RUN 4:50 25.3 miles
Desperate times call for desperate measures?
I was running alone today, in the snow and cold, on a trail had a long lonely loop, in weather that's been knocking me down lately, and was the cause of a gotta-bail run just a few weekends ago. So why did I choose this trail? The redemption. The long loop would help with loop boredom. The shelter from wind down in the valley. And TV didn't seem excited about running LV again so soon, while I happened to like it. Or need it. One of the two or both.
It was 20F at the start, and forecasted to get to just above freezing, with snow starting in the afternoon. More snow! The snow we got a few days ago was already melting off and I wasn't sure yet what I'd find on the trail. Given that it's a biking trail too, probably a lot of packed, slick areas.
I've been fixing my nutrition lately, eating a bigger dinner of starches instead of a bigger brekkie before the run. Today's nutrition plan was oatmeal, peanut butter, and maple Friday night, then just some eggs and banana this morning. In run plans were 200 cals of maple syrup, a few gels, plantain chips, and a powerbar, not to be all eaten but rather eaten as needed. Forgot the chips when leaving, so scratch them off.
My goals: finish, don't let the camelbak freeze, stay hydrated, stay fed.
My plans: I was going to take my time, eat as needed every 45-60 mins, walk and drink every mile, check in with LC and TH, and this is where the 'desperation' comes in -- I downloaded some podcasts to listen to so that I wasn't alone in my head for 5 hours. I've never listened to these, not even on a run, and certainly not on a trail run with mountain bikers to keep aware of. I put only the right earbud in, secured it with my white nike headband, set the volume, overdressed as always, and took off.
I started on the Hamburg trail, measuring the distance to the first turn-off to LV (it was 1.5 miles). I kept going all the way out to the tunnel thinking if I could get 8 miles on the Hamburg, 10 in LV, then a finish-it-out-loop in Lewis and Clark, it would be a good day with little repetition and the push of finishing a loop.
The end of the Hamburg was 4 miles. Things were good, aside from having to blow my damned nose every mile. Still not sure if I had a head cold or not, but I'm thinking I did, just not a full-blown stuffed-up-sneezing-stuffy-head type of cold. Every mile, stop to drink and blow. Five miles in and my nose was already tired of it. And so was my head, not just the pained sinuses but my mental status. Twenty more miles?!
The podcasts were from something called Marathon Training Academy, about an hour long interviews and chat. They were good! Race cheaters, foot care, interviews with two female runners (one who discussed The Peaceful Warrior and "staying in the calm", gotta look that book up). It was somewhat distracting to have that voice in my ear, but it was super helpful to keep MY VOICE from being in my ear. It kept me from thinking, and it seemed to work.
Mile 9 I thought was mile 10. Oops. Stopped to pee, hoping the mountain bikers that passed didn't notice. Why would they care, I dunno. Kept going, feeling good, happy to see mile 10 go by. At mile 11 I texted LC and TH with an update.
The trail was pretty, oddly the remaining snow was only on the trail. The brown leaves flanked the white trail that wound through the valley. Normally you can't see the trail off to your side, but today I could look ahead and follow it. I kept looking for the road, a landmark I was looking for. Once at the road, I'd be off these packed and slick trails!
Hit the road at mile 17, did an out-n-back backwards on the short loop road with the goal of reaching the truck at 20 miles (then only a 5 mile Clark loop), I kept plugging along, kept steady, one mile at a time, sticking to plan, staying in my realm. Needed a short out-n-back on the Hamburg, then hit the truck exactly at 20 miles. Decided to skip a stop at the truck, and keep moving.
The L&C system was a MESS. Frozen snow, frozen footprints, rough, slick. The LV trails also had frozen bike tracks that pained my feet but it least I had traction. I slowed down quite a bit here. Thus far I'd only eaten the maple syrup and a gel -- 300 calories in 4 hours. I was starting to feel the need for more, but decided to test it and see how much further I could go. It didn't help that at this point I was listening to a Dr Noakes interview talking about fat adaptation in runners...I was fat adapted, so I got to thinking about how much further I could go without munching on that last powerbar.
I made it to mile 22 when I started getting clumsy. Stopped to have a third of the bar. It helped :) Feed the dragon :)
Snow started to fall in this last 5 miles, and towards the end it was a beautiful thick fall. It obscured the trail, made it harder to see the ice slicks, but it was so pretty and quiet! I always worry about reaching the end of the loop before my goal mileage and today was no different. Luckily I hit 25 before the truck, kept pushing it, and arrived at the truck at 25.3!
I felt great! No blisters, only a mild right knee pain from the uneven ground, hungry, kinda gotta pee, no stomach distress. But I had to get going -- the snow was getting heavy and I had a long drive home.
Great recovery, did my grocery shopping, started planning for tomorrow's 12-13 miler. In the snow!!
AND GOODBYE FEBRUARY!!!!!!
Saturday, February 28, 2015
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Really dragging today
RUN 7 miles untimed
No commute today, woke up to snow! A nice snow too, the kind with the pretty snowflakes, puffy accumulation, and swirliness as it falls. Not so nice with the wind and cold, but the good outweighs the bad.
Except the temps are dropping from 25-29 to 5-10 for tomorrow. Boo. I'm sick of February.
And speaking of being sick, still not sure if I have a head cold or not. No congestion but sore sinuses and more bloodied kleenex. I guess I'm sick. It's worse for some reason at night, the past two nights of sleep have been interrupted by waking up with terribly pained sinuses and throat. Doesn't seem as bad during the day.
Nothing at all to do at work today, tomorrow at least I have stuff! I get lots of reading done, but that's BORING.
Hoping the forecast for Saturday warms up a bit, right now it's 14 and run start. Boo!!
No commute today, woke up to snow! A nice snow too, the kind with the pretty snowflakes, puffy accumulation, and swirliness as it falls. Not so nice with the wind and cold, but the good outweighs the bad.
Except the temps are dropping from 25-29 to 5-10 for tomorrow. Boo. I'm sick of February.
And speaking of being sick, still not sure if I have a head cold or not. No congestion but sore sinuses and more bloodied kleenex. I guess I'm sick. It's worse for some reason at night, the past two nights of sleep have been interrupted by waking up with terribly pained sinuses and throat. Doesn't seem as bad during the day.
Nothing at all to do at work today, tomorrow at least I have stuff! I get lots of reading done, but that's BORING.
Hoping the forecast for Saturday warms up a bit, right now it's 14 and run start. Boo!!
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
10 miler in Laf and TGP
RUN 10 miles in 1:36, 9:36 m/m pace
BIKE COMMUTE 6.4 miles
My plans changed for today, I was supposed to be at work early to start an experiment but that ended up in the garbage Tuesday night. So it left the option of run commuting the distance, or running then bike commuting.
I decided on doing the 10 miler then biking in, figuring I'd be tired. I didn't sleep great this morning. When I woke up at 1:44am with a sore left sinus and blowing clotty blood (!!) I started freaking out. Not about being sick (still waiting to see if I am or not) but because I was worried about missing my long runs this weekend!!
I went out the door with low energy, which also had me thinking I might be sick, but I felt OK in the run. As usual, I felt better after the run. I headed east towards LP, did a few laps of the park and enjoyed the view of the sun rising over Park Ave. After 4 miles there I headed back towards TGP and finished out the run at 9.95 in front of the house. I took the left over 0.04 from yesterdays run (measured at 4.14 but logged as 4.1) to round out the run. :)
Wasn't terribly cold out, and you know it's been cold when you say that 26F isn't too bad. It's supposed to warm up again this afternoon (good for my commute home!) but snow again tomorrow morning (not good for tomorrow's commute!) but only an inch accumulation.
Boring day at work, since my whole day was trashed. Boo.
BIKE COMMUTE 6.4 miles
My plans changed for today, I was supposed to be at work early to start an experiment but that ended up in the garbage Tuesday night. So it left the option of run commuting the distance, or running then bike commuting.
I decided on doing the 10 miler then biking in, figuring I'd be tired. I didn't sleep great this morning. When I woke up at 1:44am with a sore left sinus and blowing clotty blood (!!) I started freaking out. Not about being sick (still waiting to see if I am or not) but because I was worried about missing my long runs this weekend!!
