A good run: finally

A rare non-solo run. I should run with people more.

After about three weeks of wanting to quit running, it's finally clicking.

I've been a mess the last few weeks. I was sick, tired, and had some work stress.

And it's actually been a week of good runs. Culminating with one of the best runs I've had in awhile.

I had planned on running the Chick-Fil-A half this year. It was my first REAL race one year ago. It got me hooked on my running journey. I wanted to run the 10k again and see how much better my time was compared to last year. But the race was canceled. But there was a 13.1 mile group run in its place. I had a 12 mile run on my training plan so it was PERFECT.

I found a friend to run with and had a plan.

The week of the weather started looking bad: 90% chance of rain. And I really wanted not to run in the rain. But the weather looked rainy all day, so it wouldn't make sense to do it later. I wasn't doing 12 miles indoors. And I had plans to run with a friend, so I showed up. (I was really looking for a reason not to.)

And it was a great run. Despite everything.

• I'd planned to go to bed early the night before. My husband had to work nights so he was getting ready when I should have been going to bed.
• I spent an hour trying to find an arm warmer I didn't even end up wearing.
• I set my alarm for 5:15 for a 7:15 a.m. run (to get up, do the pet chores and get there early enough for parking.)
• Matt came home at 4:15 and woke me up. (I was in the middle of dreaming about the evil vampire from Underworld, which I'd seen about 3 minutes of on TV that night).
• So no sleep and it was raining.

Also, I never know what to wear on runs.
• Waterproof Nikes + Feetures socks.Shoes were great. Puddles were the problem at the end of the run.
• Lululemon crops
And then I didn't know if I should wear a tank top with arm warmers or a short sleeve. Probably not a long sleeve for 53 and rainy. When I ran the trail half, I got too hot in the long sleeve, and I don't want the weight of a wet long sleeve shirt.
Last minute I threw an Eddie Bauer rain jacket on every my singlet anyway. It wasn't even running clothes, but it was raining. I got hot in the jacket after about 2 hours, and dumped it at the 3-mile water stop. I figured I could tie it around my waist. And that if I dumped it, it would immediately start pouring and I'd want it. But the jacket kept me dry during race announcements and I'm glad I had it the first mile. I think the first mile was the rainiest.
• I wore my singlet over a short sleeve shirt and then dumped the short sleeve after 6 miles. I usually run in shortsleeves or long sleeves in 53 degree weather but wasn't cold running the last half in a tank. And that turned out well. I wore a hat which was soaked at the end.


The run
My training plan was a 12 mile long run. 10 easy miles (8:55-10:04) + a 15 minute strong finish. So my plan was to do the 12 miles and walk the mile back to Fleet Feet as my cool down. I also wanted to not rabbit the race and run my miles too fast and burn myself out in the first half. So I started slow—towards the top end of my paces. And slowed myself down every time I was running too fast.

Mile 1: 10:07
Mile 2: 9:55
Mile 3: 9:22. I found myself purposely slowing down and running back towards my friends.
Water stop at mile 3 was at a busy intersection that took forever to get a light to cross.

New sections of the greenway

New section of the greenway

Mile 4: 9:09
Mile 5: 9:10
Mile 6: 8:46
Halfway stop to change shirt and get water. Course went back to Fleet Feet.
8:43, 8:37, 8:42 (water stop here), 8:25. Honestly, I didn't realize I'd sped up for miles 7-10. I was chatting with Cathryn and didn't look at my watch. The two guys running with us were breathing hard so maybe I should have realized.
I told my group my training plan so they wouldn't wonder WHY I was speeding up after mile 10.
Mile 11: 7:33: Oops this is race pace. So I dialed it back
Mile 12: 7:48 Better.
Then I was done. I walked a few steps. And then realized I felt pretty good and if I ran back I could finish a half marathon in under 2 hours on my watch. So I jogged a cool down. 8:47 a mile. And then the course measured short, at least .2 short, so I ran some more so I could get that half marathon time on Strava.
For a total time of 1:56:20. Though Strava counted the elapsed time (with traffic stops, water breaks and waiting on friends).

And my legs totally weren't dead after this run. This is only the second time ever I've run more than 12 miles. My trail half was awful. This run was so good I ALMOST get why people do half marathons. It made me think maybe I'd run a half—not at race pace, but that pacing a 2 hour half for a friend or something might be nice. This run was so good, it reminds me why I run. (And it's about time I had a good run!)

