Tuesday December 2
6 miles at night in Carmel Valley + 8 100m strides
Too much going on. Felt antsy. Felt tired. However, it felt really good to do some nice strong strides. I also worked out a lot in my head in regards to my training, especially my gameplan for the next 8-10 weeks. By the time I rolled back to the office I felt much more at ease.
Wednesday December 3
8 miles North on 101
Well whatdya know. I managed to drag my ass out of bed and run before work. It wasn't even that much of a struggle. I felt like running, which was wonderful. Still felt like i was dragging on the run. I'm tight. Haven't been stretching much. Plus as lame as this is I think the strides from last night got me a little tight (didn't stretch after the run or strides. oops). Goes to show you how little speed I've been doing. My body just isn't use to it. Still, overall felt like today's run was a step in the right direction out of this little funk I've been in since Saturday.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Looking for something to help me burn out bright....
Monday December 1, 2009
8 miles at night in Carmel Valley
Been having some difficulty rallying to get out of bed to run in the mornings. It's not fatigue. Quite frankly, it's a lack of motivation. As I mentioned before, i'm just a little burnt out right now. This is nothing new. I went through it all the time in High School and College. I just need to get through the race this weekend with 100% focus, then take a little time off and regroup, refocus and recenter myself. My first Marathon is slotted for Superbowl Sunday and I plan to be ready to rock. But after this sunday I just need a mental break for a few days...
8 miles at night in Carmel Valley
Been having some difficulty rallying to get out of bed to run in the mornings. It's not fatigue. Quite frankly, it's a lack of motivation. As I mentioned before, i'm just a little burnt out right now. This is nothing new. I went through it all the time in High School and College. I just need to get through the race this weekend with 100% focus, then take a little time off and regroup, refocus and recenter myself. My first Marathon is slotted for Superbowl Sunday and I plan to be ready to rock. But after this sunday I just need a mental break for a few days...
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Refocusing.
Once again I have fallen behind. I hate this feeling of being overwhelmed. Time to play a quick game of catch up:
Weekly Mileage
Nov 9-15 --> 70 miles
Nov 16-22 --> 60 miles
Nov 23-29 --> 58 miles
Key Events
Dirt Dog Cross Country Championships (Morely Field 4 Miles)
After a 30 mile week due to being more sick than I can remember being, then ramping the mileage back up to 70 to get on pace, i was pretty sure I was headed for disaster with this race. Woke up without any desire to run. Somehow managed to change my attitude between changing into the singlet and downing some espresso and realized that I am so lucky to be running, I LOVE running, and who cares if my body wasn't going to be at 100%, i was going to enjoy this amazing experience.
So imagine my surprise when I not only felt strong and confident after the gun went off, but managed to have a pretty good race. The hilly course and slow terrain probably worked to my advantage, as the slower pace of the race helped me settle in and feel comfortable despite the lack of quality workouts as of late. Haven't enjoyed a race as much as I did this one in this entire series. Go figure.
Overall: 6th
Time: 25:40
Overall for the Dirt Dog Series: 7th
18-mile Sunday Run
This deserves its own caption. It was a new threshold in running. I've gotten to the point in my mileage where I can bang out a 12 miler, what used to be my long run, as if it was just a normal run. My 16 mile long runs don't even feel like such an insurmountable task anymore. That being said, this run rocked me. I started out with the boys, which forced me into an honest past form the get-go. Add in Torrey Pines road (which can be just as brutal coming down as going up) and by the time I hit 14 miles I felt like I was in some unchanging desert and it was all I could do to put one foot in front of the other. I wasn't too tired to keep going...i was still clipping at a decent pace, but my mind was done, and I just wanted the run to be over. It was a whole new running experience for me. I couldn't eat after I ran (and I can ALWAYS eat) and my knees were totally F'd up for a week and a half afterwards. I know I'll be doing it again. But, Wow. wow.
O'side Turkey Trot 5K
Newsflash: If you don't do any sort of speed workouts the body is not going to enjoy running sub 6 minute pace. I have not been doing workouts. Between being sick and about a thousand other things getting in the way, I've been getting in the miles but the quality has not been good. This race was my first indication of that. I felt like I was flying. And not because I felt good, but it just felt like I was running so incredibly fast, yet I was only averaging low 5:50s. This race has indicated I really need to reevaluate my training if I want to improve. Miles just aren't going to cut it.
Place: 3rd in age division, 6th overall, I think.
Time: 18:22
Wrap up Thoughts
Quite a few things on my mind and not much time to get into it.
