Distance: 5.69k on August 19, 10.92k yesterday
Time: 38:39 on August 19, 85:16 yesterday
I managed to get in one more run before I got sick again on the 21st. This time it was a cold, starting with a sore throat and ending with stuffy nose, slight fever, and feeling crappy. I still have a runny nose, but I’m pretty much back to normal. I even jump started my running by doing a long run yesterday. I feel pretty good afterward, and I feel like I got my groove back. Hopefully, I’m done with being sick for a while, so I can get serious about my training to do the half in just a few weeks.
The first part of the run was on my own, running from my house to the Breakwater. It was nice, a bit windy, but still sunny. I only really noticed the wind when I met it head on. It was crowded through downtown, but I think I got there just after the Clipper arrived because lots of people on the sidewalk were dragging luggage behind them. Despite the crowds, I managed to average about 7 minutes per km to the Breakwater, a bit slower than my “usual” but not bad.
I got to the Breakwater just in time to meet Erika, for the other part of my run. We ran from there to Clover point and back, which was just over 5k. It was nice on the way to Clover point, still sunny and the wind was at our back, pushing us along. The run back was a bitch. It went by quickly because Erika and I were chatting, but the wind was so powerful we could barely hear each other. Of course, now the wind was pushing against us, which provided a good resistance. About 1k away from Erika’s car, the huge cloud started rolling in from the West, and it got darker and colder. By the time we got to her car, it was chilly. We did a really quick stretch and warmed up in the car.
I had forgotten how good it felt to have done a long run, even if this time it was only about 11k. I felt a sense of accomplishment and of well-deserved fatigue. Of course I also felt hungry because I only snacked before the run, so then I felt good about being able to eat whatever I want. I’m back to work tomorrow, but I’m hoping to get in a couple of short runs, so I can do another long one next week. I didn’t realize how much I missed them until I finished this one!
Any long runners out there? Do you miss the long runs when you don’t do them for a while?
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Distance: 7.54k for morning run, about 3.6k for evening run
Time: 56:32 for morning run, about 30:00 for evening run
I like to think of it as a loading dose of running. For you non-medical types, a loading dose is a larger-than-usual dose of a medication, usually an antibiotic, that is given before starting the regular regime. For me, doing these two runs in one day was a way of jump-starting myself back into running. It’s been about three weeks since I followed my training schedule, and it’s been a month since my last long run.
The morning’s run was with my brother. I met him at my mom’s house and we headed out. I was a good deal slower than usual, averaging just over 7 minutes per kilometer. But I had an opportunity to practice not being hard on myself, because I had to remember that I haven’t been running consistently for a few weeks, and this was my longest run in a month. Taking that into consideration, I feel pretty good about the run. I only had to stop to walk once, and I partly blame the weather, since it was about 10:30 am and the temperature was easily in the high 20’s. I even made it up the hill at Moss St., although my brother totally dusted me, sprinting right by me about halfway up. I guess I have my work cut out for me, eh bro?
This evening’s run was with Erika, only this time we went around the Cedar Hill Golf course. It had cooled off, making for a nicer run. I was more tired than I thought I would be from this morning’s run, so I was happy to take an easier pace for this run. I forgot to bring my iPhone with me, so I don’t know the exact time, but it was probably about half an hour. This course is short, but quite hilly; we only walked up the shortest hill, which I thought was quite good. Erika mentioned that her fastest time was about 21 minutes, which is a new goal for me!
I feel good about these runs, and feel like I’m getting back on track. Now that I’m (finally) not sick anymore, I plan to take my training seriously again. Although I’m “only” doing the half-marathon, I need to work on running the whole distance, and I need to get serious about improving my time. I really believe that if I work hard for the next seven weeks, I can do it.
Posted in Running Marathon | 
Tags: Cedar Hill Golf Course, hills, iPhone, marathon, runners, Running, sunny | 
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Tuesday, August 3
Distance: 4.93K
Time: 32:40
I took about a week off running, and this was the first one back. I was feeling unmotivated and like I didn’t really have a goal. I think it was because I hadn’t decided for sure whether to do the full or half marathon in October, so I wasn’t sure what I was training for. I also didn’t like my training plan, and so during some quiet time on my breaks at work, I wrote out a new plan.
In this new plan, I went back to having Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays as running days, and for the most part it worked with my work schedule. I only really had to move around one long run to accommodate my schedule. Although it meant doing more runs after work and between night shifts, I think it was simpler. This Tuesday, I decided to start it.
It was a beautiful evening after work, still warm and sunny. I decided not to try for speed, just to have a nice, easy run and see how I felt after a week off. It was a bit of a struggle at the beginning, but after the first kilometer, I found my stride. The time went by faster than I thought it would, and before I knew it I was back at my car. A good start to a new schedule.
