So Sweaty it's like My Hair is Sobbing

Pic from my run this morning at San Gabriel Park. 


Workouts for the Week:
Monday- 1514 yds swim
Tuesday- 3.74 miles (run group)- Degressive Hills
Wednesday- 898 yds swim
Thursday- 3.06 miles (run group)- Track Ladder Workout
968 yds swim
Friday- Rest Day
Saturday- 1.27 mile run (run with Eva)
17 min core workout
1038 yd swim
Sunday- 4 miles (easy run)


Recap of the Week: This week was a recovery week, so no long run. Which was fine by me as  you can really start to tell it is getting muy calinte here in Texas. I am really happy I swam 4x this week, especially as the last two weeks I was shooting for 3x a week and only managed 2x. I also continued my four weeks of training with four runs a week. My plan ( as of right now) is 4 runs a week for the first 3 and a half months of training and then 2 longish runs and 1 long run the last 3 and a half months to give my body more rest as I really build my mileage up. I did my core workout for the week. 
Overall, I am pretty happy with this weeks workouts. I wish my runs and swims would have been a little faster, but I mean, I know I will ( hopefully improve).


Moving forward, I am thinking we will not do the Heels and Hills Race as 
1. We still need to make a final decision and register for the Marathon ( I would like to make the decision before Aug.28th, when the price increases)
2. I think for our money ( for the price of two half-marathons) will best be used for new shoes for me and my husband. I haven't had a new pair in a while and with increased training, I think new shoes is a more immediate need.
But you never know. So far this year, we have only raced 3 races and I miss racing. 


Also, for the next 4 weeks, my new workout goals will be:
1. Run 4x a week, with at least one 4 mile run during the week.
2. Swim 3x a week, 4x during recovery week
3. Do core workout one time a week, 2x a week during recovery week.
Small increases overall, but I think an additional core workout couldn't hurt and an additional swim when my time isn't monopolized by a long run I think will feel good on my body.


And I know I sound like a broken record, but I can not stress enough how helpful a run group is. I have  been running since April 2010 and I wish I hadn't waited this long to join a group. I was so intimated about being slow. But honestly, so what? I can be a slow runner by myself or I can be a slow runner around others. Being around other people who sincerely care about running feels great. Also, it helps build structure in your training and has workouts that you might normally avoid ( COUGH HILL WORKOUT) and you will be surprised by your improvements (for me, feeling like I wasn't going to throw-up on my 3rd track workout was great). Not just that, but you see runners that are all of ages and abilities and it really enforces something you see in races: it's not about age or size or gender, it's about consistently going out there and putting the time and effort into it.


WEEK #4 MARATHON TRAINING IN THE BAG- 28 WEEKS TILL THE MARATHON!!! 

Ten Things Thursday

Pic from my track workout this morning. In case you don't know what a track looks like. 

Workouts for the Week so far:

Monday- 1514 yds swim
Tuesday- 3.74 miles (run group)- Degressive Hills
Wednesday- 898 yds swim
Thursday- 3.06 miles (run group)- Track Ladder Workout
968 yds swim


1. Today's workout was a track ladder workout. Although hard and tired (as usual), I am really happy that today was my first day of a track workout where I didn't feel like throwing up! Yeah for progress!

2. Mileage Recap for July-
Running- 56 miles (most since October of last year!)
Swimming- 7 miles  (most in over a year!!)

3. Right now I am reading this book:

It's really, really, really good so far. I have a lot of books at home that I haven't read and so I try not to buy that many books. But whenever I get books from the library, I never want to give them back and end up paying so much in fines, I should have bought the book anyways.
So, at the age of 26 ( my age, which is one of the reasons I wanted to read this), Cheryl Strayed decides to hike a large portion of the Pacific Crest Trail BY HERSELF!!!. In large part, this is a decision brought on by the death of her mother four years ago, the end of her marriage and recent heroin use. She meets people along the way of her summer long hike. Really helpful to read when I am feeling tired and not at all like working out. If she can hike an extremely hard trail ( with no prior backpacking/hiking experience), then I can get up to work out!

4. We found a way to watch the Olympics today and I'm loving it! It's so awesome to see people with such amazing skills and talents!

