I did it again. Prior to the race I looked at the course, a switch-backy loop, didn't really pick up any particulars.
I did the race, and in my head it was counterclockwise, or widdershins as TV would say. I thought the truck was facing west (I thought confirmed by my star tracking app when I looked up to identify Jupiter), the bathroom was to the north, and the trail started to the south.
I was entirely wrong, as I learned when I viewed the Garmin Connect file.
We ran clockwise. The truck faced east, the bathrooms to the south, the trail start to the north. JFC how confused! This still doesn't sound right.
I did this a few years ago when I ran Berryman with TV and BG. I swore I ran counterclockwise, but no, it was clockwise, deisil, as TV would say. Ugh! That still doesn't sound right.
Look forward to telling him at lunch this week. :)
Sunday, June 30, 2019
Dark2Dawn Race Report
RUN 26.8 miles in 6:02 10th/34 females, 10th/13 females who did 26.8 miles. 27th/84 overall
Ave HR 136 bpm, Ave cad 160
4x 6.7 miles loops:
#1 0:00 to 1:25, or 85 mins
#2 1:25 to 2:53, or 88 mins
#3 2:53 to 4:33, or 97 mins
#4 4:33 to 6:02, 89 mins
Simple set-up for this race. Run as far as you can in 6 hrs, with the only cut-off that you have to start your last loop by 4:30am. You have a 10 minute grace period, if the RD says you look good, you can start up to 4:40am. So that became my 2nd tier goal: finish 3 loops by 4:30am. That way I can choose to run the 4th or not. That the option wasn't take from me. I'm pretty sure that's got something to do with my Reactance issues, lol.
I snoozed in the truck, staring up at the stars and enjoying nothing but frogs singing. "Up" at 11pm from truck to do biz, eat an orange, futz with gear. Cascadias, headlamp, Camelbak, had flashlight in Camelbak as backup. Otherwise, no other special gear. On board nutrition was a flask of Hammer Espresso gel for caffeine, 2 more of my gels, and a banana. I debated keeping the Camelbak bladder out and carrying instead a bottle in the pocket. Good thing I didn't do this, and a good lesson learned.
Prerace meeting at 11:45pm included the usual trail instructions and a Raise Your Right Hand Waiver of "if I get hurt, lost, or die, It's my own damned fault". LOVE IT! Air horn and go!
Trail: The mountain bike immediately preceding this race had smoothed out the dirt trail, all rock and root were clearly visible, and my concerns a few days ago about needing a new headlamp were for nothing, a save of $70. Our run course didn't entirely overlap with the bike race, so we had some wet and rocky spots to deal with. But otherwise...fast trail! The change in trail from singletrack to meadow to singletrack to dirt to rocks and wet sandy mud to the gravel hill climb to the start/finish was a pleasant mix. If this was a daylight run on dry trail, could be a fast smooth loop. But that's not today.
Nutrition: Pre race "dinner" of potato and egg. In race about 3x hammer gel, 1 orange prior and 1 orange in-race, banana, some potato bites. That's it!
Loop 1: There was a concurrent 10K race, and I got caught with them the first few miles. I tried to seed in the middle of the group (about 100 runners?). I was leading the congo line for maybe two miles and kept offering for those behind me to pass.
Around 3 miles I forced a walk break in a meadow section with a rutted out dirt trail. An ankle turner with drops and angles, so I walked this every loop. Around 4 miles I took some of the gel, a downside of the gel flask is you don't know how much you're getting. Upside is less mess, less waste.
First loop in 1:25, I didn't have a goal time but this was about right. Maybe faster than needed. Grabbed some orange and steamed potato, out for loop 2. This loop had me ahead of two guys for the first mile. One commented (as many did that run) about my M-dot tattoo, another pointed out how to find spiders in the headlamps, "disco balls" from their eyes. And once I started noticing them, there were a lot of spiders! As long as they stay on the ground, I'm good. Somewhere in this loop I realized I was sweating heavily, my Craft shorts were dripping wet. At times fat water droplets fell from my hat, it wasn't rain! Drink, drink and drink.
This loop went smooth, started picking up some landmarks and only one minor trip over a root at the beginning. Had some more gel around 9 miles, think I nom'd a banana too .Ended the loop, added water to the camelbak, bathroom stop, oranges and potatoes, and a double-stick mango popsicle, wonderful surprise! Out for loop 3.
This was my critical loop. I had to finish it by 4:30am and this put some pressure on me. But not bad. With the dark it was hard to follow the garmin time too closely, and had a laugh when I realized that the elapsed time on the garmin was the actual time of day! This was also the most pained loop for some reason, it hurt the most for legs. A few trips and stubs, but no falls. My gut was signaling potential problems -- the gel, the change in schedule, stress? It was mostly gas in the end, and it worked its way out. But something to keep in mind for longer races.
I was at this point debating...do a 4th loop? I had moments in #3 where I wasn't feeling up to it at all. Thought stopping at 20.1 would be respectable. I held off the decision until I made it up the hill to the start/finish. I negotiated with myself that if I did the 4th loop, I could do it with more walking and just enjoy the sunrise.
Finished in 4:33 and was given permission to go back out. Suddenly I felt great and went for it. Purple popsicle I split with another female, out to loop 4. She fell back a few mins in, and I kept going. Realized about now that I didn't add water to the camelbak, and this came back to bite me in a few miles.
I could see the beginnings of morning twilight, a faint color to the sky that gradually brightened. I knew the moon rose around 3:12 am and I was looking for it. As I popped out of the canopy around 3 miles along a meadow, there it was. Low in a pink/orange sky, over a foggy green meadow, a silver sliver of almost-new moon. This stopped me, paused to appreciate. Along the same time, the birds started their morning songs, these replaced the frogs and bugs that sang to me in the first loops.
This is why I run, these magical moments. But back to the race.
Now that I had daylight, I was running more surefooted and picked up pace. Or so it felt, I wasn't running faster it probably just took more effort to hold the pace. As the pale echoes of leaves appeared alongside me, as rock and root became visible without headlights, as the sun started to peak through the trees to glint upon tree trunks, as all this happened I was wondering -- where am I in the pack? How many other women came out for the 4th loop? There was no one around me! I was alone 90% of this loop. I started thinking I was ahead in the field of women? Bad thoughts to have, it drives the pace and that's not my goal. But I was happy to catch another woman around the dreaded dirt road section. The only things slowing me down was the head games. And my heart rate, which started climbing to 145-150 around the last few miles.
Around the 25 miles the Camelbak was empty. Stupid move, but only 1-2 miles to go. I watched for 26.2 miles and hit that at 5:59. Although not accurate (my garmin read the loops between 6.4-6.6) it's still a sub-6 trail mary. Up the hill, cross the finish, and DONE to the usual minimalist trail finish line. Feeling great! Sore but great. It took a seemingly long time to bring my breath rate down, but the HR came down on schedule. I was dripping wet, sore, didn't want to move, but otherwise feeling great.
Change clothes and clean up. Grab mini brekkie of 3 eggs, yogurt, and berries. Hang out just a little bit, then drive home. Long hour drive! I made it ok, only the last few miles were getting sleepy.
Once home, shower and tried to nap but failed. Watched a movie, updated my nutrition notes, gave up at one point and went to get the dog. Back to bed. Wash the dog, eat a dinner. Back to bed, where I finally slept 7pm to 4am.
SUMMARY:
1. Less nutrition than I use on training runs! Dial the training runs down?
2. Always fill the Camelbak.
3. Races drive an effort and mentality that training can't. Races are good for this.
4. The race pace and effort knock you back a few days. Too many races are bad for this.
5. My body is amazing. No injury, no pains, just some soreness and niggles:
--bottom of my feet, of course
--some sciatic/lower lumbar discomfort next few days
--tenderness on lateral right calf, kinda above where the distal fibula stress fracture was in 2016
-- not much from my upper back/shoulder
--no chest pain, just fatigue
-- over next few days a productive lower respiratory cough that got rough
Ave HR 136 bpm, Ave cad 160
4x 6.7 miles loops:
#1 0:00 to 1:25, or 85 mins
#2 1:25 to 2:53, or 88 mins
#3 2:53 to 4:33, or 97 mins
#4 4:33 to 6:02, 89 mins
Simple set-up for this race. Run as far as you can in 6 hrs, with the only cut-off that you have to start your last loop by 4:30am. You have a 10 minute grace period, if the RD says you look good, you can start up to 4:40am. So that became my 2nd tier goal: finish 3 loops by 4:30am. That way I can choose to run the 4th or not. That the option wasn't take from me. I'm pretty sure that's got something to do with my Reactance issues, lol.
