Marathon Dreamer

Took it easy. 30 minutes on the bike then weights this morning. 6 miler at noon.

Off

Took it a bit easy... tired from work and racing Sunday!

Resting for my race tomorrow!

Wow!  What a race!  My husband, son and my son's friend were running the 5k and I was the only one crazy enough to do the long race.  My son finished 2nd in his age group and my husband was 6th in his age group!  They did an awesome job!  My youngest son volunteered and helped hand out medals which earned him a free breakfast!  ;-)  The race consisted of several climbs one which left me saying holy crap before I even began to head up the 1000 rail road tie steps that finished at the top of a mountain!  Toward the top, it was super steep and there was a girl dressed as an angel cheering everyone on waiting for all of us to get there.  Ironically, it was hell and she really should have been dressed differently. ;-) The first 3 miles I felt good.  The most painful moment was on the climb up those 1000 steps.  I came to a really steep incline that was short but tortuous at the beginning of the race, where you would actually use your hand and touch the ground as you climbed.  Most of the runners did just that and we were reduced to a "hike" speed.  The down hills are my strength so I cranked on those and made up a lot of time there.

I got some compliments from people that I passed saying "go girl",  "darn you are fast."  Loved that!  Some of the down hill was gravel so I ran down it sideways almost slalom style with short fast steps and skidded my way down.  I used the gravel to help me get down.  One thing that I have learned is that I absolutely love being air-born, and I was many times as I leaped over rock and bumps in the trail as I cruised downward to ready for another climb.  It was a well organized race and really challenging.  I really wanted to place in top three but doubted that I would be able to do it.  The climbs really ate me up but the down hills were my savour.  I was so darn close... 30 seconds off or so from that top 3 spot.  I got some redemption today for my crappy marathon last month!  When I am on, I AM ON!

Happy Running! 

OMG!  I am tired!

Ouch... went to the gym and did upper body weights but I gotta tell ya... I am so stinkin' sore!

I did 10,000 meter row followed by a 15 mile bike.  It felt good and not too hard on these still sore legs.  Had a massage yesterday... my lady cringed when she felt the knots in my quads which made me realize that I needed another rest day... I also yelled a bit which further enforced the need for more rest today!!! ;-)

Ran 6 miles, hilly bike of 13 so I gave myself some partial credit for that mileage, then 300 sit ups followed by 50 squats and upper body work. 

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short 6 mile bike on my new tri-bike... then 6 mile slogger on the mill at the gym.  I am exhausted this week, but I have been training hard. I haven't been taking mileage credit for all the biking I've been doing and cross-training so the work isn't reflected in my over all mileage.  I am hoping this helps keep my endurance up, helps add some base training as my legs seem to not fair well with high mileage running weeks.

recovery run easy pace. 15 mile bike. Taking credit for 3 more miles for that.

6 mile run with some 1/2 mile repeats thrown in there, 15 minutes on the highest incline on the treadmill at a brisk walk, 40 minute bike (hill setting taking 2 mile credit for this in my mileage this week), then upper body weight routine, squats, and abdominal work.

off- working

off- working

6 mile run... 4 at 8:34 pace. 30 minute bike (giving myself 2 mile credit for that because of intensity), Squats, planks, medicine ball work, 40 pushups.

3 mile run... 1 mile at 9:13, the next 2 at 8:34. 2000 meter row, 300 sit ups on decline bench, shoulder work.  Race tomorrow!

Great morning for a race!  Got up and had the usual GI issues before hand.  I swear that it is an inevitable thing for me no matter what I do, but it did subside and I was hoping for a good time this morning.  Several weeks ago, I decided to change up my training completely.  Although my body can tolerate running a good amount of miles each week, it seemed to be working against me, rather than working for me.  Over the past year, I have noticed that I just wasn't pulling good times in my races and was very disappointed with several of my marathons.  Although my belly has been a big contributor to my slower times, I still think that I should have been feeling stronger going into the races, rather than feeling beaten down before I even toed the line.

The cruel reality is, I am getting older.  When I first started running, I was a few years younger and I had more time on my hands to recover from all that I was doing.  I wasn't working a full time night shift on a busy hospital floor back then either.  No matter what problem comes our way in life, we have to figure out a way to solve it or acclimate in such a way that we can overcome it.  If it isn't working... then why keep doing it?  It was time to take a chance so running and cross-training daily have become my routine for the last month or so.  Two weeks ago, I pulled a great time in a very difficult mountain trail race and took 4th in my division.  It was promising for me to see that I may be making some progress, but I couldn't be sure until I tested myself in my weakest event... the 5k.

A little chilly this morning for me.  I kept my hand tucked in my arm pits to keep them warm.  I am pretty sure that I have Raynaud's Disease, a recent discovery and a total pain in the a**.  It hurts.  I forgot to bring some gloves with me.  I could feel the odd numbness and tingling pain in my fingers. The course was laid out on paved walk-ways around the marina area.  It twisted and turned a bit here and there which kept the mind busy but it really helped me mentally to push onward.  My husband Dave was running with me today.  My oldest son hurt his foot jumping around in the house the day before, so he sat on the sidelines with my youngest son.  They were planning to walk some of the course together.

 I really had no clue where I was in the pecking order so I just ran as fast as I could.  I had set my garmin for a somewhat conservative 7:30 pace just to help me not to go out too fast.  When the race started, the first 1/4 mile, my watch said 6:20... oops.  As I ran, I could see my husband ahead of me and I was gaining on him.  When I passed him at a little over the mile mark, I was sure that he was right behind me.  There was an out and back area on the course, and when I saw my husband running toward me as I was leaving that section, I was surprised.  There was a woman ahead of me and I was determined not to let her beat me to the finish.  She was slowing and I was holding pace then I passed her.  As I approached the finish, I'm not sure why I didn't just book it.  I held back a little... not sure why I did that.  I still struggle at times with this feeling of fear.  It's almost like I'm afraid to just let myself cut loose.  Who knows what that means of what that is?  Just another thing to work out, work on, and work through I guess. 

I had no high expectations going into this race today and it was wonderful to run across the finish line and find out that I had taken 2nd place in the women's division.  I was only 30 seconds from the leader.  I shaved off a whole minute from my best 5k time ever.  Dave came in about a minute after me.  I was presented with a $50 prize.  Life is good!!  My new training may very well be working and I am so happy about that!!!

When I got home, I hit the gym for a 13 mile bike at moderate intensity and I felt great, but I did take a nap after!  LOL! 

Happy running!!! 

A very gentle 6 mile run today around a 9:30 pace. Finished up with some abs, core, and shoulder/back lifting.

15 mile run at 9:00 minute average pace followed by 13 mile bike which I am giving myself some cross training credit for.  I felt good on the run until the last mile where I was starting to feel tired.  The bike wasn't bad.  More of a challenge learning how to operate and ride the darn thing more than anything else!  LOL! (got a tri bike and I am having some issues getting used to it).

Rest

Rest

Went into this race feeling tired and I knew once I started running down that trail, that I was not rested enough to pull off a fast time.  The trail was a bit technical but I enjoyed it!  Had a nice time with my husband and boys. My youngest had fun at the face painting and games, and I even got a fake tattoo! ;-)

Recovery day - 6 miles easy, a little upper body work and abs.

Around a 9 minute pace... my gps watch died again. Last 4 miles I pushed hard.

20 mile hard bike, giving myself half the mileage credit.... followed by weights.