I was MIA yesterday. No good reason. A lot of excuses but that's it. Time to move on.
I went to the gym this morning and did an abbreviated strength training workout since I missed yesterday's. I warmed up with a 3/4 mile run at an easy pace. Then did 1 set of 15 reps for each arm, back, shoulder, bicep & tricep exercise. I finished up with 60 crunches.
This afternoon with the warm sun shining down I will go out for my 4 mile run.
I have plans to run with DS tomorrow for 9 miles. We are going to run a new trail I discovered while researching trails on the internet yesterday. (I did do something running oriented.)
I was talking to The Love Of My Life this morning, telling him about the funk I find myself in right now. I think part of it is that I've not been sleeping good so I'm tired. I also admitted out loud for the first time that I am afraid of failing at race time. And I find I very easily could just throw in the towel and give up now. I know that in the long run I don't want to do that. I would be very disappointed in myself if I gave up now. Plus, I know I can do this. I just have to keep at it. The long runs are hard on me. No doubt about it. But as The Love Of My Life told me, the first time you run a new distance it is hard. But then it gets easier each time. Soon 7 miles will be as easy as 4 miles. I need to reach way down inside of myself and pull up some stick-to-it-iveness. I will not give up!
Friday, March 5, 2010
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Thinking While Resting
Today is my rest day. I'm going to swap Thursday's and Friday's workouts due to a scheduling conflict. I considered swapping Wednesday's and Thursday's workouts, but decided I really wanted today off.
I had a great session with Coach Jeni this morning. We talked mostly about howmental I am I need to work on my mental training. She suggested the following:
After my mediocre experience Sunday I have been thinking about running during every free moment. I think I've reached another point where it would be easy quit. I haven't built up that foundation that makes longer runs enjoyable so LSRs are taxing for me. I was exhausted the remainder of Sunday and have been in bed by 8:30 p.m. every night since. It would be easy for me to say, "This is harder than I thought; I don't think I can do this". I admit to having considered quitting Monday morning. But I'm not going to. I really, really, really want to reach my goal of running the half-marathon. And I really, really like the way I am feeling and beginning to look. I really really like running outside all the time, especially now that the weather will be warming up and the sun shining more. I've made it through all the snow and cold and clouds and grey skies, I now want to experience the beautiful weather when I run. So I'm in for the long haul. Many many thanks to my family for their suppport.
I had a great session with Coach Jeni this morning. We talked mostly about how
- Clock the distance of my running route with my car before running so I know how far I have to go on The Road before I start out. This will eliminate any surprises like Sunday.
- Quit running the short side streets and run straight up and back on The Road. This should provide a huge psychological boost by physically running a little farther almost everytime I run.
- Practise safe running by being aware of my surroundings, turn down my music if I have to, run on the sidewalk when possible, and just go run on The Road.
After my mediocre experience Sunday I have been thinking about running during every free moment. I think I've reached another point where it would be easy quit. I haven't built up that foundation that makes longer runs enjoyable so LSRs are taxing for me. I was exhausted the remainder of Sunday and have been in bed by 8:30 p.m. every night since. It would be easy for me to say, "This is harder than I thought; I don't think I can do this". I admit to having considered quitting Monday morning. But I'm not going to. I really, really, really want to reach my goal of running the half-marathon. And I really, really like the way I am feeling and beginning to look. I really really like running outside all the time, especially now that the weather will be warming up and the sun shining more. I've made it through all the snow and cold and clouds and grey skies, I now want to experience the beautiful weather when I run. So I'm in for the long haul. Many many thanks to my family for their suppport.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
I Think I Can, I Think I Can
Distance: 4.11 mi.
Time: 53:13 min.
Pace: 12:57/mi.
Temp: 34°F, 23F° WC
Time of Day: 6:30 a.m.
Today's run was hard. I'm not sure what was going on. I was never able to get my breath in any kind of rhythm. (This is something Coach Jeni strongly suggested I work on.) I was breathing too shallow, but I just wasn't able to get into a deep breath cadence. Also, my legs felt like lead. I actually considered walking at one point. But, I reached way down deep and pulled up some fortitude then started telling myself, "You can do it Duffy Moon."
Probably the best part of the run is how I managed the one hill I still have trouble with. Jeni reframed my thinking to positive statements: "I am strong. This hill is mine. I run strongly up the hill." I used these positive statements to get up the hill in good order today. Thanks so much, Coach Jeni!
Time: 53:13 min.
Pace: 12:57/mi.
Temp: 34°F, 23F° WC
Time of Day: 6:30 a.m.
Today's run was hard. I'm not sure what was going on. I was never able to get my breath in any kind of rhythm. (This is something Coach Jeni strongly suggested I work on.) I was breathing too shallow, but I just wasn't able to get into a deep breath cadence. Also, my legs felt like lead. I actually considered walking at one point. But, I reached way down deep and pulled up some fortitude then started telling myself, "You can do it Duffy Moon."
Probably the best part of the run is how I managed the one hill I still have trouble with. Jeni reframed my thinking to positive statements: "I am strong. This hill is mine. I run strongly up the hill." I used these positive statements to get up the hill in good order today. Thanks so much, Coach Jeni!
