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September 25, 2005
Play, Long Run, Work
That's about the order my weekend went. I had planned on doing my long run on Saturday morning before we went to Six Flags amusement park, but I when I got up at 5:15, I just didn't feel like running. I went back to bed and woke up at 8:30 to get ready for our 10:15 rally at our friend's house. Everyone else, including Jessie, got their long runs in, so I was feeling a bit guilty for being lazy. R's company had rented the park for a private party for the day, which was awesome because the lines were considerably shorter or non-existent and the food was free. Since I get motion sick very easy, I sat out most of the roller coasters. One of the rides I did take broke down mid-stream and we got stuck with two bratty kids (without their parents) screaming behind us. The girl accused the ride operator of "ruining my special day." I had to ask R., "You sure you want kids???"
Since I skipped out on the run on Saturday, I had to get up just as early this morning to make up for it because I had a lot of school reading/research, gear/agendas to get ready for the upcoming Reserves weekend, and a massage to fit in before a group meeting at 7 for our notional camera business-project. My legs weren't feeling the love for the first two loops at Burke Lake. They felt heavy and slow, and my mindset wasn't there either. I sprained my left ankle on some roots ~3 miles into the run. I was upset for a couple of minutes. I didn't want my run to be ruined, but I would have had to jog/walk 2 more miles back to my car anyway. After shaking the ankle around, I decided to see if I could run on it sans pain. Sure enough, the tightness and pain subsided at least until I finished my run. I finally got focused and hunkered down on the final loop and change, negative splitting by a minute and a half. I've been babying my ankle ever since, so it's just a tad swollen and tight right now.
It's going to be a crazy week between work, training, completing school projects done/group meetings, and getting refreshed on Marine Corps uniforms, history, and conducting inspections for the inspection I'm holding next weekend. Thank goodness for tapering!
Posted by Leilani at 10:20 PM | Comments (2)
September 22, 2005
Spooky run
It's not so bad running in the dark, except when it's pitch black and you feel like you're going to run into a tree. Or the lake. Thankfully, that didn't happen, but I did worry about it because it was so darned dark. I couldn't see 100 feet in front of me. I got a late start and thought I'd have some moon or street light to work with but no dice on the trail. It was unnerving not knowing where I was going or if the boogeyman was before me, so I quickly detoured to a neighborhood street, then to busy parkway traffic. At least it was well lit! The first steps of my run were tough because my legs were still tired from Sunday and I wasn't feeling a drop of motivation. The couch potato voice and the runner voice were seriously duking it out until my legs warmed up. I ended up with 9 miles for the day - not bad considering I almost took the day off.
I wasn't exactly itching to run today either. It was more out of habit and my training schedule. My legs continued to feel beat up and my calves were tight the entire run. It's my own fault for this lengthy recovery. I didn't fuel up, stretch, and ice as I typically do after races. The stuff definitely makes a difference. Tonight, R. kept me going because I told him we were running 7 miles, and I felt like we had to do what I committed us to running. I skipped out on the striders, though.
I'm actually looking forward to taper, suprisingly. It's been a challenging year, and my body and mental state (with regards to running, that is) are overdue for some rejuvenation.
Posted by Leilani at 10:30 PM | Comments (0)
September 19, 2005
A chocolate-filled weekend
R. and I had a fabulous time in Harrisburg/Hershey. We enjoyed our anniversary at a really nice bed and breakfast, which was a remodeled pre-Civil War Dutch country barn. On Saturday morning, we picked up our race packets downtown, scoped out City Park Pavilion (where the race was to start), and walked across the oldest metal span bridge in the U.S. The area ran along the Susquehanna River and was very scenic, peaceful and historic. Afterward, we drove to Hershey and toured Chocolate World, where we learned about the company's beginnings and how their chocolates are made. It was a strange but yummy smelling chocolate in the air constantly. The street lights were alternately wrapped and unwrapped Hershey's kisses. We were like little kides gawking at everything. We also took a trolley tour that provided insight on Milton Hershey's life. I was amazed by what a generous philanthropist and visionary he was. It certainly makes me want to support the Hershey enterprise even more!
So, what about the half marathon, you ask? It wasn't pretty, but that's okay...I learned a hard lesson. My "plan" was to run at marathon pace to simulate marathon conditions, since I had already run 7 miles before. Well, that went out the window. I got caught up in the moment/excitement, starting out too fast and fading spectacularly between miles 11 and 12. I've made a bad habit out of this recently, and I need to quit it. Must RUN SMART. PACE. RUN SMART. This will be my mantra for Chicago. Please don't let me forget it! Even though it wasn't a banner performance, I had a lot of fun and enjoyed all the sights. After the race, they had delicious fruit trays, my favorite Panera cinnamon crisp bagels, and yes, more Hershey's choclate.
I wasn't too diligent about stretching or icing yesterday, and now my legs are more tired than they should be. I'm working the late shift anyway, so I'm going to swim after work instead.
Posted by Leilani at 05:00 PM | Comments (4)
September 15, 2005
Track workout in the dark
I wrote this on Tuesday after my workout, but I'm just getting around to posting it.