5. Every time I get up and go to group runs, I am amazed. So far, I have gone to the last SIX in a row. It never fails to deliver. The workouts are always mixed up, challenging and fun. I wonder how long I can keep this streak up! One thing though I've noticed is that Sundays are typically my long runs, Mondays usually my long swims and so by the time Tuesday morning rolls up, I am tired. However, I have heard about practicing running on tired legs to get a feel for the marathon or maybe I don't know what I am talking about and that's a bad idea. Either way, I like running with my husband on Sunday, the release of soreness by doing a long swim Monday and the group motivation on Tuesday, so I guess I'll stick with it!

6. My dog is feeling better and better since Tuesday. Sometimes it's hard to know when to go to the vet because it can be really expensive, but she is worth it! She turns 3 this Saturday and I am happy she will be feeling better! I'm thinking about maybe taking her to the dog park here in town, she really likes it!

7. I have been listening to this running podcast, Dirty Dawg's Running Diatribe. It's pretty interesting. I really liked his recap of his first 100 mile run. He's an ultra runner and has guest speakers on and often has his wife who is also a runner. If you have the time or looking for something worth listening to, I'd check it out. Sometimes he does podcasts when he is running and I'm like thinking, how do you do that and concentrate on your run?! I'd probably trip over something and fall.

8. Fot the last couple of months, I have really been into soup, which is unfortunate as it is hot as hades here in Central Texas. McAlister's Deli has this country potato soup, sooooo good. A cup is only about 200 calories, so it's not that bad if you are eating out.

9. Typically when we do our long runs, we alternate between San Gabriel Trail and Brushy Creek Trail. However, when I get to my 14 mile training run, we get to run at Town Lake!! I have only run there about 2 or 3 times, since it is so far away. I'm really looking forward not just because it's a probably my favorite place for people-watching while running, but because the longest I have ever run in my life is 13.1 miles, so 14 miles is a big deal for me.

10. Runners World has a short quick daily blog by Mark Remy that is pretty interesting.
http://rwdaily.runnersworld.com/

This and that

This is a pic from my long run Sunday at Brushy Creek.

Workouts Last Week:
Monday- Strength/Weight Workouts- 17 minutes
Tuesday- 3.24 miles (run group)
Wednesday- 1408 yds Swimming
Thursday- 2.84 miles (run group)
Friday-  Rest Day
Saturday- 1.15 mile (treadmill)
933 yd swim
Sunday- 8.02 mile long run (Brushy Creek Trail)


Last week thoughts: Happy I ran four times and did core workout. Wish I would have gone swimming at least 3x. 3rd continous week of long runs:
Training Week #1- 6 miles
Training Week #2- 7.01 miles
Training Week #3- 8.02 miles
This week will be a recovery week.

Workouts so far this week:
Monday- 1514 yds swim
Tuesday- 3.74 miles (run group)


Sorry I haven't been updating as much lately, my dog got sick Sunday but luckily, I took her to the doctor today and after some shots and medicine, she seems like she is doing a little better. I feel relieved.

Our run today was a degressive hill workout. You run from one point to the end and then recover coming back a block closer and repeat each time till you are only one block away. I was really tired but didn't give up and did one set.

My body has been pretty tired lately, I am trying to put more time and effort into my workouts and now I feel exhausted all the time. I know that if I keep it up though, I can only improve!

On a side note, I really want to watch the Olympics, but I don't have cable and it's hard to see stuff online. I have seen some places are having race watching parties so maybe I will look into that.

Hope everyone has great workout today!

Ten Things Thursday- Super Ramble edition

This is a pic from the track from this morning's workout. 

Workouts for the Week so far:
Monday- Strength/Weight Workouts- 17 minutes
Tuesday- 3.24 miles (run group)
Wednesday- 1408 yds Swimming
Thursday- 2.84 miles (run group)


So Ten Things:


1. I recently started ( like yesterday) doing a Calorie Counter app along with my husband. I've tried food logs in the past, but didn't really have much success with them. I kinda don't like keeping one, as it is hard to deny, deny,deny when right in front of your face is the COLD, HARD truth that you eat like a pig. :/ Seriously, I know I have a sweets problem but come on!

2. So, thanks to our morning run group, I have been doing longer workouts during the week. I'm hoping eventually that my long runs won't seem so hard if I can build up more mileage during the week.


