Workouts this week: Jan. 20-26

The cats. 

Monday: OFF

Usual off day. 

Tuesday: Sick

I stayed home from work because I had a cold and felt awful. I thought running would be a bad idea. So I slept most of the day. 

Wednesday: compromise run

I figured I could run but was really tired. So I ran 2 miles and then walked 2 miles. I just got impatient with how long walking took and ran every now and then. My watch didn't track this right at all. 

Thursday: Blah

I didn't want to run today. I was tired. I knew I needed to run, but couldn't bring myself to another run at the indoor track. (It was cold and gloomy outside). I decided to cross train. I did 12 miles on the exercise bike, which I think is the equivalent of 4 miles running. 

Friday: 4 miles indoor

I ran 4 miles at the indoor track afterwork. The gym usually isn't that busy on Friday. I was a lot busier than normal. And the Garmin was worse than normal at tracking the indoor run.  

Saturday: Trail miles

6 miles of trail. It was supposed to get up to 58 or so. I think the high temperature was 48 degrees with 12 mph winds (feels like 44 degrees). I would have run indoors had I known that. But I did it, and coughed like a smoker when it was done.

I wore full length tights, a long sleeve, a light vest to block the wind, a neck warmer and a headband and I didn't overheat. I took my inhaler before the run. My poor asthmatic lungs.

Sunday: Long run

I ran 10 miles on my favorite 10 mile route. (55 degrees, 8 mph winds). Which is my house to the park, around the loop and back. It's pretty much 10 miles on the nose, with bathroom stops at 4 and 5 miles. The route is mostly sidewalks, and flat. The hill in the last mile is the worst. 

I wore a crops, a short sleeve and arm sleeves (and never took the arm sleeves off, but might have been too warm in a long sleeve, not sure?) and a hat and neck warmer. 

I've run out of podcasts. I tried listening to NPR's "Wait, Wait don't tell me," which was fun. I ran with Matt. And felt strong. (Matt took have my gels.) "It really is easier with someone else," he told me.

HE CAN BE TAUGHT! (Favorite moment of the day.)  

I made it to 25 miles this week. (I'm counting 2 miles of walking. Not counting the bike ride.)

Four runs. One bike workout.  

Not bad for as sick as I was.

Workouts this week: Jan 6-12

Monday: Off

Love my off days

Tuesday: Speed

I did my first speed workout in MONTHS. I did 10 400s. I was trying for 7:20-ish pace. 

Mile warmup. And then 1:49, 1:47, 1:51, 1:46, 1:49, 1:52, 1:52, 1:49, 1:52, 1:48. So all within 8 seconds, which is consistent. 

I did about a 100 meter walk in between all the sets, so about a minute. Trying not to too much of a break. 

Mile cool down (was a little rough) 

I thought I should do 12, but 10 seemed like enough, but not enough to die. 

(I looked at previous 400s workouts for comparisons. I shouldn't.) I was aiming for 1:52s so this is great. 

Wednesday dead

I was so tired from the speed workout (which maybe means I did it right). I didn't want to run. But told myself that I have a super busy week—just to get in what I could. I had planned on 5, but the legs didn't have five in them. I told myself to do at least 2. And I got to 3 and decided that was enough. And then got back to my car. 

Thursday: 3.25

I had a board meeting tonight and this is all I had time for. A little more than 3—and then getting back to my car. 

Friday off

I went to a gymnastics meet after work. Didn't have time for a run. 

Saturday: 12 miler

I've run 10 miles a few times now. I thought I could go up to 11. A friend had one more mile to run after my 11, so I ran that last one with her. I thought I had it in the tank. And I did. And it was just a really nice surprise because I don't think I'm in shape. But maybe I am? I was fine afterwards, less tired than last week even. Still not sure what my next race is. 

Recovery

Sunday: OFF

I had planned to do a cutback week. I've been upping my miles for a few weeks. 

Miles this week: 23

Runs this week 4

New Years at Noon 5k

After half a year of a running funk, I decided to run a 5k. I've only been running easy pace for months. Early October was the last time I did anything faster than 9 minute miles.

