Week 5 Days 2, 3, and 4 of 10K Training

This week has been sort of bizarre. I think I will just enumerate the work outs and summarize the best I can.

Day Two: I ran on River Road in the morning before summer camp started. I ran 2 miles and walked 2 miles, and it was fine. Nothing red-letter, but it was a beautiful morning.

Day Three: As I did on Day One, I did weights at the gym and then ran 5 miles at the Collins Perley. I could not have cared LESS about running that day. It was a little hot because I was running at 4:30pm, but I just didn't feel like moving my body. I ended up walking a little under half of it. My pinky toes was killing me and I am having chaffing under my sports bra and it was just ick.

Day Four: Friday was supposed to be my rest day, but it was gorgeous out, so Justin and I hiked Mt. Philo. It was only 2 miles, so I thought it could still count as a rest day. However, going up was definitely a cardio work out, so I thought I could count it as a run, LOL! As it turned out, I counted it as my rest day, and did 4 miles this morning. I goofed, though. I thought only 1 of my sports bras was in the washer (which I turned on this morning), but all of them were. I had no sports bra to run, and these puppies NEED a sports bra. So my work out this morning was walking. I kept the pace under a 16 minute mile, which was comforting because that is the cutoff pace for the Disney Half.

Tomorrow I am ready to do 7 miles, and run as much of that as possible. I've been taking it easier on myself lately because my body has been a little drained, but I am going to need to start practicing pushing through the ho-hums. Great news, by the way: I ran 97 miles in July!

Week 5 Day 1 of 10K Training

I took Tylenol PM last night, because I've been sore and also have not been sleeping well. That stuff really helps me stay deeply asleep, so I did not get up to run this morning. Still, I was scheduled to do 5 miles. So after summer school finished today, I headed to St. Albans.

I went to the gym first, and did 2 sets of all my weight machines. I wanted to hit the gym first, because after I run I am so sweaty that I leave huge ass and back prints on the seats of the machines, and that is gross and embarrassing. After I did weights, I went to the Collins Perley.

I started running about 2:30pm. The sun was still mighty high, and although there was supposed to be low humidity today, the temps were supposed to get around 85. It felt it. I walked the first and last miles, but ran all three of the middle miles together. I wasn't going too quickly, but I ran them all. I wanted to string together 3 miles to prove to myself that I can, because next weekend I have a 5K. I at least know now that I'll survive it.

I am nearing the middle of my 10K training program, so my mileage is increasing. My long runs are getting longer, and my normal weekly days are getting longer too. If I could run a 9-minute mile, then I'd be done my 5 mile runs in 45 minutes. No biggie. As it was, it took me 67 minutes to do my 5 miles today. JEEZ! That is a lot of time on a work day, and right now it's summer, so as a teacher, I'm not even working full time!

I have decided that lemon-lime Powerade is less gross than fruit punch Powerade. I don't see myself trying orange or grape. I might try the neon blue one, if I get brave.

Week 4 Day 5 of 10K Training

Gross Factor: dead yellow finch with a broken neck
dead smashed field mouse in a big smear
Startle Factor: a chipmunk ran out of the grass in from of me
a long snake was curled at the side of the road
Scary Factor: two pit bulls ran barking across the road to me, but were friendly

Today was supposed to be a 7 mile run, but I did 6, because last week was supposed to be a 6 and I did a 7. It was actually between 6.2 and 6.5 miles, and I ran it between a 13 minute mile and a 13.5 minute mile pace.

I am SLOOOOOOOOOOOW! I hate how slow I am. However, my multiple running books have taught me two things. First, I know what speed workouts are, running around a track and sprinting hard, and it does not interest me at all. Second, a runner should never try to increase her distance and her speed at the same time, and I'm working on distance. So, I'm trying not to let it bother me that I top out at the same speed as a flea. http://www.lonympics.co.uk/relativeanimalspeeds.htm

Today's run was ok. Justin drove me into Fletcher and then I ran home through Fletcher, Fairfield, and Fairfax. I felt fine during the run, though by the end I was very tired. I am afraid my feet are really going to bother me, but the good news is that my pinky toe seems to have survived nicely. I wrapped it in moleskin and wore my best socks. I think I have to visit Fleet Feet for another pair or two.

I smell TERRIBLE, though. I need to shower up. Then, maybe a nap.

