13 days post marathon

And i am still feeling drained!

I did 10 miles this morning.

First 5 had the wind at my back
Last 5 had the hurricane winds in my face.

I wanted to go 14 but with the rain and wind I changed to 10

Going to do cross fit now... Praying my running energy comes back soon

T-2 Weeks!!

Last night I stuck to my usual routine - make spaghetti, have some wine, read and go to bed....

I started the Friday off as I have been for a few weeks -

Wake up at 4:15 am
leave house at 4:45am
run 5 miles to 1441
workout

I had the worst nights sleep the night before, so I started the day off pretty tired. I figured that would lead to me having a GREAT night sleep last night - wrooong!

I stuffed my face and then tried to go to bed around 10pm - I fell right to sleep, but then woke up and tossed and turn <-- this seems to be the norm lately and it is driving me crazy. I always feel wired and  can't sleep!!! I need this FIXED!

I had the strangest feeling about the run. All day yesterday I kept thinking it was going to be a peice of cake - shorter than usual - maybe I could start later? Then I would think, no run it at the normal times. I also couldn't decide on what route I wanted to take.

Anyways- the alarm went off at 4:15 am. I was tired, like no energy tired. No excictemen for the run, felt extremely fat and bloated and really just plain down for some reason.

I got my coffee got dressed and just really felt lazy. I didn't even start running until 5:30! That means I fiddled around for over an hour - that is how unmotivated I was!!

Well, I started out and it wasn't feeling good. I even had thoughts of stopping at the first mile and trying again on Sunday -- but then I kept going... the paces started coming together - but I didn't really feel 100% - it was very strange.

The plan was 6 easy 4 at 7:30 4 at 7:20

My first stop was at mile 6 for water. Then I took off. Then stopped at mile 10 and that was it...


8:00
8:00
7:51
7:52
7:49
7:43

7:32
7:33
7:33
7:22


7:23
7:16
7:13
6:56


7:36


I honestly can not believe I made the paces. I didn't feel 100% - and it wasn't that it was hard, my body just felt sickly - almost like I had nothing... I don't get it because I was 3 pounds heavier this morning...?

Anyways - 2 weeks left!!!

15 Miles at 7:35 average pace

Daily Eats

Slice of Gluten Free Bread
Almond Butter
Coffee with Almond Milk

Run 8 Miles

7am :Protein Shake
- scoop protein powder
- GNC Womens Active vitamin powder
- Pumpkin
- Almond Milk
- Cinnamon
- Ice/Water

9:30 AM
Apple

11:00
- Nut mix

12:00
Greek Salad w/ Chicken

7:00
2 Glasses wine
Lots of Kale and Beet Greens
2 Eggs

Why?

First of all..  I LOVE every second, thought, person, thing, day and anything else involved in running.... it depresses me to no end when I don't have a day with it - it is me, it is part of me, it will always be and NEEDS to be - I need running to be me and if I don't have it I basically fall apart into a person I don't know nor want to be - I crumble.

There are days I wonder WHY I am this way - what drives me to continue to wake up int the 4:xx time zone on a week day - a 3:xx on a Saturday? What possesses me to put this first in my life above everyhing else? Is it getting me anywhere? Is it helping me in my life succeed at anything but personal growth?

It actually secludes me. I don't like talking about it to many people - yet I love to obsess about it with myself daily.

Why am I the way I am about running? WHY?

Marine Corps 1/2

Where to begin....

Thursday:

The plan today was to do 8 easy miles. Dror said to do 8:30 pace. I woke up really tired and decided I would meet the group and keep it super easy and include all the stops. Well, when I got there it was Todd, Angela, Sarah and AndrAa. We started out and within the first 1/2 mile I was ahead of them and I just kept going.

I didn't stop at the water stops, I just did my own thing. Well, when I hit mile 7 going into my 8th mile I caught up with them... which means they were at 5-6 something. I passed them and finsihed the run...

8 Miles at 7:50 pace - OOPS!

I was really scared I ruined any chance of doing well on my 1/2 on Saturday... but when I told Dror, he said I would be fine.

Friday:

I drove up to my parents and hung out with my Mom all day and did some serious shopping. Great times, but definitly no rest. My day started at 4am!

