Running Journal 3/31/2010 (5 miles)

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Today's stats:

Sunny 77 degrees w/ 10-15 mph SE wind

5 miles (4/1 intervals)
Time 1:02
12:30 av pace
4.8 av MPH
464 cals burned

153 av bpm HR
163 max bpm HR

M1: 11:58
M2: 12:00
M3: 12:35
M4: 12:58 (into wind w/ hill)
M5: 12:53

What a difference a pigeon pose makes with a wonky piriformis muscle! I totally love LOVE my physical therapist AND many Spark running friends that so freely and wisely offer advice. There isn't much more a running gal could ever ask for. It was just Monday that I saw PT Candi and already I feel so much better as of this morning when I plunked my ever-shrinking butt on my pillow on my office chair. I am giddy!

Today was my first run since my race Saturday and it felt a little sluggish, but I think alot of that had to do with the fact that the temp was 77 with a "healthy" wind out of the sw. Why is it tht your hills are always going into the wind? Why? I also felt naked running since I had my capris and a tank. I felt so pasty...LOL.

My next run will be Friday if my piriformis behaves after today's run and then that will be it for the week. If all is well, I will head out Sunday and if THAT is okay then it will be my usual 3 days per week for a total of about 12-15 miles. Thats my plan.

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Something to think about

Sunday, March 28, 2010

We all received this in our email from SparkPeople today and it was an eye-opener for me. I exchanged the word "life" and replaced it with "running". Think about it if you are a runner that is currently frustrated with your progress.

Never giving up

Do you ever get frustrated because things are moving too slowly with your RUNNING? Many people don't realize that building a foundation for success does not happen overnight. It is a slow process in which you are constantly working and learning. After all, that foundation must remain strong, even in times of failure or crisis. This takes time! You may have to remind yourself that "failing" is only failure if you quit; otherwise it's a learning opportunity. So don't worry if your RUNNING seems to be moving in slow motion. Concentrate on building a solid foundation and learning from your back steps.

Just something to think about and ponder. Now back to our regular programming. LOL

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Running Journal 3/27/2010 (5k Race)

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Today's stats:

Sunny 33 degrees w/ 10 mph SE wind

5k Race (4/1 intervals)
Time 34:06
10:58 av pace
5.5 av MPH
433 cals burned (inc warm up)

165 av bpm HR
177 max bpm HR

M1: 10:55
M2: 10:59
M3: 11:09
M4: 10:43

Today I ran the Young Life 5k Fundraiser run in Moline, IL which was well organized considering this was their first one. I arrived early to get my bearings and the traditional potty and warm up and to get my chip on my shoe. Let it be known that I did NOT take my stupid gloves since it was so chilly...check that...flippin cold and I so wish I had them.

I started out strong yet controlled which is probably my best start as I have a tendancy to start way too fast. I picked out my target pace runner so I was all set to relax and work with my 4/1 intervals. I am thinking that 4/1 is not quite right for me while running a 5k. I feel the 1 minute is too long so I am going to back it to 45 seconds. I know that doesn't sound like a big change but when you are running the 3.1 miles it could make a difference in the final time.

I was feeling gassed in the end as I do not usually run 10-ish minute miles except for 5k's. This is my seventh 5k and I learn something new every time and I am really starting to tweak my "method of madness" while racing this distance. I will get it perfected yet!

There were hills on this course as opposed to none in Navarre, FL when I PR'ed bigtime so I knew a PR was not likely today and it wasn't. I finished at 34:06 which I will take considering the hills. My very first race at the end of last August was 37+ minutes so I have come a long way baby. When I did PR my last race with such a good time I have been concerned how I can possibly run any faster. I will trust the process and just continue to run and let my body adapt and if it is ready to run faster, it will.

Regarding my hammie issue, after talking with Coach Nancy she feels it is piriformis and therefore I have an appointment made Monday with my buddy PT Candi. I refuse to let this new twist get in my way of my running and will consider it another chance to become even stronger. I am 51, folks, and no Spring chicken and just started running last May so I need to expect these little hurdles, stay smart and get help when needed. I refuse to get stupid and ignore what my body is telling me as I have great respect for how my body is carrying me through running. I am amazed and feel very blessed!

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Running Journal 3/25/2010 (4.83 miles)

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Today's stats:

Sunny 51 degrees w/ 17 mph NE wind

4.83 miles (4/1 intervals)
Time 60 minutes
12:49 av pace
5.0 av MPH
455 cals burned

146 av bpm HR
157 max bpm HR

M1: 11:57
M2: 11:59
M3: 12:09
M4: 12:07
M5: 14:25 (cool down at end)

Today was planned as a fairly easy run since I have a 5k Saturday although as you can see I had to rein myself in at the beginning of the run. I am still "watching" a tender spot in my hammie as it tweaks just a little during the run although nothing to write home about. I sit on the official bag of frozen corn immediately while uploading my Garmin. Have I mentioned lately just how much I love my Garmin? LOL

Next blog entry will be my 5k on Saturday with no real plans in place for the race as I will just let it happen. Til then...toodles!

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Running Journal 3/23/2010 (2.6 miles)

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Today's stats:

Sunny 66 degrees w/ light wind
wore new pair Adidas

2.6 miles (8/2 interval x 3)
Time 30:00
218 cals burned

This was my first group run ever...well...other than racing. Tonight was the first of 7 training runs for a 5k on Mother's day here in the Quad Cities which is in conjunction with the Quad Cities Distance Classic. This is a Half Marathon and a 5k race put on by the Cornbelt Running CLub that I belong to. At first I was toying with running the Half, but decided not to about a month back and just take advantage of the training runs for the 5k.

After getting over the jitters of meeting new people in a new place I settled in quite comfortably with the group of about 30 women of varying ages. You see, I have always had a bad case of shyness and it has stood in my way many many times in my life keeping me from trying new things. Running is literally bringing me out of my shell and discovering so many new things in life. So tinight was much more than a 2.6 mile run.

They broke us up into runners, run/walk and walkers and I opted for the run walk. They started us out with 8/2 x 3 whch is different than what I have been using which is 4/1 but thats okay and I of course had room for alot more distance but I went with the group.

You will also note no split times because SOMEONE forgot their Garmin at home. Can you believe the Gizwitchie Queen forgot her Garmin? I felt naked for pete's sake. Next week they will squeeze more time and distance from us so I welcome that.

Since I have a 5k Saturday I will maybe go out for a quick spin Thursday and let that and the 5k be it for this week. If I ran as usual today, I would have gone further but I wanted to do the group thing. The ultimate goal from this training is to get acquainted with fellow Cornbelt runners and get established in a regular weekend group run. Thats my plan and I'm sticking to it!

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