1. Vegas Half is this weekend. I'm concerned because of my lack of workouts, but hoping that because of the distance my mileage will help carry me through.
2. WTF happened to my workouts? I don't even know. I was doing okay until I got sick, then all of a sudden workouts just stopped. I need a new plan to get my ass out the door and doing some speedier stuff. I hate workout out alone and I hate stressing out at work about getting out in time to make a workout. Last year there were 6AM workouts at UCSD that I went to. I think I need to look into getting back into those. I can't improve with the crap training I've been doing. There is no quality.
3. I'm getting burnt out. I've been running non-stop since July, building mileage. I'm not sick of racing and I'm not even sick of running...but I'm just a little burnt out. I might need some time after Vegas to regroup both phsyically and mentally.
4. When was the last time I went to the gym? Am I TRYING to get reinjured?
Weekly Mileage
Nov 9-15 --> 70 miles
Nov 16-22 --> 60 miles
Nov 23-29 --> 58 miles
Key Events
Dirt Dog Cross Country Championships (Morely Field 4 Miles)
After a 30 mile week due to being more sick than I can remember being, then ramping the mileage back up to 70 to get on pace, i was pretty sure I was headed for disaster with this race. Woke up without any desire to run. Somehow managed to change my attitude between changing into the singlet and downing some espresso and realized that I am so lucky to be running, I LOVE running, and who cares if my body wasn't going to be at 100%, i was going to enjoy this amazing experience.
So imagine my surprise when I not only felt strong and confident after the gun went off, but managed to have a pretty good race. The hilly course and slow terrain probably worked to my advantage, as the slower pace of the race helped me settle in and feel comfortable despite the lack of quality workouts as of late. Haven't enjoyed a race as much as I did this one in this entire series. Go figure.
Overall: 6th
Time: 25:40
Overall for the Dirt Dog Series: 7th
18-mile Sunday Run
This deserves its own caption. It was a new threshold in running. I've gotten to the point in my mileage where I can bang out a 12 miler, what used to be my long run, as if it was just a normal run. My 16 mile long runs don't even feel like such an insurmountable task anymore. That being said, this run rocked me. I started out with the boys, which forced me into an honest past form the get-go. Add in Torrey Pines road (which can be just as brutal coming down as going up) and by the time I hit 14 miles I felt like I was in some unchanging desert and it was all I could do to put one foot in front of the other. I wasn't too tired to keep going...i was still clipping at a decent pace, but my mind was done, and I just wanted the run to be over. It was a whole new running experience for me. I couldn't eat after I ran (and I can ALWAYS eat) and my knees were totally F'd up for a week and a half afterwards. I know I'll be doing it again. But, Wow. wow.
O'side Turkey Trot 5K
Newsflash: If you don't do any sort of speed workouts the body is not going to enjoy running sub 6 minute pace. I have not been doing workouts. Between being sick and about a thousand other things getting in the way, I've been getting in the miles but the quality has not been good. This race was my first indication of that. I felt like I was flying. And not because I felt good, but it just felt like I was running so incredibly fast, yet I was only averaging low 5:50s. This race has indicated I really need to reevaluate my training if I want to improve. Miles just aren't going to cut it.
Place: 3rd in age division, 6th overall, I think.
Time: 18:22
Wrap up Thoughts
Quite a few things on my mind and not much time to get into it.
1. Vegas Half is this weekend. I'm concerned because of my lack of workouts, but hoping that because of the distance my mileage will help carry me through.
2. WTF happened to my workouts? I don't even know. I was doing okay until I got sick, then all of a sudden workouts just stopped. I need a new plan to get my ass out the door and doing some speedier stuff. I hate workout out alone and I hate stressing out at work about getting out in time to make a workout. Last year there were 6AM workouts at UCSD that I went to. I think I need to look into getting back into those. I can't improve with the crap training I've been doing. There is no quality.
3. I'm getting burnt out. I've been running non-stop since July, building mileage. I'm not sick of racing and I'm not even sick of running...but I'm just a little burnt out. I might need some time after Vegas to regroup both phsyically and mentally.
4. When was the last time I went to the gym? Am I TRYING to get reinjured?
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Zoning out
Tues (PM) - 4 + Gym (total miles for day = 12)
Wed - 12
Thurs - OFF
Sometimes I completely zone out when I run. Usually it's on longer solo efforts when I just get wrapped up in my thoughts and then all of a sudden i snap out of it and look around and its like, whoa, I haven't even stepped out of my head for 20 minutes.
