The Return (a blog resolution)

I resolve to return to blogging....

The down cycle is almost over... hopefully. I have had a down cycle in my training the past couple of months. I refused to do a fall marathon this year because I did not want to train in the summer heat AGAIN. I have basically maintained this summer- mostly done two 4 milers and a 6 miler a week. In August I am planning on ramping up my training to the Baton Rouge half marathon in December, and the New Orleans marathon in February with a sprint distance triathlon thrown in the mix in Hattiesburg in October.

I'm coaching three run programs right now- 2 5K programs and 1 half/full program. It will be interesting to see how my training will unfold. I'm also trying to do some tennis.

I would like to do everything I can to make the New Orleans marathon the best I've done. I've had two crap marathons due to freakish heat. I am going to experiment with heart rate training (which I've never done), yoga (which I have done sporadically at best), weight training (which I always drop), and nutrition (which is just plain hard). We will see. It's alot of eggs in one basket.

Hopefully, I can get to the bottom of my Morton's neuroma before training intensifies too much and hopefully it will involve only icing, giving up a certain pair of running shoes, and not giving up my beloved heels.

The Laws of Running and Other Discoveries

I have found that running three days a week works for me. I can actually do that many times and get the cross training in too. Less than three days and I lose some running skills. More than three days - ha! - that hasn't happened in quite some time.

So, the law of running. I will have no more than one good run a week and no less than one crap run a week. Sometimes, they are all crap runs. Yesterday, my husband and I were supposed to run 8 miles in preparation for the N.O. half marathon. The heat and humidity were unbearable. I ran 5.5 with walk breaks. Then, today was supposed to be my long bike ride day. I woke up to 32 degree weather with a high of 40. Son of a $%&@! So, I rode on the trainer. My first real time to ride the trainer.

Which brings me to my discovery. I hate the trainer. How am I going to utilize the trainer for the next few months? I did discover that my portable DVD player nestles quite securely on my aero bars, so perhaps that is the answer until warmer weather.

There's Hope in 2009!

Okay, I had been feeling really down and out of shape the past few weeks. Some of it due to injuries and some due to laziness. I was telling some co-workers how I felt so out of shape after a great year of races. They said that the fitter you are the faster you lose your fitness. Sooooo, I logically concluded that because I am uber fit I lost it very quickly. I said this out loud to them They laughed - audibly.

I have been coaching beginning runners since February throughout some different running programs offered through our running store that I work at part time. I coached two beginner 5K programs and a intermediate half marathon program. My husband and I both worked on the half program. This past Saturday was the event. I was so nervous for our participants and so excited; there is nothing like that first time that you cross the finish line. Our group did so well. I was so proud because they were so proud. It was pretty incredible and inspirational to be a part of their process.

The running programs have been highlights from 2008. It is amazing how excited you can become about something you've done for years (I've run since jr. high) when you can look at it through a beginner's eyes. What a joy.

I felt better after running on Saturday with our participants. I slowed down, looked around, and smiled ALOT. I didn't feel so out of shape so maybe I am not starting at ground zero. Maybe it helped to just focus on someone else and remember why I train and do all of this. That may need to be the focus of another blog.

Out of Shape

Who knew that my run this morning would be completely through sand? That's how I felt. I optimistically put on my power running clothes and headed out the door for a 45-60 minute run. HA! I was breathing too hard at 1/2 mile and had to walk at mile one. Pathetic. The power of the cool workout clothes did not help today.


Oh Crap! How is it that I could do two triathlons, two half marathons, and a marathon this year and be OUT OF SHAPE? (maybe it is the two and a half months I have tapered my workouts down to nothing?) I am disgusted with myself, but I know that I can get there again. I have big plans for the year, but I feel as if I am starting at square one, and I am mad at myself. I know that the best thing to do is move forward and place one foot in front of the other, but I am depressed at my lack of conditioning. Ugh.

Here's to a more dedicated 2009.

Yes, I'm Lazy

I have been very bad about this blog but am hoping to return to it and be more attentive in the new year.

Ah, the new year. Time to look forward to what I want to accomplish this year.

I have already made out a training plan for my husband and myself through June. JUNE people. I bought him a bike for his birthday back in October so that he could compete in some triathlons with me this year. A few times on the bike and in the pool and he was already whipping my butt. It makes me a little sick, but I am thrilled to have someone to train with this year. We will do a sprint (1/3:16:4) and an olympic. I am considering a half ironman. I will know once January is done whether or not I can really handle the training. I have mapped out rewards for myself for 85-90% of completed scheduled workouts for the month. It's stuff that I REALLY want (beautiful workout gear, spa days, etc.) so hopefully I can look forward to that and keep the motivation high. Plus, my husband and I will be training together so that will be great.