I went out the door with low energy, which also had me thinking I might be sick, but I felt OK in the run. As usual, I felt better after the run. I headed east towards LP, did a few laps of the park and enjoyed the view of the sun rising over Park Ave. After 4 miles there I headed back towards TGP and finished out the run at 9.95 in front of the house. I took the left over 0.04 from yesterdays run (measured at 4.14 but logged as 4.1) to round out the run. :)
Wasn't terribly cold out, and you know it's been cold when you say that 26F isn't too bad. It's supposed to warm up again this afternoon (good for my commute home!) but snow again tomorrow morning (not good for tomorrow's commute!) but only an inch accumulation.
Boring day at work, since my whole day was trashed. Boo.
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
I'm ready for February to be OVER
RUN 4.1 miles in 39 mins
BIKE COMMUTE 6.4 miles
When I woke up this morning and saw the temp of 5F, my plan to run first thing went out the window. Oh, HELL NO, not if I don't have to!! But my bike commute, in the cold, with a headwind, even though it 'warmed' up to 19F...when I got to work I tore the February page off my calendar!
So instead this morning I chopped veggies, packed for tomorrow's run commute, and tried a lemon ginger tumeric tea for the first time. Yum!
I waited until it was 1pm to run, by then it was 36F!! I had a headwind out, tailwind back. My mind and stomach were turning-turning-turning, it wasn't restful until about 2 hrs after the run.
On a positive note this means my commute home will be soooooo much sweeter than the bike in, warm and tailwind.
I'm trying to plan this weekend's run. TV is out of town, then JF, CS, BS, LC, JA are all busy too most running the Castlewood Cup. Do I smell bad or something?!
BIKE COMMUTE 6.4 miles
When I woke up this morning and saw the temp of 5F, my plan to run first thing went out the window. Oh, HELL NO, not if I don't have to!! But my bike commute, in the cold, with a headwind, even though it 'warmed' up to 19F...when I got to work I tore the February page off my calendar!
So instead this morning I chopped veggies, packed for tomorrow's run commute, and tried a lemon ginger tumeric tea for the first time. Yum!
I waited until it was 1pm to run, by then it was 36F!! I had a headwind out, tailwind back. My mind and stomach were turning-turning-turning, it wasn't restful until about 2 hrs after the run.
On a positive note this means my commute home will be soooooo much sweeter than the bike in, warm and tailwind.
I'm trying to plan this weekend's run. TV is out of town, then JF, CS, BS, LC, JA are all busy too most running the Castlewood Cup. Do I smell bad or something?!
Monday, February 23, 2015
Days off are hard sometimes
Another DAY OFF
Back to the grind again tomorrow!
These days off are hard, can I say that without sounding too crazy? My nutrition just goes out the window. I feel like I could eat everything in the house, then I overeat and feel like I can't eat the rest of the day!
Still feeling good, a little fuzzed on energy but that's probably from poor fueling and lack of "go". SUPER cold this morning, only 8F so Shoogs got a super short walk of only 0.4-0.5 miles. It's really warmed up for the afternoon, all of 19F, so she'll get some more tonight. She was a good girl with company in the house. She deserves it.
Oh and TV will be out of town this weekend, leaving me to plan the long runs and make all the decisions!! LOL!!
Back to the grind again tomorrow!
These days off are hard, can I say that without sounding too crazy? My nutrition just goes out the window. I feel like I could eat everything in the house, then I overeat and feel like I can't eat the rest of the day!
Still feeling good, a little fuzzed on energy but that's probably from poor fueling and lack of "go". SUPER cold this morning, only 8F so Shoogs got a super short walk of only 0.4-0.5 miles. It's really warmed up for the afternoon, all of 19F, so she'll get some more tonight. She was a good girl with company in the house. She deserves it.
Oh and TV will be out of town this weekend, leaving me to plan the long runs and make all the decisions!! LOL!!
Sunday, February 22, 2015
Sunday at City Museum
DAY OFF
As planned, a day off. Even Shoogs didn't get much walking. In fact she didn't get much walking all week -- too damned COLD. Even she wasn't enjoying the snowy paws.
We spend the afternoon at City Museum with K. She put the miles on! And I was struggling a bit to keep up with her. I'm happy to say that I was flexy enough to squeeze through tunnels, able to climb stairs, and stay with her 95% of the time. But when she crashed on the floor, face down and lights out, I wanted to join her. She's quite the enduro-kid!
I felt good, no pains, blisters, sore spots, anything. Some lower back stiffness and very mild pain lingering from running Tues and Weds on that snow.
NUMERICS 9:55 hours
All running: 58.6 miles, the goal was 58
No bike commuting due to weather and run commuting
WALKIES 12.5 miles, again weather.
As planned, a day off. Even Shoogs didn't get much walking. In fact she didn't get much walking all week -- too damned COLD. Even she wasn't enjoying the snowy paws.
We spend the afternoon at City Museum with K. She put the miles on! And I was struggling a bit to keep up with her. I'm happy to say that I was flexy enough to squeeze through tunnels, able to climb stairs, and stay with her 95% of the time. But when she crashed on the floor, face down and lights out, I wanted to join her. She's quite the enduro-kid!
I felt good, no pains, blisters, sore spots, anything. Some lower back stiffness and very mild pain lingering from running Tues and Weds on that snow.
NUMERICS 9:55 hours
All running: 58.6 miles, the goal was 58
No bike commuting due to weather and run commuting
WALKIES 12.5 miles, again weather.
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Did you know maple syrup in a flask will FOAM?!
RUN 25.1 miles in 4:20 (no autopause)
The original plan was to run trails with the group, but an overnight ice and snow storm scared us all off from driving. We ended up staying local, it sounded boring at first but in the end it worked and I'm terribly happy with the outcome.
I did most of my fueling the night prior, I don't know if I like this idea or not because within one mile of running my stomach was growling. So maybe cross that off the list. I didn't really plan it that way, it just happened that way. Either way, it didn't work.
Fuel for today: Goal is EVERY 30 MINS dammit!!! I know this works, so why do I need to "re-test" it every, single, season?! Had half a steamed potato at the start, then a serving of plantain chips, 200 cals of maple syrup in flask with 2oz water and 2 salt packs, and 1 gel. That's all I ate in-run.
The maple syrup test worked! No stomach upset, no energy up/down, and no I couldn't taste the salt. But it foamed!!! How do I fix that?!
When we started the run, the snow was done falling and I ran to the FP VC in a few inches of crunch snow. The sidewalks were in better shape than the street, drier and better traction. 4.5 miles to the VC, meet up with TV, fuel stop, then we took off. TV was excited to run the golf courses -- I've never done that so I was happy to try it. Excepting I didn't have sunglasses, was a little bright!
Within two miles we run into DT and he joins us for a loop. And he's excited after the Grafton race about ultra running and is considering a role as a pacer for Kettle :) He'd be great peppy energy, TV and I were happy to hear that.
I stuck to my schedule, even if I wasn't hungry. And I managed to drink much more than usual. It did help to have the VC stops, guaranteed "break" for each loop. We only did 2 loops ending at 18 miles before we hatched a plan to run to work (we both had stuff to do there) then meet up later for lunch! Vietnamese!! And the fact that I went for lunch! Would not have done that 'before', I would have come up with some excuse and stayed home. Great part too is that TV offered to 'pay this time', meaning I get to pay next time, meaning we're doing this again!! DAMN that noodle soup is PERFECT recovery!
This was BY FAR my best long run yet this year. I needed this confidence boost after last week's long run fail. I got last week's miles done, but not as planned. It really did help to have warm weather, and admittedly it really really helped to not be on trails. And that's the biggest flaw in being too happy about this run -- the next one needs to be on trails. I need to prove I can stick to the fueling and hydration plan on trail whether or not it's cold.
My sis came to visit this afternoon!! So my recovery had to be compressed a bit, yet I was surprised at how good it all felt. 38 miles in less than 24 hours! WHOOP!
The original plan was to run trails with the group, but an overnight ice and snow storm scared us all off from driving. We ended up staying local, it sounded boring at first but in the end it worked and I'm terribly happy with the outcome.
