Well this is going to be short and sweet on account of being a very busy week. I’m off to Vegas tomorrow to partake in another Halloween of trouble…it’s my favorite time of year to go:) As such, assuming I won’t be running upon my return on Saturday night (just trying to be realistic), I scheduled just three runs this week. Originally I thought I could pile 4 runs in 5 days, but I know that’s the type of thing that leads me back to my knee injury. I have been feeling knee pain pretty regularly during runs, although it’s different than the IT Band issues, and it doesn’t last more than a mile or two. The pain runs across the top of my knee and it’s affected both knees on different runs. I guess with my history of knee problems it always scares me a bit when there’s the hint of any pain. Keeping my fingers crossed that it’s nothing to worry about (and don’t think for a second I’m sensible enough to let it stop me from running).
I completed my long run this morning, and it felt pretty good. I’ve continued pushing my long runs ahead of schedule by a bit, and finished out 5.5 miles. My target long run this week had been 4.75, and that extra three-quarters of a mile makes my 10k in 11 days a little less daunting. I did take a gel pack before my run, and hit the park at 3.5 miles to get some water. I really wonder if it’s the placebo effect, or if the gel really helps so much, but it sure seems to help my legs from getting fatigued.
Have a safe and fabulous Halloween guys!
Week 4 Summary: Goal 16 miles, 4.75 mile long run. I finished out 16 miles on the nose, but exceeded my long run goal with a 5 mile run. My pace thus far in training has been 8:57.
Week 5 Goal: My goal this week is to complete 13.5 miles in three runs. After exceeding my long run goal last week, I was aiming for 5.25 miles this week. I exceeded that with a 5.5 mile run this morning in 48:55 (a pace of 8:54).
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Keep pushing on...
Last week was plum full of hard runs. Other than my first run, which also happened to be my long run, every time I got out there it felt like I had never done this before. Such is the life of a runner I guess…some days are definitely easier than others. The temps are still pretty warm, and I know once it cools down a bit everything will seem easier. I just keep reminding myself when I’m out there struggling that if every run I push myself a little further than I think I can go, eventually it will get easier…eventually.
I did get out last night for this week’s long run. Little tricky running at night in an area that isn’t all that well lit. My foot strike is always a little heavier and sloppier in trying to make sure I hit the ground without turning my ankle on whatever it is I may be landing on. It all probably slowed me down some, which may be why the run felt so much easier…at least from a cardio stand point. I did manage to push myself to 5 miles, exceeding my goal…and helping to get me closer to the 10k (6.22 miles) mark I’ll be required to hit in 18 days. A successful long run always boosts my confidence…and after the rough runs last week I needed it.
I’m trying to take better care of myself in preparation for my runs. Getting more sleep, eating well, not fatiguing my legs in work outs. I’m really trying to schedule my lower body workouts and runs in such a way my legs aren’t exhausted even before the run begins. If I overdo the resistance training, the next day it’s like trying to run with cement blocks on my feet. And goodness to the socializing…seriously, my friends are a lot of fun…and I have trouble saying no…doesn’t always make for the best running conditions the next morning…I’m working on it though:)
And I got myself some new shoes! They feel great…as I knew to expect since I went with the Adrenaline 8s again. The 9s don’t come out until January…and every other shoe I tried on felt too roomy in the toebox…so I stuck with old reliable. They fit so perfectly I haven’t had one hint of a blister or soreness. I really do heart my Brooks.
Congrats again to Brandi and Carissa! Way to go guys.
Week 3 Summary: Goal 15 miles, 4.25 mile long run. I completed a total of 15 miles, with a long run of 4.5 miles. My pace for the week was 8:54.
Week 4 Goal: My goal this week is to run 16 miles with a long run of 4.75 miles. I’d pushed my long run up a bit because I was ahead of schedule. I again exceeded my new long run goal last night with a 5 miles run.