3. Yesterday, my swim was .80 miles, my furthest swim in the last 6 months. My longest swim this year is .85 miles. Last year, I had my swim distance PR of 1.24 miles. I'm hoping that I can beat that distance by the end of this year!

4. Fall Semester is starting back in a month. It would be nice to  run at Texas State more then last year (I only ran twice although I did use their gym a lot, it's pretty nice) as I think all those hills would really be helpful to prepare for the Austin Marathon.


5. I'm curious to see if my runs get faster if that will have any effect on my swims getting faster. I know endurance helps, but if you gain endurance in running, does that help other sports, or does it just depend?


6.   I have a dream of one day running in just a sport bra. I know, sounds like a lame dream, but I always feel like you have to have confidence in your body to be able to wear one and unfortunately, I'm not there. My stomach is not worth the show. People would demand my shirt be put back on. Although sometimes it gets so damn hot, I feel like wearing one that says I JUST COULDN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!


7. Lately when I do my swims at the apt pool, no one is around.  I love having the entire pool to myself. It reminds me of when I lived in Melbourne,Fl as a little girl and had a big pool in our backyard. Whenever I'm done with my workout, I do flips and handstands and walk on my hands and it's great. I feel young again! I have a post I've been going over in my mind  about my relationship with swimming and how I think it affects my running/life. Hopefully, I will write it soon.

8. Does anyone have a specific deodorant they use for their workout clothes? Between me swimming and running and my husband working out, we wash a lot of workout clothes and it seems like you can't ever REALLY get the stench of sweat out. I've heard they have sports detergent but I'm just wondering if that is legit as they seem kinda pricey.

9. Around the end of the month my first published poem is coming out in the Texas State Literary Journal I was an editor on! If you would like a sneak peek at the poem, it's on my other blog:
http://thgirlwritesright.blogspot.com/2011/07/chocolate-pee.html


10. Tonight we are going to Pluckers for the Wingo Bingo! I'm really looking forward to as I love me some hot wings! I am not looking forward to logging the calories on the Calorie Counter though that's for sure.

Best Part of the Day

Pic from right before the run. I still can't believe I have woken up so early to workout! 3x in a row I've made my run group.

Workouts for the Week:
Monday- Strength/Weight Workouts- 17 minutes
Tuesday- 3.24 miles (run group)


I woke up this morning really not in the mood to run. I was still sore from my run Sunday and still annoyed about not being able to do my long swim yesterday to get out the kinks (pool was closed). But my husband was like GET UP, GET UP. So I woke up and we went to RunGroup.

Really happy I went. I had one of my fastest overall paces in about a month, so that was good. Plus, even though my legs were sore, after a mile or two, my legs started to warmup.


Workout- Time and Pace combined warmup/workout
Warmup- .56 miles- 7 min, 21 sec
One mile- 10K pace
1 min, 20 sec break
One mile- 10k pace
1 min, 20 sec break
Half a mile- 5k pace
additonal distance due to a. taking a wrong turn on the first mile, and not pausing my runkeeper til i got to the water cooler.

I ended up getting bad news later but I didn't let it ruin my day. I'm trying to do a better job keeping things in perspective and I know that running is one of those things that really helps me out.

First run of 3rd week of Marathon Training in the bag! :)

7 miles and the freak-out

Workouts for the Week so far:

Monday: 1285 yd Swim

Tuesday: 3.09 miles Hill Workout (group run)

Evening: 16 min core workout

1.01 mile evening run

Wednesday: Rest Day

Thursday: 2.26 mile speed workout (group run)
Friday- 827 yd
Saturday- Rest/Lots of Walking Day
Sunday- 7 mile run

Before I get into today's run, a short recap of the week workouts- Really happy that I went to group workouts, glad I got a core workout in and I wished I would have gotten another swim in. Also, happy about getting a 7 mile long run in.

***** THIS IS A LONG POST! FYI ! ******

Today's Long Run is Long Run#2 in Marathon Training.