I did most of my fueling the night prior, I don't know if I like this idea or not because within one mile of running my stomach was growling. So maybe cross that off the list. I didn't really plan it that way, it just happened that way. Either way, it didn't work.
Fuel for today: Goal is EVERY 30 MINS dammit!!! I know this works, so why do I need to "re-test" it every, single, season?! Had half a steamed potato at the start, then a serving of plantain chips, 200 cals of maple syrup in flask with 2oz water and 2 salt packs, and 1 gel. That's all I ate in-run.
The maple syrup test worked! No stomach upset, no energy up/down, and no I couldn't taste the salt. But it foamed!!! How do I fix that?!
When we started the run, the snow was done falling and I ran to the FP VC in a few inches of crunch snow. The sidewalks were in better shape than the street, drier and better traction. 4.5 miles to the VC, meet up with TV, fuel stop, then we took off. TV was excited to run the golf courses -- I've never done that so I was happy to try it. Excepting I didn't have sunglasses, was a little bright!
Within two miles we run into DT and he joins us for a loop. And he's excited after the Grafton race about ultra running and is considering a role as a pacer for Kettle :) He'd be great peppy energy, TV and I were happy to hear that.
I stuck to my schedule, even if I wasn't hungry. And I managed to drink much more than usual. It did help to have the VC stops, guaranteed "break" for each loop. We only did 2 loops ending at 18 miles before we hatched a plan to run to work (we both had stuff to do there) then meet up later for lunch! Vietnamese!! And the fact that I went for lunch! Would not have done that 'before', I would have come up with some excuse and stayed home. Great part too is that TV offered to 'pay this time', meaning I get to pay next time, meaning we're doing this again!! DAMN that noodle soup is PERFECT recovery!
This was BY FAR my best long run yet this year. I needed this confidence boost after last week's long run fail. I got last week's miles done, but not as planned. It really did help to have warm weather, and admittedly it really really helped to not be on trails. And that's the biggest flaw in being too happy about this run -- the next one needs to be on trails. I need to prove I can stick to the fueling and hydration plan on trail whether or not it's cold.
My sis came to visit this afternoon!! So my recovery had to be compressed a bit, yet I was surprised at how good it all felt. 38 miles in less than 24 hours! WHOOP!
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Today it was a maple obsession
No run!! It was -7F wind chill and the gang bailed. I was already out with my schedule change so I don't feel guilty about skipping! But I'm sure messed up as the run marks Thursday's for me.
Yesterday was an oatmeal obsession, today was maple. Forgot to mention that to keep my from eating the leftover oatmeal today I put it in the freezer at work!! Plan is to thaw it before heading home so I can eat it Friday after the run. This worked, btw.
After looking at some oatmeal recipes, I got maple syrup planted in my head. Maple syrup is FODMAP safe and I know I love it. It's another potential food without brakes though, and one that can leave me feeling sick from all the sugar. And I know this from the last bottle of it I bought...
And that last bottle was purchased at the Thursday farmer's market, and guess what, today is Thursday. I went through the mental pros and cons again like I did for the oatmeal: what is driving the craving? Am I being honest when I say I want it for a running gel? Or do I want to snack on it like a comfort food? I had until 2pm to decide, that's when the market closes.
And by 1:30pm my DNA prep failed (again!) and I decided I was OK to get the syrup. It would be so much cheaper, and just as safe for me, to eat the sucrose in the kitchen. I don't crave that, and it's sugar calories for a gel. So even on the walk to the market I'm still debating....
I bought it! So good! But now to keep from eating more (MORE!!) tonight I'm leaving it at work so I can save it for tomorrow's post-run oatmeal.
I'm happy to be branching out with new foods, but what is at the root of my problems accepting them? My tummy troubles from this past weekend maybe? A reminder of how things can go wrong, and how I turn to not-so-good foods as a replacement when things go wrong?
Yesterday was an oatmeal obsession, today was maple. Forgot to mention that to keep my from eating the leftover oatmeal today I put it in the freezer at work!! Plan is to thaw it before heading home so I can eat it Friday after the run. This worked, btw.
After looking at some oatmeal recipes, I got maple syrup planted in my head. Maple syrup is FODMAP safe and I know I love it. It's another potential food without brakes though, and one that can leave me feeling sick from all the sugar. And I know this from the last bottle of it I bought...
And that last bottle was purchased at the Thursday farmer's market, and guess what, today is Thursday. I went through the mental pros and cons again like I did for the oatmeal: what is driving the craving? Am I being honest when I say I want it for a running gel? Or do I want to snack on it like a comfort food? I had until 2pm to decide, that's when the market closes.
And by 1:30pm my DNA prep failed (again!) and I decided I was OK to get the syrup. It would be so much cheaper, and just as safe for me, to eat the sucrose in the kitchen. I don't crave that, and it's sugar calories for a gel. So even on the walk to the market I'm still debating....
I bought it! So good! But now to keep from eating more (MORE!!) tonight I'm leaving it at work so I can save it for tomorrow's post-run oatmeal.
I'm happy to be branching out with new foods, but what is at the root of my problems accepting them? My tummy troubles from this past weekend maybe? A reminder of how things can go wrong, and how I turn to not-so-good foods as a replacement when things go wrong?
COLD 10 miles in the snow!
RUN 7.2 miles in 1:15
RUN 3 miles in about 30
Yep, another day like yesterday, the goal being to get the training plan's midweek 20 miles done. Mission accomplished.
Yesterday I started craving oatmeal. This little seed planted in my head, and I decided to change my running routes for two reasons -- something different, and to pick up some oats at Fields on the way to work. Plans quickly changed once I got going.
My body (or maybe it's my mind) isn't responding well to the cold lately. Sometimes just stepping outside turns my stomach. So I wasn't looking forward to today's 11F morning run, or the 9F evening run! Especially once I got a tasted of the strong winds from the west. My planned route would put me running into that wind for a majority of the inbound run, and my thoughts soured on that FAST.
So I changed and decided to head to TGP, following the same route as yesterday. The winds were really souring the mood even more, and I dived into the neighborhood south of the park to be protected from the wind. The entire time, I'm thinking on oatmeal. Became obsessive. Thought I could stop at Schnucks and pick up a mile getting there and back...but then I'd have to buy a box or tub which wouldn't fit in the Camelbak. I could stop at Walgreen's, it's right on the route but again a box or tub. Then I realize I'm running by the Local Harvest market and I think they have bulk bins. But by now I'm starting to wonder about this obsession. Why was I craving them so bad...what did I REALLY want? Ooooh and once that seed planted I really got crazy. I was thinking and planning oatmeal most of the first 3-4 miles...WTF?? First I'd want it, then I'd tell myself I don't, then I do, then I don't...ARG!!!
See oats were cut from the foods list when I read they can irritate the gut. But I need foods! But was this a specific craving, a comfort food craving, a great idea to replace rice (I'm getting soured on rice, btw)?? What was the real source of this, because oatmeal qualifies as one of my "little bowl" "food without brakes" problem foods. I'll eat a little bowl to start, then it degrades into a meal of oatmeal. And oatmeal is associated with buttery salty sugary creamy additives, is that what I'm craving? Salt, sugar, and fat?
Whatever the reason, I wanted oats. But LH was closed until 8. I was secretly happy about that, has I hadn't come to the conclusion of f-it just eat some yet. I passed Walgreen's and Schnucks soon after, again secretly happy. I wanted answers before I bought a big tub!! But as I ran north along the park, I came to a BRILLIANT solution -- buy some at the hospital cafe!! I can buy a small bowl, satisfy the craving, limit the amount, test the stomach, and see how and if that limited serving fares in the mind too.
And once I came to this conclusion, my mind settled and I enjoyed the run more. Only then did I realize just how tense, stressed, and distracted I was over this problem. Wow, mental issues indeed.
And snow issues, note that even though I gave up on running sidewalks and hit the streets instead for a snow-less run I was still slowed by slick conditions. I wasn't terribly cold, I'm happy to say. I was properly dressed this morning. And if it weren't so damned cold I would have taken pictures of the neat footprints along the MoBot trail: runners and walkers left prints and when Mr Snow blower came along to knock off the fresh dusting that fell overnight it left crisp white tread marks on the black trail. Like white paint! I liked what might have been Newton prints: a circle at the heal and tarsal bone-like mid foot.