Week 4 Day 4 of 10K Training

After a wonderful trip to Montreal (that included too much junky food and too little water), I knew I had to run today. 4 miles was on the schedule, so I did 4 miles. I went to the treadmill, though, because I wasn't ready to run until about 11am (I had to hydrate, eat, wake up, etc) and it was terribly humid outside by then.

I did ok. I worked between 4 and 5 mph for the whole run, which is a comfortable place to be for me. More importantly, it's a pace I can maintain and still be able to finish the Disney Half.

I didn't feel terrible as I ran, but I felt myself fatiguing. I am going to try to push the fluids for the rest of the day, not eat too much pizza at my mom's birthday party tonight, and get to bed early. Tomorrow I have 7 miles scheduled, but I may do "only" 6, since I ran 7 last weekend when I was only scheduled for 6. We shall see.

I can't remember if I posted this or not earlier in the week, but I bought my JetBlue tickets to the Disney Half. It is official- it's really happening!

Week 4 Day 3 of 10K Training

I was feeling a little lackadaisical this morning. I trotted along at a very slow pace for my 4 miles. I think I could've gone faster, but I just didn't care to. I know tomorrow is a rest day, but I will run 11 miles total on Saturday and Sunday, so I already feel like I need to be conserving energy. And, I ran less than 12 hours before I took off this morning, so I really had the feeling of deja vu.

As I ran this morning I tried to look around. The sides of the roads are really lovely this time of year. I saw Queen Anne's lace and red clover and some lovely purple flower. There is hay cut in the fields, and cows and horses watched me as I moved through. As I ran over a small stream called Mill Brook, I saw a blue heron flap up out of the water and fly away. It was so big and beautiful, and its blue-gray color was gorgeous. I really love where I live, and I love Vermont.

We head to Montreal today to spend a night, so it is very convenient that my rest day is tomorrow. I am ready for a day without the pounding on my muscles and joints.

Week 4 Day 2 of 10K Training

You know what I've realized? Running is a sneaky bastard. My hip and feet have really been hurting me when I get out of the car or out of bed, or basically anytime I have to move around after being still. You know when my body doesn't hurt? AFTER RUNNING! My muscles are all loose and warm, and my body has those stupid endorphins or whatever. Running is trying to trick me into running MORE so my body hurts LESS. Very tricky, running, very tricky.

Now, a complaint: if you are on a treadmill, DON'T HOLD ON TO THE RAILS!! I ran at the gym tonight (3 miles) because it was raining and thunderstorming outside. There was a lady who was walking SUPER fast, but gripping the handrails with everything she had. Then she sped the treadmill up to a running pace, and ran for at least twenty minutes, clinging to the rails for dear life. It is super annoying to me. There are a million articles about how slowing down and letting go of the rails is a much better workout than clinging to the 'mill. I don't know why I can't mind my own business about this, but it drive me nuts.

Tonight's run was very slow. I took it incredibly easy, because I am sore and I have less than 12 hours between tonight's run and tomorrow morning's run. I hope that I can muster enthusiasm tomorrow at 5:30am, and that the storms have all blown over.

Week 4 Day 1 of 10K Training

I was nervous about my run this morning. I did 7 miles on Sunday, and yesterday totally rested. However, I felt GREAT during my 4 miles today! There was fog so the sun wasn't burning me up, and I finished the last 3 hills feeling strong. No lactic acid build up, no huge gasping breaths, nothing! The beginning of the run I felt stiff and slow, but as time went on, I felt better and better! This THRILLED me, truly. It makes me feel like I've earned the pedicure I'm going to have later today. NO removing calluses, though; I need them to protect my poor toes/feet. The blister is a tiny bit better.

My right Achilles/calf is really tight, and was as I ran. I am sure it's related to the long run I did on Sunday, and the greater number of hills I have been doing, but UGH. It makes me nervous. The right hip is still tight too. They are probably related.

Roadkill count for today: 5 dead frogs, 2 dead birds, 1 dead mole, and the same smashed woodchuck, almost totally a part of the pavement now.