Around 5 I went to John and Stephanies and we started planning dinner. I was really worried about this part, but I was trying to be nonchalant about it. Well, lucky for me they asked what I wanted and I told them what I usually eat before long runs. CLEAN! Clean tomatoe sauce (usually just plain tomatoes), Garlic and ground beef with gluten free noodles topped with parmigiana... they were 100% down with that so Stephanie and I headed to Whole Foods and got the ingredients. I also picked up some Organic Red Wine... my one indulgence ;)



Saturday:

I woke up at 4:40 and had my coffee and started my morning routine.... bathroom and get dressed.

I had a weird feeling about me. It was excitement and cluelessness about what was in store. I had NO idea what was about to happen. I was really nervous about the weather. Stephanie and I had been watching and it was going to be hot and humid. I kept reminding myself that this was technically just a training run and not to think about it. I decided my ultimate goal was to break 1:37 but was going to be ok with breaking 1:38. I didn't think I could maintain 7:30's for the entire thing, but was going to try.

We got to the Starting area around 6:00am. We got out and headed to the porta pottie then went back to the car so I could eat my peanut butter sandwhich and get ready to do my 2 mile warm up.

I did the warm up and then had to pee again. Well, all of a sudden the porta pottie line was SO long. I talked Stephanie into going with me to pop a squat... well I did, behind a barricade, near tons of people walking by... but I didn't care!!!

We started to line up and went all the way to the front. The cannon went off and we were running! I felt relaxed and easy. Well, I hit the first mile around 7:00 flat... I got a little nervous but just decided to go with it. This was just a training run - if I crashed it was fine, and I also knew there were bridges coming that I would be slowing down for...

Bridges came and they hurt and sucked, but I got through them.

7:22
7:19

Once over the bridges I tried to settle into a pace and get comfortoable. I started passing girls and next thing I knew I was just around guys. I was nervous and excited - but I wasn't dying. Everything felt so peaceful and normal - like it was nothing for me.

7:13
7:17
7:16
7:14

Once we headed out of this neiborhood area I spotted one of my moms friends and she was cheering me on. Then I kept going, I was after mile 7 and I wanted to pick it up. I had to contain myself because I didn't want to have to recover from this race since I was still in training for my marathon.

7:04
6:54
7:05

During these fast 3 miles I was actually talking to these guys!! I had energy and I was talking and I was at 7:00 pace?!

Then the obstacles came. We were running around the river. The sidewalk had lots of curves and slight inclines and then we came up to this part that led up to a bridge it would incline than platuea it did this about 10 times and then you spriral down about 7 times. The Garmin stopped tracking the distance and the time kept going.

7:26

That mile is not accurate.

Mile 12 was difficult. It was HOT. There was NO shade and no crowd. It was basically awful.

7:24

Then Mile 13 I went after it

6:37

I finished and couldn't believe what I had just done. 1:33:16

The feeling of confidence and happiness were so overwhelming. I know I could have gone faster, I could have actually PR'd. I am extremely happy with the results - it is game on for the 1/2 after NYC!!!!

Daily Eats

Before Run:
1 Cup Coffee + Almond Milk
1/2 Arnold Round + PB

After Run (7am)
Smoothie
1 scoop protein
2 scoops powder vitamins
Almond Milk
1/2 Banana

10AM
Oatmeal + Protein Powder

11:30
Some Chocolate Chex

1:00
Turkey, Quinoa, Spinach
Salsa + Greek Yogurt

2:00 
Remaining Chocolate Chex

3:00
Pistachio's -- waaay too many

7:00
3 Corn Tortillas
3 Eggs  + 1 Egg White
Sprinkle of Cheddar
Salsa + Greek Yogurt

Kara's thoughts

Kara Gouchers thoughts on NYC...

KG: NYC is a very difficult course. It’s an awesome course that lets you experience the city like you never would in any other way, but it is a tough course. Take [your run] a little conservative in the first half so that when you come back and enter the park you’ll have a little bit of running left in your legs. It’s such an awesome race and the crowds are amazing in NYC. It’s a tremendous experience.

Track Attack!

Track was pretty shocking this morning!

