This Week's Training and Life Outside of Running

I've continued my training this week, although it's taken me a little longer to recover from Saturday's 9 miler. On Monday, I ran 2.45 miles in 50:04 minutes, for a 20:27 average pace. I see a pattern now where I slow down the week after a longer weekend run. I wonder if it would help if I changed my runs to Tuesdays and Thursdays before work, instead of Mondays and Wednesdays. Maybe.

This morning, I hit the gym and rode 5.15 miles in 35:01 minutes. I felt like I worked harder than the clock and mileage indicated, but I did ride on a different stationary bike today, and am still a little tired. Huh.

Meanwhile, my laptop got wet on Sunday night (rain from leaky roof came through my home office ceiling and soaked my computer!!), and while it booted up last night, it wasn't as happy this morning. I was able to turn the laptop on and putter for a few minutes before it shut down on its own, and wouldn't come back up at all. I'll try again tonight, but I'm not hopeful.

[On a side note, I haven't been able to sync my Garmin Forerunner to my online training logs to update them with my runs, but as soon as I get set back on a personal computer, I look forward to doing that. I'm at my geekiest with numbers about my runs!]

On a happier note, I'm starting graduate school today! I'll be working on my Master of Library Science (MLS) at North Carolina Central University in Durham, and my first class is this evening! This has been a goal of mine for over 10 years, so I'm feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness today. :-) I'll have a class on Tuesday evenings and every other Saturday, so I'll have to be creative with my half marathon training, for sure.

(Almost) No Tech, Just Me

Today's a holiday from work for me, thanks to Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, but I got up early anyway, planning to go to the gym. George left for work and I puttered around a bit. Finally, I decided to put my Garmin on, but leave the iPod and my camera at home, and just take a walk outdoors for a few minutes before leaving for the gym. A few minutes turned into 30, then 3 miles! My goal of getting some (cold) fresh air turned into trying to come in under a 20:00 min/mi average walking pace. Leaving the music and camera at home allowed me to concentrate on my form a little more.  By the time I got back home, I'd walked 3.04 miles in 1:00:02, for a 19:46 min/mile average pace. I was pleased with the results, even though my right toes were hurting again. I need to do this sort of workout more often! I love taking pictures when I'm out on a walk, but I need to make sure I'm ready for my next race, too!

Mile splits (glad I had my Garmin!):
1) 20:13
2) 19:23
3) 19:43 (right toes hurting here)

More Negative Splits!

I got a late start this morning, so I headed over to Brier Creek, and ran around that neighborhood. I tell ya, having my average pace display on my Garmin Forerunner is doing wonders for my training! I ended up running 3.07 miles in 50:01 minutes, an average pace of 16:16 min/mile, more than half a minute faster on average than Tuesday! AND each mile was faster, again!

Mile 1) 16:42
Mile 2) 16:29
Mile 3) 15:46
.07) 1:03 (on target for a 14:22 pace, but that was just me pushing at the end.)

Whew, good run!

10 More Miles in the Books

Well, today's 10 miles is in the books, and that's the best thing I can say about it, really. *sigh* Just one run, though, right? :> I think I had high expectations for it going better than it did, since I've gotten some great advice from fellow runnings, altered my mid-week workouts to include more and faster mileage as well as some hill work, lost some weight, AND took a rest day yesterday.

George and I set out 30 minutes ahead of the rest of the Galloway group, in part to try out a new run/walk ratio of 20 seconds running/40 seconds walking that Jeff Galloway suggested I use for long runs. (I emailed him a couple days ago about my struggles with my pace.) George and I decided we wanted to try going out slow, and going faster along the way, a try a negative splits. We walked the first mile, and started the 20/40 ratio in mile 2. My personal goal was to finish with an average pace of under 18 minutes/mile.

We both felt like we left a lot on the course, more than the numbers reveal. The heat and humidity did have an effect. One of my wishes is that we'd started out a little faster, walking less at the beginning.

Mile
1 20:45 (walk)
2 17:57
3 18:39
4 18:01
5 18:28
6 20:21 (after our McDonald's pit stop)
7 18:37
8 18:25
9 16:33 (Fastest mile, when we realized how slow our pace had been on G's phone calculator)
10 18:45 (Tuckered from picking up the pace in the last mile)
.38 6.26 (On target for a 16:51 mile, ran part of the way in)

Total for the run was 10:38 miles in 3:13:01, an average 18:35 pace, with 3109 ft. of ascent. I've put on a good face for George, but I'm pretty deflated about today's run.

Today was the annual Galloway pancake breakfast after the run. I had some orange slices and juice, but didn't feel like much else. *sigh*

I think I'll have a light run tomorrow to get back in the saddle. Meanwhile, I think I'll continue to tweak the run/walk ratio, as well as my workouts overall.

Can I Have a Do-Over?!