On my run on wednesday I hit up some trails I rarely take and just got lost in the silence and peace of the lagoon. I've entered my second year in San Diego (I don't really count myself as living here until I started working on October...Bar studying was a world unto its own) and I'm experiencing sensations and patterns that were new to me last year, now with a sense of familiarity. Leaving the office after dark, christmas sneaking up on us even though its still the beginning of november, the cool mornings forcing me to actually bust out the long sleeved shirts for my run, races I've run before, holiday traditions come once again, recipes I'm whipping up again...Many of these things I experienced as a high schooler or on my breaks home from school, but it's different now that I live here as an adult. My life is so different than it was, even from a few years ago coming home from law school. I've taken the last year to decide what makes me happy, what my priorities are and who I really am now that I'm here and decided to set up camp without any ambition to leave in the near future.
I've learned and experienced a lot in this past year. I've gone from desperation over not being able to do my true passion to not only running further and more miles than I ever have but also to joining an amazing team that I only daydreamed of joining when I first moved here. I've found an apartment that fits me so perfectly it feels as comfortable as a broken in college hoodie. I've learned more in my profession and even may have found some confidence in that intimidating field. I've been able to consistently spend quality time with family, specifically been able to see my mom consistently for the first time in my adult life. I somehow managed to find an amazing group of friends that keeps growing as the months roll by. Meanwhile I've managed to see most of my closest friends from outside San Diego at least once over the course of this year. And I've learned that sometimes its when you aren't looking that something completely wonderful to finds its way into your life.
A whole year has gone by and while I don't necessarily know what I want or where I'm going, if the next year brings only half the excitement and happiness that this last year has brought, I have a lot to look forward to.
And THAT is how a 12 mile run can go by in what feels like a few minutes.
Wed - 12
Thurs - OFF
Sometimes I completely zone out when I run. Usually it's on longer solo efforts when I just get wrapped up in my thoughts and then all of a sudden i snap out of it and look around and its like, whoa, I haven't even stepped out of my head for 20 minutes.
On my run on wednesday I hit up some trails I rarely take and just got lost in the silence and peace of the lagoon. I've entered my second year in San Diego (I don't really count myself as living here until I started working on October...Bar studying was a world unto its own) and I'm experiencing sensations and patterns that were new to me last year, now with a sense of familiarity. Leaving the office after dark, christmas sneaking up on us even though its still the beginning of november, the cool mornings forcing me to actually bust out the long sleeved shirts for my run, races I've run before, holiday traditions come once again, recipes I'm whipping up again...Many of these things I experienced as a high schooler or on my breaks home from school, but it's different now that I live here as an adult. My life is so different than it was, even from a few years ago coming home from law school. I've taken the last year to decide what makes me happy, what my priorities are and who I really am now that I'm here and decided to set up camp without any ambition to leave in the near future.
I've learned and experienced a lot in this past year. I've gone from desperation over not being able to do my true passion to not only running further and more miles than I ever have but also to joining an amazing team that I only daydreamed of joining when I first moved here. I've found an apartment that fits me so perfectly it feels as comfortable as a broken in college hoodie. I've learned more in my profession and even may have found some confidence in that intimidating field. I've been able to consistently spend quality time with family, specifically been able to see my mom consistently for the first time in my adult life. I somehow managed to find an amazing group of friends that keeps growing as the months roll by. Meanwhile I've managed to see most of my closest friends from outside San Diego at least once over the course of this year. And I've learned that sometimes its when you aren't looking that something completely wonderful to finds its way into your life.
A whole year has gone by and while I don't necessarily know what I want or where I'm going, if the next year brings only half the excitement and happiness that this last year has brought, I have a lot to look forward to.
And THAT is how a 12 mile run can go by in what feels like a few minutes.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Running...It's good for you!
Tues - 3x2mile; 1 mile in between. Total miles = 12
Things I learned during this workout: (i) My body is still rocked from being sick (ii) I'm having a hard time hitting faster splits, and I think its related to the high mileage as opposed to just from the sickness (tho that isn't helping) (iii) My quads are incredibly tight and I have no idea why.
The quad tightness thing was weird. I've been having it a few times since Saturday, but cannot think of WHY. No idea what I did. But it was so bad it was hindering the workout. My legs just felt like they couldn't physically go any faster, even though I wasn't cruising all that fast. Rolled after the workout. Pain. Sooo much pain. Will roll again tonight and am already dreading it.