After hitting the snooze button on three different alarms several times, I finally got my butt out of bed and on the road by 5:40am. I warmed up for ~2.75 miles by running over to the local high school track. It was in the 50s, my perfect running weather, and my legs weren’t feeling tired at all. Until I started the workout, that is. I was supposed to do six longer intervals at 5k pace, but after one 1200 and an attempt at a second that only got me 500m in, my legs felt like they were sputtering. And my hips were feeling tight as well. I wanted to do some more faster running, though, so I decided on 4 x 400. I ran between 90 and 97 seconds and felt strong, even though it was faster than any 5k I have ever run. My hat’s off to those of you who do solo track workouts, especially longer intervals, regularly. It takes a lot of focus and discipline, which I happened to be lacking on this day. The track where our club usually does weekly workouts is under repair, so unless I can recruit some runners for a splinter group in the suburbs, I'm on my own. Waaaa....
I took yesterday off to read for school. We have an interactive group project this semester in which we run a digital camera business. We have to make strategic decisions about the business - design of the cameras, which markets to take stake in, advertising, pricing, etc. - and compete against other groups to determine who’s ultimately most profitable. It sounds pretty cool.
But back to running...this afternoon my plan is to lift and run 8 miles on the treadmill with some faster running at the end. It's yucky humid outside and the bottom of right foot (arch) has been hurting again. I replaced my year-old Superfeet inserts yesterday, which were looking a bit flimsy. Maybe that'll make my foot feel better. R. and I are running another half marathon on Sunday - our one year anniversary - as part of a 20-mile training run, so I want to make sure my legs are fresh. Many of my non-running friends and acquaintances think that it's totally unromantic to be running on one's anniversary, but I beg to differ. We met through our running club and ran a marathon together up Grandfather Mountain when we first started dating. We have a lot of great times in our athletic pursuits, so it's more than appropriate for us. Besides, we're going to Hershey and we'll get to do other non-running things like see the sights and eat chocolate. :)
Posted by Leilani at 03:30 PM | Comments (6)
September 12, 2005
Trying to 'Run Happy'
Pocket change to the first person who can identify whose company motto that is.
If I wasn’t my own worst critic, I’d be a happier runner. I've been down in the dumps recently due to this long stretch of lackluster race performances and so-so training. I didn't want to sound like a broken record on my blog while serious, tragic events were transpiring in the world, so I kept my self-pity to myself. During this time, I ran consistent 8-minute miles (or less) for nine miles of the Rock n Roll Half Marathon in Virginia Beach over Labor Day weekend. It was a fun race with a great course, gorgeous weather, and lots of entertainment/diversion. And while my outside voice was happy about the overall effort (1:47), my inside voice and heart were sorely disappointed that my time was over 10 minutes slower than last April and over 15 minutes slower than my half marathon PR. Stop comparing, right?!
I admit I need to fix my attitude. I will try harder to be a happy runner, to focus more on the positive aspects of my training/races and not let the bad days consume me completely. The perfectionist monkey needs to take a back seat! Reading other blogs and penning motivational quotes in my training log does provide me inspiration as well as a frequent reality check. After all, it is the hard and bad days and the ability to bounce back from them that make us stronger - physically and mentally.
So, here I am - 4 weeks from Chicago. One more race and two more hard workouts to make the most of. Happy runner, happy runner. Regardless of the outcome, the trip to Chicago is going to be an awesome time. A large group of us from the running club is flying up and staying at the Congress Plaza. I love road trips, especially vehicular-based ones, because of the memories and bonding experiences. I think the last time I went on a big running road trip was Boston 2001 - some good stories there.
Anyway, despite my brooding, training went surprisingly well last week. I logged 50 miles, which included a solid track workout (on the treadmill again) of 5 x 600m at 5k pace and a scenic but tough, hilly 17-mile long run on tired legs - thanks to R's killer karate leg exercises we did on Thursday. My legs are wobbling just thinking about them.
On tap for tonight: 6 miles easy on Rocky Run and perhaps some swimmming if I feel particularly energetic.
Posted by Leilani at 03:54 PM | Comments (4)
September 01, 2005
The bug's back, lame shoulder
I thought that I had kicked the cold bug, but the sneezing, coughing, and runny nose came back this morning. So, being the overanalytical person that I am...I wonder how long it takes for your immune system to "get back to normal" (whatever that means) after being suppressed? If I monitored my heart rate, could I have known it wasn't completely gone? Maybe I missed my calling as a doctor. Anyway, I didn't run or workout tonight, which was fine. I'm running a race in Virginia Beach on Sunday and should exercise a little bit of restraint in the preceding days. I'm in one of the front corrals, but I should probably move back since I don't expect to run the time that I predicted (and don't want to start too fast). And I'm okay with that, for once. I'm just hoping the humidity isn't unbearable.
Last night I ran 7 medium-easy miles. The first couple miles didn't feel great. My legs were tired from the speed workout, but at least they weren't sore. It felt good to speed up gradually. Afterward, R. and I went to the pool. I swam a mile but strained my right shoulder while doing a "sprint" lap. It felt like it separated, which is the second time this happened - the first time being during an open water swim at Sandy Point. I was able to continue swimming real easy, making sure not to pull too hard with my right arm. The preponderance of the pain is in my lat and posterior deltoid, so I know it's not separated. It's likely one of two things then: 1) my rear shoulder muscle is weak and I need to do more strength training on that (the usual focus is on my front and medial delts) or 2) I shouldn't lift the day before I swim - it's too hard on the shoulder muscles. Lucky me, I have my third ART appointment for my hip tomorrow. Hopefully she'll have time to look at my shoulder too.
I'm quite excited about this long weekend. I think it's the first holiday that I haven't worked in the past year and a half, though I think I volunteered to work all of them. And we just finished up a successful but grueling audit of my organization this week, so all the more reason to celebrate!
Posted by Leilani at 10:37 PM | Comments (0)