Sunday, August 8
Distance: 4.75k
Time: 43:09
Of course, right after that run, everything went sideways. I was supposed to run on Wednesday, but I put it off till Thursday (when will I learn?) because it was my first day off work. Well, I got sick starting on Thursday afternoon. And it wasn’t a cold, or I might have gone anyway. It was a full-on stomach flu which lasted only lasted about 24 hours, but the aftermath kept me feeling crappy and weak for days.
I actually started feeling better by Saturday night, so I did this run with my friend, Erika on Sunday. She’s just getting back into running after a long absence, so I think she did an excellent job. I still wasn’t feeling 100% by then so I was happy to take it easy. It was also nice to have the company. It was another warm, sunny evening, making for a pleasant run; of course, the smell of decaying seaweed was less pleasant, but you can’t have everything.
Tuesday, August 10
Distance: 4.73k
Time: 43:45
So Monday, I felt okay, but not as good as Sunday, so I ended up taking Tuesday off work. Tuesday was the first day since I got sick that I felt close to my old self. I finally had some semblance of an appetite, and didn’t feel weak. So, I met Erika for another run that evening. I thought we went as quickly as last time, but we were actually slower. Erika said she was a bit sore from last time, so maybe that was it.
I think it’s safe to say that after taking a week off, and being sick for almost a week, I was not going to be trying for the full marathon. Making this decision feels good for where I am right now and nicely takes the pressure off. I do want to challenge myself a bit though, so I’ve made it my goal to finish in less than 2 hours, ten minutes. I also want to run the whole thing. This means I need to practice drinking and eating gels on the move. I also need to get back to my training schedule, although it’ll need some modifying. I actually started getting sick again at the end of my shift on Wednesday, so rather than try for a run, I ended up in bed at home. I also had to take another day off work.
Honestly, I’d rather be at work than have this seemingly never-ending stomach upset, cramping, loss-of-appetite illness. Every time I started feeling better, I’d get sick all over again. I know I’ve lost weight, but not in a way that feels good. I actually feel too skinny, and my face looks pale and almost sunken-in to me. My appetite is still really touchy and is nowhere near what it usually is. I want to be healthy and strong again!
Now it’s Saturday morning, and I missed my scheduled runs on Wednesday and Friday to this illness. I really hope I can get in a run on Sunday, and I’m going to try to get lots of rest by then. I had considered doing a 10k that should have been this Sunday, but I’m glad I didn’t sign up for it, because I would have had to cancel. I’m just really hoping that this thing is gone now and I can get on with my life.
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Distance: 5.06k yesterday, 5.29k today (same route, go figure)
Time: 32:29 yesterday, 33:43 today
Due to scheduling stuff, I ended up going for both runs at about 3pm, so it was pretty warm out. And the West Bay Walkway has a lot less shade than I thought. The first kilometer is mostly shaded, the but once I pass Spinnaker’s, the shade is gone. I had to stop at the water fountains both times, but because I didn’t want to mess up my time, I tried to be as fast as possible, resulting in having to drink warm water. Ick.
Unfortunately, I think the run I’ll be missing this week is the long run. I’ve managed to sneak in these two quick runs, but I just don’t think I’ll be able to fit in the amount of time needed to do a 20k. I’ve realized that I’ve been making lots of excuses to not run, mostly it’s not the right time, but then I run out of time. If I want to run a marathon in October, I need to make the time. I need to get serious about getting in the runs, even if it means getting up early, running after a 12 hour day shift, or even fitting in a quick run between night shifts, if necessary. I tried to make a training schedule around my work schedule, but I think it opens up too many times to miss runs. I think I need to work around my training schedule, with only the long runs being moved to my days off.
What I need to remember when I think, I’m too tired to run, or it’s not a good time, is how good I feel after a run. I need to remind myself that every run doesn’t have to be fast, or hard. It just needs to be done. I know that I’ve used the excuse that I’m not at my best to put off a run, with the usual result that the run gets postponed for days or doesn’t get done at all. I don’t need to try to PR with every run.
Also, I haven’t done a race since the marathon. I’m considering doing a 10k in August, but I think I’m going to a movie and drinks the night before. It’ll be okay, as long as I don’t stay out too late or drink too much, I hope. Has anyone else out there run a race the morning after a night out? Any tips for not feeling like crap, besides don’t stay out too late and drink water?
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I’m so woefully behind on my blogging that I’m almost embarrassed to put up this catch-up post, but I’m also behind on my running, so it won’t take that long. I’ve been struggling to take the time to post because I seem to be doing most of my runs after the kids go to bed in the evenings, not leaving me much time to post before I need to get to bed. I promise to make more of an effort to post more often, but in the meantime, here are a few notes about the last few runs.