The workout wasn't great...but I did the whole thing and did a good job of turning a negative mindset after the first two splits into a positive encouragement for the last two intervals. I really focused on how glad I was to be running, regardless of the fact that my legs weren't realy working. Sometimes I have to remind myself how lucky I am to be healthy and running again.
On a total random note: Sometime last spring I decided I was going to start chronicalling my Migraines in this blog so i can look for triggers to avoid in the future. I haven't been slacking off in this respect, i just haven't had one since Spring. And the one big thing that changed in my life since Spring? Running consistently. Which has led me to the conclusion that I get Migraines at two points in my life: When I'm not running and when I'm running extremely fast. Strange right? All through law school when I wasn't running I got a bad migraine at least once a month....during stressful periods it was once a week. In college, I never got a "spontaneous" migraine (i.e. sitting in class and all of a sudden get an aurora and nausea/headache to follow). I DID however, get a migraine after any race where i essentially went about five minute pace or faster (i.e. 800 and mile on a good day). Thus when it comes down to it, running both prevents and causes my migraines. Maybe I'm less stressed when I'm running consistent mileage, and intensly stressed when I'm running really fast...but however you look at it...seems that's one more thing running does to improve my health.
Things I learned during this workout: (i) My body is still rocked from being sick (ii) I'm having a hard time hitting faster splits, and I think its related to the high mileage as opposed to just from the sickness (tho that isn't helping) (iii) My quads are incredibly tight and I have no idea why.
The quad tightness thing was weird. I've been having it a few times since Saturday, but cannot think of WHY. No idea what I did. But it was so bad it was hindering the workout. My legs just felt like they couldn't physically go any faster, even though I wasn't cruising all that fast. Rolled after the workout. Pain. Sooo much pain. Will roll again tonight and am already dreading it.
The workout wasn't great...but I did the whole thing and did a good job of turning a negative mindset after the first two splits into a positive encouragement for the last two intervals. I really focused on how glad I was to be running, regardless of the fact that my legs weren't realy working. Sometimes I have to remind myself how lucky I am to be healthy and running again.
On a total random note: Sometime last spring I decided I was going to start chronicalling my Migraines in this blog so i can look for triggers to avoid in the future. I haven't been slacking off in this respect, i just haven't had one since Spring. And the one big thing that changed in my life since Spring? Running consistently. Which has led me to the conclusion that I get Migraines at two points in my life: When I'm not running and when I'm running extremely fast. Strange right? All through law school when I wasn't running I got a bad migraine at least once a month....during stressful periods it was once a week. In college, I never got a "spontaneous" migraine (i.e. sitting in class and all of a sudden get an aurora and nausea/headache to follow). I DID however, get a migraine after any race where i essentially went about five minute pace or faster (i.e. 800 and mile on a good day). Thus when it comes down to it, running both prevents and causes my migraines. Maybe I'm less stressed when I'm running consistent mileage, and intensly stressed when I'm running really fast...but however you look at it...seems that's one more thing running does to improve my health.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Catching up on Life
Friday - 10
Saturday - 2x3 mile (12 total miles)
Sunday - OFF
Mileage - 30 (ow!)
Monday - 8
Ok, so obviously last week was a disaster in terms of running. Getting sick totally screwed with everything, and I'm having a hard time getting back into the swing of things. My body is beat up still and I'm mentally pissed about the crap training that has occured over the last two weeks. So I'm refocusing.
Sleep - Most of the problem here was overextending myself. Now that I don't have any crazy parties to plan or sickness keeping me awake at night, i should be able to settle back into my normal sleep schedule i was on.
Gym - When was the last time I went to the gym? I don't remember, and that's NOT a good sign.
Stretching - Yea, I've been blowing this off as well.
Eating - Remember when I used to cook and eat healthy meals? Gotta get back to cooking again.
Running Faster - Good quality workouts have been few and far between. I've let the pace slack on my regular distance runs, giving myself some excuse like being sick, tired, or just not in the mood to work. Enough.
Contacts - Completely non-running, but I feel like I"ve been slacking on keeping in touch with some of my out of town friends. I need to learn to just pick up the phone or shoot out an email. I sometimes get too wrapped up in the cocoon of my life that I miss out on the people I love who aren't part of my every day life.
Saturday - 2x3 mile (12 total miles)
Sunday - OFF
Mileage - 30 (ow!)
