Running without training

Tomorrow I will attempt the Plaza 10K and I've only run that distance once since June . . Should be interesting.

Struggling, but stronger?

I have been following the triathlon training designed for me by a multi-sport coach, designed at building my swimming strength, and improving my overall triathlon performance - unfortunately, what I feel has suffered is my running confidence.  The heat lately has really caused me to choose the easy run, on the treadmill, and they have typically been short, unsatisfying runs.  I haven't run longer than 4 miles at a time since Hospital Hill Half Marathon - and that is SERIOUSLY messing with my head.  I realize that the triathlons I'm competing in this summer are all Sprint distance, with none of them having a run longer than a 5K, but - I never intended to loose my distance preparedness for a half marathon.  I feel like I will have to start from scratch to build up to a half marathon distance, tackling a 10K in September (The Plaza 10K), and a half marathon in October. 

On a good note, however, I do feel like the amount of swimming I've done in this training has significantly improved my swimming confidence (although not necessarily my swimming speed) - only time will tell if it has truly improved my triathlon swim time ... 5 days till WIN for KC Triathlon.

Another negative for me is the disappointments in my weight - I can't seem to break this pattern and get back on a loosing track - could also be what is messing with my running confidence (elephants don't run very fast).

Anywho - stay tuned, if you're out there ... but I'll keep swimming, biking, and running even if you're not :)

Hospital Hill Run 2012 In The Books

It is done - finis - over ... for 363 more days - the craziness which is Hospital Hill Run.  I know other runners who do marathons at the drop of a hat, or ultra run distances, or other challenging events will pshah at the idea of Hospital Hill - but to me, this is 'that race' that I love to hate.  It challenges me, it rewards me, it's a great party, it's a menace, it is - Hospital Hill Run.

I started with the 5K at Hospital Hill in 2010.  I thought I was going to die.  It was hot, humid, and had to be 100 miles long, not 3.1 - I was wrong.  I didn't die, I was sore, but felt an amazing sense of accomplishment.  I soaked my hot swollen feet in the fountains of Crown Center with my running friends - and we vowed to do it all over again - we wanted to shoot for the 10K in 2011.  Something happened after that conversation.  We all lost our minds.

We moved up to the half marathon distance in 2011 - we had to - there was a series of 3 medals for the 38th, 39th, and 40th anniversary years - we've been bit by the bling bug - we had to have it.  I had done a half marathon previously in October 2010 - and again thought I was going to die and never wanted to do that again.  I was wrong.  I'm now an official Half Fanatic - and proud of it.  I really feel like this is my favorite distance race - but I haven't done a marathon yet - I reserve the right to change my mind (what of it is left).

The 2011 Hospital Hill Run Half Marathon was brutal.  It was 78 degrees at the start of the race - and the temperatures and humidity climbed ridiculously in the 3:43:34 that I was out in the sun, trudging up the hills - experienced laughter, tears, frustration, pride, and exhaustion.  My legs cramped up in the last quarter mile to the point I wasn't sure I could still move.  My 'jog' across the finish line in 2011 was a pain-filled, tree-trunk steppin trudge.  But I finished.  I immediately sucked in some water and gatorade, and relieved the cramping in my legs.  I was ready to head home, but not before a fantastic group picture with my growing group of running friends.  It was official - we were hooked on the half.

And here I am, the day following Hospital Hill Run Half Marathon 2012 - yes, I'm still wearing my compression sleeves on my legs, but heck I like wearing them for no particular reason at home, even if my legs weren't sore.  My goal for HHR 2012 was to finish in 3:10 ... I did that, by 13 seconds - official time was 3:09:47.  There were moments coming up Broadway where I wasn't sure it was going to happen, but I never let myself give up the dream.  The pacers we had for 3:10 were awesome, and nearly everyone who started with the 3:10 pace group finished together.  Once again my fabulous running friends grew this year - even more of us out there doing the Hill - Bill, Lori, Tim, Karen, Shannon, Jer, and many many more - you keep me moving forward, and for that I am eternally grateful. 

My glutes and quads are a little tender today, but not to the point that I'm immoble.  I've got things to do today, and will be doing them - moving around, and looking forward to tomorrow's workout - it's a whole new training schedule to face the summer triathlons and fall half marathons - and I'm more excited than ever to register for the Little Rock Marathon next March.

Progress is amazing, life-giving, liberating, and sometimes disguised as pain and frustration.  March On!