Week 3 Days 4 and 5 of 10K Training

Yesterday I was scheduled for a measly 3 miles run, so I set my iPod to a 5K. I went to the sports complex to do it, because I wanted to go to the gym after to lift. The run was MISERABLE. My legs felt like lead and I literally had to stop to walk. Not, "oh, I'm a little tired, I'll walk to freshen up". No, this was, "I need to slow to a walk or I may fall over." I am not sure exactly what went on, but I was so embarrassed and discouraged. The only good thing I can say about it was that, although I had to stop and walk for a big chunk, I still finished only 1 1/2 minutes slower than the 5K I did at the end of June. I think I'm running a little faster, and walking (when necessary) a little faster. That's a good thing. The ONLY good thing.

Today I was scheduled for a 6 mile run. Justin went to a birthday party in Montreal last night and didn't get home until 3am. I knew he wouldn't want to get up and drive me 6 miles from the house to dump me off, so I drove to Minor's (a local corner store) and parked, and then ran home from there. It was 6.9 miles according to the tripometer on my car, but 7.5 according to my Nike +. I don't know which is right, but I know for sure that I got my 6 miles in. I walked 12 minutes and then ran 24 minutes, so it worked out to about 1 mile walked to every 2 run. I was out there for and hour and forty minutes. I didn't feel terrible by the end, although I did feel quite tired. The best part, for me, was that my pace was the same as yesterday, when I ran less than half the distance. Also, I ran the two hills at the very end of the route. Sloooooooowly, but I ran them.

I wore my Fuel Belt for the first time today, which wasn't as annoying to have bouncing around on my waist as I had anticipated it would be. I mixed half PowerAde and half water in the bottle part, and then squeezed my cell phone, car key, a paper towel, and a BandAid into the tiny zipper pocket. There was a little leaking from the bottle, but it was super handy.

My pinky toe is very, very sore. There is a horrible blister under a callus, and nothing is really healing it or helping it from getting worse. I am glad I have a rest day tomorrow- I really don't want to see a doctor about a blister, but it's gnarly. I am tempted to post a picture, but I'll spare you.

The weather today was perfect! Party sunny, not too hot, not too humid, and just so so so nice. I loved running today. It was hard, but worth it.

Week 3 Days 1, 2, and 3 of 10K Training

I am slacking! It seems that when I get back from a run, I remember to log my workout into Nike +, but I forget to visit my blog and post an update.

Tuesday's run was 4 miles, and I did it late in the afternoon. It was hooooooot. I walked the first and last miles, and ran the two in the middle. To me, that was a decent compromise. I felt decent before, during, and after the run. However, I had napped before I ran, and I couldn't shake the mentally groggy feeling. Anyone who runs can tell you it can be almost as much a mental game as it is a physical one.

Wednesday's run was only 3 miles, and I did it at the gym. I had to do weights anyway, and it was humid outside, so I ran on the treadmill. I walked the first half mile and the last half mile, and ran the 2 in the middle. I am sure this is an overshare, but it is that time of the month, and I was just not feeling it. I did plod along at a 5mph pace, but I left the 'mill on no incline. I will say that for the last quarter mile of running I ran at 6mph. I felt good about that. It sucked, but I could do it, LOL!

This morning I got up early to run. It was so nice out! Dangerously foggy though- I ran with one ear bud from my iPod out of my ear, so I could more clearly hear cars. I wanted to be able to dive in a ditch if I needed to. However, the air was somewhat cool, the fog was hiding the glare of the sun, the roads were mostly abandoned, and the cows flicked their ears in greeting. I did 4 miles; like on Tuesday, I ran the 2 middle miles and walked the first and last. The anti-highlight of this run was the roadkill that was smashed so flat that I didn't see it until I was upon it. I think it used to be a woodchuck. Literally, it was completely flat, except for its teeth and two front paws. I tried to leap over it, and I am just going to believe in my heart that I succeeded. It was nasty.

I have 3 miles on my plate for tomorrow, so I plan to go to the mostly flat Collins Pearly sports complex and do a 5K and push it and time myself. I have the Egg Run coming up in a couple weeks, and I really want to beat the time I posted in my last 5K.

Week 2 Day 5 of 10K Training

From Friday through this morning we camped on Burton Island. I used yesterday (Saturday) as my rest day. The camping was very good. The weather cooperated, there were s'mores, and the sites were pretty. I got a lot of bug bites, but these were from mosquitoes instead of my usual horseflies, so it felt like a refreshing change.