I did get out last night for this week’s long run. Little tricky running at night in an area that isn’t all that well lit. My foot strike is always a little heavier and sloppier in trying to make sure I hit the ground without turning my ankle on whatever it is I may be landing on. It all probably slowed me down some, which may be why the run felt so much easier…at least from a cardio stand point. I did manage to push myself to 5 miles, exceeding my goal…and helping to get me closer to the 10k (6.22 miles) mark I’ll be required to hit in 18 days. A successful long run always boosts my confidence…and after the rough runs last week I needed it.
I’m trying to take better care of myself in preparation for my runs. Getting more sleep, eating well, not fatiguing my legs in work outs. I’m really trying to schedule my lower body workouts and runs in such a way my legs aren’t exhausted even before the run begins. If I overdo the resistance training, the next day it’s like trying to run with cement blocks on my feet. And goodness to the socializing…seriously, my friends are a lot of fun…and I have trouble saying no…doesn’t always make for the best running conditions the next morning…I’m working on it though:)
And I got myself some new shoes! They feel great…as I knew to expect since I went with the Adrenaline 8s again. The 9s don’t come out until January…and every other shoe I tried on felt too roomy in the toebox…so I stuck with old reliable. They fit so perfectly I haven’t had one hint of a blister or soreness. I really do heart my Brooks.
Congrats again to Brandi and Carissa! Way to go guys.
Week 3 Summary: Goal 15 miles, 4.25 mile long run. I completed a total of 15 miles, with a long run of 4.5 miles. My pace for the week was 8:54.
Week 4 Goal: My goal this week is to run 16 miles with a long run of 4.75 miles. I’d pushed my long run up a bit because I was ahead of schedule. I again exceeded my new long run goal last night with a 5 miles run.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Run Brandi Run!
Just wanted to pass along a good luck wish to Brandi Booze! She'll be running her first half marathon this Sunday in Ohio. I'm so excited for her big accomplishment and can't wait to hear how it goes. When you hit those points that feel impossible, Brandi, just remember how hard you've worked to get here...and know you absolutely positively can do it. Best of luck...let me know how it goes girlfriend! I'm so darn proud of you!
Monday, October 13, 2008
Finding focus...
So after two rather weak weeks of running, I’m forcing myself to get focused. With a shorter training period this year, I really need to get some distance added. And so far this week I’m off to a good start. I’ve already exceeded my long run goal for this week, pushing myself up to 4.5 miles today. That leaves me just 1.72 miles to add in the next 27 days for my first 10k (http://www.phoenix10k.com/). This event also offers a 5k run, walk and stroller push…so if you’re looking for an event, this could be the one. This was formerly the New Times 10k, and a pretty decent size event, plus it’s chipped, which I like.
For those of you who don’t know what a chipped race is…many races you wear a chip on your shoe. When you run over the mat at the starting line it starts your time. When you run over the mat at the finish line, it registers your finish. In big races that don’t have chips, and just use gun time, it’s not as accurate. If you’re well back in the crowd, you may not cross the starting line for a minute or two after the gun has been fired.
I’m off to finally buy some new running shoes tomorrow also. I’ve been running on my Adrenaline 8s since probably May, which is pushing the mileage. Getting a new pair now should be just about perfect for race day. You don’t want brand new shoes for a race, and yet running shoes only last so many miles before they really start breaking down…and that can lead to knee issues. They haven’t released Adrenaline 9s yet, and the shoe guy told me last year not to buy old models of shoes (the components inside the shoe harden and no longer function properly…and that contributes to injuries). I’ll be checking other Brooks models, but I may have to venture to something new altogether. I really do heart my Brooks though.
I want to mention a thank you to all for the support on my fundraising efforts this year. I’ve had a lot of positive feedback from everyone. I’ve also been told many stories of others loss to cancer…and some fantastic survival stories too. Many of these I was familiar with, but some I had no idea of. Goes to show the impact cancer has on everyone.
Week 2 Summary: Goal 11 miles, 4 mile long run. I ran exactly 11 miles, and completed a 4 mile long run. My overall pace so far is 8:59. My last run on Saturday was brutal, but I needed to get the miles in so I did it.
Week 3 Goal: My goal this week is four runs for a total of 15 miles. My long run goal is 4.25 miles, which I already exceeded today. Strange as it is, the 4.5 mile run today was my easiest run yet.