Stella's First Flat Tire :(

Ok, I hesitate to tell the REAL story, because I’m afraid it will sound like ‘This one time, at band camp … ‘ … but, I believe in telling the truth.

So – it’s a beautiful day here in OP – and Stella, she wanted to go for a ride – just a short one, a quick one, around campus just a few blocks away, and back in time for our conference call (Stella is my road bike) … I had to take her out, she gets pouty if I don’t blow the dust off of her every once in a while.

Anywho … what SHOULD have been a quick 30 minute ride, turned into a 1 /2 hour adventure … because … Stella threw a shoe … or, caught a flat, or, has an owwie, however you want to put it.  I had the tools needed to change the flat, and pretty sure I could do it, but, had no pump to air her tire back up if I had changed it, so Stella and I walked it back in – 2 miles or so … she cried a little thinking she had let me down, and I assured her that no, it was I who had let her down – not being prepared to care for any issue that may arise.

Lessons learned:

1.       Tell someone where you’re going before you leave.

2.       Have ALLLL of the tools you need (including pump/CO2 cartridge) for on-the-road repairs.

3.       TAKE YOUR PHONE no matter what (tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk).

4.       Remember this event and how uncomfortable it was to walk 2 miles in cycling shoes and I bet you won’t let it happen again.

My co-workers really do care about me (called trying to find me --- missed calls because the phone was IN MY LOCKER IN THE GYM … tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk.)

Speed Training - Week 14

Treadmill speed training this morning was challenging, but not because of the routine.  Having sat on my largest muscle for 4 days while camping didn't help my training any.  That being said - the treadmill speedwork prescribed for today was done, and 2 more training miles will get done in the humidity outside ... need to get used to the warmer temps.

Not really looking forward to doing the Corporate Challenge 5K this Saturday, but I'll show up and do my part :)

Week 14 Speed Training Routine

Time	Speed	Incline
0:00-4:00	4.5	1.0
4:00-5:00	5.0	1.0
5:00-6:00	3.0	1.0
6:00-7:00	5.0	1.0
7:00-8:00	3.0	1.0
8:00-9:00	5.0	1.0
9:00-10:00	3.0	1.0
10:00-11:00	5.0	1.0
11:00-12:00	3.0	1.0
12:00-13:00	5.0	1.0
13:00-14:00	3.0	1.0
14:00-15:00	5.0	1.0
15:00-16:00	3.0	1.0
16:00-17:00	5.0	1.0
17:00-18:00	3.0	1.0
18:00-20:00	5.0	1.0

I kinda screwed up at the end and had to go an extra minute.

Half Fanatic #2258

I was so excited to become an official Half Fanatic after successful completion of the Kansas Half Marathon 4/22/12 (2nd Half Marathon in 8 days) - and receiving my official fanatic ID is awe-inspiring to me to say the least ... now ... it makes me want to do more half marathons -- coincidence? I think not. Go Girl Run Half Marathon on Memorial Day weekend is a distinct possibility right now - love the 'all women' concept, and the course doesn't look too bad - and hey - what's another half between Running With The Cows and Hospital Hill, right? Fanatic is right ... crazy is more like it.

Vacation Blues

So, we had a fantastic camping trip - despite rain nearly every day - BUT - I've got that nagging in my head of having skipped a long run. I could have run - there was another woman camping there who ran both Saturday and Sunday (show-off) ... but I didn't. I have no doubts that I'll still do fine at Running With The Cows Half Marathon, but - still - I HATE screwing with my training schedule. In any case, back at it hard and heavy tomorrow. Running, strength training, and hopefully some swimming tomorrow.

Spinning with Laurie

There is something particularly challenging about Spin class with Laurie on Wednesday mornings.  I'm never really sure that she knows these bikes have seats on them.  BUT (no pun intended), I never walk away from class thinking "I should have worked harder".  I had a really hard time getting my heart rate steady today, felt like I was struggling to breathe.

Spring Training - Week 2 - Speedwork anyone?

If I had CLOSELY read my training calendar last night I would have recognized that I was supposed to do my treadmill speed training in the morning, and my 3 mile road run in the afternoon. Do you see where this is going? That being said - the 'short' 3 mile run this morning felt long, but I was actually pretty fast for my 'early in the week run'. But then again, maybe I was just lonely. I ran part of the route that we had run on our RTP Groupie Run this past Sunday, and I was missing my running buddy Flash. However, my faith in humanity was restored! While running down the street in front of BV North High School, a car, driven by a teenager of all things - WAITED ON ME to cross the street - in fact they insisted I cross in front of them. Amazing. There is still hope for our future generations.