Today's run was 5 miles, and I thought it went fantastically. It may have been the total rest day I took yesterday. It may have been that I ran without music or my headphones in with my Nike + telling me how far I had left to run. It may have been that I had Justin drive me 5 miles away and then I ran home. It may have been that the humidity and heat have finally broken, and, thought it was hot out, (82ish), the air was breathable.

Don't get me wrong; the run was difficult. There were flies and a surprise dog ambush (he was harmless) and the setting sun was warm and my hip and knee hurt. I walked pieces of the 5 miles- 2 big hills and one flat shaded part. But I wasn't exhausted by the end. I could have kept running if I needed to, and I kept a steady pace: between an 11 and 12 minute mile except for the walk breaks. This just feels hugely successful for me.

I do believe the research that says running- well, exercise in general- it good for humans' mental health. I was bumming as I headed out the door for my run because I have to teach 4 weeks of summer school starting tomorrow. I was also in a funk because I had just finished a confusing and depressing novel. In addition, I had a bit of the post-vacation let down. Now, I feel hopeful and confident and capable. Just a little added benefit.

Week 2 Days 3 and 4 of 10K Training

Yesterday I did 3 miles (.5 extra to warm up and cool down) running without stopping on the treadmill. That was somewhat affirming, because I've been needing to take walk breaks a lot outside in this heat and humidity. I sweat buckets, but I felt good.

Today I ran at home, and did 3.76 miles (.5 warm up and cool down, .25 walk break in the middle). There was a little breeze for the first time in days, and it is a really pretty morning. I sometimes forget to look around me as I run, and enjoy the beautiful place I life. I am thinking about faster, harder, distance, etc. The run itself didn't feel great, but I knew I was pushing myself as much as I could at the moment, so that made me feel good.

We are leaving to camp today, so I'm taking tomorrow as my rest day. Then Sunday I have a long run- 5 miles. I may have Justin drive me 5 miles away and then run back home. We'll see. The book I'm reading right now says that to finish a half marathon or marathon (when you don't care about finishing time) "time on your feet" is the most important thing. So, moving for 5 miles is the crucial thing, not making sure I am actually RUNNING all 5 miles. That makes me feel a lot better.

I AM SO EXCITED FOR MY REST DAY! My hip, ankle, pinky toe, middle toe, and hamstrings are so ready for a little break.

Week 2 Day 2 of 10K Training

I ran yesterday- Wednesday- but I didn't post about it. I'm not sure why; I think the heat has burned up my brain and I just forgot.

I ran at 7:15am, before the heat and humidity got too oppressive. Still... ick ick ick. It was my first time drinking water as I run, and that went ok. It made me feel a little bit sick, even though I was only taking small sips. I could dump water down my back and over my head too, which was very nice.

My time was quite slow, and I walked 2 of my 4.5 miles. I guess that's something I just have to deal with in the summer. I feel like I am losing fitness though, even though that's probably not true. I am so unsure of myself as a runner still, and the half marathon is exactly 6 months from today!!! Anxiety is my default setting in life, and it's rearing its ugly head.

I am going to do only 3 miles today, and I'm doing it inside. I'm sure that will be plenty hot, and I hate the treadmill, but at least the sun won't be beating down on me.

Week 2 Day 1 of 10K Training

Well, we are officially in a heat wave here in northern Vermont. The local weather guy said a heat wave is 3 or more days when the weather gets about 90. We are supposed to be in the 90s until Saturday. I know a lot of the eastern part of the country is going to be extremely hot this week.

Heat exhaustion involves sweating profusely and cramps and nausea and excessive thirst and headache. I have all of those things after a normal run, so it's hard to tell if I actually had a small go-round with heat exhaustion today. A way to check would have been to see if I had a "core rectal temperature above 100*F", but I wasn't willing to go that far.

I do know that it was a very uncomfortable 4.5 miles out there. I had chores to do this morning so I couldn't run early. That meant running late. So, I didn't head out the door until 6pm. The sun was kind of going down, and I soaked my running hat in water and stuck it in the freezer before heading out. I guess both those things kept it from being worse, and I actually felt ok for the first 2 miles. Then my legs started to get very heavy and I felt like I couldn't breathe in deeply enough, even though I wasn't out of breath. My intestines started to cramp, as did my calves. At points when cars went by me, I had an urge to lean out into the road. Ostensibly it was to catch a breeze as the vehicle blew past me, but in my secret heart I may have been hoping the car took me out so I could relax, laying in the ditch until the ambulance came.