It was raining when I woke up – again, put I prayed that it would let up. I DO NOT want to miss a single workout, rain or shine I was going to show up. But, it stopped J

The workout was: 400-1200-1200-1200-400-400

He put me in group 4b with Sarah. I secretly have been wanting to get into a faster group than her for a very long time. I don’t know why, but I KNOW I am faster than her and it kills me that I am still with her.

When we lined up for the first 400 she got in front (which also secretly drives me NUTS). We came in at 1:32 (Goal was 1:36)

She immediately said something like “Did you hear him??!” It was said in a way that she thought it was too fast, my thought was – we could have gone faster. I didn’t respond to her.

When we lined up for the 1200 I made sure I was in front, because I KNEW I could go faster than the goal (I think the goal was 4:48)

Well, we came in at 4:41! I was happy and ready to rock the next one, which needed to be faster than the first.

Sarah came to me and said, ok why don’t we just try to maintain that – I thought, um, no I am going to crush that time… so I had to ignore her again, because I didn’t know what to say in a nice way.

Well, LUCKILY for me Dror told us to go to group 4!!! I was SO excited!!! I had no idea what they ran their first 1200 in, but I was ready for the challenge. I got myself right behind Dennis and made sure I kept up…

Kept up I did!!! 4:30!!!

Then the next one was supposed to match the first, but since we moved up a group… 4:35! I even felt like I could go faster, but I stayed behind Dennis.


When we went for the next 400, I made the mistake of getting behind the guys again – they weren’t going as fast as I wanted and we came in at 1:23

Once Dror called us up for the last 400 I raced up and TOOK OFF! Dennis was right behind me the whole time, and my goal was to NOT let him pass me. He came right next to me on the final 100 and we crossed together in 78!! Talk about some SPEED!

Then I went for the Optional Mile, without hesitation. I didn’t care if it was bad, it was about pushing my body when it was tired. Oddly it didn’t suck as bad as I thought it was going to… but it was challenging!!

6:24!!

I can honestly say, that today I pushed myself and it felt GREAT!

Times:

400..1:32

1200…4:41

1200…4:30

1200…4:35

400…1:23

400…1:18

Optional Mile… 6:24

Then I went to 1441 for some strength and conditioning.

Weather + Fatigue

After the complete exhaustion I went through yesterday, I immediately went home after work and CRASHED. I was in bed by 8:15 – tried to read, but got through 2 pages and turned out the light.

I haven’t not been sleeping very well lately due to the excitement in my life with the way my running has been going (it doesn’t take much to interrupt my sleep!). I recently read that Tart Cherry Concentrate helps with sleeping, so I ran out and bought some. I think it is working, because each night I have had some I sleep soundly!

I didn’t really have a “plan” for this mornings run, I wanted to do 8-10 miles and wanted to feel good and push myself.

As I was getting ready I started hearing RAIN! I kind of panicked/got sad that I wasn’t going to do my run… but then it stopped and I was better.

Right away on the run I realized my body was tired and a little sore. Starting out my paces were about 7:5X … so I planned to keep it that way and try to pick it up after mile 2. Well with the rain earlier, the weather was still nasty. The humidity was bad and the wind was starting to pick up. The water from the bay was even splashing on to Bayshore! So I settled with maintaining my pace and going 9 miles.

With the rain pushing against me, the humidity at 90%, temps in the 80’s and my body feeling tired I was kind of happy with my 9 miles at 7:56 pace – last mile at 7:45 – only one stop!

Rest?

I was told this morning that I need to rest. That many people get to this point in marathon training, feel extremely high from running and then ruin it.

This really made me think and start to get worried... Am I doing too much??

I am sitting at work about to pass out on my desk... Hmmm... Maybe I do need rest.

Self Check

First up - October recap!

Miles Run : 205 @ 7.4 miles per hour average
Miles Cycled: 165 at 17.8 avg pace

Ok, so now a self check!

Right now I am currently so excited about my running, but I am trying to keep it at bay because I don't want to jinx myself. The past couple of weeks it has all started falling into place and my paces have dropped significantly!

I am scared to death that this is just a freak accident.

I all of a sudden have a goal to get as close to 3:20 as my body can possibly get. I ran 20.5 miles at 7:50 pace which is a 3:25. This run happened on a week FULL of training and no rest. When I got done with the run I felt like I could have kept going for miles. My body was not begging for a break, nor was it mad at me - it felt natural!