This Week's Splits Compared to last week's long run:

07/15-  12:29/12:46/12:55/14:29/12:42/13:14- 6 miles 1:18:37- 13:06 overall pace
07/22- 13:18 /12:11 /14:13 /13:35 /13:07 /12:56 /12:45- 7 miles- 1:32:14- 13:09 pace


This long run, as I'm sure I will say about every long run leading up to the marathon, was hard. I am out of shape. It's hard for me to believe that I lost so much endurance. I have been running for about 2 and a half years. Although I am not fast and I typically do not do long runs, I have completed two half-marathons and two 10 mile races. Therefore WHY WAS A 7 MILE RUN SO HARD?!

You may notice the 3rd mile split of today's run is in red. I will get to that devil mile in a minute.

We started today's run about 30 minutes earlier then last week, which I was really happy about. I also went to bed earlier and ate a better meal the night before. So going into the run, I was feeling better overall then last week's run. I wasn't having throat problems or allergy issues, I hadn't run in two days, my legs felt fine, the weather felt better. Which was good as I was aiming to run 7 miles today, my longest run of the year (so far).

I was very lucky because I had my husband who was running the entire run with me, I didnt take any music or my runkeeper app and had him take care of the distance, pace, extc. 

I started off with downing a gu as I was planning on running about an hour and a half and gave my husband the second one to hold on for me to take before the turn around. 

So we started off on the run at around where the ducks are at San Gabriel Park. They were actually pretty calm today, which was nice. They can get scary when they come after you quacking like mad, but anyways. 

Everything was going fine the first and second miles. As you can see by my pace, I went a little too fast the second mile compare to the first mile. I was starting to get really tired towards the end of my 2nd mile and was struggling to still keep my intervals up. Right around the three mile mark, I was really getting exhausted for some reason and I think the sun was maybe really coming out. I felt like I was drowning under exhaustion and humidity. 

Right before the turn around, my husband reached in his pocket to give me my 2nd gel. It was gone. At this point, looking at my water bottle that was almost empty ( we were about 3/4 of a mile away from the nearest water station at that point), lacking in energy and feeling hot, I started to lose it and fell apart.

This was the devil 3rdmile. Here I started freaking out, giving up on my intervals, mad about the gel, thirsty, and really worried. How can I think I can ever run a marathon? I felt ridiculous for even thinking I could run 26.2 miles when I was struggling to finish a 7 mile run. I was struck with how absolutely long a marathon is and told my husband that if we did a marathon, I was probably gonna DNF.

But just as quickly as I was freakin out, after taking a couple longer minutes to walk then normal, I got over it. I gave up on my intervals and just fartleked the rest of the run. Running every 2 light posts, walking one light posts, or running until I felt like it and then walking. All I wanted to do was to get to 7 miles. 

I should mention that in the 2+ years of running and racing, we have probably done about 20 races. I've been slow in all, but never DNF and yet, I am always convinced I am not going to be able to finish. 

Why? I don't know. 

I guess at the beginning of training, I don't have the strength and base that I have towards the end. On my last two half-marathons, I trained for 16 weeks and 17 weeks. I ran all my scheduled long runs and improved my half-marathon time on the second one by 7 minutes. Not a huge accomplishment, I know, but my point is, I know that if you put in the time and the effort, you will see results.

So why did I freak out in the middle of a 7 mile run? The weather? My insecurities as a runner? No gu? Thirsty? Tired? I've had all these before, but not been that upset. 

But in the end, I did it. I ran all 7 miles. If it hadn't of been for my husband, I know I would not have been able to do it. 

Sometimes I feel like because I am not fast, because after 2 years I still walk a lot, that I am not a "real" runner. I mean, I consider myself a runner, but others who run a lot faster then me, would not consider these paces "a runner's pace". I guess I just need to remember something I hear a lot of people say:

You are running your own race, not someone else's. So there. :)

Ten Things Thursday

Pic from my track/speed workout today.

Workouts for the Week so far:

Monday: 1285 yd Swim
Tuesday: 3.09 miles Hill Workout (group run)
Evening: 16 min core workout
1.01 mile evening run
Wednesday: Rest Day
Thursday: 2.26 mile speed workout (group run) 


So, I have seen in a lot of running blogs where people sometimes do short snippets of thoughts, extc. As I am a copycat, I will jump on this bandwagon. By the way, where did " jumping on the bandwagon" come from? It seems that jumping on a bandwagon would be hard, but is the band-wagon moving, is it still, is it even spelled band-wagon? Questions, Questions, but no answers. 