Once at work, had some water, some coffee, changed clothes, re-evaluated the craving (still there!), and took off for oatmeal! YAY! And it was a 12oz bowl for $1.35, and I could add cinnamon and raisins!!!!! HUGE WIN because this was enough oats for today and Friday's run, it was super cheap, and I now know that oats sit OK in the tummy. Very filling too :)
The run home was COLD, and I was really worn out. It was a struggle and I lacked energy the rest of the evening, but it's done. The cold is really taking a lot out of me.
RUN 3 miles in about 30
Yep, another day like yesterday, the goal being to get the training plan's midweek 20 miles done. Mission accomplished.
Yesterday I started craving oatmeal. This little seed planted in my head, and I decided to change my running routes for two reasons -- something different, and to pick up some oats at Fields on the way to work. Plans quickly changed once I got going.
My body (or maybe it's my mind) isn't responding well to the cold lately. Sometimes just stepping outside turns my stomach. So I wasn't looking forward to today's 11F morning run, or the 9F evening run! Especially once I got a tasted of the strong winds from the west. My planned route would put me running into that wind for a majority of the inbound run, and my thoughts soured on that FAST.
So I changed and decided to head to TGP, following the same route as yesterday. The winds were really souring the mood even more, and I dived into the neighborhood south of the park to be protected from the wind. The entire time, I'm thinking on oatmeal. Became obsessive. Thought I could stop at Schnucks and pick up a mile getting there and back...but then I'd have to buy a box or tub which wouldn't fit in the Camelbak. I could stop at Walgreen's, it's right on the route but again a box or tub. Then I realize I'm running by the Local Harvest market and I think they have bulk bins. But by now I'm starting to wonder about this obsession. Why was I craving them so bad...what did I REALLY want? Ooooh and once that seed planted I really got crazy. I was thinking and planning oatmeal most of the first 3-4 miles...WTF?? First I'd want it, then I'd tell myself I don't, then I do, then I don't...ARG!!!
See oats were cut from the foods list when I read they can irritate the gut. But I need foods! But was this a specific craving, a comfort food craving, a great idea to replace rice (I'm getting soured on rice, btw)?? What was the real source of this, because oatmeal qualifies as one of my "little bowl" "food without brakes" problem foods. I'll eat a little bowl to start, then it degrades into a meal of oatmeal. And oatmeal is associated with buttery salty sugary creamy additives, is that what I'm craving? Salt, sugar, and fat?
Whatever the reason, I wanted oats. But LH was closed until 8. I was secretly happy about that, has I hadn't come to the conclusion of f-it just eat some yet. I passed Walgreen's and Schnucks soon after, again secretly happy. I wanted answers before I bought a big tub!! But as I ran north along the park, I came to a BRILLIANT solution -- buy some at the hospital cafe!! I can buy a small bowl, satisfy the craving, limit the amount, test the stomach, and see how and if that limited serving fares in the mind too.
And once I came to this conclusion, my mind settled and I enjoyed the run more. Only then did I realize just how tense, stressed, and distracted I was over this problem. Wow, mental issues indeed.
And snow issues, note that even though I gave up on running sidewalks and hit the streets instead for a snow-less run I was still slowed by slick conditions. I wasn't terribly cold, I'm happy to say. I was properly dressed this morning. And if it weren't so damned cold I would have taken pictures of the neat footprints along the MoBot trail: runners and walkers left prints and when Mr Snow blower came along to knock off the fresh dusting that fell overnight it left crisp white tread marks on the black trail. Like white paint! I liked what might have been Newton prints: a circle at the heal and tarsal bone-like mid foot.
Once at work, had some water, some coffee, changed clothes, re-evaluated the craving (still there!), and took off for oatmeal! YAY! And it was a 12oz bowl for $1.35, and I could add cinnamon and raisins!!!!! HUGE WIN because this was enough oats for today and Friday's run, it was super cheap, and I now know that oats sit OK in the tummy. Very filling too :)
The run home was COLD, and I was really worn out. It was a struggle and I lacked energy the rest of the evening, but it's done. The cold is really taking a lot out of me.
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Cold 10 miles in real snow!
RUN COMMUTE 7.1 miles in 1:15!
RUN COMMUTE 3.2 miles in about 30 mins
I usually don't time the homebound commute for some reason. Prolly because I don't want to wait for the Garmin to sync up, I'd rather get home.
We got our first real snow Sunday night, and lucky me I get to run 10 miles in it today and tomorrow, due to a schedule change for my sis visiting this coming weekend. The temps were low too, about 17-19 for the morning run. As usual I was overdressed. And mental.
Yep, another mental morning. Text chatted with Mom for awhile, that helped, but it wasn't until about mid way into the run when my head really cleared.
I love me some snow, but this was hard to run in, as evidenced by my time. Usually 7 miles is more like 1:05-1:10. I had the yaktrax on, they helped but only in terms of sliding on slick areas. It wasn't so much slick as it was thick!
Another think I like is when I run to work I tend to wear casual clothes the rest of the day :) Today I changed tops (overdressed = I sweated) but left my thermal tights on. Looked great with the hoodie, I'm sure.
The run home was an amazingly pleasant 33F. Which means everything started melting and getting a bit slushy. Which means tomorrow's forecasted 11F runs will be really iced!
RUN COMMUTE 3.2 miles in about 30 mins
I usually don't time the homebound commute for some reason. Prolly because I don't want to wait for the Garmin to sync up, I'd rather get home.
We got our first real snow Sunday night, and lucky me I get to run 10 miles in it today and tomorrow, due to a schedule change for my sis visiting this coming weekend. The temps were low too, about 17-19 for the morning run. As usual I was overdressed. And mental.
Yep, another mental morning. Text chatted with Mom for awhile, that helped, but it wasn't until about mid way into the run when my head really cleared.
I love me some snow, but this was hard to run in, as evidenced by my time. Usually 7 miles is more like 1:05-1:10. I had the yaktrax on, they helped but only in terms of sliding on slick areas. It wasn't so much slick as it was thick!
Another think I like is when I run to work I tend to wear casual clothes the rest of the day :) Today I changed tops (overdressed = I sweated) but left my thermal tights on. Looked great with the hoodie, I'm sure.
The run home was an amazingly pleasant 33F. Which means everything started melting and getting a bit slushy. Which means tomorrow's forecasted 11F runs will be really iced!
Snowy run commute!
RUN 7.1 miles in 1:15 commute into work
RUN 3 miles in commute home
Since my sis is visiting this weekend, I'm changing my schedule so I'm not running when she's here. So instead of a T-W-T-S-S run week, I'm doing a T-W-F-S week. 10 today, 10 tomorrow makes up the midweek mileage, then a 13 on Friday followed by 25 on Saturday. That's the plan anyway, Saturday's weather looks cold and wet!
The run in was tough, mentally and physically. I was low on energy, so low in fact that I started thinking about eating oatmeal! I don't think it would bother my stomach, so maybe I should give it a shot. It's usually something I eat when in a hotel with a breakfast bar. I ate it at B2B, no problems.
The low energy continued throughout the day, manifested as constant hunger. But I think I'm also dehydrated, so I'm working on that. My stomach issues that started over the weekend continued this morning (I ate more of the salad before deciding to not eat the salad for a few days) and I wonder how that contributes to nutrition and dehydration? It's not like the food flies through me, so I've got to be absorbing all if not most of the nutrients. But I lose a lot of water!
RUN 3 miles in commute home
Since my sis is visiting this weekend, I'm changing my schedule so I'm not running when she's here. So instead of a T-W-T-S-S run week, I'm doing a T-W-F-S week. 10 today, 10 tomorrow makes up the midweek mileage, then a 13 on Friday followed by 25 on Saturday. That's the plan anyway, Saturday's weather looks cold and wet!
The run in was tough, mentally and physically. I was low on energy, so low in fact that I started thinking about eating oatmeal! I don't think it would bother my stomach, so maybe I should give it a shot. It's usually something I eat when in a hotel with a breakfast bar. I ate it at B2B, no problems.
