, all in all a 3.1 mile day. I walked for probably 3 - 4 minutes total, but felt pretty good about the run. Tuesday was a scheduled rest day and this morning, I planned on hitting the weights but the sleep was needed - and was much better for my body than lifting was. Today, the schedule calls for a 4 mile easy run (easy -- yeah right). I didn't want to do it on my own, so decided to join a few others who have been running outside Monday and Wednesday nights. We discussed it on week 4's Saturday run, and they have been doing it since.
The weather was great tonight -- upper 50s with a slight breeze. We met at about 5:55 and waited until after 6:05 to see if others would join us. There were 3 women, another man and myself. I wish I were better with names than I am -- but will certainly recognize all to say hello to on Saturdays. One woman was close to my age, and the others were all in their 20's. I felt that I was in for the run of my life just to keep up. We finally took off and ran the same course as on Saturday -- hills and all.
Apparently, doing my "homework" has paid off. I think that I was either feeling much better or was doing better because of the warmer weather. I kept up the entire time (granted it was at a slower pace), but no walking at all. I even led at part of the run, but everyone kept close. No walking, not even up the hills -- ZERO Walking!!
The four miles went by quickly, keeping up a conversation along most of the route with these really nice folks (runners). I was tired at the end because I pushed myself harder than previously, but have recovered quickly. Saturday, it's another 4 miles -- but I have full confidence I can do it now. I think our time was 45 minutes - about 11+ minutes per mile, but non-stop and with hills! Remove the hills and I know I can drop several minutes from my time.
For the first time, I am actually looking forward to the rest of the training and running in the 10K!
The weather was great tonight -- upper 50s with a slight breeze. We met at about 5:55 and waited until after 6:05 to see if others would join us. There were 3 women, another man and myself. I wish I were better with names than I am -- but will certainly recognize all to say hello to on Saturdays. One woman was close to my age, and the others were all in their 20's. I felt that I was in for the run of my life just to keep up. We finally took off and ran the same course as on Saturday -- hills and all.
Apparently, doing my "homework" has paid off. I think that I was either feeling much better or was doing better because of the warmer weather. I kept up the entire time (granted it was at a slower pace), but no walking at all. I even led at part of the run, but everyone kept close. No walking, not even up the hills -- ZERO Walking!!
The four miles went by quickly, keeping up a conversation along most of the route with these really nice folks (runners). I was tired at the end because I pushed myself harder than previously, but have recovered quickly. Saturday, it's another 4 miles -- but I have full confidence I can do it now. I think our time was 45 minutes - about 11+ minutes per mile, but non-stop and with hills! Remove the hills and I know I can drop several minutes from my time.
For the first time, I am actually looking forward to the rest of the training and running in the 10K!
Saturday, February 17, 2007
10K Team in Training - week 5
Four miles! It's hard to believe but it wasn't that bad. It was just over 20 degrees this morning when we started, almost 30 when we finished, so the temp wasn't much of a big deal. There were more people out this week than last, and I talked to some new folks that I had seen but not talked to previously. It's just after 9 AM and I'm already home and cooling off.
We started with a long downhill run -- more than a mile. After a long flat stretch, a few small hills then another small downhill as we backtracked over the small hills. One long uphill stretch and we were half way. There was a water stop at the halfway point - a good break from running. Then, a sloping downhill / flat section for the next full mile. That mile was the best yet. I ran and talked to Jeff, the beau of a co-worker (but I just met him today). We chatted during the entire mile (and during most of mile 2). It was the furthest each of us had run previously. and the mile felt good. A few short walking periods during the final mile (like up the last hill) allowed a strong finish.
Prep today included eating a few slices of hearty bread, one with strawberry jelly. That worked well for me -- I'm not starving and the water I drank beforehand was a huge help.
All in all, I felt good about the run today (especially the 3rd mile). I am getting stronger with each run and recovering faster. I'm encourage since I have the same distance to run next Saturday - and I have proven that I can cover that mileage!
We started with a long downhill run -- more than a mile. After a long flat stretch, a few small hills then another small downhill as we backtracked over the small hills. One long uphill stretch and we were half way. There was a water stop at the halfway point - a good break from running. Then, a sloping downhill / flat section for the next full mile. That mile was the best yet. I ran and talked to Jeff, the beau of a co-worker (but I just met him today). We chatted during the entire mile (and during most of mile 2). It was the furthest each of us had run previously. and the mile felt good. A few short walking periods during the final mile (like up the last hill) allowed a strong finish.