I came immediately into the house, filled a water bottle, and got into the shower. I stood under the cool water, drinking and breathing deeply and trying not to faint. I have definitely felt worse before in my running life; probably even a few months ago, when I was first running 5 minutes a pop, I felt sicker. However, I haven't even felt this HOT.

I will either run at the gym tomorrow, or take it as my off day. It depends how I feel. For tonight, I am going to go sit in our air conditioned bedroom and be thankful my run didn't come down to rectal temperature-taking.

Week 1 Day 5 of 10K Training

I survived Week 1 of my 10K training..... barely. Here are the things that went wrong with today's run:

1. Horseflies- they were all over, biting and buzzing. It was making me nuts!
2. Heat- the sun was already burning hot, and our thermometer read 78 when I got back to the house at 8:20am. SUCK!
3. Dehydration- yesterday we were on a road trip for 9 hours, so I didn't want to drink too much.
4. Bad food- again, road trip. Applebees and Wendy's in one day? *gag*
5. Hip- still tight and painful. FML

The good things about today's run were that even though I had to stop and walk a lot, I never walked for more than a quarter of a mile at a time. I set a goal for myself today of 4.5 miles (as per the training plan), and even despite those 5 negative factors, I made it. I also am proud I got up and ran, rather than bagging it BECAUSE of those 5 factors.

The best part of today's run, though, by far, was The Man in the Green Subaru. I was almost halfway through my run when a green Subaru drove by me, headed in the same direction that I was running. After the car went by me, as it slowed to turn the corner, I noticed the driver put his hand out the driver's window, and he gave me a thumb's up!!! He was a man with white hair, and I didn't recognize him or the car. It was such a boost, though. Really awesome.

I'm off to enjoy a day swimming and bonding with family. Happy Independence Day to everyone!

Week 1 Day 4 of 10K Training

Today was supposed to be a rest day, but since Justin and I are on a road trip tomorrow to his dad's mom's side of the family reunion, I decided to take a rest day tomorrow and run today.

I did a run/walk combo for 4.5 miles, not pushing too much because my hip is still really messed up. It hurts whenever I use my right leg (which, in running, is quite a lot) and is totally excruciating when I get up from sitting in the car, or sitting on the couch. I decided I will ice it after every run next week, and do an Advil regime. If it's still not better, then I go to my PT. BOOOOOO.

I saw a coworker at the track today where I was running, and we chatted for a few minutes when I walked alongside her. It was really nice. I realized that I might actually enjoy running with someone, as long as it's not my husband. I need someone who is as slow a runner as I am, and is willing to let me spurt out sentences in short bursts as I gasp for air.

I got my Runner's World today, and there's an entire focus article on successfully running a half marathon. I will read that tonight while icing my hip. I am quite looking forward to a day tomorrow with no running in it.

Week 1 Day 3 of 10K Training

I saw my first mammalian roadkill up close and personal today. It was a raccoon. I first saw him on the opposite side of the road as I was running out. I could smell him a little (eeeeewwwww). On the way back, I cut back over to the other side of the road- otherwise I would've had to jump over him, and I wasn't up for that. He was laying on his side and looked rather peaceful. Still, it was a lot to ask of my stomach at 7:30am.

I also ran past a giant manure pit this morning. It is a clean farm, and I'm very used to the manure smell, having lived in Vermont and abutting farms my entire life. However, when I am sucking wind and have an empty stomach, it was a little gaggy. It was garbage day as well, so really, everything this morning was offensive to my nose.

I had a cute little vole run out in front of me as I ran today. He was brown, and his little legs were moving so quickly! He ran out from the side of the road to the yellow double lines, then turned around and ran back. He was well in front of me, so he didn't really startle me, but I was really hoping as I ran by the spot he disappeared into the field that he wouldn't reappear. I didn't want to be startled, and I REALLY didn't want to step on him (barf)!!

My Nike Plus told me that I sent a new record speed for the mile: 10:18 minutes. I didn't feel like I was hauling it today, but I felt good! I ran my entire 4 miles with the .5 warm up and cool down. There were hills, but they felt ok. I am glad I've had two decent days in a row- I needed the encouragement desperately.