The low energy continued throughout the day, manifested as constant hunger. But I think I'm also dehydrated, so I'm working on that. My stomach issues that started over the weekend continued this morning (I ate more of the salad before deciding to not eat the salad for a few days) and I wonder how that contributes to nutrition and dehydration? It's not like the food flies through me, so I've got to be absorbing all if not most of the nutrients. But I lose a lot of water!
Monday, February 16, 2015
Rest day, but not restful
Ooof what a day.
It started snowing last night and continued through the day. We didn't get the 6-12" initially predicted, nor did we get the 5-9" later predicted. Maybe 3-5"? Will make for a great run tomorrow!
I ended up driving in, which was good in the end because my tummy is still upset. I think it might be the carrot/daikon salad I made. I think I've seen this before, so I'm going to skip it a few days and see if things improve. Sucks to wake up to... well you know...
It could also be stress, I'm terribly distracted and unplanned. My day was really mixed up, gotta get my schedule together and get on track! When I don't plan, I tend to get lost.
It started snowing last night and continued through the day. We didn't get the 6-12" initially predicted, nor did we get the 5-9" later predicted. Maybe 3-5"? Will make for a great run tomorrow!
I ended up driving in, which was good in the end because my tummy is still upset. I think it might be the carrot/daikon salad I made. I think I've seen this before, so I'm going to skip it a few days and see if things improve. Sucks to wake up to... well you know...
It could also be stress, I'm terribly distracted and unplanned. My day was really mixed up, gotta get my schedule together and get on track! When I don't plan, I tend to get lost.
Sunday, February 15, 2015
COLD two parter, hitting some mental blocks
RUN 16 miles in 2:52
I need to face up to some truths, and need to knock down some barriers.
My stress levels are good on the surface, but I have some cracks I think deep down and hard to see on the surface. I get hurried, short tempered, and mentally confused. I don't think it shows because it's so transient. Moments. Probably linked to the hits of adrenaline that I feel, also unexpected and transient.
So it was probably this stress along with the cold forecast and long run that kept me GI system threatening to cause problems all morning before I left to get TV. At least that's what I'm thinking, it could be something I ate too. Hard to say.
11 degrees is not too sufferably cold, is it? If you're dressed for it, out of the wind, moving, fueled, and hydrated, I should be OK. Right?
We met up with JA and S from the Thursday group and took off at what seemed a faster than expected pace. I need to adapt to this idea of running faster than I expect to. I'm not the runner I used to be!
I was feeling great, it wasn't too cold on the trails once we were in the valley. The company and conversation were lively and fun. How could this go wrong?
In previous cold runs, I didn't eat or drink enough because my hands were too cold. Today I thought I'd solved the problem by putting hand warmers in my mittens. The warmers were 'warm', but not warm enough. If I opened my hand even a little, cool air moved through my fingers -- confirmed something I'd suspected, that my mittens are not wind as wind resistant as I think.
And my camelbak froze. I didn't blow the tube back, I wasn't tucking it into my shirt, and I was barely trying to drink. So by the time 5 miles came along and we stopped, the tube was a lost cause. I could get a swallow out of it, that's it. Thanks to TV, I was able to get water. Lots of planning, but poor planning.
So for the 12.6 miles at Lost Valley, I had half a big baked potato and half a powerbar with some water. That's it. I wasn't hungry though. I was COLD, getting shivery and confused. My plan was to sit in the truck a few minutes, warm up even a little, drink some, then finish at the minimum the 16 miles to hit my 58 mile goal for the week. But as we sat there, my momentum didn't pick up like I'd hoped. Even TV didn't seem eager to go back out, or he was being polite.
No way way I could do another loop. On the way home, I got sleep and sick feeling. The rice cakes and peanut butter weren't sitting well at all. But I was determined to finish, even if I had to walk the dang final miles. I set a goal of coffee, some food, then run by 1pm. I rolled out at 1:05, so not too bad. I ran to TGP and back, hitting the house right at 16.
All the way, more miles were dancing in my head. Two more and it's 60 miles, I need to walk the dog and that could be two miles...then I'm so close to 20+20 and that would be so cool... I leashed up the dog, and started jogging....and stopped after 0.15 miles. What was I doing!? Why was I so hung up on the numbers?! I stopped and walked. Told myself I was going about this wrong. And I was getting impatient again. I paused, breathed, and rewrote my script to a calm and peaceful one. It worked. I need more of that.
And I need to break this barrier and actually run the 25 miles in one day like the plan says to. It's a mental barrier.
Hope next Saturday is warmer!
NUMERICS 9:27 hours of running
RUN 58 miles
BIKE COMMUTE 20.7 miles
WALKIES 21.6 miles
and all 7 days with 15 minutes of stretching/rolling/strength
That adds up to 100 miles!!
I need to face up to some truths, and need to knock down some barriers.
My stress levels are good on the surface, but I have some cracks I think deep down and hard to see on the surface. I get hurried, short tempered, and mentally confused. I don't think it shows because it's so transient. Moments. Probably linked to the hits of adrenaline that I feel, also unexpected and transient.
So it was probably this stress along with the cold forecast and long run that kept me GI system threatening to cause problems all morning before I left to get TV. At least that's what I'm thinking, it could be something I ate too. Hard to say.
11 degrees is not too sufferably cold, is it? If you're dressed for it, out of the wind, moving, fueled, and hydrated, I should be OK. Right?
We met up with JA and S from the Thursday group and took off at what seemed a faster than expected pace. I need to adapt to this idea of running faster than I expect to. I'm not the runner I used to be!
I was feeling great, it wasn't too cold on the trails once we were in the valley. The company and conversation were lively and fun. How could this go wrong?
In previous cold runs, I didn't eat or drink enough because my hands were too cold. Today I thought I'd solved the problem by putting hand warmers in my mittens. The warmers were 'warm', but not warm enough. If I opened my hand even a little, cool air moved through my fingers -- confirmed something I'd suspected, that my mittens are not wind as wind resistant as I think.
And my camelbak froze. I didn't blow the tube back, I wasn't tucking it into my shirt, and I was barely trying to drink. So by the time 5 miles came along and we stopped, the tube was a lost cause. I could get a swallow out of it, that's it. Thanks to TV, I was able to get water. Lots of planning, but poor planning.
So for the 12.6 miles at Lost Valley, I had half a big baked potato and half a powerbar with some water. That's it. I wasn't hungry though. I was COLD, getting shivery and confused. My plan was to sit in the truck a few minutes, warm up even a little, drink some, then finish at the minimum the 16 miles to hit my 58 mile goal for the week. But as we sat there, my momentum didn't pick up like I'd hoped. Even TV didn't seem eager to go back out, or he was being polite.
No way way I could do another loop. On the way home, I got sleep and sick feeling. The rice cakes and peanut butter weren't sitting well at all. But I was determined to finish, even if I had to walk the dang final miles. I set a goal of coffee, some food, then run by 1pm. I rolled out at 1:05, so not too bad. I ran to TGP and back, hitting the house right at 16.
All the way, more miles were dancing in my head. Two more and it's 60 miles, I need to walk the dog and that could be two miles...then I'm so close to 20+20 and that would be so cool... I leashed up the dog, and started jogging....and stopped after 0.15 miles. What was I doing!? Why was I so hung up on the numbers?! I stopped and walked. Told myself I was going about this wrong. And I was getting impatient again. I paused, breathed, and rewrote my script to a calm and peaceful one. It worked. I need more of that.
And I need to break this barrier and actually run the 25 miles in one day like the plan says to. It's a mental barrier.
Hope next Saturday is warmer!
NUMERICS 9:27 hours of running
RUN 58 miles
BIKE COMMUTE 20.7 miles
WALKIES 21.6 miles
and all 7 days with 15 minutes of stretching/rolling/strength
That adds up to 100 miles!!
Saturday, February 14, 2015
Different Type of WasGonna
RUN 20 miles in 3:13, FoPa
This was supposed to be a 13 miler! So I can say I WasGonna do 13 miles, however unlike other WasGonna's instead of skipping or shortening the workout I lengthened it. This isn't the first time!