I am going to keep training like I did this past week, and try to PUSH myself as much as possible without over doing it.

I have also decided that I want to do all my runs alone. I do better this way, so it is me against me. I don't have to worry about other people, I don't have to talk, I don't have to feel bad for a stop, I don't have to stop, I don't have to ask if they want to pick it up/slow down.... it is me and me running for me!!! This has been challenging because I have SO many great friends that love group running and I am trying to separate myself from that until after the marathon. I can only hope that they understand this and do not get offended!

This Saturday is the Marine Corps 1/2 marathon. All along I never once considered having a goal, but now I DO!! I want to have a sub 7:30 average pace which would put me sub 1:38 (I would love a sub 1:37, but I am trying to be realistic!)

I have been really trying to watch my diet, but at the same time trying not to be too strict so that I have the energy to run. I want to lose 7 more pounds, which should come easy as long as I am smart with the diet and lay off alcohol. The alcohol has been easy to give up since I have changed my life by breaking up with the boyfriend.

In a nut shell, right now I am feeling HAPPY, ENERGETIC, EXCITED, HOPEFUL AND STRONG!!!!

I have 4 more Saturdays of training left!!!! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEKK!!!

Encouragement

3 different responses from 3 different trainers

Lots of love in different forms!

20.5

This week has been a crazy week of training!!! Speed has surfaced and I have been taking full advantage of it.

Sunday: 19 Miles
Monday: 1441
Tuesday: 10 Miles + PM Cycle
Wednesday: 4 Miles 1441
Thursday: 8 Miles + PM Cycle
Friday: 5 Miles 1441
Saturday: 20.5 Miles @ 7:50 pace! See below splits.

Image 1: 4 AM Pre Run
Image 2: 7:30 AM Post Run HAPPY!
Image 3: 20.5 Splits

Goals

Abs?

I think my abs are finally coming back!!!!

8 more pounds to go!!!

It's like the night before Christmas

Lately I have been so excited about waking up to run that i can't sleep, it's like the feeling as a child the night before Christmas!

94*'s + 7 Miles

Since I was off today for Labor Day and didn't have any plans, I quickly became bored. I didn't want to go party and drink all day, so at 5:00pm I decided to go for a 7 mile run.

It is Florida

It is September

5:00 is HOT

94* along a path with NO shade.

I think I lost my mind!

Well I ended up being very surprised with my run. I wanted to do 5 second cut downs on all the miles, but when I started out and realized how blazing hot it was I re considered my plan and though easy was as good as anything.

It ended up being 7 miles at 8:14 pace and on the second half I did do the cut downs. I started with 8:25's and my last mile was 8:00!!

Now, I also did 1441 this morning AND did a 5 mile speed walk with my mom.

Usually when I run it is at 5:30 am when the humidity is at its highest point (90%+). It is extremely hard to breath when it is humid and the amount of sweat that pours out of your body is usually about 2 pounds worth!

Even though it was so brutally hot, I think the lack of humidity made the run easier.

TRUST

I realized this week, that I have put 100% trust into my training plan. It isn't the same training that I did pre injuries.

This time around I am constantly pushing my body in ways that I never have before. My attitude before was log all the miles as possible and you will get faster. That method did work for me and I loved it, my paces were always fast and I always felt confident. But then I got INJURED... twice.

I am averaging about 40-43 miles per week with 2-3 2 hour strength and conditioning classes, spin once a week and occasional swimming and biking.

All of the different training usually leaves me fatigued during my runs, causing my paces to be slower and my breathing pretty winded. There are days where I just want to give up on everything but running, because for 2 weeks when I did do that my runs were so easy and faster.

I am putting every ounce of trust into my training and NOT giving up on all these extra's because the people I am taking advice from say that once I hit taper my body will get the rest and then come race day I will be STRONG and ready to rock the marathon.

As the weeks go by my long runs are getting better and I am feeling more and more confident. I did 17 miles yesterday and it was awesome. I did all the miles alone and I felt strong (I actually almost went for 18 + but decided against it once my watch hit 17).  It ended up being 8:22 avg pace with less than 10 minutes of stops for water and one bathroom stop.