I snoozed in the truck, staring up at the stars and enjoying nothing but frogs singing. "Up" at 11pm from truck to do biz, eat an orange, futz with gear. Cascadias, headlamp, Camelbak, had flashlight in Camelbak as backup. Otherwise, no other special gear. On board nutrition was a flask of Hammer Espresso gel for caffeine, 2 more of my gels, and a banana. I debated keeping the Camelbak bladder out and carrying instead a bottle in the pocket. Good thing I didn't do this, and a good lesson learned.
Prerace meeting at 11:45pm included the usual trail instructions and a Raise Your Right Hand Waiver of "if I get hurt, lost, or die, It's my own damned fault". LOVE IT! Air horn and go!
Trail: The mountain bike immediately preceding this race had smoothed out the dirt trail, all rock and root were clearly visible, and my concerns a few days ago about needing a new headlamp were for nothing, a save of $70. Our run course didn't entirely overlap with the bike race, so we had some wet and rocky spots to deal with. But otherwise...fast trail! The change in trail from singletrack to meadow to singletrack to dirt to rocks and wet sandy mud to the gravel hill climb to the start/finish was a pleasant mix. If this was a daylight run on dry trail, could be a fast smooth loop. But that's not today.
Nutrition: Pre race "dinner" of potato and egg. In race about 3x hammer gel, 1 orange prior and 1 orange in-race, banana, some potato bites. That's it!
Loop 1: There was a concurrent 10K race, and I got caught with them the first few miles. I tried to seed in the middle of the group (about 100 runners?). I was leading the congo line for maybe two miles and kept offering for those behind me to pass.
Around 3 miles I forced a walk break in a meadow section with a rutted out dirt trail. An ankle turner with drops and angles, so I walked this every loop. Around 4 miles I took some of the gel, a downside of the gel flask is you don't know how much you're getting. Upside is less mess, less waste.
First loop in 1:25, I didn't have a goal time but this was about right. Maybe faster than needed. Grabbed some orange and steamed potato, out for loop 2. This loop had me ahead of two guys for the first mile. One commented (as many did that run) about my M-dot tattoo, another pointed out how to find spiders in the headlamps, "disco balls" from their eyes. And once I started noticing them, there were a lot of spiders! As long as they stay on the ground, I'm good. Somewhere in this loop I realized I was sweating heavily, my Craft shorts were dripping wet. At times fat water droplets fell from my hat, it wasn't rain! Drink, drink and drink.
This loop went smooth, started picking up some landmarks and only one minor trip over a root at the beginning. Had some more gel around 9 miles, think I nom'd a banana too .Ended the loop, added water to the camelbak, bathroom stop, oranges and potatoes, and a double-stick mango popsicle, wonderful surprise! Out for loop 3.
This was my critical loop. I had to finish it by 4:30am and this put some pressure on me. But not bad. With the dark it was hard to follow the garmin time too closely, and had a laugh when I realized that the elapsed time on the garmin was the actual time of day! This was also the most pained loop for some reason, it hurt the most for legs. A few trips and stubs, but no falls. My gut was signaling potential problems -- the gel, the change in schedule, stress? It was mostly gas in the end, and it worked its way out. But something to keep in mind for longer races.
I was at this point debating...do a 4th loop? I had moments in #3 where I wasn't feeling up to it at all. Thought stopping at 20.1 would be respectable. I held off the decision until I made it up the hill to the start/finish. I negotiated with myself that if I did the 4th loop, I could do it with more walking and just enjoy the sunrise.
Finished in 4:33 and was given permission to go back out. Suddenly I felt great and went for it. Purple popsicle I split with another female, out to loop 4. She fell back a few mins in, and I kept going. Realized about now that I didn't add water to the camelbak, and this came back to bite me in a few miles.
I could see the beginnings of morning twilight, a faint color to the sky that gradually brightened. I knew the moon rose around 3:12 am and I was looking for it. As I popped out of the canopy around 3 miles along a meadow, there it was. Low in a pink/orange sky, over a foggy green meadow, a silver sliver of almost-new moon. This stopped me, paused to appreciate. Along the same time, the birds started their morning songs, these replaced the frogs and bugs that sang to me in the first loops.
This is why I run, these magical moments. But back to the race.
Now that I had daylight, I was running more surefooted and picked up pace. Or so it felt, I wasn't running faster it probably just took more effort to hold the pace. As the pale echoes of leaves appeared alongside me, as rock and root became visible without headlights, as the sun started to peak through the trees to glint upon tree trunks, as all this happened I was wondering -- where am I in the pack? How many other women came out for the 4th loop? There was no one around me! I was alone 90% of this loop. I started thinking I was ahead in the field of women? Bad thoughts to have, it drives the pace and that's not my goal. But I was happy to catch another woman around the dreaded dirt road section. The only things slowing me down was the head games. And my heart rate, which started climbing to 145-150 around the last few miles.
Around the 25 miles the Camelbak was empty. Stupid move, but only 1-2 miles to go. I watched for 26.2 miles and hit that at 5:59. Although not accurate (my garmin read the loops between 6.4-6.6) it's still a sub-6 trail mary. Up the hill, cross the finish, and DONE to the usual minimalist trail finish line. Feeling great! Sore but great. It took a seemingly long time to bring my breath rate down, but the HR came down on schedule. I was dripping wet, sore, didn't want to move, but otherwise feeling great.
Change clothes and clean up. Grab mini brekkie of 3 eggs, yogurt, and berries. Hang out just a little bit, then drive home. Long hour drive! I made it ok, only the last few miles were getting sleepy.
Once home, shower and tried to nap but failed. Watched a movie, updated my nutrition notes, gave up at one point and went to get the dog. Back to bed. Wash the dog, eat a dinner. Back to bed, where I finally slept 7pm to 4am.
SUMMARY:
1. Less nutrition than I use on training runs! Dial the training runs down?
2. Always fill the Camelbak.
3. Races drive an effort and mentality that training can't. Races are good for this.
4. The race pace and effort knock you back a few days. Too many races are bad for this.
5. My body is amazing. No injury, no pains, just some soreness and niggles:
--bottom of my feet, of course
--some sciatic/lower lumbar discomfort next few days
--tenderness on lateral right calf, kinda above where the distal fibula stress fracture was in 2016
-- not much from my upper back/shoulder
--no chest pain, just fatigue
-- over next few days a productive lower respiratory cough that got rough
Saturday, June 29, 2019
D2D pre race day
NOTHING!
Rest! Dropped off dog early, did errands, home to sleep. The goal was to sleep 1-5pm but that didn't quite happen. I kinda snoozed but not really sleep. I'd get up, do something, go back to bed. Restless but not a nervous restless. More of a "I could be getting something done" restless.
Left for the race around 7 or 8pm, hours drive out. I took the tent but didn't set it up. Instead I used the pillow and blanket to snooze in the truck.
-----
Regarding my Reactance. I've calculated it's a bad of dog food worth. Henceforth, BDF.
I started my anti-nutritionist nutrition today, I picked up oats at the $ store, started to walk away, and PUT THEM BACK. No mas. Got fruit and taters instead. All else, all wins at the store.
Rest! Dropped off dog early, did errands, home to sleep. The goal was to sleep 1-5pm but that didn't quite happen. I kinda snoozed but not really sleep. I'd get up, do something, go back to bed. Restless but not a nervous restless. More of a "I could be getting something done" restless.
Left for the race around 7 or 8pm, hours drive out. I took the tent but didn't set it up. Instead I used the pillow and blanket to snooze in the truck.
-----
Regarding my Reactance. I've calculated it's a bad of dog food worth. Henceforth, BDF.
I started my anti-nutritionist nutrition today, I picked up oats at the $ store, started to walk away, and PUT THEM BACK. No mas. Got fruit and taters instead. All else, all wins at the store.
Friday, June 28, 2019
This could be the day...Reactance with Dr B
Reactance is an unpleasant motivational arousal (reaction) to offers, persons, rules, or regulations that threaten or eliminate specific behavioral freedoms. Reactance occurs when a person feels that someone or something is taking away their choices or limiting the range of alternatives.