I send a message out to our Thursday group looking for run partners on this one, I did NOT want to run alone. I've been doing my short(er) weekend runs alone lately and it gets to my head. Having company makes it go be so much easier. I got one taker --BillS, he needed to run early and I would have shown up at 4am if needed to run with him! I love talking to BS, he's so geek and excited about the sport, reminds me of the tech aspect that I tend to ignore.
We met at 6:15 and set out, my plan was to run the first of my two loops at his pace and goal. Off we go, happily a little faster than I would have gone alone. I let him talk, -- powermeters, garmins, upcoming races -- but deep down all the while I felt a little sick. He didn't know my 'news' yet and I wanted to tell him, I felt like I was lying by not telling him. At the same time, I didn't want to talk about it, such a downer topic. But in the end, I did, and what a relief. He pointed out that the group is supportive, triathlon is social, and I can trust in turning to my friends for this.
He's so right. I know what he's saying is true. So why am I so reclusive? I've come to realize that this isn't my fault, so I don't need to feel like a failure.
BS sent an emailing before the run thanking me for joining him. But he's the one that deserves the thanks.
Oh, my next 13 miles! Haha, almost skipped it. After leaving BS, I took off again entertaining how much further I wanted to go. The weather for tomorrow is COLD and I don't do well in cold. COLD like 11F plus whatever gets subtracted for wind chill. With that in mind, I was thinking I should shift some miles to today, maybe do 20 today and leave 16-18 for tomorrow. As a preview of the weather, little snow pellets started falling in the first mile. I could hear the pellets hitting the path and leaves around me -- the Whisper of Snow!
But I didn't have this plan when I packed up and left the house this morning. I have enough food, have my handheld water bottle, and I have the visitor's center for support. So why not? I decided on 1 loop at a time, see how I feel after this 2nd loop.
I felt great after the 2nd loop, so decided on a 3rd. The wind out of the NW was cold and cutting, so partway in I think of a solution to my "oh geez am I really going to run 3 loops" problem -- out n back! It would change the run, break up the wind exposure, and allow me to go down the hill!
This 20 felt really easy. It's not too often you can wake up on any morning and peel off an easy 20. Feels good.
Errands, groceries, vet visit, walked at loop with doggie in TGP, then made jamalaya for the coming week!!
This was supposed to be a 13 miler! So I can say I WasGonna do 13 miles, however unlike other WasGonna's instead of skipping or shortening the workout I lengthened it. This isn't the first time!
I send a message out to our Thursday group looking for run partners on this one, I did NOT want to run alone. I've been doing my short(er) weekend runs alone lately and it gets to my head. Having company makes it go be so much easier. I got one taker --BillS, he needed to run early and I would have shown up at 4am if needed to run with him! I love talking to BS, he's so geek and excited about the sport, reminds me of the tech aspect that I tend to ignore.
We met at 6:15 and set out, my plan was to run the first of my two loops at his pace and goal. Off we go, happily a little faster than I would have gone alone. I let him talk, -- powermeters, garmins, upcoming races -- but deep down all the while I felt a little sick. He didn't know my 'news' yet and I wanted to tell him, I felt like I was lying by not telling him. At the same time, I didn't want to talk about it, such a downer topic. But in the end, I did, and what a relief. He pointed out that the group is supportive, triathlon is social, and I can trust in turning to my friends for this.
He's so right. I know what he's saying is true. So why am I so reclusive? I've come to realize that this isn't my fault, so I don't need to feel like a failure.
BS sent an emailing before the run thanking me for joining him. But he's the one that deserves the thanks.
Oh, my next 13 miles! Haha, almost skipped it. After leaving BS, I took off again entertaining how much further I wanted to go. The weather for tomorrow is COLD and I don't do well in cold. COLD like 11F plus whatever gets subtracted for wind chill. With that in mind, I was thinking I should shift some miles to today, maybe do 20 today and leave 16-18 for tomorrow. As a preview of the weather, little snow pellets started falling in the first mile. I could hear the pellets hitting the path and leaves around me -- the Whisper of Snow!
But I didn't have this plan when I packed up and left the house this morning. I have enough food, have my handheld water bottle, and I have the visitor's center for support. So why not? I decided on 1 loop at a time, see how I feel after this 2nd loop.
I felt great after the 2nd loop, so decided on a 3rd. The wind out of the NW was cold and cutting, so partway in I think of a solution to my "oh geez am I really going to run 3 loops" problem -- out n back! It would change the run, break up the wind exposure, and allow me to go down the hill!
This 20 felt really easy. It's not too often you can wake up on any morning and peel off an easy 20. Feels good.
Errands, groceries, vet visit, walked at loop with doggie in TGP, then made jamalaya for the coming week!!
Thursday, February 12, 2015
COLD! But better dressed than last week
RUN 7 miles in 61 mins
I woke up to what sounded like a wild wind. iPhone weather app confirmed -- 17F out but feels like 1F, strong NW winds, and a "vigorous" snow. I peaked outside. Windy? Yes. Vigorous snow. Eh, not quite. A few flakes. Vigorous flakes.
I half expected a flurry of (vigorous?) emails and texts coming from the group, and thankfully they didn't (LC agreed with me on this around mile 5.5). To prevent the COLD hands I had last week, I added the sammich bags between my gloves and mittens. Worked!
The 4 four of us wasted little time in starting, too cold! The worst of the run was any part where we had exposure to the wind, otherwise, it was bitterly cold but tolerable.
But given the snow, occasional ice, and cold, I opted to NOT bike in today. Instead I drove and walked in from FoPa. Too risky -- can't see the ice, my hands freeze up, and I my reflexes crawl to a slow response. It's safer, but I miss my bike!
Was in a bit of a funk yesterday, low energy and motivation. Part of it was social isolation, part maybe the GI upset, part also the run nutrition? I really tanked afterwards. My stomach is doing OK today, none of last nights bloating and belly pain. I was really bloated last night, not sure why. Also, and in a separate issue, I think I ate too much mustard, and therefore too much salt. Gotta break that habit. I use mustard to avoid adding salt, but mustard CONTAINS salt!!
Regarding my mental funk -- last night LC invited me to her Y swim. I got the text too late to go, but I should have gone! I wish I had! I needed to get out.
I woke up to what sounded like a wild wind. iPhone weather app confirmed -- 17F out but feels like 1F, strong NW winds, and a "vigorous" snow. I peaked outside. Windy? Yes. Vigorous snow. Eh, not quite. A few flakes. Vigorous flakes.
I half expected a flurry of (vigorous?) emails and texts coming from the group, and thankfully they didn't (LC agreed with me on this around mile 5.5). To prevent the COLD hands I had last week, I added the sammich bags between my gloves and mittens. Worked!
The 4 four of us wasted little time in starting, too cold! The worst of the run was any part where we had exposure to the wind, otherwise, it was bitterly cold but tolerable.
But given the snow, occasional ice, and cold, I opted to NOT bike in today. Instead I drove and walked in from FoPa. Too risky -- can't see the ice, my hands freeze up, and I my reflexes crawl to a slow response. It's safer, but I miss my bike!
Was in a bit of a funk yesterday, low energy and motivation. Part of it was social isolation, part maybe the GI upset, part also the run nutrition? I really tanked afterwards. My stomach is doing OK today, none of last nights bloating and belly pain. I was really bloated last night, not sure why. Also, and in a separate issue, I think I ate too much mustard, and therefore too much salt. Gotta break that habit. I use mustard to avoid adding salt, but mustard CONTAINS salt!!
Regarding my mental funk -- last night LC invited me to her Y swim. I got the text too late to go, but I should have gone! I wish I had! I needed to get out.
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Mental 10-miles
RUN 11 miles in 1:45
BIKE COMMUTE 6.4 miles
It was supposed to be 10 miles, I extended to 11. The last mile felt good, and maybe in all honesty only the first few miles were really the mental ones.
Woke up to a right calf cramp. And yesterday I had a hammie get upset when I did a cross stretch with it.
Started as per plan before 6am, although not much before. I ate my pre-run last night, so didn't take much this morning: navel orange, clemmie, some steamed carrots, coffee. Lotta orange there, and lotta foods that start with a "c". It was dark when I started, and I was happy to have gone back from the front door to grab a knuckle light.