After the 17 miles I grabbed a quick protein smoothy and headed to Saturday Smack down at Sand Key which included:

 20 minutes of bridge sprints to recover, kettle bell dead-lifts & squat jumps, burpies, manual resistance, kettle bell snatch, step ups with quick feet (prisoner style), 500 push ups & 500 sit ups with sprints in between. Open water swim.

10 Weeks to go!

I can't believe I only have 10 more weeks to go!! Every week that passes by I feel more and more confident about the Marathon.

After last Saturdays 15 miler, I took Sunday completely off. I laid around and let my body rest. I  have not been giving my body enough rest days, so even though I felt lazy I stuck through with it. Monday morning came and I was ready to roll!!

Monday AM: 1441 
              PM: 6 Miles 7:54 pace
Tuesday AM: 7 Miles 8:20 pace
Wednesday: TRACK
     1200 - 5:02 6:40 pace
     1600 - 6:41
     2000 - 8:17 6:33 pace
     1200 - 4:52 6:24 pace
Thursday: 8 Miles 8:19 pace
Friday: 1441
Saturday 16 Miles

Wednesday track was killer - but I killed it!!! I felt amazing, and finally felt like I was getting some speed back. He had me in group 5b but I was running 4b times - AND look how I got faster!!! Most people got slower and died, but I just got stronger. I was high on life that day :)

Saturday I woke up at 3:40 and was running by 4:25. I wanted to get in a little over 7 miles before the Sharks start at 5:30 am. Since it isn't really safe/smart to be running alone that early, I met up with another group for the first 8. This group is FAST. Like sub 3 hours fast... sub 18 minute 5k fast... but yet, their long  run easy runs are so slow...

First 8 Miles:
8:45
9:12
9:20
8:52
9:15
8:53
9:10
8:51
avg: 9:02

Next 8
8:10
8:18
8:21
8:15
7:59
8:16
8:10
8:09
avg: 8:12

I was really happy with the run overall. The second half I still felt great, and could have kept going. My over stops only added up to 14 minutes  - which included a long break before the shark start since I got there a little too early. (compared to last weeks 15 miles which was over 20 minutes!!)

After the 16 miles I went and did 2 hours of Seal Strength & Conditioning -- crazy yes, but it was awesome and so much fun!! I am super sore today... which I know was from the boot camp....

This is me laying on the ground - I had to pull the rope that had a 40lb kettle ball attached to the end. We had to pull it all the way until the kettle ball came to our heads. Then the next person would go. We did this 5 times each -- killed the arms and back!

15 Miles of Smiles

Another training week down.

My running week started on Sunday with an 8 mile recovery run. I woke up really early and wanted to knock out some miles.

Sunday 8 Miles --> 8:44 pace
Monday 1441 no running
Tuesday 8 Miles --> 8:31 pace
Wednesday --> Track  (I think I could be getting some speed back!)
Thursday --> a BRUTAL 7 miles. 8:45 pace -- My body was tired, I was dehydrated and it hurt.
Friday --> 1441 no running
Saturday --> 15 miles!!! 8:28 pace with JAIME!!!

Total Miles : 40

Jaime came to town and we hung out all weekend. It was GREAT. I miss her so much.. She joined me for my 15 miler and it was so much fun. We got in an easy 6 miles then had 3 of our other friends join us for the final 9. It was so nice to have us all out there chatting away for 2 hours. I wish every Saturday could be like that!!!

Chuggin Along..

Worst running week was over after that week, and training has continued. The Florida humidity has really set in and is making runs challenging, but they are getting done!!

I decided that I was going to stick with my hardcore Strength and Conditioning on Mondays and Fridayas until September 1st, then I will go only once a week. The hardest day is Fridays, which is the day before my long runs. I am usually 110% fatigued and extremely sore on Saturday mornings, but I keep telling myself that once September comes long runs will be easier (not easy, but easier).

The only other challenge that I have is my KNEE!! I am the magnet for injuries anymore. I have patella tendinitis  which I am really struggling with. Stretching, Icing and more stretching have really been in full force for me. I wish I knew a magical way to cure this quick, because it does not feel good. BUT I am determined to NOT.LET.IT.GET.IN.MY.WAY!

Tomorrow I have 14 miles on the schedule. I don't have any goals on my long runs, except finish, until September 1st hits... so stayed tuned.