1. Today I did a track/speed workout with the running group. As usual, I SMOKED EVERYONE! NOT! Just checking to see if you are paying attention. In about 30 minutes, I did: 
9 x 160 meters, with 240 recovery in between. It was suppose to be 200 meters run/ 200 meters recovery, but I don't/can't follow directions. My husband did about 5 more then me as he likes to show off. I kid, I kid, love you babe.


2. The last 2 years, my husband and I have run the 10k race at Heels and Hills and Him. Last year, my husband even got first place in his age division! Super proud! :) However, with considering doing a marathon in Feb, I'm wondering if instead of doing the 10k as usual, we should do the half-marathon option? It's kind of nice to have a race where you can consistently see your progress, but it's also cool to do something different. I really like this course as it is in Irving, right by friend's of my husband's and I. Plus, now my sister is moving to Dallas, so we would be able to visit her too. 

http://www.heelsandhills.com/

3. Sometimes I wish I could run like my cat Dorian. He kinda sprints and glides in the air. He runs like he dances only with a lot of jumps. He is very jumpy. I suppose if I was very jumpy, hills would be a lot easier, I'm just sayin.... 


4. Does anyone know of any good running related movies on Netflix? I have watched Spirit of the Marathon about 50 mlllion times and while I love it, it would be nice to have something different to change up the pace. I have already seen the NYC Marathon one about it's founder, that one is pretty cool, only I don't think they have it on Netflix. 

5. One of my neighbors upstairs has a little white dog that runs 6 MILES A DAY! My poor stubby-legged Scottie, Eva, has never run that far in her life. :( It's not enough that I have to feel slow and lazy, but once you make my poor ottoman of a dog feel that way, you have gone too far! TOO FAR!

She may not be the fastest, but she is the cutest! 

6. Typically, I read Runner's World a lot. But recently my mom got me a magazine subscription to RunningTimes. I have read them before, but always still been more partial to Runner's World. However, I really like the photos in their magazines. The pictures of trail runs really make me think it would be cool to do a trail run one day. I don't know how trail runs compare with road races though, as far as effort and expected decrease in pace. Does anyone have suggestions on how to look into preparing for a trail race?

7. I know people have heard of window-shopping, but when you look at a lot of races, is that race-shopping? Sometimes I put races on my list of races to do that I know I probably won't get around to doing, but it just feels good to pretend I have something exciting to look forward to. Is that lame? Probably. But for me, being signed up and payed for, means I AM DOING THE RACE. Unless I am really injured/sick, which so far hasn't happened. Since I never know what may come up, I usually have races I know I really want to try and be able to do and then I have my "race shopping" ones, you know the " these would be nice to do if I am so inclined to do so" ones.

8. I'm in love with Epsom Salts. Seriously. Today after the speedwork, in which I thought I was going to die or at the very least, vomit my cereal out from, my body was WRECKED. So, I used the epsom salt bath stuff. After soaking for 20 minutes, I felt much better. The first ones I ever used were the Burt's Bees ones, which were about 10.00 ( kinda pricey), but last month, my husband found some at Target for about 5 bucks. I try to save em for when I am feeling particularly tired or sore. Almost always works! Highly recommend them!

9.  I really need some new running shoes. I am currently in a committed relationship with Mizuno's. My last three pairs of running shoes have been Mizuno. However, I have not bought a new pair of running shoes since LAST OCTOBER. Might as well be a million years ago as far as my knees are concerned. But, my mom bought me some trail Nike shoes that I am wearing sometimes lately as although they are not as good ( they aren't as supportive as my Mizuno's, nor as flexible if that makes sense, plus they are heavier), they haven't had the cushion beat out of them. So... I suppose they will have to do until I get some new Mizuno's! Or finally leave Mizuno's if I find something I like better.

10. I've been reading a lot of really good running blogs lately, ones I have read before but didn't mention in my blog, I'll try to remember to mention them more. One of the ones I have been reading a lot of lately is my running friend, Erin. She is awesome. She is very fast and knows a lot about running and designs the great group workouts I have done this week. She also is very funny and really knows how to describe a race to help make you feel like you are there. If you want to learn about running from someone who knows what they are talking about, check out her blog: http://erinsjourneytoironman.blogspot.com/