Out and around CHP, towards TGP as per the plan. Simple out-n-back. Things were good until I got to TGP, where my mind started playing tricks. About how long 10 miles is. About how this out-n-back is boring. About how I was going to be doing this for how many more weeks?
Then it switched tracks to personal issues. I buried that under mental meanderings and plans about work. That helped, I don't mind the personal issues bubbling up as long as they aren't negative.
I got worried about my health too, wondering if and when the stress I'm under will ever start leading to notable cracks. Buried that line of thought by re-writing the script to more positive thinking. No way I'd feel so good running like this if I was in a health crisis!
But I've been deluded by my brain before. Something to look out for.
Like that damned gumball from the tree I stepped on. OUCH!
The miles got better, and the sun came up slowly. By the time I turned around I was feeling much better about everything. When I got home, I stuck to my action plan and rolled right into a dog walk (dog is limping!?), then a shower, then brekkie.
Then I rolled right into some GI pain!? Just as I'm getting ready to leave the symptoms that had been building finally were too much to ignore. I joined the dog on the floor of the living room, still wearing most of my bike commuter layers, and waited the 15-20 mins for things to sort out. It worked, pain free since. My tummy has been upset since the weekend, is this a build, a trend, a peak? Not sure. Also not sure what set it off. I usually don't drink a few glasses of water after I run, I should but I don't. I ate 2 eggs on a hash of radish, carrot, zucchini, and green pepper. Nothing new there. Based on the timing, it could have been the pre-run this morning.
And based on last night's slight symptoms, it could have been the 2 pieces of chocolate I ate. I didn't feel good after those, and chocolate is on the FODMAP list. Should keep an eye on this!
BIKE COMMUTE 6.4 miles
It was supposed to be 10 miles, I extended to 11. The last mile felt good, and maybe in all honesty only the first few miles were really the mental ones.
Woke up to a right calf cramp. And yesterday I had a hammie get upset when I did a cross stretch with it.
Started as per plan before 6am, although not much before. I ate my pre-run last night, so didn't take much this morning: navel orange, clemmie, some steamed carrots, coffee. Lotta orange there, and lotta foods that start with a "c". It was dark when I started, and I was happy to have gone back from the front door to grab a knuckle light.
Out and around CHP, towards TGP as per the plan. Simple out-n-back. Things were good until I got to TGP, where my mind started playing tricks. About how long 10 miles is. About how this out-n-back is boring. About how I was going to be doing this for how many more weeks?
Then it switched tracks to personal issues. I buried that under mental meanderings and plans about work. That helped, I don't mind the personal issues bubbling up as long as they aren't negative.
I got worried about my health too, wondering if and when the stress I'm under will ever start leading to notable cracks. Buried that line of thought by re-writing the script to more positive thinking. No way I'd feel so good running like this if I was in a health crisis!
But I've been deluded by my brain before. Something to look out for.
Like that damned gumball from the tree I stepped on. OUCH!
The miles got better, and the sun came up slowly. By the time I turned around I was feeling much better about everything. When I got home, I stuck to my action plan and rolled right into a dog walk (dog is limping!?), then a shower, then brekkie.
Then I rolled right into some GI pain!? Just as I'm getting ready to leave the symptoms that had been building finally were too much to ignore. I joined the dog on the floor of the living room, still wearing most of my bike commuter layers, and waited the 15-20 mins for things to sort out. It worked, pain free since. My tummy has been upset since the weekend, is this a build, a trend, a peak? Not sure. Also not sure what set it off. I usually don't drink a few glasses of water after I run, I should but I don't. I ate 2 eggs on a hash of radish, carrot, zucchini, and green pepper. Nothing new there. Based on the timing, it could have been the pre-run this morning.
And based on last night's slight symptoms, it could have been the 2 pieces of chocolate I ate. I didn't feel good after those, and chocolate is on the FODMAP list. Should keep an eye on this!
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Another lazy day
RUN 4 miles in :36 mins
BIKE COMMUTE 7 miles to jury duty
Felt really great and motivated in the morning, the run was energetic and perfect. The energy and motivation tanked as soon as I got to jury duty. Just sitting there is such a buzz kill. Such a kill in fact that when lunchtime rolled around and they gave us 90 mins, I stayed in the building! I didn't feel like getting cold in the 35F weather like I did yesterday, then coming back to sit in a cold room again. So I amused myself by watching people go to the vending machines.
Much better evening than yesterday though. Yesterday I came home tired cold and hungry. Today I had an action plan, stuck to it, and managed things better. See It, Bee It.
BIKE COMMUTE 7 miles to jury duty
Felt really great and motivated in the morning, the run was energetic and perfect. The energy and motivation tanked as soon as I got to jury duty. Just sitting there is such a buzz kill. Such a kill in fact that when lunchtime rolled around and they gave us 90 mins, I stayed in the building! I didn't feel like getting cold in the 35F weather like I did yesterday, then coming back to sit in a cold room again. So I amused myself by watching people go to the vending machines.
Much better evening than yesterday though. Yesterday I came home tired cold and hungry. Today I had an action plan, stuck to it, and managed things better. See It, Bee It.
Monday, February 9, 2015
Lazy Day at Jury Duty
BIKE COMMUTE 7 miles to downtown
Oh what a lazy day. I walked 2 miles at lunch, walked the dog about 3.7 miles, took the short 3-flights of stairs 3 times...but in the end I had to sit/stand for most of the day. So why am I so tired?!
Oh what a lazy day. I walked 2 miles at lunch, walked the dog about 3.7 miles, took the short 3-flights of stairs 3 times...but in the end I had to sit/stand for most of the day. So why am I so tired?!
Sunday, February 8, 2015
Weekend at home
Thursday RUN 7 miles in 1:03
Saturday RUN 8 miles in 1:16
Sunday RUN 3 miles in ??, 1.5 with Sugar!!
LC said she was a "wimp" and stayed home, well at least she was a warm "wimp". The -3F wind chill should have kept us all at home, but I went and so did some others! IT, JA, CS, and DT joined for a damned cold loop. My hands got cold and never warmed up. I kept telling myself, I'll be so happy that I did this later today...
And I was happy, although the first and last part of Thursday felt like two entirely different days. I worked a few hours then drove home with Sugar that afternoon.
Friday was a rest day, visited with DK, Gramma, and JG.
Saturday's run had me anxious. I meant to get an early start, but kept pushing it back to work on recipes. I was getting a bit obsessed with the recipes? Why? I felt so much better once I started running. The run felt good, a bit bored though.
Sunday was more anxiety?! And another late start. Seems I hate late starts, but I like to max out my visits. Which means I should plan better and get out the door on time. I combined the first part of my run with Sugar's walk, which turned into a run! She made it most of 1.5 miles, her longest ever!
Amazing weekend, I finally let go of so much and reconnected with family and friends. Great recovery week! I feel refreshed!
NUMERICS 4:42 hours in recovery week
SWIM nope
BIKE nope
RUN 30.3 miles
BIKE COMMUTE 6.4
WALKIES 6.65 (plus 1.5 of a walk run logged as my run)
and all 7 days had stretching or rolling, I need to add some strength!
Saturday RUN 8 miles in 1:16
Sunday RUN 3 miles in ??, 1.5 with Sugar!!
LC said she was a "wimp" and stayed home, well at least she was a warm "wimp". The -3F wind chill should have kept us all at home, but I went and so did some others! IT, JA, CS, and DT joined for a damned cold loop. My hands got cold and never warmed up. I kept telling myself, I'll be so happy that I did this later today...
And I was happy, although the first and last part of Thursday felt like two entirely different days. I worked a few hours then drove home with Sugar that afternoon.
Friday was a rest day, visited with DK, Gramma, and JG.
Saturday's run had me anxious. I meant to get an early start, but kept pushing it back to work on recipes. I was getting a bit obsessed with the recipes? Why? I felt so much better once I started running. The run felt good, a bit bored though.
Sunday was more anxiety?! And another late start. Seems I hate late starts, but I like to max out my visits. Which means I should plan better and get out the door on time. I combined the first part of my run with Sugar's walk, which turned into a run! She made it most of 1.5 miles, her longest ever!