Monday at the Gym
Monday's Stats
Monday is strength training at the gym with a quick 1 mile warm up on the treadmill.
I did increase the weight I was lifting on most of the exercises. I could feel it by Monday evening, but today, Tuesday, I'm fine.
Monday is strength training at the gym with a quick 1 mile warm up on the treadmill.
I did increase the weight I was lifting on most of the exercises. I could feel it by Monday evening, but today, Tuesday, I'm fine.
Yep, That Would Be 7 Miles Under My Belt
Sunday's Stats
Distance: 7.02 mi.
Time: 1:35:09
Pace: 13:35/mi.
Temp: 40-ish. Absolutely beautiful!
Time of day: 11 a.m.
I'm behind in posting…hopefully I can catch up now.
I ran 7 miles Sunday with Coach Jeni. It was one of the hardest thing I've ever done, but also one of the best. I certainly wasn't very speedy, at times Jeni had to prompt me to "stop walking". And I completely let my mind psyche me out when, thinking there was only 1/2 mile left to go, I realized I had a full mile left. I was really tired and wiped out when we got home. It has taken me until today realize the good in what I accomplished Sunday. But I'm really happy about my effort Sunday.
This distance required me to run a much longer distance on the road where I run. In planning the run I was uncomfortable with one section because there is a busy intersection, but when we got to that stretch I realized there was a great sidewalk to run on for about 1/2 mile which took care of my safety concerns.
Speaking of safety, Jeni made me realize that even though I thought I was being careful at intersections where I cross traffic, I really need to be a) more aware of the cars because they don't see me as easily as I see them, and b) don't be in such a hurry to cross the street. It's o.k. to wait for the light to change in my favor.
After the run, Jeni suggested I get Scott to run with me this coming weekend for my 9 mile LSR. (I talked to him last night and he said, "Sure!") Also, I have a session with Coach Jeni coming up before I take on those 9 miles.
Distance: 7.02 mi.
Time: 1:35:09
Pace: 13:35/mi.
Temp: 40-ish. Absolutely beautiful!
Time of day: 11 a.m.
I'm behind in posting…hopefully I can catch up now.
I ran 7 miles Sunday with Coach Jeni. It was one of the hardest thing I've ever done, but also one of the best. I certainly wasn't very speedy, at times Jeni had to prompt me to "stop walking". And I completely let my mind psyche me out when, thinking there was only 1/2 mile left to go, I realized I had a full mile left. I was really tired and wiped out when we got home. It has taken me until today realize the good in what I accomplished Sunday. But I'm really happy about my effort Sunday.
This distance required me to run a much longer distance on the road where I run. In planning the run I was uncomfortable with one section because there is a busy intersection, but when we got to that stretch I realized there was a great sidewalk to run on for about 1/2 mile which took care of my safety concerns.
Speaking of safety, Jeni made me realize that even though I thought I was being careful at intersections where I cross traffic, I really need to be a) more aware of the cars because they don't see me as easily as I see them, and b) don't be in such a hurry to cross the street. It's o.k. to wait for the light to change in my favor.
After the run, Jeni suggested I get Scott to run with me this coming weekend for my 9 mile LSR. (I talked to him last night and he said, "Sure!") Also, I have a session with Coach Jeni coming up before I take on those 9 miles.
Monday, March 1, 2010
I Run My Life, Or Is My Life Running Me
Saturday's Stats
Mmm, no stats to report because as the heading implies, I thought I had time to run with Coach Jeni, but sometimes life is in control of me instead of me in control of life.
Mmm, no stats to report because as the heading implies, I thought I had time to run with Coach Jeni, but sometimes life is in control of me instead of me in control of life.
When the Sun Goes Down, It Gets Dark
Friday, 02/26 Stats
Distance: 2.09 mi.
Time: 30:53 min.
Temp: mid-30's
Time of Day: 6 p.m.
My schedule got mixed up on Friday and I ended up not able to run until after supper. Silly me. I figured that if the sun set at 6 p.m. I'd still have plenty of daylight to run 4 miles. Hmm. I forgot that when the sun goes down, it gets dark. And I didn't think to wear my headlamp. So there was I was running at dusk, getting darker by the minute with lots of evening rush hour cars turning into subdivisions and side streets. Not a great environment. So as I came up on mile 2 where I turnaround, I called The Love Of My Life to come pick me up. So while it was short run, it felt great. And, I'd rather be safe than injured or scared.
Distance: 2.09 mi.
Time: 30:53 min.
Temp: mid-30's
Time of Day: 6 p.m.
My schedule got mixed up on Friday and I ended up not able to run until after supper. Silly me. I figured that if the sun set at 6 p.m. I'd still have plenty of daylight to run 4 miles. Hmm. I forgot that when the sun goes down, it gets dark. And I didn't think to wear my headlamp. So there was I was running at dusk, getting darker by the minute with lots of evening rush hour cars turning into subdivisions and side streets. Not a great environment. So as I came up on mile 2 where I turnaround, I called The Love Of My Life to come pick me up. So while it was short run, it felt great. And, I'd rather be safe than injured or scared.
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