I'm not training for anything, and decided maybe I should start training for something. So let's start with a 5k and see where I'm at.

Warmup

I ran a mile warmup and my legs felt like garbage. Nine minute miles felt like race pace. I told myself I'd be happy with anything under 30. And thought maybe 8 minute miles would be a good place to start and get faster if that felt good. Or not. Again, under 27 would be great.

The race

I started in the middle and started out super easy. I told myself to keep that first mile at 8 minutes. And as I sped up, my first mile was 7:45. Which was a happy surprise. 

Mile 2 was slower. I was trying not to look at my watch, and just running with people around me. And they slowed down. Second mile 7:56. Which was fine, but I could speed up. So I left the group of people I was running with.

I got to 2.5 and knew I'd have a decent time and started running it in. 7:29 for mile 3. 

And I sprinted in to finish 23:51. Well under 24 minutes. Under 8 minute pace.

A few things that went right

• Didn't start out to fast

• Smiled at the finish. Definitely had more in the tank (without killing myself in first run back)

• Negative (ish) splits. I got faster towards the end. 

I was really well rested for this race. The weather was perfect. I'm happy with how it went.

A year ago, I might have preferred low 23s or 22s but that's okay. The time isn't that fast, but 7:40s is plenty fast to start out with. I felt good. I did push. I could have pushed harder.

I need to set a goal race and train for something. 

Fitness lessons I learned in 2019

Can I call 2019 a rebuilding year for my running? I had some PRs and some good moments. But overall, not all forward momentum. But no one's fitness journey is all up all the time. I ran. I cried. I learned. Here are some things I learned.

1. Ebay for deal

This year, I became hooked on Ebay. I love running gear and this was my year of eBay. I got some brand new trail shoes for $60 on eBay. I started buying Lululemon on Ebay for a fraction of the cost. I definitely used this site more to buy running clothes and year. Especially for older styles. And I think I had a 95% positive experience with Ebay. Only one dud in all of my purchases so far. 

2. My foot got bigger

I've worn a 7.5 in running shoe since high school. But after losing several toenails this year and last year and getting hot spots on the ends of my toes I tried a bigger size in running shoe, and yep I'm now and 8 in running shoes. Haven't lost any toenails since going up a size. Which means I need to replace all of my shoes to 8, but I'm working on it. I have a super high arch in my foot and feet spread over time, so a lot of people's feet do spread. This is normal according to the wise running store clerk. 

3. More about skincare and haircare

Sweating a lot is hard on my skin and hair. Leave-in conditioner helps and so does a skin serum for after I wash my sweaty face. (See posts on favorites)

4. Go to bed early

My body really wants to go to bed at 8:30 p.m. So I tried going to bed at 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. It helps. I can't say it makes a ton of difference, because I'm not waking up any earlier. I think I just need more sleep. And feel incrementally less exhausted when I go to bed early.

5. I'm just not as fast as I think I am

I want to be one of those people whose debut half marathon is 1:40 and who runs a 20 minute 5k out of the blue. I ran a 1:46 half marathon after putting in hard, hard work and maybe I'm just not fast. Maybe I'm not mentally tough or maybe I'm better suited for another distance. I want 22 minute 5ks to be easy and I really did put in the work over the last few years to do that, but in three years of hard training my 10k time has come down only one minute. I guess it's okay to not be fast. 

Looking back on 2019.....I logged fewer miles. I think it's 100+ fewer miles. 

I trained really, really hard for a spring half marathon. I did set a PR, but didn't attain the time I wanted. I ran a fast 5k right after that, and then didn't do any speed for the rest of the year. I was really stressed out and burned out from May onwards. I think the only reason I didn't completely quit running was because I know I'd balloon back up in weight. (Even running less in the summer made my weight creep back up.) 

6. What it means not to have time for running or fitness

I prioritize fitness and make time for a run or a class. But this year, there were a lot of instances when I didn't have time. When my day was booked from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Several times I had less than a week to make a 60 minute presentation for a large group. (And couldn't re-use presentations). I was just really busy. And stressed. So stressed that I'd cry because of how intensely I didn't want to run. I've never really gotten it when people say they don't have time for fitness until this year. 

