This was not a good week. :( How could I have the best week backed up by the worst week ever? I started with the long run this week and it was perhaps the second worst run I have ever had! We went 12 miles and it was about 9 miles of misery. I just couldn't shake the pain and difficulties. There were 17 mph winds, but the temps were ideal. I thought the winds were getting me down so I kept plowing through the run. It took 4 days before I could walk without feeling achy in my shins. The week got extremely busy and I didn't get a chance to run again until Friday (7 days out). I did a little jog for a few feet and realized I wasn't ready to run yet. Sat I woke up and went to an event for Rachael and ran from the van to the building and I really think my shins are are on the leading edge of a stress fracture. I am really getting down and feeling like I can't do the marathon. I am still thinking "bones of steel", but my belief in that statement is waining quickly. I just keep thinking if I rest a few more days I can get back at it again. However I also can't afford to take 2 weeks off after every long run.
Training mileage: 12 miles
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Six-months out
Wow, what a great week I've had! Saturday commenced the Red Flannel Run. It was so much fun to run the 3miler with the babies and Noelle. Bill and Rachael ran the 5 miler. We all finished within 5 minutes of each other. It was a most beautiful day! It started off a little chilly, but then warmed up to the mid 30s. I couldn't believe how many people were shirtless and wearing shorts. eeeks, too chilly for that. That was my first 3 miles of the week.
Monday night I got home and ran 10 miles. This was a big run for me. It's the longest run I've done since my injury exactly 6 months ago. This was a mental hurdle that I have jumped. Up to this point I was unsure if I would be able to do this marathon. The completion of this run gave me the confidence I needed to keep pushing forward. I set out to do at least 9 miles and if I felt good I was going to keep going through 10. There was something about 10 that seemed appealing.
It was not my easiest run ever, but it was good. I had no ipod, no running partner, no drugs. It was just me and the road. I did it! I just kept repeating, "Bones of steal bones of steal bones of steal", especially when I was starting to feel achy. I was getting really tired the last half of the run and I probably should have stopped at least a mile sooner, but just kept going. I thought I would pay for it later this week, but everything seemed to go well. I was stiff and achy, but no bone pain like I had the past few weeks. I never thought I would be running 10 miles at 6 months.
Rachael wanted to keep up her mileage as well to the day after I ran my 10 miles, she wanted to run her 10 miles for the week. So, she ran and I rode her bike. ugh. UGH! My butt is sooo sore. Even 2 days later I am still achy on the back side. That bike definitely doesn't fit me. I figure it was good cross training for me though.
This week ended with a "quick" 5 miler. There was about a 15-20mph wind from the W/NW, but I was determined to go out and complete the run no matter what. I really thought it was going to be raining. The weather was so beautiful today that I wore shorts and a tank top. At the end of the run, Rachael had to pee sooo badly she said, "We better either speed up or stop at the library or something." We all but sprinted the last 1/2-3/4 mile. It was great. I didn't wear my watch, but I'm guessing we finished 5 miles in about 43 min.
I have a new approach to running. Last year I would medicate myself, especially before long runs --> 1 Sudafed and 2-3 Tylenol. This year I have yet to take anything. I discovered I can run through anything and that resulted in injury. So, this year I'm not doing that so that I can feel my pain and stop sooner if I need to. This is another reason I really wanted to finish my 10 mile run.
Total weekly mileage: 19
Monday night I got home and ran 10 miles. This was a big run for me. It's the longest run I've done since my injury exactly 6 months ago. This was a mental hurdle that I have jumped. Up to this point I was unsure if I would be able to do this marathon. The completion of this run gave me the confidence I needed to keep pushing forward. I set out to do at least 9 miles and if I felt good I was going to keep going through 10. There was something about 10 that seemed appealing.
It was not my easiest run ever, but it was good. I had no ipod, no running partner, no drugs. It was just me and the road. I did it! I just kept repeating, "Bones of steal bones of steal bones of steal", especially when I was starting to feel achy. I was getting really tired the last half of the run and I probably should have stopped at least a mile sooner, but just kept going. I thought I would pay for it later this week, but everything seemed to go well. I was stiff and achy, but no bone pain like I had the past few weeks. I never thought I would be running 10 miles at 6 months.
Rachael wanted to keep up her mileage as well to the day after I ran my 10 miles, she wanted to run her 10 miles for the week. So, she ran and I rode her bike. ugh. UGH! My butt is sooo sore. Even 2 days later I am still achy on the back side. That bike definitely doesn't fit me. I figure it was good cross training for me though.
This week ended with a "quick" 5 miler. There was about a 15-20mph wind from the W/NW, but I was determined to go out and complete the run no matter what. I really thought it was going to be raining. The weather was so beautiful today that I wore shorts and a tank top. At the end of the run, Rachael had to pee sooo badly she said, "We better either speed up or stop at the library or something." We all but sprinted the last 1/2-3/4 mile. It was great. I didn't wear my watch, but I'm guessing we finished 5 miles in about 43 min.