1) Ran/walked ca 0.84 mile in ca 16 minutes outside
2) Rode 3.6 miles in 20:04 minutes in the recumbent bike

Today's workout was pretty much a wash! I woke up sore in the hips and right hamstring from last night's yoga class, but I decided to run anyway. It took me a while to get out the door, as I'm still pretty tired in general. (I got to bed a little earlier last night, but still need to do better!) So, I got to the gym and was going to run/walk outside first. I realized, as I was getting out of the car, that I forgot my Garmin Forerunner! I'd also forgotten to start the brown rice (in the rice cooker) for the day's meals, so I drove back home, walked up two flights of stairs to my apartment, took care of business, and returned to the gym to start my workout. (Way late now!) My Garmin said the battery was low, but I was hoping I could coax it through the run today. About 8 minutes out, it died for good. :( So, I turned around and run/walked to the gym. Bummer.

I went inside the gym and rode the recumbent bike then. It helped lift my spirits a little, but I'm missing the run. I think my hamstring will benefit from the lighter workout today, though. Need to let it recover before I injure it!

I feel like I've been complaining a lot about my workouts, especially my run-related workouts lately. Need to think on that! (I did have an interesting conversation about running with Susan after yoga class yesterday.)

Oh wait! I forgot to mention that I went to yoga class again last night! The regular instructor for "Yoga for Athletes" was there this time, and she was so impressive! Wow. Great instructional demeanor, remembered students' names and issues, wow. Look forward to more classes with her. BUT my hips and right hamstring are sore. Gotta do something about that. Great class, though!

Weekend Workouts

Yesterday's long run at Shelley Lake with the Galloway group was an eye opener! I continue to learn lots about my body and what I can do. I'm also learning more about what my body (and mind) need for me to push it to the limit.

16 miles was on the schedule for those of us doing Oct./Nov. marathons. I knew this was on the schedule, and I tried to be ready, but I wasn't as fresh as I would've liked. With group leader Kathy's company again, I ended up walking the last new miles, ending up with about 15.5 miles in a little under 5 hours. Can you say slow?!

Following last weekend's busy vacation (which included hiking), I had a busy work week getting ready for our move. One day I even moved a bunch of boxes and books around, which was a good workout but ended up being physically draining. And then there was the Thurdsay evening run at Bond Park, which was fun, but maybe not restful (especially after working out at the gym that morning!).

Yesterday morning I slept in a tad, so I skimped on breakfast, and ended up sucking down a couple of GU gels--can you believe that?! I need to work on breakfast before a long run, a banana at least!

I drank more water during yesterday's run, which helped a lot. I was glad to have the water bottle with me! We also had a snack stop (with fruit, fig newtons, etc) for the first time, so I enjoyed getting replenished. (The orange slices were especially awesome!)

When I got home, I showered and took a big ole nap! I felt tired for the rest of the day, but my legs started feeling better last night.

Today I've continued to feel tired. Last weekend's run plus hiking aside, this seems to be the longest I remember feeling this tired from a run. I need to figure out how to recover better. Maybe it's a matter of my body getting used to the extra exertion, plus extra rest and water--and good nutrition.

This morning I was planning to go to the gym and ride the recumbent bike, but I didn't feel like getting into my car. I put on my Garmin and went for a 40-minute walk, but the plantar fasciitis in my left foot, which reappeared yesterday, still gave me problems this morning.

I'm glad to have my second 20-mile running week of the month, but this was a hard-fought 20 miles! I'm off to take a nap!

Long Run with Galoway Group

This morning I joined the Galloway training group again for our weekly long run. Different people are running different distances now, based on their target races and how they're feeling. I ran with the 14/15 min. pace group again, and was glad I did this morning, as I needed to pace myself pretty slowly for the scheduled 14-mile run.

Most of the pace group did 10 miles. At the end of the 10-miler, the only other person who wanted to go farther was Kathy, one of the group leaders. After a restroom break at Crabtree Valley Mall, the two of us took off again. (Unfortunately, I forgot to restart my Garmin Forerunner at first, but I remembered eventually!) I enjoyed talking with Kathy some more. She was good company for the extra 3 or so miles. My Garmin clocked 12.83 miles in 3 hours, 36 minutes, for a 16:50 average pace, pretty good considering we did a run/walk/run the whole way, except for the last mile or so, which we walked because my left leg was bothering me a bit again.

I'm feeling pretty decent, but need to take a nap this afternoon since George and I have plans tonight.

Another Long Run

This morning I joined the Galloway group in Raleigh again for another long run. There was a chance of rain, but it ended up being great weather--overcast skies, a slight breeze, and occasional spits of rain.

I was glad to see my Junior League friend, Susan, and her husband there. She ended up trying the 13-minute pace group with me and had a strong run. I'd glad she decided to sign up too!