Worst Running Week EVER!

This week has been a HORRIBLE week for running. I came down with something, at first I thought it was a cold, then I started thinking it was allergies and then I started wondering if it was a reaction to a medicine I had to start taking. I have been so tired, congested, sore throat and feeling like my head is floating. I mean it has been bad.

I started Monday off with a 1441 workout in the morning and started getting really tired through the day. I figured it was from the weekend. One of my BFF's came to town and then some other friends came over so we had a fun filled weekend... so being worn out from this made since. Usually when I am tired I can pull off an easy 4-5 miles... well not on this day! I went out and at about mile 1 my legs felt like they had no feeling and no energy, my breathing was heavy and I literally felt like the most out of shape person ever... I did 4 miles of run walk. Pathetic!

Tuesday, same thing. I woke up and went out for 5 miles... I made it 2.5 and had to do the same thing. Sore throat was in full force, congestion was bad and fatigue was passed the point of fatigue.

Wednesday comes and I slept through my alarm clock. I figured sleep was needed more than a track workout. By mid day I was hating life because I was so off schedule and felt like I was being a wimp. I left work a little early to make it to the evening track workout - BIG MISTAKE.

2000-1600-1200-400-400

THIS IS THE HARDEST WORKOUT EVER! AND I was feeling awful... but I couldn't leave!

Well, the first 3 laps of the 2000 were fine, but then I hit a wall and my times just were unbearable. I told Dror I couldn't do it after that,  and he said "Get water and just finish this workout for me" well, fine, but its going to be embarrasing - and that it was... I won't even mention times. But I did it... and that is better than not doing it at all right?!?

And so Thursday comes around and I find myself meeting my crew at 5:30am... hahaha... Mile 1.5 comes and I say peace out to them I am heading back in... and then it was a run walk all the way back to my car...
Now, I am feeling like crap because I literally have not done anything good for my running this week. Mid day I text my Friend and ask if she wants to go run after work, a really easy 5 miles (WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME? Its like I won't give up and rest) She agrees. Since she has a slower pace I thought I could suffer through it... and that I did... I suffered BIG time - but 5 miles was done, one stop.... and yes it was a 10:00+ minute pass (i don't know what hurt more, the slow pace or the fatigue) but I will tell you my legs were shaking at the end I was uber happy when it was over... 1. because I made it 5 miles 2. that was a hard run, when you are used to running 8:20's and you go to a 10:00+ pace its challenging... try it, I promise you will agree!

Friday comes and I go to 1441 - AND WE HAVE TO RUN! OMG so embarrasing... everyone thinks I should be a fast runner and so I feel like I have to be.. so I died, but I did it.

Saturday comes (my favorite day because its a long run) well... I wanted to do 10-12. I made it 5 miles feeling good then it hit, that fatigue were I had nothing... but I made it 9 miles and suffered 5...

All I have to say is THANK GOD this week of running is over. I head to Dallas tomorrow and its all treadmill running (BLAH) and no strength training.... maybe my body will recover some without all of the crazyness!!!

Running through a rest day

Instead of going to 1441 on Friday morning I decided to go running. The plan was 4-5 miles and not to worry with the paces because Friday is technically supposed to be a rest day and I was running a 5k on Saturday.

I had my usual coffee and half a cliff bar then headed to my starting place. The weather was already really humid and I was beginning to think a real rest day sounded better than running!

Besides the humidity the run ended up being really nice. I stopped once at mile 3 and finished feeling strong.

8:40 8:20 8:15 8:11 7:56
41:25
8:16 avg pace

On the way home I started getting worried about the 5k that I was going to run the next morning. I had already run 30 miles for the week and my last rest day was over a week ago!

Then I reminded myself that I was doing it to test myself, not break records... Yet :)

Bliss

Before going to bed last night, I decided that I was going to run alone in the morning because I knew I was feeling tired during track which ment by Thursday mornings easy run I was going to be super tired. When I feel like that I don't like to be around people because I would rather just get in my zone and not worry about talking or thinking.

I went to bed really early and ended up with 8 great hours of sleep. When I woke up I drove to my starting place and decided if I felt strong I would try to go 7 miles (opposed to my usual 6). The weather was super humid and windy, so I really didn't know how it was going to go.

