Highs and Lows from Last week- I Got Pretty Lucky

Highs and Lows

The short version

Highs
Watching the Boston Marathon live stream at work on Monday Morning.
Surprise weekend trip to Oxnard, CA.

Lows
I broke my phone
I lost a pair of running shoes.

The longer version

After getting wiped out by some sort of stomach bug the week before last, I ended up having to take a whole week off from running, and  I felt like I had to ease my way back into training.

 I was also bummed when I checked out the winning time for the 5k I was supposed to race.  The winning time was 22:00 even.   Hmph...  It's disappointing to know that I could have placed in the top three for a 5k.  But, there will be other races...

Monday 4/20-Rest, Can we back up and talk about the Boston Marathon?  Wow, Just Wow!!, is all I can say about Desiree Linden's performance last week.  It was so incredible to watch her set the pace for nearly 24 miles before she got dropped.  She still finished 4th overall and was the top American Runner besting Shalane Flanagan..

Photo Credit Boston Globe

Also on Monday, I dropped my cellphone and the screen shattered.  I'm eligible for an upgrade, and I honestly don't care about the latest and greatest Iphone/Galaxy S5.  I just want a basic smart phone.

Tuesday 4/21-  My first run, since I got sick.  I think I must have been really excited to go run,  and the first two miles were on a slight decline, because I did the exact opposite of a progression run, and I positive splitted the heck out of my six miler.  Here's the data. 

Wednesday 4/22 6 miles-  The weather was slightly cooler. (lol) and this run had a slight incline at the beginning with a downhill finish.  So my splits looked better today.  I ran along the Pittman Wash Trail and I love the fact that I didn't have to wait for any red lights.

After my run, I freshened up in a gas station bathroom.  Sometimes there isn't enough time to shower after my lunch time runs, so I make do with baby wipes and sink showers.  In my haste. I left my running shoes on the gas station bathroom floor..... I didn't realize it, until two days later.( I rotate my running shoes) so I wasn't looking for them until Friday....

Thursday  4/23- 3 miles is better than no miles.  Today was a very hectic day at work, and unfortunately I don't want to give out too many personal details about my place of employment.  I ended up taking my lunch break later than usual, I had to hurry up, run, and come back, But, I was happy to just get out  and get some fresh air.

Friday 4/24-Rest day, I was looking around for my Brooks Ravenna's and I couldn't find them anywhere.  Not in the closets, not at my desk at work, not in the car.  I wonder where they could be? I'm such a stooge. I was so certain that I left them in the shower room in the gym at my workplace.  By Friday evening I was going a little nutty trying to remember  where I left my shoes.  Also on Friday evening my husband decided that we should make a quick trip to Oxnard to visit family.

He didn't have to  twist my arm too badly.  I said "why not?"

Saturday 4/25- Rest- Road Trip to Oxnard- I'm from Ventura County and with good timing we can do the drive from Las Vegas to Oxnard in around 5 hours.  

We left at 8:30am, stopped for gas and snacks in Victorville and then we made it to our destination around 2:00pm.  We visited my husbands grandmother, mom, sister and her kids.  

After we left their home, we went to the beach to look at the ocean.  It was horribly windy and the kids hated having sand blown all over them. But, I really enjoyed it.  (I'm a bad blogger so I didn't get any pictures of the beach).  Here's one I found online of Oxnard Shores on a nice day.

Source

After the beach we went to my parents house for dinner and we spent the night.  It was so nice to see my parents, even for only a little bit of time.

Sunday  4/ 26  Rest- We got up early and got back into the car to head back to Las Vegas, I was hoping to squeeze a quick run in but, we were all pretty wiped out from all of that time spent in the car.  That night my son wasn't feeling to good, and he came down with a tummy bug.

Monday 4/27- 6 miles with some treadmill speed work thrown in.  I ended up staying home from work.  My kiddo wasn't feeling good.  When I got them both down for a nap.  I ran two miles to warm up and then I did 10 X 1 minute pick ups at 5k pace, with 1 minute active recovery.  My hard effort paces were between 9.0-9.2 (6:41-6:30) pace, and my recover efforts were ran at 6.4 (9:22 per mile ) pace.  I also set the treadmill on a 1% incline.  I wore my Brooks Pure Flows for the workout.  After the workout I threw on my ASICS GT-2000's and I ran a mile and a half to cool down.  I don't think I will be wearing my Pure Flows to race the 5k on Saturday.  I need a more supportive shoe.

Tuesday 4/28-  4 miles at recovery pace.-It was really hot, I also couldn't figure out how to play music on my new phone.  I also had a scare with a car going through a traffic circle.  They didn't see me- and I was lucky that I had enough time to run out of the way.  