Reactance can occur when someone is heavily pressured to accept a certain view or attitude. Reactance can cause the person to adopt or strengthen a view or attitude that is contrary to what was intended, and also increases resistance to persuasion.
An example of such behavior can be observed when an individual engages in a prohibited activity in order to deliberately taunt the authority who prohibits it, regardless of the utility or disutility that the activity confers.
An individual's freedom to select when and how to conduct their behavior, and the level to which they are aware of the relevant freedom—and are able to determine behaviors necessary to satisfy that freedom—affect the generation of psychological reactance. It is assumed that if a person's behavioral freedom is threatened or reduced, they become motivationally aroused. The fear of loss of further freedoms can spark this arousal and motivate them to re-establish the threatened freedom.
----
Follow up with Dr B Friday afternoon. It's been...3 months? Something like that. February I think. Anyway.
He starts off with the usual how-things and an "anything you want to talk about". Well there are things, but not going to talk about them in this room. Monsters live elsewhere. See new songlist addition. My vitals are good, RHR 51 and BP the usual low. However Monster has one vital off, and it was enough to cause questions with intake. Ugh.
We cover the basics -- no symptoms, no chest pain. Well none worth noting. Just my usual occasional that I don't see a need to keep bringing up.
Then he asks about exercise. "about 50 miles running, 150 miles biking". Pause. "Yes, a week". More pause. I think it's safe to say he doesn't like my exercise routine.
At about this point I get a grin on my face I can't repress. Not a "lookit me" or a "Ima win the 10K challenge" or a happy grin. More of a ... don't know how to react, so I grin. Not even really a smile. I feel stupid about it.
"I'm signed up for a race. No -- no -- not a race, but a run , just participate, nothing fast." He asked what kind -- 5K, half, marathon, ultra. "Ultra". Now a pause with head shaking. I think it's safe to say he doesn't like my race plans.
I didn't mention the distance, didn't think saying "100 miles" would gain me any ground.
I couldn't get the stupid grin off my face. The conversation from here went to yes this is my usual before heart attack stuff, I'm young, review of October catheterization shows I'm healed.
He'd like me to wait for one year. I suggest that the race is in October, that's 13 months. I didn't gain any ground with that one. And I certainly at this point didn't mention that I have a race tomorrow night.
To his credit, or perhaps seeing no recourse, he changed tactics. And instead went for a "if you want to do this..." angle. This was encouraging to me. On the way out the door, he said to let him know how the race goes. Ugh. Felt even more stupid.
I super respect this doctor, he might be the only one I listen to on this. Why just hours ahead of this appt I told SO that "I'm blessed" to have him on board. So why am I so resistant? If I wasn't already registered for Hennepin, would I change my plans?
No. I'd still run. But now I only want to run MORE. Saturday while skimming Reddit I learned about Reactance, a social psychology explanation for why we become resistant to doing something when someone else tells us to do it.
And I think that explains much of my angst lately. Everyone telling me too far, too much, too soon. Eat this not that. Take this pill. Take time off. UGH.
I do personal experiments in 3 month blocks. June is the end of the April-May-June block. Things gotta change.
Thursday, June 27, 2019
This could be the day...one week no Devil; but M still here
RUN 4.4 miles in about 42 mins, HR ave 136, cad ave 174
As I was driving into FoPa, I saw a car that looks like LCs at the roundabout. Turns out, it was her! She's tapering into Steelhead. Me, LC, EW, MS, IT, and Tony today, BE out for a diversity conference at work.
The girls went short and the guys went long. I'd rather have gone long but I really need to rest. That extra 1.7 miles won't make me any faster come Sunday morning. LC talked about her upcoming races, this year and next. About the cyclist who was killed last weekend on Manchester!! EW talked about how she got into her neighborhood improvement and buying her house. I didn't talk much. At mile 2 I started pulling out and forward, MS commented that I was trying to reel in the runner ahead of us. (He was right!).
Great run, it's getting warm and I was sweating a lot. I don't think that's the head adaption kicking in. Speaking of which, TV sent me two links on that. Gotta read before the appt with Dr B on Friday.
---
Home early for Shoogie's vet appt. Anal glands and CIV. Afterwards I was mentally lost and disengaged. Had the urge to get shopping errands done, but didn't feel like driving. So I walked to SAL -- bananas, oats, fake butter, milk for kefir, and cocoa krispies. Let me point out here some hypocrisy (or should it be hypokrispies?) of earlier today saying that cereal is just sugar, then I go out and buy some "for my race this weekend".
Well M was around too. The hypokrispies are to the garbage, much of the oats too. However, I'm thrilled to say No DEVIL! NONE! A full week? But a full weak too when it come to the M. What do I really want when M is here? What am I avoiding? I don't even want him there, but there he is anyway.
Pleased to meet you
Hope you guess my name, oh yeah
Ah, what's puzzling you
Is the nature of my game, oh yeah
As I was driving into FoPa, I saw a car that looks like LCs at the roundabout. Turns out, it was her! She's tapering into Steelhead. Me, LC, EW, MS, IT, and Tony today, BE out for a diversity conference at work.
The girls went short and the guys went long. I'd rather have gone long but I really need to rest. That extra 1.7 miles won't make me any faster come Sunday morning. LC talked about her upcoming races, this year and next. About the cyclist who was killed last weekend on Manchester!! EW talked about how she got into her neighborhood improvement and buying her house. I didn't talk much. At mile 2 I started pulling out and forward, MS commented that I was trying to reel in the runner ahead of us. (He was right!).
Great run, it's getting warm and I was sweating a lot. I don't think that's the head adaption kicking in. Speaking of which, TV sent me two links on that. Gotta read before the appt with Dr B on Friday.
---
Home early for Shoogie's vet appt. Anal glands and CIV. Afterwards I was mentally lost and disengaged. Had the urge to get shopping errands done, but didn't feel like driving. So I walked to SAL -- bananas, oats, fake butter, milk for kefir, and cocoa krispies. Let me point out here some hypocrisy (or should it be hypokrispies?) of earlier today saying that cereal is just sugar, then I go out and buy some "for my race this weekend".
Well M was around too. The hypokrispies are to the garbage, much of the oats too. However, I'm thrilled to say No DEVIL! NONE! A full week? But a full weak too when it come to the M. What do I really want when M is here? What am I avoiding? I don't even want him there, but there he is anyway.
Pleased to meet you
Hope you guess my name, oh yeah
Ah, what's puzzling you
Is the nature of my game, oh yeah
Wednesday, June 26, 2019
This could be the day...I ran what I didn't think I could
RUN 10 miles in 1:42:53 10:17m/m, ave 138 bpm and ave 171 spm
Up early after going to bed early (this is going good for me, shut it down early) and to my surprise out the door at 5:55am. Sometimes I lag until after 6. Not today!
Around BP via Lemp, Ars to TGP, wander TGP then to MoBOT loop, back to TGP wandering, then home. I dub thee the TGP 10-miler. This has become my standard Weds run kinda.
Yesterday I was doubting whether this run was a good idea. I tossed around doing a shorter version, skipping altogether, biking instead. But I did want to run, and that prompted me to at least try for the 10 and see how it goes. Good thing I did! Hours later I'm no worse for wear and feeling good.
My lower GI tract still wacky but last few days more of the ideal T=4 or 5, instead of the 6 or 7 of recent weeks. However after the main BM a few mins later I had another, and 1 mile in the urge for another! A third has manifested yet today, but the urge is sometimes there. Ate more veg yesterday? And extra serv of oats. And this is 6th day of no azuc or yellow fake sugar packets. Could those yellow packets have been a cause of GI upset?
Only water on the run today. Banana and oats beforehand. This worked great, but maybe on these >90 min runs a small snack would help carry me through the slump at 7-8 miles?
As I did on Sunday, I quickly started sweating and warming up today. It's a sign of heat adaptation, although I'm not sure I'd really call this "heat" yet. I've been reading up on head adaptation in preparation for my appt with Dr B on Friday. I want to fully understand the implications of heat running, hydration, and workload on the heart. Mentioned this to TV at lunch today, and he recommended some links.
I didn't walk as much today, probably a major contributor to my 2 mins faster time than last week. After mile 7 I felt the urge to walk more often, my HR was around 145 but felt like it would be higher. I'm not sure if I can blame physical or mental fatigue for this. Everything feels OK, but feels like the workload is just too much, like climbing a steep hill, or running underwater. Had a LOT of that on Sunday's run. And when I stop running, I immediately grind to a stop. Not a taper off of speed, almost a painful stop of motion. Like when a brake is dragging on the bike, normally the wheel would coast to a smooth stop, but when dragging it's a sharp change in velocity.