The miles flew by. I wasn't dead afterwards. I did run into a sign jumping over a puddle in mile 11. I didn't realize I'd hurt myself until I took a shower and my arm stung. Oops.

Workouts this week: March 26-April 1

Cat + running shoes + foam rollers

Running funk: Week 3

I'm now in week 3 of my running funk.

I came home from a failed speed workout Thursday sobbing about how I wanted to quit running. I was crying so hard my eyes were swollen the next day.

My legs are tired. I'm not getting faster. I never have ANY free time because all I ever do is run. And for nothing. It's not a plateau. I could be plenty faster. Just something is going on and I don't know what.

I've been sick. So I should cut myself some slack but my whole training plan is screwed up. I missed three days last week. I've gotten all my long runs in, and more than half of my speed workouts. Which when I write that doesn't sound that bad. I have stayed AROUND 25 miles a week. Self: it is not the end of the world.

Monday: OFF

Tuesday: Easy run

I was too sore to do hill repeats like my plan called for. My friend suggested a fartlek instead, which was a great idea. But after a BAD day at work and with my legs still tired I did an easy run. (After work, I felt like I was going to cry but never did.)

Also, the construction fences were down at the IM Fields where I usually run. It made it much easier to run.

Wednesday: Trail run

The only reason I didn't quit running last week was because I said I'd lead a trail run for the road runners.

Great turnout at the first trail run of the season. Much more than I expected.

There was an amazing turnout. More than 30 people showed up and ran. The mosquitoes were out. It was the first hot day after some cold weather. The course was hilly and hard and everyone was walking the last half. But I think people had a great time.

I struggled on this run. My legs were tired. And my friend ran ahead of me, so I couldn't chat :( 

Thursday: Failed speed workout :(

My plan was 2 miles, an easy mile and another 2 fast miles. It's a good 10k workout.

Mile 1: 7:40.

WAY off pace. I couldn't make speed. 

I jogged a lap and decided to try again and see if I could salvage the workout.

Mile 2: 7:28. But I had to work like mile trial work to get the 7:28. It's not usually that hard.

What is going on? My legs are tired. I've been sick. I had fried food at lunch (some, not too much, and it wasn't a stomach issue like I've had before.) I feel like it was my legs. Not in my head. I also had a really stressful day at work. I was sobbing at the end of the day after two people were super rude to me in a meeting and I got upset or told to be something stupid we already agreed I didn't have to do. I haven't cried that hard at work in awhile. I thought a fast run might help work things out, but my legs weren't cooperating. 

Lunch. Tacos + guac + friends

Bday present: New roller

Friday: yoga

Did 30 minutes of yoga. My calves are spent. 

I also went to the Lululemon outlet. I got a new short sleeve swiftly, a yoga bra, a tank top, a sweater and a long sleeve top. :) 

Outlet mall shopping: Picked up a new pair for Nike Pegasus for $59

Saturday: Long run

I did 9 miles at the IM Fields. It was gorgeous out. It was in the 60s (so perfect running weather). The wisteria was blooming. I saw lots of cute dogs. It's hard to be in a running funk when it's so perfect to run. I had an OKAY run. My legs weren't tired. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN WEEKS. I got a tad bored of doing loops. I would have liked to do Cook's Trail, but didn't want to do that one by myself. 

Sunday: Speed redo

My legs felt OK so I tried for some speed work so I could have one successful workout this week. 

Four miles at race pace was on my training plan. I headed out to a nearby track (not the university track since I was trying to change it up). I should add this track measures long so I went by my Garmin. (Since everyone's watch measures it long). I did my warmup. The weather was nice. 

Mile 1: 7:24

Mile 2: 7:44. Mile 1 felt great so I was overconfident. I didn't look at my watch and messed up my time. Interesting that this is the hard speed my body defaults to when I'm not watching my watch

Mile 3: 7:33. Trying to find the right speed without working harder than necessary

Mile 4: 7:24. I pushed it but had enough in the tank. 

I ended up being 7 seconds over time. Which is pretty darn close. I've had one better 4 mile workout and that was indoors. This was a better workout. And I wasn't too spent afterwards. It is good to know that I have to watch my watch, because 7:44 is my default hard but not thinking pace. I have to force my legs to turn over more for 7:30s. 

Runs this week: 5

Miles this week: 27

Workouts this week: yogax4

When I try to do yoga, this guy is everywhere.
Usually under my downward dogs or biting my toes.