Fast forward to late afternoon - and I knew I had to get back to the fitness center and get my 20 minutes of treadmill speedwork done.  I was ready.  Flash had pumped me up and given me encouragement (see, she had already done hers in the morning - when she was supposed to).  I took a long time to get ready, forgot to grab a sweat towel, but survived the run without too much distress.



Tomorrow morning - Killer Spin with Laurie.  I need to take a nap before I go to bed!

Training 2.3.12 - Blah 2 mile run in the morning - and Death on the Treadmill (aka Hill Training) in the afternoon.

This morning's run was a short one, and maybe that's why it seemed like such a struggle.  It was just 2 miles, but I just couldn't get my head in the game.  The weather was extremely nice, very warm out this morning 45 and no wind - didn't even take any gloves or hat with me.


... fast forward to the afternoon ... and the mean, ugly, evil Hill Training on the treadmill.  I'd been dreading it all day long - sure that I couldn't do it - and yet, I did.  I didn't have to stop (even though mentally I gave myself the permission to if I needed to) - I finished it all, I survived - and I still hate hills.

Hill work (week 1-4)
Time	Speed	Incline
0:00-5:00	4.2	1.0
5:00-6:00	4.5	2.0
6:00-7:00	4.5	3.0
7:00-8:00	4.5	4.0
8:00-9:00	4.5	5.0
9:00-10:00	4.5	6.0
10:00-11:00	4.5	2.0
11:00-12:00	4.5	3.0
12:00-13:00	4.5	4.0
13:00-14:00	4.5	5.0
14:00-15:00	4.5	6.0
15:00-16:00	4.5	2.0
16:00-17:00	4.5	3.0
17:00-18:00	4.5	4.0
18:00-19:00	4.5	5.0
19:00-20:00	4.5	6.0

Onward and Upward and Ever Forward!

Training 2.1.12

Wednesday mornings bring a brutal spin class with Laurie.  She's little, but FEISTY.  In no way does she allow any 'wake-up' time ... you will be FULLY awake when you are done with this class.  Every time I feel like I'm dying in her class I have to remind myself that I ASKED for this.  I NEED this for training - this will make me stronger. 

If you care to see the details of the heartrate - check here ... I was soooooo glad to get this one over with!

Training Day - 1.31.12

For it to be technically winter time here, we have been extremely fortunate to have experienced incredibly mild, no, down right balmy weather.  This morning at 6am it was 55 degrees outside - today is January 31st - in the midwest.  So - I did what any sane runner would do - I ran outside.  Don't let that 30mph wind get ya down!  It truly was a wonderful, short 3 mile run.  It felt slow, but actually wasn't too bad - even with the pit stop at Panera for a potty break. 


Love the look of the new training schedule given to me by April (who may in future posts be referred to as the Devil) - according to her schedule I should have done just 2 miles, and a treadmill spead workout ... well, I get to slide by on that today since I didn't have the plan until AFTER I had already run this morning.

I'll still get back to the gym later this afternoon to get in the strength training that I should have done yesterday, and then call it done.  Tomorrow morning is a killer Spinning class, then rest for the afternoon.  I still don't do these 'rest' periods very well.

Till next time -

Sunday Runday - AKA Rock The Parkway Groupie Run Day

So, this was week 4 of the RTP Groupie Runs, and I am totally hooked on running with this group. Coach Dina is fabulous at planning the routes, and we haven't repeated one yet (yes, I realize it's just week four, but WHATEVER).

The weather wasn't bad, just a little wind, but absolutely didn't notice at all after heading out. I absolutely missed my running buddy Flash, who was visiting family in Fort Dodge this weekend - and the rest of the crew who runs in the 12 and over pace seemed to be just waiting for someone to take off, so I did. I was sure they would eventually catch and pass me, but they never did... WOO HOO for me!

Of course at just a quarter of a mile into the run, (the first 1/4 mile was all up hill), I wanted to check my heart rate and pace, and immediately noticed I still had the Garmin set on Cycling - DANGIT... switched it over to Running, so ended up with 2 different activities for one run. HATE THAT.

The run down Lamar was fabulous, and definitely felt a lot shorter than the run back UP Lamar. I'll have to file that little route into my brain as training for HH - Broadway torture!