Running Journal

5 Weeks and Counting

I’m loving my program on Smart Coach.  I hardly have to think or calculate it.  I just open it the night before my run so that I know what I’m doing.  So far, it seems pretty doable, although Thursdays are a tough day for me to run right now because I have early morning piano with Gabi and Caleb.

Monday:  5 mile, easy run
Tuesday:  Cross-Train
Wednesday:  5 mile, speedwork
Thursday: 5 mile, easy run
Friday:  Cross Train/Rest
Saturday:  8 mile Long Run

Great week – I felt pretty good during the Long Run, although my muscles are taking a beating because of Jillian.

6 Weeks and Counting

After the Windermere Half, I took a little break – like a week.  Now, I’m kind of re-inventing myself (as far as running is concerned), you may say.

Runner’s World has a great new app for my iPhone, called Smart Coach.  In the past I have been very calculating in the way I’ve trained.  Although I feel like I have grown stronger and can endure long distances, I’m not sure how much it has helped me improve.  And, frankly, the days of being so concerned about my time are over.  I’m going to run because I want to.

That being said, I still need to train for the Foot Traffic Flat Half-Marathon, which means I need a training schedule.  So, back to Smart Coach.  I just plugged in my race date, and the time of my last race, and voila!  A training schedule made for me was born.

Here’s my first week:

Monday:  Run 4 easy miles (11:00 min/mile)
Tuesday:  Cross-Train
Wednesday:  5 Mile Tempo Run
Thursday:  4 mile easy run
Friday:  Cross-Train/Rest
Saturday:  8 Mile Long Run

I think I’ll keep track on a weekly basis – I’m hoping to gain some more confidence and get into my “groove” soon.

Still Running Hope

I am still Running Hope.  Now I’m focused on the Foot Flat Half Marathon, on the 4th of July.  I’m not sure if I have lofty time goals, but I do have a lofty fundraising goal – $2238 short.

He has a story.  I know a small part of it. I may even know the ending.  He’s another reason I’m Running Hope.  Can you help?

Running Hope: Windermere Half Marathon 2011

This is my favorite Half Marathon Course.  I love it – the perfect amount of rolling hills – nothing too terribly difficult.  I didn’t have to run by myself.  My friend, Melinda stepped in and took my Dad’s spot.  She is a runner.  She was a fantastic coach and she stuck it out with my until Mile 11.  Thanks, Melinda!

I trained really hard, but I lost my steam a little the last couple of weeks.  I think it was more mental than physical.  I trained mostly in weather that was 35-45 degrees.  Race day was 65-75 degrees.  Quite a difference.

Déjà vu is the theme of this race.  It was a warm day.  I got muscle cramps at Mile 11 again.  I got virtually the same finish time.

The Stats:

2010
Final Time:  2:10:13.8
52nd out of 124 Female Runners, Ages 35-39
239th out of 619 Female Runners Overall

2011
Final Time: 2:10:19.1
39th out of 122 Female Runners, Ages 40-44
221st out of 656 Female Runners Overall

My goals were lofty, but I have really wanted to finish in under 2 hours for the past couple of years.  When I look at these stats, I think – couldn’t I have run one minute faster?  Took less walk breaks the last mile?  But, hey, I am in the top third for my age group and females.  And, I ran 13 miles.  And, I’ll do it again.  Eventually, I will catch that 2-hour mark.

The best news of all:  I have raised $382.40 for Running Hope.

Week 18 – Wednesday

Training Plan:

3 miles easy and relaxed effort

Thoughts:

6am.  Outside.  It was so nice to have bright sunshine and not wear a jacket.  My calves and ankles are aching – i’m really starting to stress about Saturday.  I ran the whole 3 miles, at a very slow pace, but I’m wondering why I’m so tired.

Week 18 - Monday

Training Plan:

10-20 minute warmup
6 x 400m (400 RI)
10 minute cooldown

Thoughts:

6am.  Outside.  Good intervals this morning.  But I was definitely tired and not feeling as loose and carefree as I had hoped by now.  Race Day is approaching!

Running Hope

Half Marathon this week.  I’m nervous.  I’m excited.  I’m Running Hope.

Week 17 – Saturday

Training Plan:

8 miles at HMP + 20 sec/mile

Thoughts:

I had no time to run early in the day.  I ended up putting in my mileage in the afternoon – closer to 3pm.  Juli ran with me.  We had sun, rain, hail, and lots of wind.  Our goal was to be out there.  I feel like I’m losing motivation.  I was slow today.

Total Miles this week: 20

This Week’s Cross-training:
Tuesday – 60 min Yoga, 30 min Elliptical
Thursday – Nada
Friday – 50 min walking at incline on Treadmill, 40 min power yoga

Week 17 - Wednesday

Training Plan:

2 miles easy
3 miles@ short tempo pace
1 mile easy

Thoughts:

Good run this morning.  Juli was my partner.  I was able to keep my goal pace during the 3 mile short tempo.  My feet are sore.  It seems like I feel everything the closer I get to race-time.

Week 17 – Monday

Training Plan:

10-20 minute warmup
5 x 1K (400 RI)
10 minute cooldown

Thoughts:

Still in a little bit of a slump – wondering how in the world I’m going to make it.  I’m really low energy and I definitely don’t relish these intervals.  Help.  I’m discouraged about my fundraising efforts.  Not sure how to reach people, and wondering if my goal was too lofty.

Ran outside with Juli at 6am.  I have no idea of my speed because my watch died 5 minutes after starting, so I ran hard for 7 minutes and jogged/walked for 3 minutes and repeated that 5 times.  It felt HARD.