The first 2 miles went by and I started telling myself I was going for the 3.5 mile turnaroud... then I hit mile 3 and really WANTED to turn around because the wind was heading at me, but I kept thinking if I make it to 3.5 I would have no other choice but to do 7 total.. and the wind would be at my back! I also knew, that I hadn't stopped for water and the water was at mile 2.25... so I still had a ways to go before water.

I passed mile 3 and just kept trucking, smile on my face and feeling cofident.

I made it to my turnaround point, did not stop and took off for my water fountain... mile 5 hit and it was 8:03. I was so happy. Not only was I making it 7 miles, I was feeling GREAT and my times were not too shabby!!!

I finished and felt amazing. I had doubted myself all night about my energy and how it was going to go... but all of a sudden I was in total bliss. Life was good, because my run was good. I was ready (and DID) take over my day. All the stress at work throughout the day did not phase me at all, I was constant smiles.

8:34 - 8:23 - 8:15 - 8:12 - 8:03 - 8:08 - 7:58

7 miles

8:16 pace

Running on Fumes

The week caught up with me this morning on the track. I woke up thinking it was going to be another speedy day for me, but I was quickly corrected...


I did my .75 warm up and realized that I was still really sore from Monday and also was feeling fatigued, which I think could be from my poor diet at dinner - I had noodles with parmigiana and spinach - no protein.

The workout  (group 5b)

1200 - 400 - 400 - 400 - 400 - 1200 - 400 - 400

5:03 - 99 - 98 - 97 - 96 - 5:03 - 97 - 96

My group today consisted of a new guy and a guy that is speedy but was put in a slower group because he is racing this weekend and didn't need to waste all of his energy. Little did I know this was recipe for a disaster!

We started out and I was the only one wearing a watch, but the newbie started next to me and took off. I knew we needed to hit the 200 mark at 50 minutes in order to be on pace... well we hit that mark at 46 minutes, so when we came through the first lap - we were told we were going too fast... so then I started to back off a little. Then we hit the 2nd lap a little too slow and I had to try and catch up to the pace. Newbie took off and speedy stayed behind me. Well we hit the 1200 at 5:06 - I blame this on poor pacing.

The next 400's were a little off as well. 98 - 97 - 96 - 98 (I would have been happy with 95 as the last 400 to keep the trend)

I was determined to hit the 1200 and the remaining 400's spot on, so I ignored the guys and did my own thing 5:03 - 96 -95

Results

5:06 - 98 - 97 - 96 - 98 - 5:03 - 96 - 95

On the ride home I was beating myself up for not doing the optional mile, so when I got to the house I ran 2 miles - 8:34 and 8:18 pace.... don't ask why, I just felt like I needed to make up for the fact that I didn't push myself more. Retarded, I know.

Tomorrow is my other easy run day - With the way I felt today - I could be in for trouble!

soreness = a good run?

When I woke up this morning I was so sore from 1441 yesterday morning. My shoulders, quads and gluts were on fire and I was feeling pretty tired. My body wanted to just go back to sleep and forget about the run, but I knew I wanted to get my miles in…

I got up and made my usual coffee and grabbed some Gatorade and a cliff bar. I wasn’t feeling very confident about how fast or how I was going to feel, so I made sure I had my ipod in case the group wanted to take off.

For the past few weeks I have been suffering from “runners knee” or patellar tendonitis.  After talking with some other runners who have suffered from the same issue, I went and bought a patellar strap. I was kind of hesitant about it at first because I didn’t want to waste the money.  I tried it out for the first time on Sunday during a 3 mile run and my knee wasn’t bothering me too much, but I figured it was because I was only going 3 miles.  1441 usually aggravates my knee the most. After yesterday’s workout my knee was on fire for the rest of the day, there were times that I was thinking I wasn’t going to finish my run last night because of how sore it was.  I put the strap on for my fartlek last night and my knee did not bother me at all. I was SHOCKED. So this morning I made sure I put it on again, because it is quickly becoming my best friend.