Tuesday July 13
Distance: 14.73k
Time: 1:39:38
This run went really well, although it was a bit late. I was originally supposed to do it last week, but it didn’t happen. Then I was to do it on Monday, but after two night shifts, I really wasn’t up to running such a long run the first day off. This now puts me about half a week behind my training schedule, and with doing 6 shifts in 8 days, I’ll likely get even further behind. I was actually tired enough the afternoon before this run that I fell asleep on the couch, which made me think that maybe I should just do the half in October. I really wasn’t sure if I would be up to doing the whole 15k. Fortunately, the nap gave me enough energy that I got it done, and even felt good afterwards.
My right foot got a bit twingey after the 11k mark, but it was gone by the time I went to bed that night. It only seems to happen after I do the longer distances, so I suspect that I just need new shoes. I can’t remember how long ago I started using these shoes but I’m sure the marathon did a number on them.
Thursday July 15
Distance: 5.67k
Time: 36:55
I almost didn’t do this run. I brought all my gear to work to go afterwards, but this day was absolutely awful. It was crazy busy and one baby wasn’t doing well. I was tired and cranky and just wanted to go home and have a beer. But I talked myself into going for the run because I knew I would be able to get out all the frustration of the day. And it did. I put on some Linkin Park, and just went. I felt so much better than if I had just gone home, and I got another run under my belt. Because I was so tired, I didn’t even try for speed. I just kept up what felt like a comfortable, relaxed pace, but I ended up less slow than I thought. Bonus!
Monday July 19
Distance: 19.78k
Time: 2:22:32
This one was a challenging run. I was tired. My last set at work was rough, although the last night was blessedly quiet, so I was recovering from that. Also, I didn’t have a great sleep the night before. And just to be crazy, I missed two other runs this week; instead of making them up, I decided to just try for the long run so I could move on in the schedule. So when I started, I really only planned to do the Elk Lake trail once around, which is about 10k. I brought enough water and Gatorade (I thought) to do two laps, but I wasn’t sure if I was up for it. I struggled with the first lap, and I should have listened to my body, but of course I didn’t.
I made two mistakes after I finished that first lap. Firstly, although it was a struggle, I decided to push through and turn around at the 4 k mark and come back, making a total run of just under 17k (I started at about the 0.5k mark). But that wasn’t the mistake; the decision at the 4k mark to just finish the lap was. Secondly, I decided not to take my Gu at the 10k mark, because I was planning to do only 17k. To be fair, I did take the Gu after I decided to finish the lap near the 14k mark, but by then I think it was too late. I also ran out of fluid to drink at the 17k mark. So, the last 3k were not great. I was surprised my splits weren’t worse, to be honest. I felt like crap and wanted to stop, but I still had to get to my car and it was faster to run than to walk. So I ran. Now I feel good that I did it, but at the time I wished I had listened to my body instead of my stupid head. Lesson learned.
Thursday July 22
Distance: 5k
Time: guessing around 32 minutes
Tonight was a naked run. No, not that kind of naked, nobody needs to see that. My son hid my iPhone and when I found it just before my run, the battery was dead. No RunKeeper, no tunes. I thought it was going to be boring, to run with no music, but it wasn’t bad. I also got some new shoes, so I got to test them out. They didn’t have my regular shoes in my size, so I decided to go for something different. I was a bit nervous about that, because my other shoes got me through my marathon. But these seemed comfy in the store and (I hate to admit) they are prettier. They were only $10 more, and I had a $10 coupon, so it evened out, right?
Since I didn’t have music, I got to focus a bit on my form, and I noticed that I don’t really land on my heels when I run; I land on the outside middle of my foot and then roll in. I think that’s good, isn’t it? I did notice that my pinky toes got a bit squished in my new shoes, but I was wearing slide-y socks so maybe that’s it. And they didn’t hurt, they just felt crowded.
So now, I’m only about one run behind on my schedule, and I’m still not sure if I will upgrade to the marathon. I’ve now done almost half that distance only 4 weeks into my schedule, but my biggest challenge has been making the time, while still having time with my kids. Sometimes I find I have to choose between running and spending time with my 3 year-old, especially for the longer runs, since I can’t wait until after the kids go to bed. I’m considering instead just staying with the half marathon, and making it a goal to (1) run the whole thing, and (2) finish in less than 2 hours. I’m giving myself until the 6 week mark to decide for sure, but I’m surprised I really don’t know what I’m going to do yet. The suspense!
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Posted in Running Marathon |
Tags: iPhone, long run, marathon, music, RunKeeper, runners, Running |
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