Prep today included eating a few slices of hearty bread, one with strawberry jelly. That worked well for me -- I'm not starving and the water I drank beforehand was a huge help.
All in all, I felt good about the run today (especially the 3rd mile). I am getting stronger with each run and recovering faster. I'm encourage since I have the same distance to run next Saturday - and I have proven that I can cover that mileage!
10K Team in Training - week 5 pre-run
This was a good week. After recovering on Sunday, Monday's 3-miles was do-able. I walked some, but mostly changed the treadmill to stay at .5% grade and kept my speed under 6MPH. I'm trying to keep at 5.8 or 5.9 during the runs, knowing that if I do, I must push myself to keep running and not walk. I actually ran about 3.25 miles on Monday - figuring the 1/4 mile was my total walking.
Wednesday, I didn't make the mistake of running outside at night like the previous week. I have kept up with the training schedule about 95% -- just the one day of outside running that was a shorter distance than anticipated. I am still nursing shin splints on my left leg -- trying to figure out how to let that heal. From talking to several experts, they think that as I tire, I tend to pronate (my foot tends to turn in / become flatter). Well since I have been increasing my distance, I am tired and can buy that. I need to purchase a set of cheap arch supports for my left shoe before Monday to see if that will help.
Today is four miles... it's a warm 20 degrees currently -- so will be similar to last week. I do need to add a hat (I forgot it last week), just to help keep the sweat out of the eyes. It's really hard to believe how much you can sweat at 20 degrees, but the body is an incredible engine -- warming quickly then moderating it's own temperature by the above mentioned sweat. Thank God for the shower afterwards!
Gotta run and figure out how to dress! Another experimental week...
Wednesday, I didn't make the mistake of running outside at night like the previous week. I have kept up with the training schedule about 95% -- just the one day of outside running that was a shorter distance than anticipated. I am still nursing shin splints on my left leg -- trying to figure out how to let that heal. From talking to several experts, they think that as I tire, I tend to pronate (my foot tends to turn in / become flatter). Well since I have been increasing my distance, I am tired and can buy that. I need to purchase a set of cheap arch supports for my left shoe before Monday to see if that will help.
Today is four miles... it's a warm 20 degrees currently -- so will be similar to last week. I do need to add a hat (I forgot it last week), just to help keep the sweat out of the eyes. It's really hard to believe how much you can sweat at 20 degrees, but the body is an incredible engine -- warming quickly then moderating it's own temperature by the above mentioned sweat. Thank God for the shower afterwards!
Gotta run and figure out how to dress! Another experimental week...
Saturday, February 10, 2007
10K Team in Training - week 4
Tough run -- a few periods of walking but I made the three miles. I'm still fighting the sinus thing but it seems better when I run. Everyone was COLD today, so starting slowly was the best plan. I did eat before running (a bagel), about an hour before taking off. That was a huge help. So, going forward, I will do the same when I run outside.
I have noticed the number of runners has decreased since the 2nd week. I think that many people are finding that this is tougher than they thought it would be -- probably due to the quick ramp up of distance. 1,2,3,3,4,4,5 miles in the first 7 weeks. Today was the last of the 3-milers -- up to four next week. God help me...
I have noticed the number of runners has decreased since the 2nd week. I think that many people are finding that this is tougher than they thought it would be -- probably due to the quick ramp up of distance. 1,2,3,3,4,4,5 miles in the first 7 weeks. Today was the last of the 3-milers -- up to four next week. God help me...
10K Team in Training - week 4 pre run
Tough week... Monday was 2 miles. Inside, on the treadmill. No biggie after Saturday. I ended up going further, about 3 miles in all, but the last mile was mostly walking. Wednesday I attempted to run outside - that was a mistake I think. I actually ended up working 12+ hours on Tuesday and was just beat. So, I skipped the gym Wednesday AM and headed there at 4:45. All I can say is packed, packed, packed. Every treadmill, elliptical and bike was in use. I lifted (arms) and decided to head outside to run. It was very cold and I didn't stretch as much as I should have, so it was a hard run. I really didn't know how far I had run until I mapped it out. It was just under 2 miles with several periods of walking. Not good for my distance. Thursday, I walked on the treadmill, but did end up running a bit (about a mile). I felt better running, but wanted to drop back to walking per my training schedule.
Today, it's another 3-miler. This will be tough since right now it's a brisk 17 degrees - but might warm to the mid 20's by 8:00. The cold air makes it really hard to breath, and it makes my nose run wild. I have been fighting a sinus / cold thing all week, but am determined to run through this today. If I survive, I'll post after the run to document how it went. If this is the last post, I died along the way... Ha!