I have a new approach to running. Last year I would medicate myself, especially before long runs --> 1 Sudafed and 2-3 Tylenol. This year I have yet to take anything. I discovered I can run through anything and that resulted in injury. So, this year I'm not doing that so that I can feel my pain and stop sooner if I need to. This is another reason I really wanted to finish my 10 mile run.
Total weekly mileage: 19
Friday, February 11, 2011
End of a busy week
I made it through this crazy busy week, now for a crazy weekend. Tomorrow is Red Flannel Run so I'm looking forward to that.
Reflecting on this week, I did 4 miles on Saturday and then continued to lay low again for awhile. The frigid temps pushed me to the basement on Tuesday night for another 4 mile run and then Friday finished with a 5 mile Ethanol Loop. The mid week run was great but I was a little sore after. By Friday, I was by myself outside - yeah!! The start was a little rocky, but it was overall a great run. I missed having anyone with me. I couldn't find my ipod to listen to music so I was truly alone. It was good to have just me and the road; it was a good time to reflect and let my mind wander. I was either burning off some steam from the week or totally lost in the run as I averaged between 9:00 and 9:30 on the mileage. That was a good feeling at the end. When I got home I sat down for a bit and iced my shins. They didn't hurt and weren't achy, but I thought that would help.
While I didn't reach my training plan of 3-5-3-9, I still feel like it was a successful training week. I was able to get in 3 medium runs and felt great afterwards. I think my shin bone is getting better. I may still do a 9 miler on Sunday. We'll see. I just kept thinking "bones of steel" today on the run. Positive thinking is a powerful thing.
When I was adding up my mileage on the way back into town, I thought about going an extra mile just so it wouldn't be so unlucky. :)
Total training mileage for the week: 13 miles
Reflecting on this week, I did 4 miles on Saturday and then continued to lay low again for awhile. The frigid temps pushed me to the basement on Tuesday night for another 4 mile run and then Friday finished with a 5 mile Ethanol Loop. The mid week run was great but I was a little sore after. By Friday, I was by myself outside - yeah!! The start was a little rocky, but it was overall a great run. I missed having anyone with me. I couldn't find my ipod to listen to music so I was truly alone. It was good to have just me and the road; it was a good time to reflect and let my mind wander. I was either burning off some steam from the week or totally lost in the run as I averaged between 9:00 and 9:30 on the mileage. That was a good feeling at the end. When I got home I sat down for a bit and iced my shins. They didn't hurt and weren't achy, but I thought that would help.
While I didn't reach my training plan of 3-5-3-9, I still feel like it was a successful training week. I was able to get in 3 medium runs and felt great afterwards. I think my shin bone is getting better. I may still do a 9 miler on Sunday. We'll see. I just kept thinking "bones of steel" today on the run. Positive thinking is a powerful thing.
When I was adding up my mileage on the way back into town, I thought about going an extra mile just so it wouldn't be so unlucky. :)
Total training mileage for the week: 13 miles
Sunday, February 6, 2011
A week of rest
Well, I didn't go into this week intending to rest, but I think it's for the best. My shins have been really sore, a sign of overuse. I thought a week off would do them good. By Saturday I was feeling a lot better so I took Rachael and Bill on a 4-mile run. I could feel it by the end of the run, but it was still a good run. My muscular and cardiovascular systems feel like I could run a marathon now, but my skeletal system is speaking otherwise. My fear is another injury so I'm still laying low. I started 4-6 weeks earlier than I did last year for almost the same date marathon. I figured this would give me time to take a break if I needed it. If something happened I could take a week or two off and still not lose on the training schedule. Next week the plan is 3-5-3-9. We'll see how much I really get done; it's a crazy busy week!
Saturday, January 29, 2011
You're outta here - with a new marathoner!
What a beautiful week for running! I did all my runs OUTSIDE this week! YEAH! It was great. We even took the WHOLE family out on a run. The schedule was 3.4.3.8 and I went out running four days. Yes, that's right four days. I didn't complete every run, but I was out four days this week...all outside!
My shin has been a little achy , but after a little into the run it seems to relax and be ok. After the advice of Vardotrichic, I have not been doing faster spurts in each run. My long run was just a normal 10 min/mile rate. Because of the achiness in my shin bone, I have been taking it easy. Haven't been icing or anything like that, just taking it easy.
OK, so I ran 4 days, but didn't complete all the runs. Let me explain. We still need to register for the Red Flannel Run, but we are preparing nonetheless. We took Noelle and the "babies" out for a run. We did 1 mile. They all ran about 1/2 mile before we had to stop and walk. They only walked about 1/2 block and then wanted to run again. I let them determine when they were running and when they were walking. If we walk the whole time during the run, that's fine, but I will let them set that. It was fun and Matt has been asking to go running again.