October-December are always hard months for me as far as training goes. I've come off of the fall marathon and motivation is low. Unfortunately, food is in surplus amounts this time of year and it is showing in surplus amounts on my body. Damn all the tasty holiday treats! Plus, I was injured in November and took quite a while off. It is crazy how I trained pretty hard for 9 months with basically no injuries, but once I backed off all sorts of things have been hurting. I am "hopefully" on the mend. If only there was a way to have my IT removed......

I'll continue coaching some beginning running programs, so that will be fun. That has been one of my greatest joys - watching someone who has never run before move on to completing their first 5K or half marathon. It has been very rewarding because I am so passionate about running, and feel like I am more of a "normal" runner that some of the other coaches. (not really fast or skinny or obsessed) I have been very proud of all my participants.

Goals I met last year:

Complete a triathlon (I did two)
Complete a marathon (did Chicago)
Run a sub 27 5K (25:40)

Goals for 2009
do a sub 2:05 half marathon (hopefully in Feb in New Orleans)
complete a half ironman
be more consistent in my training

Wishing everyone a happy new year.

Race Reports - Renaissance Half Marathon and July 4th Run

I have been doing coached speedwork for about 2 months now. I decided at the beginning of the year that this would be my year (like I decide EVERY year).

Here's the thing about me - I can kind of be lazy. I train. I push myself past a comfort zone but not too often do I just go ALLLLL out to where I am staggering across a finish line. I don't know if I am afraid or if I just don't have that sort of drive. Anyway, last summer I was pretty steady around 10:00 minute miles for my long runs and we'll say 9:40 for shorter distances if I was feeling good.

So, since January, I have lost close to 10 pounds as well as adding biking and swimming to my mix. My times started to get better. So far my fastest 5K has been 27:58 and 2:09 for the 1/2 marathon.

Well, last weekend I did the Renaissance 1/2 marathon in Jackson, MS. I was hoping to break 2:05. The weather was pretty good considering it is summer in MS. We started the race at 6:30. I ran with my brother in law for the first 5 miles. I was feeling pretty good. Then, things started heading south very quickly. My left IT started hurting. I slowed and let him move ahead. Mile 6 my right IT started hurting. Dookie.... it just got worse from there. I finished in 2:11 so not bad but a little disappointing when you have a goal in mind. But from mile 6 on I just kept hearing that voice that said, "you think you are going to do a marathon. You can't even do a half well." I am going to have to banish the voice.

So, on the fouth of July. The speedwork had really been leading up to this race, so there was some pressure to perform. The course was kind of hilly so that made me nervous. My legs felt really tight from the get go. My goal was to PR preferably in the 26's. Mile 1 was 8 and I held 9's I guess from there. My official time was 25:40! I was pumped. I can't believe I did that. That was the most I had ever put out there during a run.

Now, today, the long run. It was crap. I am hoping it was from the races this past week. Again, the voice.

But, I am so pleased with my PR.

Summer Job

Okay, I haven't really used the term "summer job" in quite a while. As an adult I've had jobs that lasted for 12 months. Now that I am in an education setting I have chosen to work part time for my district during the summer. I have a friend who owns a specialty running store in the area. She said that she needed help this summer and asked if I would be willing to work for her. So here I am, an adult, going back to hourly wages and learning a new set of skills. Needless to say, most of my co-workers are younger- much younger. So far it has been a great experience except that I am pooped when I get home. I work my "real" job in the morning and then work my "summer job" in the afternoon until 6:30 or so. I am learning so much.... I hope that my younger co-workers don't think I'm a dumbass because I ask alot of questions. I only felt the urge to shove running shoes up one customer's ass, so I think that is good. That is probably one advantage I have over the younger co-workers; most of the store situations are not that stressful to me. I have been dealing with special kids and sometimes their "special" parents, behavior problems, angry parents, assloads of paperwork, deadlines, reports.... so a guess 1 guy that makes you pull out 12 sets of shoes and choses the same pair he was wore into the store is really not that big of a deal. And now I have THE DISCOUNT. Pretty cool as long as my husband doesn't spend ALL the money I make there.

I am having to find ways to work in my summer workouts. I had plans of leisurely workouts all summer, but it appears that it will not be that way. So, back to the drawing board. I am through with the stress of training for my triathlon, so that is good. But, I would like to ideally run 3 times, bike 1 time, and swim one time plus stretching and weights. Plus a life in there somewhere. We'll see.