Today, it's another 3-miler. This will be tough since right now it's a brisk 17 degrees - but might warm to the mid 20's by 8:00. The cold air makes it really hard to breath, and it makes my nose run wild. I have been fighting a sinus / cold thing all week, but am determined to run through this today. If I survive, I'll post after the run to document how it went. If this is the last post, I died along the way... Ha!
Sunday, February 04, 2007
10K Team in Training - week 3
This past week, I stuck to the schedule perfectly. I ran when I was supposed to (including the distance), and rested when I was supposed to. Yesterday was the challenge of a 3-mile run.
The ramp up in distance is huge (1 mile, then 2, then 3 over just two weeks), so the challenge was before me. The weekly distances were 2 miles Monday, 2.5 miles on Wednesday, walk / cross-train on Thursday, and then 3 miles on Saturday. 2 miles - not bad. 2.5 miles were mostly running (over 2 1/4 miles before walking then finishing with a run), but three?!? Personally, I thought they were nuts.
Our training location is very different from the real 10K course. The 10K consists of a flat course that may turn left or right or make a sweeping u-turn over a flat road. Our YMCA sits at the top of a hill. Turn left, you go downhill. Turn right, you go downhill. While downhill is good, it means that you have to end with a long uphill run. When you are also running the longest you have in almost 25 years, it is not the preferred way to finish.
Yesterday, it was a cold morning - just under 30 degrees at our 8:00 AM start. I started strong although felt like walking after less than a mile. Of course, I kept pushing through the distance since much of what was behind me at that point was downhill. This, of course, translates into an uphill return. After about 1.5 miles, I had to walk for a bit to blow my nose -- as with most people, cold weather makes my nose run. I again started running. All in all, I walked a total of 3 or 4 times. One good thing is that I walk quickly so almost no one passed me on those walking stints. After walking part of the final hill, I finished strong and at about 15 in the pack of 75 or so. I was pleased overall, but know there is more work to do.
This week calls for 2 miles on Monday (we're supposed to feel like this should be easy by now), and 2.5 miles on Wednesday. This duplicates the previous week and is supposed to help our endurance. Saturday is another 3 miles. Let's hope that the cold weather continues since that is much easier to run in once my body "engine" warms up.
3 weekly runs down, 7 more prep runs to go before the 10K. I know that the 10K should be easier for me than in any year past due to my preparation, and am looking for a personal best time that blows away previous times. Preparation is the key. As a friend told me yesterday before we ran, passing the final exam is much easier if you actually attend class and do the homework!
The ramp up in distance is huge (1 mile, then 2, then 3 over just two weeks), so the challenge was before me. The weekly distances were 2 miles Monday, 2.5 miles on Wednesday, walk / cross-train on Thursday, and then 3 miles on Saturday. 2 miles - not bad. 2.5 miles were mostly running (over 2 1/4 miles before walking then finishing with a run), but three?!? Personally, I thought they were nuts.
Our training location is very different from the real 10K course. The 10K consists of a flat course that may turn left or right or make a sweeping u-turn over a flat road. Our YMCA sits at the top of a hill. Turn left, you go downhill. Turn right, you go downhill. While downhill is good, it means that you have to end with a long uphill run. When you are also running the longest you have in almost 25 years, it is not the preferred way to finish.
Yesterday, it was a cold morning - just under 30 degrees at our 8:00 AM start. I started strong although felt like walking after less than a mile. Of course, I kept pushing through the distance since much of what was behind me at that point was downhill. This, of course, translates into an uphill return. After about 1.5 miles, I had to walk for a bit to blow my nose -- as with most people, cold weather makes my nose run. I again started running. All in all, I walked a total of 3 or 4 times. One good thing is that I walk quickly so almost no one passed me on those walking stints. After walking part of the final hill, I finished strong and at about 15 in the pack of 75 or so. I was pleased overall, but know there is more work to do.
This week calls for 2 miles on Monday (we're supposed to feel like this should be easy by now), and 2.5 miles on Wednesday. This duplicates the previous week and is supposed to help our endurance. Saturday is another 3 miles. Let's hope that the cold weather continues since that is much easier to run in once my body "engine" warms up.
3 weekly runs down, 7 more prep runs to go before the 10K. I know that the 10K should be easier for me than in any year past due to my preparation, and am looking for a personal best time that blows away previous times. Preparation is the key. As a friend told me yesterday before we ran, passing the final exam is much easier if you actually attend class and do the homework!
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