So the plan is to run 4 or 6 tomorrow, the shut it down to just bike commutes until race time.
Up early after going to bed early (this is going good for me, shut it down early) and to my surprise out the door at 5:55am. Sometimes I lag until after 6. Not today!
Around BP via Lemp, Ars to TGP, wander TGP then to MoBOT loop, back to TGP wandering, then home. I dub thee the TGP 10-miler. This has become my standard Weds run kinda.
Yesterday I was doubting whether this run was a good idea. I tossed around doing a shorter version, skipping altogether, biking instead. But I did want to run, and that prompted me to at least try for the 10 and see how it goes. Good thing I did! Hours later I'm no worse for wear and feeling good.
My lower GI tract still wacky but last few days more of the ideal T=4 or 5, instead of the 6 or 7 of recent weeks. However after the main BM a few mins later I had another, and 1 mile in the urge for another! A third has manifested yet today, but the urge is sometimes there. Ate more veg yesterday? And extra serv of oats. And this is 6th day of no azuc or yellow fake sugar packets. Could those yellow packets have been a cause of GI upset?
Only water on the run today. Banana and oats beforehand. This worked great, but maybe on these >90 min runs a small snack would help carry me through the slump at 7-8 miles?
As I did on Sunday, I quickly started sweating and warming up today. It's a sign of heat adaptation, although I'm not sure I'd really call this "heat" yet. I've been reading up on head adaptation in preparation for my appt with Dr B on Friday. I want to fully understand the implications of heat running, hydration, and workload on the heart. Mentioned this to TV at lunch today, and he recommended some links.
I didn't walk as much today, probably a major contributor to my 2 mins faster time than last week. After mile 7 I felt the urge to walk more often, my HR was around 145 but felt like it would be higher. I'm not sure if I can blame physical or mental fatigue for this. Everything feels OK, but feels like the workload is just too much, like climbing a steep hill, or running underwater. Had a LOT of that on Sunday's run. And when I stop running, I immediately grind to a stop. Not a taper off of speed, almost a painful stop of motion. Like when a brake is dragging on the bike, normally the wheel would coast to a smooth stop, but when dragging it's a sharp change in velocity.
So the plan is to run 4 or 6 tomorrow, the shut it down to just bike commutes until race time.
Tuesday, June 25, 2019
This could be the day...I move it and walk it
RUN 4 miles out of 5.5 total, I walked!
COMMUTE 13.8 miles
BE and I discussed yesterday how to incorporate walking into the session today, and we did. Came up with on the fly: 800 jog and 200 fast walk, six times. The 1 mile WU was sludgy, then we walked 2 laps just talking.
Then in the intervals, the first 100y or so was sludgy but then I picked up energy and knocked down the remaining in the 800. So some questions to ponder: how much, how often, and how fast to walk in the intervals? Too much and I "lose steam" and have to get moving again.
Winner of a day, if everyday could be this temperature I'd love it. I moved more today, got stuff done, better energy. But at the same time, I'm wondering about what to do for tomorrow? Rest? Run the 10 as planned? Shorten the 10?
One part of me says Run, that's that's what I love to do. Run it, and from Thursday 7am to Saturday night. Another part of me (probably the lazy part) says I should rest.
Split the difference and run a shorter version? I know I won't decide until 6am tomorrow so why discuss it here? HAHA.
Day 5 (FIVE!) of no azuc or yellow packets. WOW! One week and I can sign up for Badger. Still 42 spots left, it's not filling too fast for me to catch it.
ETA: corrected the distance. It was 6 800s with 200 walk. yay! More data:
HR in the run: 130s, in the walk it was 90s
Cad in the run 175-178, in the walk was 130s
Pace in the run: 8-8:30
Distance was not far off this time, per the garmin.
COMMUTE 13.8 miles
BE and I discussed yesterday how to incorporate walking into the session today, and we did. Came up with on the fly: 800 jog and 200 fast walk, six times. The 1 mile WU was sludgy, then we walked 2 laps just talking.
Then in the intervals, the first 100y or so was sludgy but then I picked up energy and knocked down the remaining in the 800. So some questions to ponder: how much, how often, and how fast to walk in the intervals? Too much and I "lose steam" and have to get moving again.
Winner of a day, if everyday could be this temperature I'd love it. I moved more today, got stuff done, better energy. But at the same time, I'm wondering about what to do for tomorrow? Rest? Run the 10 as planned? Shorten the 10?
One part of me says Run, that's that's what I love to do. Run it, and from Thursday 7am to Saturday night. Another part of me (probably the lazy part) says I should rest.
Split the difference and run a shorter version? I know I won't decide until 6am tomorrow so why discuss it here? HAHA.
Day 5 (FIVE!) of no azuc or yellow packets. WOW! One week and I can sign up for Badger. Still 42 spots left, it's not filling too fast for me to catch it.
ETA: corrected the distance. It was 6 800s with 200 walk. yay! More data:
HR in the run: 130s, in the walk it was 90s
Cad in the run 175-178, in the walk was 130s
Pace in the run: 8-8:30
Distance was not far off this time, per the garmin.
Monday, June 24, 2019
This could be the day...I resist using azuc
BIKE 20-something in 1:25,
BIKE COMMUTE 9.2 miles
More rain overnight, so the ground was a misty-wet mess. But the clouds and temps were delightful. Sun up at 5:38am. Sun Up; Wheels Down.
I'm soooooo tired! But sticking to my goals of better foods and timing. Not eating too much before the ride and upsetting my tummy, for example. Not eating too soon after and doing the same.
Great ride, but I was lagging: 17:15, 17:09, 17:06. BE could have gone sub-16 like we did last week, but he waited. We talked about Be More Chill, the book Sapien that he's reading and about the domestication of plants and animals. Usually we talk more but he was slightly ahead of me and I didn't have the lung to talk. :)
I commented that I had my schedule a bit confused, I though I had planned to rest this week into the race but it turns out this is the 3rd build week and I rest the next. Also planned that way so I could be home the 4th of July and not be running 30 miles. I also commented that I need to train to walk more. He suggested tomorrow's track workout have dedicated walk segements. Ooooh that's hard to do, but it's even harder to NOT do it and suffer in the race for it.
I picked out a workout for the track tomorrow that might let me do just that. But the plan is 4-10-6 as my midweek runs! Yikes.
I'm tired, but feel OK. Mentally dragging, and doubt I could up and run anywhere too far. My feet only hurt in the morning, like a PF type of thing. Gotta be more careful to where good shoes, not my worn down ones. And stretch out and keep moving.
BIKE COMMUTE 9.2 miles
More rain overnight, so the ground was a misty-wet mess. But the clouds and temps were delightful. Sun up at 5:38am. Sun Up; Wheels Down.
I'm soooooo tired! But sticking to my goals of better foods and timing. Not eating too much before the ride and upsetting my tummy, for example. Not eating too soon after and doing the same.
Great ride, but I was lagging: 17:15, 17:09, 17:06. BE could have gone sub-16 like we did last week, but he waited. We talked about Be More Chill, the book Sapien that he's reading and about the domestication of plants and animals. Usually we talk more but he was slightly ahead of me and I didn't have the lung to talk. :)
I commented that I had my schedule a bit confused, I though I had planned to rest this week into the race but it turns out this is the 3rd build week and I rest the next. Also planned that way so I could be home the 4th of July and not be running 30 miles. I also commented that I need to train to walk more. He suggested tomorrow's track workout have dedicated walk segements. Ooooh that's hard to do, but it's even harder to NOT do it and suffer in the race for it.
I picked out a workout for the track tomorrow that might let me do just that. But the plan is 4-10-6 as my midweek runs! Yikes.
I'm tired, but feel OK. Mentally dragging, and doubt I could up and run anywhere too far. My feet only hurt in the morning, like a PF type of thing. Gotta be more careful to where good shoes, not my worn down ones. And stretch out and keep moving.
Sunday, June 23, 2019
This could be the day...I run out of energy!
