Oh week, where have you gone?

This week has flown by because I was in a training class all week for work. I spent most of last weekend prepping for a crazy week. Luckily hubby was in town more this week, and could help juggle the pick-up and drop-off of Little Dude. Instead of my usual 3 mile commute (I know, whine, whine, whine), I had to travel to the other side of town in morning traffic. I can't imagine traveling in traffic every day. My hubby has to drive 90 miles each way every day, often in heavy traffic. I have no idea how he manages that. I would go ape crazy.

So, now back to the week recap.

Last Saturday's group run was a mentally tough run. I was looking forward to 5 miles with the ladies. I wasn't worried about the mileage, and was looking forward to the company since I normally run alone during the week. When I got there, it was only a group of 5 runners with 1 coach. One speedy runner that is normally 30 seconds to a minute faster pace per mile than me, me, then the rest of the pack who are normally 1-2 minutes/mile slower than me. I refer to the first girl as jack rabbit. She is so sweet, but I knew it would not be smart to stick with her. I have a healthy ITB and want to keep it that way. But, I couldn't go as slow as the rest of the pack and keep my cadence where I wanted it to be. So, solo it was.

The course had some strategically placed inclines (hills when you are tired or struggling). I think running it on my own when I thought I was going to have others to chat with just made it tougher.

5 miles/50:15/Pretty consistent pacing ranging from 9:53-10:17 minute miles.

I wish I hadn't volunteered to push mow our lawn because my legs were toast after the run and the mowing.

The rest of the week went like this.

Great run with BF AK on Monday while I vented about hubby.
3 miles/30:57

Horrible, terrible, awful, solo run on Thursday. It was 86 degrees (so hotter than the last several runs). I picked a hillier route than normal to get the mileage, forgot to start my watch at in intersection (so probably added on 1/2 mile), & was racing to finish in time to pick up Little Dude. I ended up taking several walk breaks to drink. My heart rate was soaring and I couldn't get my pace slower. I was tempted to stop at 2.5 and switch runs with the next day. I decided to push through because I wasn't sure if I would have time for 4 on Thursday. Glad I pushed through because the 2nd half was better than the 1st.

4 miles/40:44/Just glad it was done.

Had time for one more run on Thursday. Quick run with AK, definitely better than Wednesday's run, but not awesome. I spent more time stretching and foam rolling that running, but made me feel good afterwards.

2.5 miles/26:01

At least I'm consistent with my pace, but I need to slow down on long runs? Any advice on how to accomplish this?

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Pace, push-ups and planks

It was one of those days that started early and ended late at work, but I knew it was coming and planned for it. Little dude was dropped off early at school, hubby was ready to pick him up at the end of the day, all so I could head straight to the gym since the forecast was rain.

After this day, I NEEDED this run. It was only 2.5 miles, and just under 26 minute. The longer I was on the treadmill, the more I wished I was outside. Rain or not.

So I finished up with some push-ups and planks since I chickened out of running outside. And I added some clamshells and side leg lifts after dinner. Gotta strengthen those gluts. No better way to end on a strong note.

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Long run with crazy GPS

So I set off Saturday morning with my running group to knock off 4.5 miles. Since it's only my second week running with this group, I'm still trying to figure out which part of the pack to be in. With all my ITB issues, I have really tried to stay away from the front because I know I am my worst own enemy with keeping up with others. I started off with the same girl from last week and we slowly cruised along for the first two miles. Then she told me to go ahead and catch up with the group just ahead of us because she wanted to drop back a little. I was feeling great, so I sped up a little to join them. We were chatting and easily making progress. We hit a stoplight at mile 3 and I paused my Garmin.

 

And then it went haywire when the light quickly changed and I tried to start it again. No luck, it was paused and it wasn't budging. It's done this one other time and the only thing that I found to reset it was to wait a few minutes and try to hold two of the buttons at the same time. Since this was my long run (and I'm so OCD), I pulled out my phone to use one of the running apps on it. It was fast to start and I put it back in my pocket for the rest of the run.

 

And then we missed a turn because most of the roads on our route are some version of Place, Drive, Way, Trail. You get the idea. We got to where we thought we should turn but it didn't match the queue sheet, so we went ahead. And then realized we should have turned already. Luckily, we just missed a loop, so we did an estimated out and back on that road to make up the mileage. We were all laughing as we headed back to the start.

 

I was a little afraid to be running without my Garmin to tell me my cadence or pace. Everything is feeling so well right now, I don't want to screw anything up by trying to keep up with speedy ladies. But the end of the run came, and I felt great. No pain, just some tight quads later in the day. Just a sign of a good workout. :)

 

So, I finally got the Garmin to reset and this is what it said.

 

Okay, so it kept the mileage in memory and just kept tracking time before I got it to reset. So when I clicked on the activity, this is the craziness I got.

So, I now biked 3337 miles in 149 hours. I wonder what cosmos the satellite pinged off to get this reading. What's even crazier is that is still kept some of my lap data.

I told you were slowly cruising for the first mile or so. When I added up the numbers I remembers from my Garmin + the other app, I ended up with around 4.8 miles in 47 minutes. Oh my Lord. I went way too fast the last mile and a half, but it felt great.