Rachael and I did the "long" 8-mile run today. She was kinda dragging her feet to go out. She decided this week that she may want to do a marathon so I urged her to go out with me. Bill came along for the first few miles and then broke off and went home. Rachael and I continued. We did lots of talking and she got excited for the marathon. I think we'll sign up this week for Grandma's. That will be fun to take her along and run a marathon together. Grandma's should be a good one for her to do. She is sooo excited. Eight miles is her record so far. She was dragging to go out because her 7 mile run was a little hard for her. By the time we were done she felt so great that she said she could have kept going. Bill even took a picture of her for his photo-a-day project when we were done!.
When we got home, I looked at my shoes to see the wear on them. Dang! I see that the outside heel is wearing. I have been very conscious of running more on my toes. However, when I start getting tired or lose focus, I find myself running on, what feels like, the outside of my foot and roll to the toes. It's not that I think I need supported shoes, but frustrated that I have tried to change my running style to be more effective/efficient and I'm still getting similar wear patterns on my shoes.
Total training mileage for the week: 16 miles = January total 56 miles
My shin has been a little achy , but after a little into the run it seems to relax and be ok. After the advice of Vardotrichic, I have not been doing faster spurts in each run. My long run was just a normal 10 min/mile rate. Because of the achiness in my shin bone, I have been taking it easy. Haven't been icing or anything like that, just taking it easy.
OK, so I ran 4 days, but didn't complete all the runs. Let me explain. We still need to register for the Red Flannel Run, but we are preparing nonetheless. We took Noelle and the "babies" out for a run. We did 1 mile. They all ran about 1/2 mile before we had to stop and walk. They only walked about 1/2 block and then wanted to run again. I let them determine when they were running and when they were walking. If we walk the whole time during the run, that's fine, but I will let them set that. It was fun and Matt has been asking to go running again.
Rachael and I did the "long" 8-mile run today. She was kinda dragging her feet to go out. She decided this week that she may want to do a marathon so I urged her to go out with me. Bill came along for the first few miles and then broke off and went home. Rachael and I continued. We did lots of talking and she got excited for the marathon. I think we'll sign up this week for Grandma's. That will be fun to take her along and run a marathon together. Grandma's should be a good one for her to do. She is sooo excited. Eight miles is her record so far. She was dragging to go out because her 7 mile run was a little hard for her. By the time we were done she felt so great that she said she could have kept going. Bill even took a picture of her for his photo-a-day project when we were done!.
When we got home, I looked at my shoes to see the wear on them. Dang! I see that the outside heel is wearing. I have been very conscious of running more on my toes. However, when I start getting tired or lose focus, I find myself running on, what feels like, the outside of my foot and roll to the toes. It's not that I think I need supported shoes, but frustrated that I have tried to change my running style to be more effective/efficient and I'm still getting similar wear patterns on my shoes.
Total training mileage for the week: 16 miles = January total 56 miles
Sunday, January 23, 2011
A chilly week
This week was veeeerrrrrryyyyy chilly. Wind chills were consistently in the negative temps. The initial motivation to get out and start a run was really hard! I spent every run on the dreadmill. My schedule was 3-4-3-7. I repeated last week's schedule. Again, I missed the second 3 miler. I think I may just have to settle for 3 runs/week rather than 4. I will still feel like I am training and getting somewhere if I get at least 3 runs in, including the long run. I still feel very strong and full of energy with each run.
Monday's run was a quick 3 miles. I watched an episode of something online and that is great to get me through the treadmill. I ran 4 miles on Friday night, knowing that a Saturday run would probably be out of the question with our family schedule and the biter cold. If I ran Sunday afternoon (chance of warmer temps) outside, that would boost my motivation. Sunday I really really wanted to run outside, but the wind chills never got above -5. I just can't do that. That's my limit. OK, maybe I can if I talk myself into it, but I see no reason to.
All week since I am running on my own (not with Rachael or Bill) I can run any speed. So, I looked at the mileage go by and for each mile that I ran at 6mph, I ran 1/4 mile at 7mph. It was great. I have not been doing the cross training, but the speed work I love! I really like how my muscles are starting to take shape. The muscle on/next to the Achilles Tendon is really getting in good shape, perhaps the best it's ever been! I am very excited about this, hoping that this will make hill work easier for me later when I start to incorporate more inclines. It's also a good sign that my ankle is in good shape, too. This is still in the back of my mind as I run. So, anyway, tonight for the last run of the week I had 7 miles, 1.5 miles at 7mph. The first two miles just flew by that I completely missed them. I feel so strong and full of energy that I felt like I could have run another 3 miles. The last 7mph spurt was a little difficult, but it felt great.