RUN 7.8 miles in 90 minutes! WHAT?! ave 123 bpm and 162 spm. 11:36 m/m
After getting home late from the show (I was almost NOT capable of driving!) and sleeping in, I was wiped out Sunday morning. Wiped flat. No energy, but plenty of desire. No imagination, but plenty of motivation. I just ran around the neighborhood again. Didn't feel like driving extra, didn't trust that I'd be able to run to make it 'worthwhile'.
Out the door 9am, on almost the same path as yesterday. Lemp Park, Lafayette, loopy-loo LP then home. And oooooh this was a hard run. I didn't bring fuel and repeated the bottle/Camelbak as yesterday. Seemed I was constantly fighting off a walk. Didn't want to stop, but didn't have the oomph to run. I tried to run slowly but that was hard too.
Even though it didn't seem hot, I was sweating a lot. I was having chest-fatigue type symptoms, not pain, but like my chest is tired. Bordering on pain. Or more like a discomfort. I had trouble following my podcast, lost the conversation and topic many times.
I fought to finish it, and let myself round down to 7.8, so I still got my 30 miles for the weekend. Everything hurt a bit after this, the soft tissues in my feet, knees, and hips were aching. I didn't even stop to get a bite to eat like yesterday -- shower, bed, and sleep before I could even drink water. Slept a few hours (!) before getting up to run errands at Aldi, walk the dog, some garden, then crash back in the next to work on my July bullet journal. My mood and mind were flat and lacked energy. Then I had trouble sleeping!
I love it!
Want to add -- great shopping, resisted the urge for "easy" foods, and all M foods. No azuc or yellow packs at all!!
NUMERICS 9 hours
RUN 51.6 miles (no Monday right, no weekend ride)
COMMUTE 33.6 miles
So tired for a short week!
After getting home late from the show (I was almost NOT capable of driving!) and sleeping in, I was wiped out Sunday morning. Wiped flat. No energy, but plenty of desire. No imagination, but plenty of motivation. I just ran around the neighborhood again. Didn't feel like driving extra, didn't trust that I'd be able to run to make it 'worthwhile'.
Out the door 9am, on almost the same path as yesterday. Lemp Park, Lafayette, loopy-loo LP then home. And oooooh this was a hard run. I didn't bring fuel and repeated the bottle/Camelbak as yesterday. Seemed I was constantly fighting off a walk. Didn't want to stop, but didn't have the oomph to run. I tried to run slowly but that was hard too.
Even though it didn't seem hot, I was sweating a lot. I was having chest-fatigue type symptoms, not pain, but like my chest is tired. Bordering on pain. Or more like a discomfort. I had trouble following my podcast, lost the conversation and topic many times.
I fought to finish it, and let myself round down to 7.8, so I still got my 30 miles for the weekend. Everything hurt a bit after this, the soft tissues in my feet, knees, and hips were aching. I didn't even stop to get a bite to eat like yesterday -- shower, bed, and sleep before I could even drink water. Slept a few hours (!) before getting up to run errands at Aldi, walk the dog, some garden, then crash back in the next to work on my July bullet journal. My mood and mind were flat and lacked energy. Then I had trouble sleeping!
I love it!
Want to add -- great shopping, resisted the urge for "easy" foods, and all M foods. No azuc or yellow packs at all!!
NUMERICS 9 hours
RUN 51.6 miles (no Monday right, no weekend ride)
COMMUTE 33.6 miles
So tired for a short week!
Saturday, June 22, 2019
This could be the day...I think on My Squip
RUN 22.2 miles in 3:55, 10:36m/m, ave cad 169, ave HR 133
Who is my Squip anyway? We'll come back to that.
22 miles on the 22nd! I didn't plan that, it just happened that way. I woke up to heavy rain and thunderstorms, I waited until the worst had passed before heading out. 10am! I was having many many mental doubts on this, excuse-finding if you ask me. Finding excuses as to why I can't run this or why I can't run that. Ugh. I got myself out the door and for most of the first hour fought the "well you can do 15 today and 15 tomorrow...or 8 today and 22 tomorrow...or...".
My original plan was to run the Katy trail. But it already has numerous closures and the large amount of rain last night might have only made it worse. And the weather app indicated more t-storms in a few hours. So the plan became run around the neighborhood, bring the Camelbak without the bladder and just a bottle, stop by a store for fuel, keep kinda close to home, and get what run I can. Then if bad weather hits I can cut out.
But you know me, I don't cut out that easy. It was still raining, but only lightly, and I did see some lightning the first hour or so. Dropped off a letter to Jess, Arsenal to Lemp, loop that park in and out, off to Dollar Store. Bought $4 of stuff: 2 Rice Krispie treats, caramel M&M's, and tootsie roll pops. Caramel M&Ms!!! Yummy and more please. The tootsie pops are getting meh, they are good for the distraction only. The RK treats are good for when stopped only. But good to keep trying. Up to Lafayette, loopy-loo there a few times, out to TGA via Compton watertower, then Pause to Decide.
I can go right to work, or left to TGP. I was at only 9-10 miles at this point and struggling to decided. The rain had mostly quit by now so that aspect improved. Left. Or Right? Right. Visit work, simulate an aid station stop. Up to work, noM'd the RK treats, UGH, the back out. Loop FoPa or head to TGP. Left. Or Right? Right, loop FoPa then home.
By this time my mind was still struggling but the body doing OK. It was great to see the mileage hit 12, 13, 14, and I even lost a few miles on the way home. But it was getting harder and harder to keep mentally engaged. The Hardcore History podcast on WWI might not have been the most stimulating.
Home, cold, hungry, thirsty. HOT shower, laid down in tub even! Massaged legs and pained feet, took my bottle to bed and tried to sleep. I built a nest of pillows, and finally did doze in and out.
Need to work out nutrition!! I'm happy I did this in the end, it was boring but a great test of mental endurance, or the lack thereof.
I had to back up in time because I was going to a musical with IT and BE! My first live musical, Be More Chill. With The Squip as the Voice In Your Head. I killed a few Voices just 3 weeks ago, they haven't come back yet. So who's my Squip?
Who is my Squip anyway? We'll come back to that.
22 miles on the 22nd! I didn't plan that, it just happened that way. I woke up to heavy rain and thunderstorms, I waited until the worst had passed before heading out. 10am! I was having many many mental doubts on this, excuse-finding if you ask me. Finding excuses as to why I can't run this or why I can't run that. Ugh. I got myself out the door and for most of the first hour fought the "well you can do 15 today and 15 tomorrow...or 8 today and 22 tomorrow...or...".
My original plan was to run the Katy trail. But it already has numerous closures and the large amount of rain last night might have only made it worse. And the weather app indicated more t-storms in a few hours. So the plan became run around the neighborhood, bring the Camelbak without the bladder and just a bottle, stop by a store for fuel, keep kinda close to home, and get what run I can. Then if bad weather hits I can cut out.
But you know me, I don't cut out that easy. It was still raining, but only lightly, and I did see some lightning the first hour or so. Dropped off a letter to Jess, Arsenal to Lemp, loop that park in and out, off to Dollar Store. Bought $4 of stuff: 2 Rice Krispie treats, caramel M&M's, and tootsie roll pops. Caramel M&Ms!!! Yummy and more please. The tootsie pops are getting meh, they are good for the distraction only. The RK treats are good for when stopped only. But good to keep trying. Up to Lafayette, loopy-loo there a few times, out to TGA via Compton watertower, then Pause to Decide.
I can go right to work, or left to TGP. I was at only 9-10 miles at this point and struggling to decided. The rain had mostly quit by now so that aspect improved. Left. Or Right? Right. Visit work, simulate an aid station stop. Up to work, noM'd the RK treats, UGH, the back out. Loop FoPa or head to TGP. Left. Or Right? Right, loop FoPa then home.
By this time my mind was still struggling but the body doing OK. It was great to see the mileage hit 12, 13, 14, and I even lost a few miles on the way home. But it was getting harder and harder to keep mentally engaged. The Hardcore History podcast on WWI might not have been the most stimulating.
Home, cold, hungry, thirsty. HOT shower, laid down in tub even! Massaged legs and pained feet, took my bottle to bed and tried to sleep. I built a nest of pillows, and finally did doze in and out.
Need to work out nutrition!! I'm happy I did this in the end, it was boring but a great test of mental endurance, or the lack thereof.
I had to back up in time because I was going to a musical with IT and BE! My first live musical, Be More Chill. With The Squip as the Voice In Your Head. I killed a few Voices just 3 weeks ago, they haven't come back yet. So who's my Squip?