Wednesday 4/29-Just a little over 3 miles, and a shoe update!   Over the weekend I finally realized that I left my shoes at the gas station.  I figured that they were long gone.   I wasn't going to head outside today because we are going to hit 93 degrees for the daytime high.  Anyway I decided to call the gas station and ask if they had a Lost and Found.  It turns out that they still had my shoes!!!  I use this gas station frequently to fill up on gas, but also to run, and freshen up in the bathroom. The clerk at the counter remembered me. and they held onto my shoes for me.  Talk about lucky!!

I promise to take better care of you.

Since I was already dressed to run, I ran a little over three miles and I just tried to ignore how warm it is getting.  I'm going to have to start bringing my hand held bottle with me on all of my runs now. :(

This  is kind of a weird taper week for me. I was hoping to get some longer runs in, but I want my legs to feel fresh for the 5k that I'm racing on Saturday morning.  I'm going to Race for the Cure.  I did this race in 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012.  I also set a PR on this course, so I know that it's a fast course.  Race management has changed quite a bit over the years, and the turn out has gotten smaller.  I'm hoping for a competitive race.  

  I also hope I'm in good enough shape to break 22 minutes.  I don't think I'm quite ready to go under 21 minutes.  But, you never know.  

As always thank you for reading.

I really don't like signing up for races ahead of time.-Que Sera Sera

Well I was looking forward to racing a 5k tomorrow morning.....  But, I am 99% sure that I am not racing tomorrow.
 
In my last blog post I mentioned that my daughter was ill. She had the stomach flu (Gastroenteritis).  I  did everything in my power (short of wearing a Hazmat suit) to not catch the sickies.

I ran six miles on Monday, and on Tuesday morning I registered for that 5k


Tuesday on my lunch break I did a fully body strength training workout.   I worked out my upper and lower body doing circuit training.
For my first circuit I did the following exercises

•  Flat bench dumbbell  presses, 
•  One arm rows
•  Step ups with a knee lift on a bench,
•  Decline push ups
• Bulgarian split squats

For the next circuit I did the following exercises:

• Flat bench press with a barbell
• Back rows with a barbell
• Hamstring dead lifts
• Bicep curl with E-Z curl bar
• Shoulder raises with EZ curl bar

For my last circuit I did the following exercises:

• Romanian chair leg lifts 
• Push ups
• Mountain climbers
• Back extensions

I didn't do any cardio, and this workout kicked my butt.  Going into the workout I had a mild headache,  I figured that I was hungry, but after I worked out I didn't have much of an appetite and my headache was getting worse.  By the evening, my stomach was beginning to cramp  up and by Wednesday, this was me... So sorry for the TMI

I figured that this would be a 24-48 kind of bug, and by Saturday morning I would be fine.. It's Friday, and I'm doing somewhat better.  But, I haven't eaten much in the last few days, and I don't want to tax my already compromised immune system to race a 5k.   So I'm not going to race tomorrow... The only bummer about this 5k is that it is a fast course. I have missed out on racing this event in the past, because they usually host this event on Memorial Day weekend and this year they moved the race up a month. Que Sera Sera....

I think I will Race for the Cure instead in two weeks...

Thanks for reading, and sorry for the TMI.

Another week closer to marathon training-My Runner's High (Balancing Running for Fun and Staying Competitive)

Marathon training doesn't begin for another two months.  But, I'd be lying to you all, if I didn't admit that marathon training isn't  already starting to  take up space in my brain.  I'm starting to look at possible training plans, and in the next few weeks I will need to decide which plan to use. #Stripatnight

Last year I used Hal Higdon's training programs for the half marathon distance twice.  The first time was for the Mustang Half Marathon. The second time was for the Saints and Sinners Half Marathon.  I had great results with each training cycle.  I thought I would be able to piggy back a marathon off of the Saints ans Sinners Half.

I ran the Rock n Roll Las Vegas marathon six weeks after the Saints and Sinners half.  There just wasn't enough volume (miles) in my training for RNRLV and, I didn't do as well as I had hoped.

The Hal Higdon marathon programs look a little intimidating.  I'm worried about trying to fit in 50+ miles a week.

Another training program that I have also been eyeballing is the FIRST marathon method.  This program almost seems like a dream come true, with only running a few times a week.

I'm even thinking about going really old school and reusing the first marathon training program I ever used from a Running Times magazine.

My Runner's High Balancing Running for Fun and Staying Competitive

I am  a runner that craves that Runner's High.  You know that euphoric feeling when you finish running and you are buzzing with endorphins?  I sometimes feel dissappointed if I don't get to see Nirvana after every run.  For me the best way to achieve that feeling for me is to A) run really far or B) run really hard.  Sometimes it's not possible to do either.


I've been running for over 20 years, I'm sometimes torn, by wanting to have fun, and wanting to stay competitive.  Running is a wonderful stress reliever.  In fact yesterday, when I finished running, I jokingly told my husband, "Running is my favorite thing to do".   I also joked that maybe running simulates bouncing around in the womb, and my inner child loves the comfort of the bouncing around.... Yep that's enough rambling for me.