And a quick congrats to Sunny...she finished out another marathon in Cali yesterday...3:55. Way to go:)
For those of you who don’t know what a chipped race is…many races you wear a chip on your shoe. When you run over the mat at the starting line it starts your time. When you run over the mat at the finish line, it registers your finish. In big races that don’t have chips, and just use gun time, it’s not as accurate. If you’re well back in the crowd, you may not cross the starting line for a minute or two after the gun has been fired.
I’m off to finally buy some new running shoes tomorrow also. I’ve been running on my Adrenaline 8s since probably May, which is pushing the mileage. Getting a new pair now should be just about perfect for race day. You don’t want brand new shoes for a race, and yet running shoes only last so many miles before they really start breaking down…and that can lead to knee issues. They haven’t released Adrenaline 9s yet, and the shoe guy told me last year not to buy old models of shoes (the components inside the shoe harden and no longer function properly…and that contributes to injuries). I’ll be checking other Brooks models, but I may have to venture to something new altogether. I really do heart my Brooks though.
I want to mention a thank you to all for the support on my fundraising efforts this year. I’ve had a lot of positive feedback from everyone. I’ve also been told many stories of others loss to cancer…and some fantastic survival stories too. Many of these I was familiar with, but some I had no idea of. Goes to show the impact cancer has on everyone.
Week 2 Summary: Goal 11 miles, 4 mile long run. I ran exactly 11 miles, and completed a 4 mile long run. My overall pace so far is 8:59. My last run on Saturday was brutal, but I needed to get the miles in so I did it.
Week 3 Goal: My goal this week is four runs for a total of 15 miles. My long run goal is 4.25 miles, which I already exceeded today. Strange as it is, the 4.5 mile run today was my easiest run yet.
And a quick congrats to Sunny...she finished out another marathon in Cali yesterday...3:55. Way to go:)
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Running for Grandma...
I’m already slacking a little but for good reason. The last three weeks have been truly unbelievable…I welcomed a new nephew, attended my step-sister’s wedding back in MN, and said good bye to my Grandma Agar…the absolute best grandma ever. Last year I had intended to raise money for the ACS after my grandma was diagnosed. Somehow, I never got around to it. Well this year I’m motivated, and I’m motivated by my loss…and it’s going to require some assistance from you. I’ve lost many family members to cancer, including all four of my grandparents, and so I’ve signed up to be a runner for the American Cancer Society. I know most of you (if not all) have lost someone you love to cancer also, and I’d like to add them to my motivation.
You can support me with your donations on my ACS webpage:
Click here to visit my personal page.
I have been out for some runs since I started training on September 28th, although I’ve had the distractions of everything that has been going on. I returned to AZ yesterday to some cooler weather (if you can call 97 cooler), which I know will assist me in really starting to push myself. I have my first 10k (6.22 mile) in just four and a half weeks, so I really need to get my distance up in a hurry.
I’ll do a better job of posting my goals and results hereafter, so check back often.
Week 1 Summary: I completed three runs for a total of 10.75 miles. My long run was 3.75 miles, my average pace is 8:56.
Week 2 Goal: My goal this week is to complete three runs for 11 miles, with a long run of 4 miles. I was traveling Sunday, Monday and Tuesday of this week for my grandma’s funeral, so I’m cramming all of my runs into four days.
You can support me with your donations on my ACS webpage:
Click here to visit my personal page.
I have been out for some runs since I started training on September 28th, although I’ve had the distractions of everything that has been going on. I returned to AZ yesterday to some cooler weather (if you can call 97 cooler), which I know will assist me in really starting to push myself. I have my first 10k (6.22 mile) in just four and a half weeks, so I really need to get my distance up in a hurry.
I’ll do a better job of posting my goals and results hereafter, so check back often.
Week 1 Summary: I completed three runs for a total of 10.75 miles. My long run was 3.75 miles, my average pace is 8:56.
Week 2 Goal: My goal this week is to complete three runs for 11 miles, with a long run of 4 miles. I was traveling Sunday, Monday and Tuesday of this week for my grandma’s funeral, so I’m cramming all of my runs into four days.
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