Friday, June 21, 2019
This could be the day... summer solstice and rain
COMMUTE 9.2 miles
ETA: BIKE 60 mins easy on Bird for ... I dunno...I just did it
Rest day! And I have stupid ideas of running my 8 miles tonight, so I can not run Sunday and bike instead. Ugh. REST!
Solstice today at 10:54, longest day of the year so to speak. Remember what I said a few days ago, about how it's ME and not some celestial omen or rain storm? I didn't realize that last night when I had some M with the Captain in a WTH hour. Ugh.
This morning I (literally) put on some goals and realized this would be a slow stepwise process. I keep failing it. But 21 days now of No Balrog! That's not failing.
Today planned out a solid meal plan and shopping list to cover basics and not leave me to such random. But I'm stuck on what to bring for my long run tomorrow. More time spent (wasted?) on that then I care to admit. I found a recipe that needs a few tablespoons of sugar, good idea or no?
The run recipe is rice chex with sugar salt butter and whatever add-ins to make a rice chex mix. Coconut, banana chips, nuts?, eh no not nuts. Have a recipe for 9x 200 calorie servings. Small batch, or big problem?
I didn't watch the weather forecast for today, so I'm watching the 2nd wave of rain blow through and wondering if my ride home will be really wet or just kinda wet.
Plan to run the Katy tomorrow. Find a section open for 10-11 miles, park in the middle, and simulate 2 out-n-backs with an aid station in the middle.
ETA: BIKE 60 mins easy on Bird for ... I dunno...I just did it
Rest day! And I have stupid ideas of running my 8 miles tonight, so I can not run Sunday and bike instead. Ugh. REST!
Solstice today at 10:54, longest day of the year so to speak. Remember what I said a few days ago, about how it's ME and not some celestial omen or rain storm? I didn't realize that last night when I had some M with the Captain in a WTH hour. Ugh.
This morning I (literally) put on some goals and realized this would be a slow stepwise process. I keep failing it. But 21 days now of No Balrog! That's not failing.
Today planned out a solid meal plan and shopping list to cover basics and not leave me to such random. But I'm stuck on what to bring for my long run tomorrow. More time spent (wasted?) on that then I care to admit. I found a recipe that needs a few tablespoons of sugar, good idea or no?
The run recipe is rice chex with sugar salt butter and whatever add-ins to make a rice chex mix. Coconut, banana chips, nuts?, eh no not nuts. Have a recipe for 9x 200 calorie servings. Small batch, or big problem?
I didn't watch the weather forecast for today, so I'm watching the 2nd wave of rain blow through and wondering if my ride home will be really wet or just kinda wet.
Plan to run the Katy tomorrow. Find a section open for 10-11 miles, park in the middle, and simulate 2 out-n-backs with an aid station in the middle.
Thursday, June 20, 2019
This was the day...I pushed through it and perservered
RUN 6.1 miles in 53:37, 8:47 pace, ave 150 bpm, peak 164 bpm, ave 176 spm
Ideal run! Lookit them numbers!! Whoop!
BE, IT, EW, MS, and the Bee on a perfect run morning. Cloudy, light wind from the west, neutral temps. We talk the new terminator movie, saw CS along Skinker, then IT and EW fell back and I had to decide: keep up with the forward group, or fall back "because of my heart".
I kept up. I couldn't talk much! But I kept up. The last mile or so was definitely a push for me, very little talking, lol. My HR was around 160 and the pace the last miles 8:30 ish.
DAMN that felt good! Blows the carbon off the spark plugs :)
---
Planned out my meal plan for today and that helped me from getting random. The oats bucket at home has been a nag. It's easier to have that than to fix real food. Enough for today though, no mas! Happily my gut is tolerating some oats, just not too much. Rice is out though, no more rice. I was throwing more away than I was enjoying. I was eating just to be not wasting it. And no more cereal. Such a fail.
Ideal run! Lookit them numbers!! Whoop!
BE, IT, EW, MS, and the Bee on a perfect run morning. Cloudy, light wind from the west, neutral temps. We talk the new terminator movie, saw CS along Skinker, then IT and EW fell back and I had to decide: keep up with the forward group, or fall back "because of my heart".
I kept up. I couldn't talk much! But I kept up. The last mile or so was definitely a push for me, very little talking, lol. My HR was around 160 and the pace the last miles 8:30 ish.
DAMN that felt good! Blows the carbon off the spark plugs :)
---
Planned out my meal plan for today and that helped me from getting random. The oats bucket at home has been a nag. It's easier to have that than to fix real food. Enough for today though, no mas! Happily my gut is tolerating some oats, just not too much. Rice is out though, no more rice. I was throwing more away than I was enjoying. I was eating just to be not wasting it. And no more cereal. Such a fail.
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
This could be the day...I tell myself I'll get my shit together
RUN 10.1 miles in 1:44, ave HR 139, ave cadence 172 spm
BIKE COMMUTE 9.2 miles
That's a great cadence, I did walk about 30-45 seconds per mile too. Looking at the data graph, I see lots of 175-177 spm readings.
Perfect morning to run, rain in the forecast but didn't get any. So much for the severe thunderstorms they forecasted. I got up on time at 4:45am but didn't get out the door until 6:15 or 6:20. I was being slow, my gut was being pesky. I wanted to run, but there was so much activation energy getting to it.
I did a neighborhood wander. Around BP, up to CH water park, over to MoBot, along MoBot to TGP, around TGP here and there until I hit 8 miles at the bandstand pavilion. Then home.
All felt great, my hips are a bit fatigue-pained, not a specific pain but more a "tired, not firing proper" pain. I did 2x10 lunges yesterday, geez am I that out of shape that a few lunges throw me off?
Heart rate seems very up/down in the graph. Maybe an effect of intersections? A few times late in the run I felt like it was too high, but the reading was in the safe range. I'm just tired I guess!
--------
Today Dr R next door asked how to train for a hundred. I said left right left right left... LOL. He said he wants to do Comrades again next year but his wife won't let him go alone. He's wondering if I'd go!
--------
This morning on Ask Reddit: what lie to you repeatedly tell yourself.
My favorite answer:
I'm gonna start getting my shit together next week.
To which someone said: Tomorrow. After this bowl. Anytime other than now. I know you can only stop doing something once you're not doing it, and you can never plan to quit even one second later, whether it's a substance, a habit, or a relationship, but application of knowledge is totally different from its acquisition.
For me, it's after this full moon. After this rain storm. After this tattoo. After the 1st of the next month. After this [insert event]. I can make a long list of After This moments. I still come up with them daily. I look back afterwards and wonder why I thought a moon phase would change anything.
Yesterday I fell into a bowl of azuc. Again. Today so far so good. That's my one goal for the day. Just typing it is tempting. But yesterday I did the "I'll start tomorrow". Then this morning "after my run". Ugh.
BIKE COMMUTE 9.2 miles
That's a great cadence, I did walk about 30-45 seconds per mile too. Looking at the data graph, I see lots of 175-177 spm readings.
Perfect morning to run, rain in the forecast but didn't get any. So much for the severe thunderstorms they forecasted. I got up on time at 4:45am but didn't get out the door until 6:15 or 6:20. I was being slow, my gut was being pesky. I wanted to run, but there was so much activation energy getting to it.
I did a neighborhood wander. Around BP, up to CH water park, over to MoBot, along MoBot to TGP, around TGP here and there until I hit 8 miles at the bandstand pavilion. Then home.
All felt great, my hips are a bit fatigue-pained, not a specific pain but more a "tired, not firing proper" pain. I did 2x10 lunges yesterday, geez am I that out of shape that a few lunges throw me off?
Heart rate seems very up/down in the graph. Maybe an effect of intersections? A few times late in the run I felt like it was too high, but the reading was in the safe range. I'm just tired I guess!
--------
Today Dr R next door asked how to train for a hundred. I said left right left right left... LOL. He said he wants to do Comrades again next year but his wife won't let him go alone. He's wondering if I'd go!
--------
This morning on Ask Reddit: what lie to you repeatedly tell yourself.
My favorite answer:
I'm gonna start getting my shit together next week.
To which someone said: Tomorrow. After this bowl. Anytime other than now. I know you can only stop doing something once you're not doing it, and you can never plan to quit even one second later, whether it's a substance, a habit, or a relationship, but application of knowledge is totally different from its acquisition.