7. What it means to be burned out

I was so burned out this fall. My legs felt like garbage. Every run was a struggle. I was crying because of how intensely I didn't want to run. I had to walk. I felt like I had mono I was so drained. 

I did basically no speed work in the last six months. And didn't really want to. Life can be exhausting. I wish this post was more positive and upbeat. I really WANT to be a positive person, but I guess that's just not where I am right now.

2019 Fitness favorites

A few of my favorite fitness products for this year. 

In 2019, I feel like I stuck with my favorite fitness products. I love my R8 roller. I wore pretty similar running clothes. I tried some new types of fuel. But here are some new addition to my favorites. 

1. Lululemon Run Stuff Your Bra long, for long runs (center)

 I like the longer length of this sports bra. I think it helps with underboob chafe. It's my go-to sports bra for runs.

2. Running shorts. 

I vastly prefer running in crops, but summer runs call for shorts and this year, I wore those short tight shorts that the runners wear. And after I found the right ones, they were a joy to run in. My two favorites are Lululemon Fast and Free short 6 inch and the Oiselle pocket jogger. They don't ride up when running and aren't too short. (I should say I got a few pairs of the Lululemon shorts and one pair did ride up. The others didn't. I only have one pair of the Oiselle shorts since they keep selling out.) 

First year I was brave enough to wear TIGHT SHORT SHORTS . 

3. Lululemon Swiftly tanks

I've been a Cool Racerback person, but this year, I started liking the Swiftly because it's lightweight and great for summer running. It's lighter and breathes easier. Certain styles/colors do better with sweat than others, but this is what I reached for on runs this year. 

4. UCann

I heard a lot of about UCann this year. I tried it. It tastes super chalky (gag) but it works. I can't have a bad run with it. I don't like the texture and it makes me spit a lot but it really does great for energy. 

5. Skincare for sweaty skin (small blue bottle in photo.) 

I've been loving Fre skincare, which is for people who sweat a lot. I love their revitalize skin serum for after a run. It's exactly what my skin needs. This product line also has a face wash, and a nighttime moisturizer. I don't love the daytime moisturizer as it's basically sunscreen (and smells like sunscreen)

6. Not pictured: Favorite Cookbook
Run Fast, Cook Fast, Eat Slow. Love. Every athlete should use this cookbook. 

7 miles this week

It's Sunday. I ran seven miles this week. 

Which is my lowest mile week—since my August meltdown. 

I was sick. Honestly, I couldn't have run Monday through Wednesday. Thursday and Friday, maybe but I didn't risk it. (I did do 30 minutes on the exercise bike twice this week.) 

I ran Saturday and Sunday and coughed a ton after I stopped running. I also needed a nap after the runs. 

I'm not 100% over my cold. Maybe 90%. There's still some lingering congestion. The weather was nice on my runs. I listened to my podcasts.

Maybe I'm overing my running funk. At least I didn't cry before either of these runs. I might keep my miles super low for the time being and just run when I want to. 

Here's a picture of my fuel for my Sunday easy run. 

Week off running

Halloween. I didn't have a costume the night before,
so recycled a costume from a few years ago. 

It's been a glorious 7 days off running. My run last Saturday was garbage. And then I started to get sick. I took a few days off for illness. I probably could have started running a few days ago, but I really liked having a week off. And having that time back.

I cooked. I caught up on my course work. I almost caught up with work work. It was really nice not to have to squeeze a run in after work. 

I know I should start working out, so I don't gain weight but the time off was much needed. 

Yes, I've been in a running funk lately. I've done no races since the spring and haven't felt motivated to really train. 

But I've been working out like a beast for 6.5 years. That's 6.5 years of 5 days a week of workouts. I take usually a week off twice a year for being sick. And that's it. So this week, I got over my cold. Didn't drink enough water. Didn't eat particularly well. (I did no fast food so I'm probably fine.) And I didn't run. 

So I'm struggling with balance and fatigue and needed some time just to myself.

Having Saturday with no commitments—just to catch up on life was much-needed.