We ended up going at least 5.6 miles, which is what my Garmin said. (I waited until we started running before I got my watch going. We walked a few tenths of a mile beforehand to warm up.) Total time for me was 1:19:37! I know--moving forward for more than an hour in a run/walk/run pattern sounds like a long time (especially for me!), but the time went by very quickly! Yay!

First Shelley Lake Run!

This morning I joined an NCRC group run for the first time at Shelley Lake. I met some nice ladies, several of whom were talking about running on relay teams at the Myrtle Beach Marathon next weekend. (That sounds like fun to me!)

The trail around the lake has is very scenic, lots of trees, a few bridges, some geese, and lots of runners, walkers, and cyclists (and a partridge in a pear tree!). This group runs 5 minutes and walks a minute, then repeats the cycle. Today they (oops, we!) went five miles. My final time was 1:02:25, a 12:29 average pace. It was great running outside, and nice to have varied company. I was a little disappointed with the final average pace, but I have to remember it was my first time running outside in quite a while, and the trail was new to me. I did get turned around at the end of the run, and separated from the group. I stopped (but left the Garmin running) while I tried to figure out which way was back to the parking lot. It was a wierd, "Twilight Zone" feeling, seeing quite a few people and not recognizing anyone in the group. Anyway, I finally asked someone the way back (choice of two trails), and they pointed me in the right direction.

I wouldn't have run 5 miles on my own today at all, so I feel great for going the distance. At the beginning of the run, I was behind the back of the pack, but had some company in a nice lady who's going to be part of one of the relay teams next weekend. Once the group turned around, I was able to keep up with everyone, which surprised me! I'd like to be able to keep up better early on.

I enjoyed using my Garmin today, by the way!

I've got 25.52 miles under my belt for the week now, with tomorrow to go. Tomorrow is the Run for the Roses 5K, of course. Today I'll go pick up my race packet-yay!

New Week, Old Month

I started a new running week this morning with a different run--I ran outside with my new Garmin Forerunner 205! I slept in this morning, so ended up getting my workout in just before lunch (as I have today off from work). The run itself was nothing fancy. I parked outside my gym and ran around the shopping center and its parking lot for 20 minutes, going 1.59 miles, according to the Forerunner. That's a 12:34 minutes/mile pace, not as fast as I'm used to going on the treadmill. It was a good reminder that things can be slower out in "the elements," though it was a beautiful morning! It was a little windy, and I was looking out for cars (and also staring at the Garmin on my wrist part of the time!).

After the initial 20 minutes, I went inside the gym and ran another 30 minutes for 2.93 miles, a 10:14 min./mile pace. That's a 4.52 mile total for the day and new week, and 72.65 miles for the month of December. I'm shooting for another 20 mile week this week.

Almost There

This morning was kind of a wimpy workout for me. Did a little over 6 minutes on the treadmill for .54 miles, when I paused the treadmill to look at my iPod (which I rarely bother to do during a running workout). When I was ready to go again, I accidentally hit the reset button rather than the restart button! Ackdsubjkfdsbk! I got another 15 minutes on running in for 1.37 miles. That's 1.91 miles for the day, and 19.57 miles for the week! So close to 20! I'm tempted to strap on my new Garmin Forerunner 205 and run around the apartment complex. If I do, I'll report on how it goes.

I must confess that I'm running out of running steam a little bit this week. It doesn't feel like a loss of motivation, just feeling tired from getting accustomed to the higher mileage. I guess this is why the experts suggest that you have 20 miles per week as a running base for quite some time before sigining up for a marathon. I'm really feeling that it'll take my body a while to adjust. In time, I'll probably have to adjust my runs so that I'm running my long runs on the weekends.

Going the Distance!

I decided to commit to running a 10K road race this spring to help me progress toward a half marathon later this year, so tonight I registered for the Inside-Out Sports Classic 10K in Cary on March 30! One reason I signed up for this one is that there's also a half marathon, and I can't wait to see what a half LOOKS like, even if (maybe especially if) I'm not running in one yet.

Signing up for that 10K has helped me to refine my list of possible races on the right side of this blog. It's interesting to see the puzzle pieces starting to fit together. It helps to have a plan. The list was starting to get a little unwieldy.

Meanwhile, I've been having fun playing with one of my new Christmas toys tonight, a Garmin Forerunner 205. I've been wanting one for a while, and am psyched about getting one from my sis and brother-in-law. It just might help me get outside to run more in the winter, which I really whould do!

Rest

I overslept this morning, so I only got a 45 minute workout on the elliptical in. I hope to get a 15 minute walk in this afternoon.

Meanwhile, I've created a new Yahoo group called Triangle Roadrunners, for folks who want a free alternative to the local running clubs, North Carolina Roadrunners and Carolina Godiva Track Club. It's only three members strong, but perhaps it will grow! :-) Runners and runner wannabees of all levels in the Triangle are welcome to join.

I'm thinking about saving for a Garmin for running. Any suggestions about which model I should get?