For me, it's after this full moon. After this rain storm. After this tattoo. After the 1st of the next month. After this [insert event]. I can make a long list of After This moments. I still come up with them daily. I look back afterwards and wonder why I thought a moon phase would change anything.
Yesterday I fell into a bowl of azuc. Again. Today so far so good. That's my one goal for the day. Just typing it is tempting. But yesterday I did the "I'll start tomorrow". Then this morning "after my run". Ugh.
Tuesday, June 18, 2019
This could be the day...I get back on track, reset for 7 days
RUN 55 mins and 5.5 miles?
BIKE about 5.5-6 miles
Woke up back on track, haha, then headed to the track for a run. Me, BE, and MS this time doing a workout BE mapped:
4x200 (100)
3x400 (200)
2x600 (200)
1x800 done!
We had a 1 mile WU and a 0.5mi CD? I don't have the garmin data loaded yet, I left the charger at home. I turned on GLASNOSS satellite to see if I could increase the tracking accuracy but I'm not sure it did. The garmin said 6 miles at the end, but my math notes suggest closer to 5.5 miles.
The intervals felt great, I pushed a bit and got the HR up into the 160s with no ill effects.
Later to Dr L, who said my lower back was "flat from 2-5" and the dog bite site still a mess of tissue damage. I didn't mention the upper back stuff, it's really improved with the postural exercises. Even though I've been hit or miss on doing them. The sharp stabbing pain has been pretty absent lately, even with all the running over the weekend and the driving to home and back.
So this catches me up for the visit home weekend! I don't have much to do at work today, hence these posts. Ugh. Rather be working though.
I'm also working on changes to the nutrition plan. More protein, less grains. See what happens. I've been on this pattern for April, May, and June and I don't feel great on it. So changes.
--------
Today at work a woman in scrubs saw me come out of the break room and said to me as a bit of joke that "I need to workout more", she laughed, then said "no I'm kidding you obviously work out a lot". Huh? I'm wearing post Dr L running shorts and tech T (MiTi!). I'm not feeling particularly athletic right now, and worse yet I was carrying a coffee mug of azuc and BS and creamer. Ugh.
BIKE about 5.5-6 miles
Woke up back on track, haha, then headed to the track for a run. Me, BE, and MS this time doing a workout BE mapped:
4x200 (100)
3x400 (200)
2x600 (200)
1x800 done!
We had a 1 mile WU and a 0.5mi CD? I don't have the garmin data loaded yet, I left the charger at home. I turned on GLASNOSS satellite to see if I could increase the tracking accuracy but I'm not sure it did. The garmin said 6 miles at the end, but my math notes suggest closer to 5.5 miles.
The intervals felt great, I pushed a bit and got the HR up into the 160s with no ill effects.
Later to Dr L, who said my lower back was "flat from 2-5" and the dog bite site still a mess of tissue damage. I didn't mention the upper back stuff, it's really improved with the postural exercises. Even though I've been hit or miss on doing them. The sharp stabbing pain has been pretty absent lately, even with all the running over the weekend and the driving to home and back.
So this catches me up for the visit home weekend! I don't have much to do at work today, hence these posts. Ugh. Rather be working though.
I'm also working on changes to the nutrition plan. More protein, less grains. See what happens. I've been on this pattern for April, May, and June and I don't feel great on it. So changes.
--------
Today at work a woman in scrubs saw me come out of the break room and said to me as a bit of joke that "I need to workout more", she laughed, then said "no I'm kidding you obviously work out a lot". Huh? I'm wearing post Dr L running shorts and tech T (MiTi!). I'm not feeling particularly athletic right now, and worse yet I was carrying a coffee mug of azuc and BS and creamer. Ugh.
Monday, June 17, 2019
This could be the day...I let stress take over
NOTHING
Nothing, and to my detriment in the end. Poor sleep last night. Up early to pack and visit with Donna before getting on the road at 8am. I was soon falling asleep while driving and pulled out my lunch to munch. Stopped a few times to walk, bio break, and sadly buy more food. The food I bought though were poor choices and I paid for it. Sleepy, fog-brained, upset stomach.
FAIL
Then home after a few hours at work, feeling awful. I M the cereal --FAIL. Then get to bed really early and crash hard until next morning.
Nothing, and to my detriment in the end. Poor sleep last night. Up early to pack and visit with Donna before getting on the road at 8am. I was soon falling asleep while driving and pulled out my lunch to munch. Stopped a few times to walk, bio break, and sadly buy more food. The food I bought though were poor choices and I paid for it. Sleepy, fog-brained, upset stomach.
FAIL
Then home after a few hours at work, feeling awful. I M the cereal --FAIL. Then get to bed really early and crash hard until next morning.
Sunday, June 16, 2019
This could be the day...I finish a 50 mile week!
RUN 1:31 and 9 miles, run 1 mile/walk 30 seconds.
No chest HR data, ave cadence 171
The higher cadence from yesterday reflects less walking. Why did I forget the chest strap, duh?!
Same nutrition stupids as yesterday. Same path, more puddles. Same weather. So I'm happy to say that this run felt faster and better, even after 20 yesterday!
The path was more flooded today after heavy rains overnight. A DNR guy was working on one of the aquaducts. On the return trip I stopped to ask what he was doing. Removing a log from the duct. He's the guy from the pickup yesterday, he asked if it was me. Yup!
I lost the ear bud to my beloved headphones while talking to him. Nuts. I don't think it's broke though.
Feels great to have 50 miles in a week! It was helped by not biking on the weekend. Not sure yet how I'm going to balance the long runs and long bikes on weekends.
NUMERICS 10 hours
BIKE 19 miles
RUN 50.3
COMMUTE 34.2
No chest HR data, ave cadence 171
The higher cadence from yesterday reflects less walking. Why did I forget the chest strap, duh?!
Same nutrition stupids as yesterday. Same path, more puddles. Same weather. So I'm happy to say that this run felt faster and better, even after 20 yesterday!
The path was more flooded today after heavy rains overnight. A DNR guy was working on one of the aquaducts. On the return trip I stopped to ask what he was doing. Removing a log from the duct. He's the guy from the pickup yesterday, he asked if it was me. Yup!
I lost the ear bud to my beloved headphones while talking to him. Nuts. I don't think it's broke though.
Feels great to have 50 miles in a week! It was helped by not biking on the weekend. Not sure yet how I'm going to balance the long runs and long bikes on weekends.
NUMERICS 10 hours
BIKE 19 miles
RUN 50.3
COMMUTE 34.2
Saturday, June 15, 2019
This could be the day...I take 20 miles of me time
RUN 20 miles in 3:28
Ave HR 134, and ave cad 169
run 1 mile, walk 1 min
Hard as it is to skip family time for a run, seems it's even harder for me to skip a run. So off to the I&M path to simulate some HH100 running. From Utica, to LaSalle by the new building, up to Peru to the bakery, back to building, back to Utica, then rounded out going east of Utica towards Buffalo Rock.
I love this path. Some of my early running years ago was here. I've also biked it back when Ron and I worked at Starved Rock together. I love the quiet, steady, shaded, wildlife, nature-binge that I can look at without fear of tripping too much.
Got a bit of a late start hanging out with family, but a solid brekkie of egg whites and yogurt. The day was perfect for running -- neutral temperatures, clouds, calm winds. It's post rain so there's some puddling, dew drops, and fresh post-petricore smell.
The plan was easy, run 1 mile/walk 1 minute. Stuck to this the entire way. But the nutrition of mints and jelly beans was distracting and hard to eat. And I was HUNGRY around mile 11. So I gotta do better. Some ideas I've had are dark chocolate (melty?), M&M's (melty?), and Rice Krispie treats (hard to eat, have to walk?).
Stopped to see Mom at the "building", up (literally, it was uphill ever so slight) to bakery, Camelbak refill, back to building, back to canal, then to truck for 15 miles. It looks longer on the map!
So out towards Buffalo Rock, and the trail completely changed here. First a few homes and rough-paved path, then after the gates it was an overgrown trail. Trees obscured the canal, if the canal was even there anymore. And the path was overgrown with weeds and grass. I was passed earlier around mile 13 by a pickup, the pickup went by again around mile 16. A park guy? Find out tomorrow!
Lucky for me, the trail held out until 17.5, my planned turnaround point. The trail ended there with a gate, a lack of defined trail, and would have required a hike through a green mess of probably poison ivy type schtuff to pick it up again. Snapped a picture, nibbed some of my fuel, then back running.