I think I'm going to race a 5k this weekend to see what kind of shape I'm in and to run it for fun.  I'm not expecting a PR- however, I am expecting to break 22 minutes, because that has always been a bench mark for me.  
I'm a competitive person, I think I always will be.   It's still fun to race small local events, see local runners, and toe the line.  I just don't like putting stress and pressure on myself to PR,
But, I don't think I will ever act like my times, don't matter.  #runnerproblems.


Two weeks ago, I was all about the progression run,  this past week-  I tried to dial it back a little and tried to just enjoy the run, while not focusing on the pace.   I think that with the temps warming up, it is making it easier to slow it down,  I know that once I'm carrying my hand held bottle on all of my runs, tempo pace is going to be harder to run.

-Last weeks runs-

Tuesday 4/7-Rest

Wednesday 4/8- Just under 3  miles at Sunset Park.  I wanted a change of scenery, so I drove over to Sunset Park on my lunch break.

Thursday- 4/9- 6 miles- I had the day off from work.  I took my kids to a play date, and then when my husband came home from work I ran a loop around the neighborhood.

Friday 4/10-Rest,  I took my son, to his first dentist appointment.  Right before we were getting ready to leave, my daughter got really sick..   She caught some sort of stomach virus.

Saturday 4/11- 4 miles on the treadmill-  I ran these in the afternoon-  The first mile was really sluggish,

Sunday 4/12- 7 miles at lunchtime-  I had planned on running first thing in the morning, but that didn't happen.  My little girl wasn't feeling so hot, and I didn't feel right leaving for a long run.  I waited until her  nap time.  I ran a flat loop course and it was a nice 81 degrees when I took off. I brought my trusty hand held bottle with me.

Monday 4/13- 6 miles on my lunch break. It was also a toasty 81 degrees.  I ran with my Garmin, but I set the watch to distance and time only.  I'm just trying to take it easy.  For now.

As always thank you for reading.

ETA: I make a really mean word salad.... I usually will come back here and notice all of my gramatic errors...Thank goodness I'm not getting paid to write this ;)

Because two 10's are better than one Am I right?

So my birthday run, didn't happen as planned. Life can get in the way, and in the grand scheme of things, running can wait.

I ended up running 10 miles on Saturday morning, and then again today on my lunch break.

Last weeks running updates

Monday 3/30- Two a days- Before work I did some strength training in my office gym, then at lunchtime I ran just a little over 4 miles. I ran these at recovery pace.

Tuesday 3/31-Rest- I worked through my lunch break.  I had to take me kid to the pediatrician that afternoon.
Wednesday 4/1-Ran 5 miles on my lunch break-This was a tempo progression run,  I didn't plan on it being a tempo progression run,  I ran 4 miles, and then I stopped my Garmin for the last mile, because I needed to cool down.  Here's the data

During the second mile, I had to stop in order to
cross the street safely. I didn't stop the Garmin though.

Thursday 4/2- Two miles on the treadmill, with some strength training in the office gym.

Friday-4/3-  I had been planning to run long, and I was looking forward to running at lunchtime earlier in the week.  My office work day was ending at 12pm, (we observe the Passover holiday), But, the night before, my son wasn't feeling well, and I don't want to get into all of the gory details(leave me a comment if you want to know the whole story, and I can shoot you an email)- I ended up having to take him to the Emergency room.   I erred on the side of caution, because I didn't want to underestimate how sick he was.   We were admitted and then discharged a few hours later.  He's going to be OK.  I ended up baking a cake and cuddling with the kids, and husband for the rest of the evening.

Saturday 4/4- 10.66 miles

 I wasn't sure how my weekend run was going to shake out-  But, my husband told me to "beat feet, go run 10" , almost as soon as I got the kids situated (breakfast & bathroom )  I wasn't going to turn him down,  I was so tired but, I threw on my clothes, grabbed my running belt, Garmin, phone, and a gel (great idea), and headed out for a run.  I decided to do a neighborhood loop, instead of an out and back, in case I had to come home early. My husband was on call this past weekend. I didn't eat breakfast before I left, but I ate a Banana Hammer Energy Gel, during mile 4, and it gave me a boost of energy.  Here's the data

Sunday 4/5-Rest

Monday 4/6-  10 miles..... Yeah, I really felt like running today.  The weather was shitty(windy), and somewhere in my little peanut brain, I felt cheated because I didn't get to run 10 miles on Friday.  I took my lunch break a little early and I went for it.  This route is a bit hilly and it makes for a great progression run.

I really love doing progression runs,  However I really need to remember that I'm running the risk for injury when I ramp up the pace.  My hips are feeling fine, but I think I'm getting a little plantar fasciitis in my right heel.  I only notice it when I wake up in the morning.  But, I'm going to start stretching a little more, and will try to wear shoes with more support in them when I"m not running.

Thank you for reading.