Here's hoping for less Garmin craziness the next time.

 

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So tonight was supposed to be ...

a 2.5 mile walk or slow jog, but I just couldn't convince my legs or my brain. I was able to sneak out a few minutes early so I could squeeze in a run before needing to pick up Little Dude.

2.5 miles in 23:47. My fastest pace I think I've recorded yet. I finished right at Little Dude's school, so I picked him up and we walked home.

Love that kid's energy. But I gotta slow down.

 

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10 Things About My Running

1. Best run ever: 2012 Monument Avenue 10k, this was my first run after retraining myself how to run after ITBS (see #7). My cadence was perfect for the entire run. I felt awesome through the entire run. Everything just went right. I was due for this run after two previous attempts.

2. Three words that describe my running: Renewing, fun, and strong

3. My go-to running outfit is: My Lululemon tank and skirt in porcelain blue, until it gets cold. Then I will bundle up in Brooks tights, Under Armor cold gear tank, and gloves/ear band/6 other layers as needed. J/k ... well maybe not.

4. Quirky habit while running: I can't finish running unless I hit a full or half-mile.

5. Morning, midday, evening: Usually evening due to hubby's schedule, but morning when I can.

6. I won’t run outside when it’s: Too hot is usually the problem in the South, but I have been known to avoid the rain, the cold, snow, and ice. I'm a running wimp.

7. Worst injury—and how I got over it: ITB Syndrome 3 times in a row - cortisone shots, anti-inflammatories, icing, foam rolling, stretching, glut and ab strengthening, and finally retraining myself to increase my cadence and decrease my stride length with the help of my Garmin 610.

8. I felt most like a badass mother runner when: a longer run feels easy.

9. Next race is: Richmond HCA 8K in November

10. Potential running goal for 2013: My first half-marathon, trying to decide which one.

 

Check out other posts at Another Mother Runner.

 

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Longer run

Today's schedule called for 4 miles with "my ladies." Well that's what my 4 year old calls them. This was my first run with my running group for this training cycle.

It was a smaller group than normal and we quickly spread out across our different paces. One speedy girl took off with a coach on her heels. I fell in with a girl normally in our half-marathon group, but she has been out sick for over a week so she scaled back this week.

The pace was a little slower than I am used to, and it was good for me a little bit but I couldn't keep my cadence up at this pace. The first two miles were a minute slower than my regular pace.

One of the coaches caught up with my partner who was struggling at over two miles with a stuffy head. I went ahead at that point to get my cadence back on track. I finished strong with an uphill, and then some zig-zagging through the parking lot to get 4 miles (somehow the course was short or maybe I missed a turn). Wish I wasn't so OCD about exact mileage.

After some stretching and chit chat with the ladies, I headed to Starbucks to redeem my birthday drink. I splurged on an iced salted caramel mocha (skim milk with no whipped cream because even I couldn't take that much). Yum, but too sweet overall.

Then, my bestie took me to redeem a groupon for a massage (more delayed birthday celebrations). The massage was relaxing, but wish they room was warmer and he did more trigger point work. Next time!

We ended the morning/early afternoon with a pedicure. Spoiled, I know. Meanwhile, my boys were out on the trail. Hubby took little dude on his first mountain biking ride, and they had a blast.

I raced home to grab some fish tacos and watch some football. Unfortunately, both of my teams lost. Better luck next week for the Tar Heels and the Auburn Tigers. Hubby then sent me upstairs for a little nap during the rainstorm. Overall, a great low key day with lots of pampering.

And one more day in the weekend. Yay!

 

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Best run yet

Tonight I was supposed to walk or jog 2 miles. My running buddy bailed on me again (something about stomach issues). She really was sick, but I like to give her a hard time.

My Little Dude learned to ride a bike in the last week. I thought this would be a good time to get him on the bike and we could do some loops around the neighborhood. He hasn't mastered the brake yet, so I knew it might be a little nerve-wracking for me.

That kid is a speed demon. I had to run to keep up with him. He isn't even 5 years old yet. My garmin didn't pick up for the first 1/3 of a mile. We ended up with 2.42 miles (adding in the .33) in 26 minutes. So much for an easy walk/jog for me, but it was AWESOME.

I loved having him by my side. He didn't want to stop. Before he went to sleep tonight, he asked if we could do it again soon. ABSOLUTELY!

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MIA

I admit it, I fell off the blogging wagon for a while, even with my son's blog. That's going to be a pain to catch up on.

The good news is that I have been running, and all is going really well. I occasionally get a little twinge at the knee, but this is just a reminder to work on my form.

I ran 3.5 on Saturday, 2 on Monday, and 3 tonight. I missed the first 4 runs with my running group due to vacations and one really rainy Saturday where I chickened out and ran inside. I'm really looking forward to seeing them for 4 on Saturday.

I'm still running in the Brooks Pure Connect but I am thinking I will trade them out for my regular New Balance for the long runs now. I am keeping up with the intermediate training plan for this 8k, and I don't want anything setting me back.

I wish it was half-marathon training. The 8k was the smart thing to do for this cycle. I will conquer the half in 2013.

So happy to be running healthy!

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