Back to the run today…

We started out and I was feeling great! I didn’t turn the light on for my watch until we passed mile 1 because on easy days (Tuesday/Thursdays) I try not to let it bother me. Well… when I turned it on we were actually going at a decent pace 8:38 and the second mile going on 8:19’s! For how sore I was, this was GREAT!!! The great feeling stayed with me for the entire run…

8:38 – 8:19 – 8:10 – 8:17 – 8:12 – 7:58

After wards I did 8 strides and lots of stretching. They say the only way to get rid of runners knee is to  STRETCH, STRETCH, STRETCH … 

Beast Mode Monday's

Monday's I have to be in beast mode all day. I started going to a strength and conditioning workout (1441) back in January to help get myself back into shape. It is 90-110 minute workout. When I first started I thought I would only be doing it for a month to 8 weeks max. I really wanted to get back into running fast and thought going to this workout would just slow me down. Well here it is 6 months later and I am still going!! Monday mornings have always been Tempo time, but 1441 is also Monday mornings and I obviously can not do both - so enters Beast Mode - 1441 in the morning and Tempo's in the evening!!

Running in the evenings have always been my least favorite. I tend to feel drained, heavy and blah - not to mention it is usually 90+ degrees out and the wind is in full force!! I have to stay focused all day and get excited about the run that will happen when I get off. So, again - enter Beast Mode.

Oh and I forgot to mention, by the time 6pm rolls around, my muscles are starting to ache from the killer workout I did that morning. Legs are in pain from the millions of squats, lunges and jumps. Arms and back are tense from the pullups, pushups and olympic presses. And again - Beast Mode is in full force!!

So hear I am, I have survived another Monday and I am so happy. The workout this morning felt great and I left so energized and ready to conquer my day. Throughout the days on Mondays, I have to be very conscious of what I eat so I am not heavy and fatigued come 7pm. Today I made sure I was drinking electrolyes in the afternoon and had a cliff bar before I left work. I knew I had a a tough workout ahead of me and I wanted to get it done.

On the schedule:

2 miles easy

4-2-1-1-2-4-2-1 fast w/ half the time easy between

1 mile easy

(I had to write it on my forearm so that I could remember, 

and the line in between the ones was to tell me when to turn around)

The results:

8:27

8:19

Fartlek Paces:

7:38-7:43-7:38-6:57-7:23-7:41-7:36-7:04

8:34

TTL 

6:22 Miles 

50:37 

8:08 avg pace

The wind was really bad so after looking at this I am really happy. There were times that I thought I was running in place. The amount of effort I put into this run would probably be a lot faster times on a still day.

Inspiration

This past year I have basically gone MIA with the blogging. With being injured and then struggling to get my endurance and speed back, I have been so hard on myself and discouraged to even write or talk about running because it ends up getting me down about where I am. I don't want to dwell on what I should have done, but I do wish I had blogged through it all, because I have been working HARD to get where I am right now. There is a long way still to come, but looking  back on where I was in January... I have made a comeback, so I know it will only be a matter of time before I will be on top of the world again (in my own world that is)!!

The inspiration to start writing again (or attempt, because I know I am never the best at keeping up with this), came last night when I was at a friends Birthday celebration and found out a mutual friend was a big time BLOGGER!! She knows all the bloggers I follow and has an awesome blog herself!! So after talking the evening away with her about running and blogging, it made me want to get on here and type away!! 

So until the next time, I will leave you with one of my most recent race pictures... Miles for Moffitt

Running in the City!!

I'm back in NYC, the first time since the attempted marathon where I had to drop out because of my second stress fracture. Since I am back to running a little bit a day, I have been enjoying the park before work!!! It is absolutely amazing and makes me so happy!!!!

Yesterday I got in 6 miles and this morning 4 miles. It is about a mile from my hotel and since I have to basically go 17 blocks the miles to and from the park are really stop and go, which is good for my feet since they get breaks.

Tomorrow I am going at it again, but will be going long. Like 8 miles!!!

Conquering Houston!

Today was amazing. I was in Houston for work all by myself. I did some googling last night and found a huge park in the city where running groups meet on Sunday mornings! I read there was a 3 mile trail that circled the park. I woke up bright and early and found the place. There were tons of people so I knew it must be safe. I ended up doing the loop twice and did my planned 6 miler!!! It felt amazing!!!! Negative splits.
I never imagined I would be so happy about an 8:44 pace!! But know one will ever know how much I have been wanting this again, and how hard it has been to get here!!!

Determination. Never give up.