We decided that we would enter the Red Flannel Run this year as a family so we have been looking for red flannel at Goodwill, clearance racks, etc. Everyone is getting excited for this. So glad the fam is getting into this, too. I'm sure Rachael and Bill will complete the quicker, longer 5 mile run.
Training mileage for the week: 14 miles
Monday's run was a quick 3 miles. I watched an episode of something online and that is great to get me through the treadmill. I ran 4 miles on Friday night, knowing that a Saturday run would probably be out of the question with our family schedule and the biter cold. If I ran Sunday afternoon (chance of warmer temps) outside, that would boost my motivation. Sunday I really really wanted to run outside, but the wind chills never got above -5. I just can't do that. That's my limit. OK, maybe I can if I talk myself into it, but I see no reason to.
All week since I am running on my own (not with Rachael or Bill) I can run any speed. So, I looked at the mileage go by and for each mile that I ran at 6mph, I ran 1/4 mile at 7mph. It was great. I have not been doing the cross training, but the speed work I love! I really like how my muscles are starting to take shape. The muscle on/next to the Achilles Tendon is really getting in good shape, perhaps the best it's ever been! I am very excited about this, hoping that this will make hill work easier for me later when I start to incorporate more inclines. It's also a good sign that my ankle is in good shape, too. This is still in the back of my mind as I run. So, anyway, tonight for the last run of the week I had 7 miles, 1.5 miles at 7mph. The first two miles just flew by that I completely missed them. I feel so strong and full of energy that I felt like I could have run another 3 miles. The last 7mph spurt was a little difficult, but it felt great.
We decided that we would enter the Red Flannel Run this year as a family so we have been looking for red flannel at Goodwill, clearance racks, etc. Everyone is getting excited for this. So glad the fam is getting into this, too. I'm sure Rachael and Bill will complete the quicker, longer 5 mile run.
Training mileage for the week: 14 miles
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Convenient Excuses
Well, I didn't do too well this week. It was a looooong exhausting week. One of my New Years' Resolution is to be in bed by 10:00. I haven't been doing terribly well with that either and I think I'm coming down with a cold. OK enough complaining! I mention this only because I didn't get all my runs in this week. It was getting late and I was nearing my 10:00 deadline. My ankle has been achy so I thought I would take it easy and not push it until I can get over 10 miles for one run. Being tired and having an achy heel was a convenient excuse for me this week. It was also rather cold out! Monday we got a bunch of snow so I shoveled out the driveway by hand. That was good arm work for me.
My schedule was 3, 4, 3, 6. I got the 4 mile run in, but missed the two 3 mile runs. I also finished the 6 mile run with Rachael since Bill has had a respiratory yuck. It has been bitter cold out so I ran the 4 miles on the treadmill. Today completed the 6 miles. Rachael didn't want to go around the Ethanol Loop so we just ran laps in town. I didn't know exactly how far we went, but I'm guessing it was about 6 miles.
Again, both runs were great once I got out there. I feel strong, like I could keep going forever, but have to consciously keep myself back. I think I am gaining speed, too. I am not super fast, but I think I am faster than I was last year. I have consciously been doing spurts of faster running in the middle of a run. On the 4 mile run, I sped up during the commercials and then ran at least a min longer. On the "big" run today I ran faster the last mile and pushed a sprint the last block. The problem with the run today was it was outside and the streets were full of snow and slush so it was like running through soupy sand; it was just hard to get a grip on the road. That made a good workout.
When I got done today I took my hat off and there were icicles hanging from my hair! I think it was cold out there. My gatorade was also getting slushy.
Total mileage this week: 11
My schedule was 3, 4, 3, 6. I got the 4 mile run in, but missed the two 3 mile runs. I also finished the 6 mile run with Rachael since Bill has had a respiratory yuck. It has been bitter cold out so I ran the 4 miles on the treadmill. Today completed the 6 miles. Rachael didn't want to go around the Ethanol Loop so we just ran laps in town. I didn't know exactly how far we went, but I'm guessing it was about 6 miles.
Again, both runs were great once I got out there. I feel strong, like I could keep going forever, but have to consciously keep myself back. I think I am gaining speed, too. I am not super fast, but I think I am faster than I was last year. I have consciously been doing spurts of faster running in the middle of a run. On the 4 mile run, I sped up during the commercials and then ran at least a min longer. On the "big" run today I ran faster the last mile and pushed a sprint the last block. The problem with the run today was it was outside and the streets were full of snow and slush so it was like running through soupy sand; it was just hard to get a grip on the road. That made a good workout.
When I got done today I took my hat off and there were icicles hanging from my hair! I think it was cold out there. My gatorade was also getting slushy.
Total mileage this week: 11
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