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.