Monday - 8
Ok, so obviously last week was a disaster in terms of running. Getting sick totally screwed with everything, and I'm having a hard time getting back into the swing of things. My body is beat up still and I'm mentally pissed about the crap training that has occured over the last two weeks. So I'm refocusing.
Sleep - Most of the problem here was overextending myself. Now that I don't have any crazy parties to plan or sickness keeping me awake at night, i should be able to settle back into my normal sleep schedule i was on.
Gym - When was the last time I went to the gym? I don't remember, and that's NOT a good sign.
Stretching - Yea, I've been blowing this off as well.
Eating - Remember when I used to cook and eat healthy meals? Gotta get back to cooking again.
Running Faster - Good quality workouts have been few and far between. I've let the pace slack on my regular distance runs, giving myself some excuse like being sick, tired, or just not in the mood to work. Enough.
Contacts - Completely non-running, but I feel like I"ve been slacking on keeping in touch with some of my out of town friends. I need to learn to just pick up the phone or shoot out an email. I sometimes get too wrapped up in the cocoon of my life that I miss out on the people I love who aren't part of my every day life.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Debunked by Halloween and Sickness
Monday - 8
Tuesday - 10
Wednesday - 5 (achilles pain)
Thursday - 8
Friday - 8
Saturday - 5 mi death march
Sunday - 1 mi warm up, paced 5K with Nat, 8 miles w/ manny and fern. Total = 11
Weekly Mileage - 55 mi
Monday - Off
Tuesday - Off
Wednesday - OFF
Thursday - 8 glorious miles
Aw man...I totally got rocked this week. Everything was against me. So, in terms of running, shut down the workout after one interval on wednesday due to some tightness in the achilles. It was hard to take my 12 mile workout down to a five mile run, but I think it was the right decision. Things felt great the next day.
Felt sick on Saturday morning so decided not to race. Ended up in bed till noon. Then decided to run. Bad idea. Barely made it home. Rested the rest of the day and felt a lot better which was good cause there was no way i was missing Halloween! Actually felt pretty good all Halloween night, enough so that I rolled out of bed at 6 am to go pace Nat in her 5K. That's when things when downhill. Crashed the whole afternoon, then suffered through work monday, stayed home tuesday, managed to crawl back to work on wednesday and finally FINALLY got in some miles this morning. 8. and they were GREAT. great because I was running, not because I was going fast. I think as long as I have enough energy to get through a run, then it's good for me.
Anyhoo, only SLIGHTLY freaking out about the championshiop for xc which is a little over a week away and the half marathon with is about a month away. Lost quality training and workouts. Grrrrrrrr. Gotta get back into the swing of things ASAP.
BUT, in non-running related life - Threw a Halloween party last Thursday (yay) and rocked my awesome vampire costume on Saturday, so overall the halloween-iness was a success!!!
Ok - hopefully will have a more entertaining post in the future.
Tuesday - 10
Wednesday - 5 (achilles pain)
Thursday - 8
Friday - 8
Saturday - 5 mi death march
Sunday - 1 mi warm up, paced 5K with Nat, 8 miles w/ manny and fern. Total = 11
Weekly Mileage - 55 mi
Monday - Off
Tuesday - Off
Wednesday - OFF
Thursday - 8 glorious miles
Aw man...I totally got rocked this week. Everything was against me. So, in terms of running, shut down the workout after one interval on wednesday due to some tightness in the achilles. It was hard to take my 12 mile workout down to a five mile run, but I think it was the right decision. Things felt great the next day.
Felt sick on Saturday morning so decided not to race. Ended up in bed till noon. Then decided to run. Bad idea. Barely made it home. Rested the rest of the day and felt a lot better which was good cause there was no way i was missing Halloween! Actually felt pretty good all Halloween night, enough so that I rolled out of bed at 6 am to go pace Nat in her 5K. That's when things when downhill. Crashed the whole afternoon, then suffered through work monday, stayed home tuesday, managed to crawl back to work on wednesday and finally FINALLY got in some miles this morning. 8. and they were GREAT. great because I was running, not because I was going fast. I think as long as I have enough energy to get through a run, then it's good for me.
Anyhoo, only SLIGHTLY freaking out about the championshiop for xc which is a little over a week away and the half marathon with is about a month away. Lost quality training and workouts. Grrrrrrrr. Gotta get back into the swing of things ASAP.
BUT, in non-running related life - Threw a Halloween party last Thursday (yay) and rocked my awesome vampire costume on Saturday, so overall the halloween-iness was a success!!!
Ok - hopefully will have a more entertaining post in the future.
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