Amazing weekend, I finally let go of so much and reconnected with family and friends. Great recovery week! I feel refreshed!
NUMERICS 4:42 hours in recovery week
SWIM nope
BIKE nope
RUN 30.3 miles
BIKE COMMUTE 6.4
WALKIES 6.65 (plus 1.5 of a walk run logged as my run)
and all 7 days had stretching or rolling, I need to add some strength!
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Commute day
RUN 3 miles in ??
RUN 6 miles (dunno, but the 9 miles at this point was 1:23)
RUN 3 miles
Total of 12 miles in about 1:55
Another commute day, the training plan calls for 2+4+6 over Tues-Wed-Thurs, then 10+8 over the weekend. Since I'm going home and would rather visit, I'm shuffling things a bit. I skipped yesterday's 2 miler, then rolled a chuck of the weekend 18 into today. If I do 6-7 tomorrow, I'll hit the weekend goal, then only need a total of 11 or so during the visit.
Hehe, "need". Like how I use that. Want. Need. MustDo.
Woke up today feeling OK and worn out from yesterday, but with a tummy that never felt...emptied...without getting too TMI here. I started to feel mentally dismal then, started getting down and not great. I told myself that once I started running I'd feel better. Sure enough!
Felt even better once I ate a real meal, that carbacious brekkie prolly set me up for a crash that I got because I waited longer than expected to start my run.
All is well, my back is feeling good (not perfect, but no spasms and pain is minor) and my Saturday run fall injuries are down to nothing but the elbow. I don't need my elbow to run! Unless you count it like TV did -- that I need my elbows for my "chicken wings". LOL!
RUN 6 miles (dunno, but the 9 miles at this point was 1:23)
RUN 3 miles
Total of 12 miles in about 1:55
Another commute day, the training plan calls for 2+4+6 over Tues-Wed-Thurs, then 10+8 over the weekend. Since I'm going home and would rather visit, I'm shuffling things a bit. I skipped yesterday's 2 miler, then rolled a chuck of the weekend 18 into today. If I do 6-7 tomorrow, I'll hit the weekend goal, then only need a total of 11 or so during the visit.
Hehe, "need". Like how I use that. Want. Need. MustDo.
Woke up today feeling OK and worn out from yesterday, but with a tummy that never felt...emptied...without getting too TMI here. I started to feel mentally dismal then, started getting down and not great. I told myself that once I started running I'd feel better. Sure enough!
Felt even better once I ate a real meal, that carbacious brekkie prolly set me up for a crash that I got because I waited longer than expected to start my run.
All is well, my back is feeling good (not perfect, but no spasms and pain is minor) and my Saturday run fall injuries are down to nothing but the elbow. I don't need my elbow to run! Unless you count it like TV did -- that I need my elbows for my "chicken wings". LOL!
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
February Full Moon
Loooong day at work. It stressed me because I was worried about the dog! I did what I could to get home quick, but mouse stuff only goes so fast! She ended up waiting nearly 10 hours! She got a nice calm walk for it, and we got a great picture of the February full moon with Jupiter just off to its left!
So it was another rest day, but I didn't really get to rest. Came home worn out. The training plan called for a 2 mile run, prolly better to rest at that rate.
Monday, February 2, 2015
Full recovery day
NOTHING!
Yup, nothing besides walking the dog and walking to the truck. It was snowy, potentially ice, and damned cold so I didn't bike in. My mind and body needed a break.
Same for the swim, I just needed a break. And I needed to be at work a little earlier. Although I Blerched around and that didn't happen!
Yup, nothing besides walking the dog and walking to the truck. It was snowy, potentially ice, and damned cold so I didn't bike in. My mind and body needed a break.
Same for the swim, I just needed a break. And I needed to be at work a little earlier. Although I Blerched around and that didn't happen!
Sunday, February 1, 2015
Chubb run
RUN 15.25 miles I think in 3:15, Chubb
It's February! Already! I keep thinking back to 2013 when TH and I were prepping for Poto, and have to remind myself that I'm on the right schedule, that Poto was 2 months earlier than Kettle.
We met LC, JF, and DT at the WT end. I was running late due to a rain delay with the dog not wanting to do poopie in the rain. I have her all the time I could, she took the time but not the poop! So I'm rushing, but organized. And testing a new nutrition -- rice balls with PB. I think next time I'll try baking them instead of boiling. Anyway.
It rained earlier but had stopped by now. The prediction for snow wasn't looking too good, if anything the skies seemed to be clearing. It was low 40's, calm, and pretty!!
We started out faster than usual with the shorter-running runners setting some of the pace. I held to my own, knowing that the first 3 miles can feel too good and sap energy from the last 3 miles. The chatter was fun and new, the bluff as always steep and rocky. The rain had the leaves patted down, exposing rock and root, the mud wasn't bad, and we moved steadily.
The others turned at 4 miles, TV and I kept going passing the LE parking lot to hit the true end of the trail. I hid from the ranger to pee, then we turned around. I was eating one rice ball every 3-4 miles, not really the plan but I'd eaten more of them at brekkie and wasn't hungry or flagging for energy. Back up and over the bluff, hit the truck at 14, then hit Chingy for the final mile. Then I started to flag for energy! Started whining more about my cold hands, about how my gloves were hard to put on... you know, the usual.
We did 14 in 3 hrs flat, compared to yesterday's 2:20! The other group left a bag with two donuts in the bed of the truck. TV took one while I noshed the rest of a baked potato. He didn't like the pudding filling, gave it to the squirrels. All these little things I want to remember someday!
Amazing that this run was one of the best all through the week, the run you'd think I'd be most tired for! Same thing last weekend -- the Sunday run was the best.
Thankfully I'm coming into a rest week, my knee and hip held up for the run, but the knee is swollen. Ice Ice Baby!
NUMERICS 10 hours
SWIM 2050y in 1 hr
BIKE no, just bike commute
RUN 52.5 in 9 hours
COMMUTE 32 miles
WALKIES 22.7
and 7x15 mins stretch and foam roll
great busy week with lots of activity!
It's February! Already! I keep thinking back to 2013 when TH and I were prepping for Poto, and have to remind myself that I'm on the right schedule, that Poto was 2 months earlier than Kettle.
We met LC, JF, and DT at the WT end. I was running late due to a rain delay with the dog not wanting to do poopie in the rain. I have her all the time I could, she took the time but not the poop! So I'm rushing, but organized. And testing a new nutrition -- rice balls with PB. I think next time I'll try baking them instead of boiling. Anyway.
It rained earlier but had stopped by now. The prediction for snow wasn't looking too good, if anything the skies seemed to be clearing. It was low 40's, calm, and pretty!!
We started out faster than usual with the shorter-running runners setting some of the pace. I held to my own, knowing that the first 3 miles can feel too good and sap energy from the last 3 miles. The chatter was fun and new, the bluff as always steep and rocky. The rain had the leaves patted down, exposing rock and root, the mud wasn't bad, and we moved steadily.
The others turned at 4 miles, TV and I kept going passing the LE parking lot to hit the true end of the trail. I hid from the ranger to pee, then we turned around. I was eating one rice ball every 3-4 miles, not really the plan but I'd eaten more of them at brekkie and wasn't hungry or flagging for energy. Back up and over the bluff, hit the truck at 14, then hit Chingy for the final mile. Then I started to flag for energy! Started whining more about my cold hands, about how my gloves were hard to put on... you know, the usual.
We did 14 in 3 hrs flat, compared to yesterday's 2:20! The other group left a bag with two donuts in the bed of the truck. TV took one while I noshed the rest of a baked potato. He didn't like the pudding filling, gave it to the squirrels. All these little things I want to remember someday!
Amazing that this run was one of the best all through the week, the run you'd think I'd be most tired for! Same thing last weekend -- the Sunday run was the best.
Thankfully I'm coming into a rest week, my knee and hip held up for the run, but the knee is swollen. Ice Ice Baby!
NUMERICS 10 hours
SWIM 2050y in 1 hr
BIKE no, just bike commute
RUN 52.5 in 9 hours
COMMUTE 32 miles
WALKIES 22.7
and 7x15 mins stretch and foam roll
great busy week with lots of activity!
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