It started to rain in my last segment, and pretty heavy at times. Running back the hay meadows, under the trees, along the tall watergrass that walled the path....loved it. Some thunder too :)
The run felt great, no problems except the nutrition thing. The run/walk intervals worked for this distance.
Friday, June 14, 2019
This could be the day...went way overboard
REST!
At home, helped mom set up a wedding and assembling cupcake bouquets. Had a huge oversized brekkie, skipped all day, ended up hungry in late afternoon, and went over that night. Under the excuse of "I can carry it over into tomorrow". My stomach didn't like that plan, mathematically sound or not.
Did nothing really, no walks or exercise. I need to at least get a walk in. So more bad choices.
At home, helped mom set up a wedding and assembling cupcake bouquets. Had a huge oversized brekkie, skipped all day, ended up hungry in late afternoon, and went over that night. Under the excuse of "I can carry it over into tomorrow". My stomach didn't like that plan, mathematically sound or not.
Did nothing really, no walks or exercise. I need to at least get a walk in. So more bad choices.
Thursday, June 13, 2019
This could be the day...I make plans but don't follow thru
RUN 6 miles in about 60 mins, with Ravi lab LA
BIKE a few miles from Fo Pa to lab
Busy day! Up early for run with LevA from Ravi lab. He joined Thursday run group and I ran the 4.4 miles with him before rounding out to my goal 6 miles. I'm happy to run with "new" runners, he's hardly new to running having finished other races, but he's new to building back up after time off.
Home, drop dog at kennel, to lab, bike in, weaning, bike out, pack and prep, leave for home.
I made careful plans about what to bring for foods so I could stay on plan, nothing experimental or new or open for failure. But I show up to home with rice cakes, whey powder, fresh-milled oats (unmeasured, unground), deli ham, spreadable cheese wedges. And for running jelly beans, mints, and tootsie roll pops.
Soon enough I'm throwing away the rice cakes because I get hooked on those - the plan was to make an open sammie with the cheese and ham - instead I'm using mom's BS and that starts a bad ball in motion. So out. Then the cheese wedges become an M topic. The running foods were OK, but the jelly beans -- yuck spit them out. But it just starts a bad roll for me.
I make good plans in a good state of mind, make poor choices in a poor state of mind.
BIKE a few miles from Fo Pa to lab
Busy day! Up early for run with LevA from Ravi lab. He joined Thursday run group and I ran the 4.4 miles with him before rounding out to my goal 6 miles. I'm happy to run with "new" runners, he's hardly new to running having finished other races, but he's new to building back up after time off.
Home, drop dog at kennel, to lab, bike in, weaning, bike out, pack and prep, leave for home.
I made careful plans about what to bring for foods so I could stay on plan, nothing experimental or new or open for failure. But I show up to home with rice cakes, whey powder, fresh-milled oats (unmeasured, unground), deli ham, spreadable cheese wedges. And for running jelly beans, mints, and tootsie roll pops.
Soon enough I'm throwing away the rice cakes because I get hooked on those - the plan was to make an open sammie with the cheese and ham - instead I'm using mom's BS and that starts a bad ball in motion. So out. Then the cheese wedges become an M topic. The running foods were OK, but the jelly beans -- yuck spit them out. But it just starts a bad roll for me.
I make good plans in a good state of mind, make poor choices in a poor state of mind.
Wednesday, June 12, 2019
This could be the day...I realize I have to fix my nutrition
RUN 10 miles in 1:44, no HR strap. duh.
BIKE COMMUTE 9.2 miles
I slept good and heavy, no assist the last night but still amazingly creepy dreams. Wish I could remember them better. Woke up great and on time, but felt the pull of the bed. Down for tea, half an orange, small banana, serv of rice porridge, spoonful of cottage cheese, spoonful of yogurt. I've gotta start keeping better track of nutrition, you'll see why.
Right after waking, I had that "urge" to go and did. Then snack, then more strong urge, then more. Maybe 3-4 times before the run? Then off to run, and only a few miles in felt it again until the end of the run.
The run was great, I feel tired and my right quad has a tight/sore spot still. I'd say my mental and physical energy was flat, not a lot of spark but no lack of drive or desire. I added in some extra 0.5 mile by crossing 55 at Utah, running along brewery, crossing back at Arsenal to my normal route to TGP. Once in TGP at Kings, I looped back on the "short" side of the park for some extra, then the bird trail, then up along MoBOT to around the Bug Store, then back along the west of MoBOT to TGP, then home. This is a great 10 mile route to keep in mind.
I walked a bit, when I felt the need to. I didn't push too hard and didn't go fast. But most of my desire to walk was laziness. When the stronger voice piped up to run a little more, I did just fine.
Speaking of voices, they still dead. So quiet.
My gut picked up around mile 4 or so, the urge but not like uncontrolled or immediate. But by the time I was nearing home I was running so I could get home sooner. Straight to bathroom, I was nauseated and wasn't sure which end of the GI tract I should be more worried about. Ugh, after 15 mins or so all the feelings passed. I've felt this before on a Wedsnesday run, not the first time. So I have a pattern.
This morning gut issue happens even on some Fridays when I don't run, and happened on a Saturday before a run that had a rain delay. But then the rest of the day I'm Ok, sometimes a bit urgy but nothing like this.
So I'm back like before in 2014, but without the debilitating gas and pains and cramps. But back then I woke up to this every day. I gotta fix it. This T=5 to T=6 on the Bristol chart stuff, the apparent lack of digestion to the food (evident as I flush), the odd orange-ish color (once I thought it could be blood). I just reviewed the Bristol, this is T=6 to T=7.
Time for a review of recent diet changes. From December through March I was a facultative veg*n. In April I started adapting more of a SAD with a few grains and more processed foods mixed in, as per nutritionist guidelines and just the need to be eating something. But things have been falling apart since March. I don't cook, at all. The stove is just extra counter top space. No recipes really, just separate components sometimes mixed together. My shopping is certainly much cheaper! And my list shorter:
Veg: Carrot zucchini broccoli. Tried frozen peas this week.
Fruit: banana, orange, berries.
Dairy: yogurt and cottage cheese, some Fairlife milk, rarely cheese
Meat: chicken thigh and eggs, only a yolk a day if that
Carbs: oatmeal and rice 2-3 serve a day, Cheerios and rice cereals,
Condiments: ketchup, mustard, some mayo, yellow sugar packs of sucralose,
Fat: rarely! sometimes few bits of avocado and recently a few dribbles of olive oil
Training: occasional gel, tootsie roll, dark chocolate,
Foods I've quit for lack of interest or suspected problem: lettuces, potatoes,
Others: protein powder,
Underlined means new food. Bold means a food I suspect as a problem.
The Cheerio have corn starch. Some yogurts have food starch, depends on the brand. The cottage cheese is the cheap shit with all the additives. The sucralose comes with maltodextrin.
These are the first foods to go. See what happens and go from there. Just eat plain oats and rice porridge. Quit buying cheap dairies on clearance, buy the good yogurt and cottage cheese instead.
I'm still eating all soft foods, not baby food puree but all soft for fear of throwing it back up.
Since this is only a morning thing, should I focus on what I eat at night? Or since I usually have a BM in the morning, that's just when I'd see symptoms? Start paying attention and see.
BIKE COMMUTE 9.2 miles
I slept good and heavy, no assist the last night but still amazingly creepy dreams. Wish I could remember them better. Woke up great and on time, but felt the pull of the bed. Down for tea, half an orange, small banana, serv of rice porridge, spoonful of cottage cheese, spoonful of yogurt. I've gotta start keeping better track of nutrition, you'll see why.
Right after waking, I had that "urge" to go and did. Then snack, then more strong urge, then more. Maybe 3-4 times before the run? Then off to run, and only a few miles in felt it again until the end of the run.
The run was great, I feel tired and my right quad has a tight/sore spot still. I'd say my mental and physical energy was flat, not a lot of spark but no lack of drive or desire. I added in some extra 0.5 mile by crossing 55 at Utah, running along brewery, crossing back at Arsenal to my normal route to TGP. Once in TGP at Kings, I looped back on the "short" side of the park for some extra, then the bird trail, then up along MoBOT to around the Bug Store, then back along the west of MoBOT to TGP, then home. This is a great 10 mile route to keep in mind.
I walked a bit, when I felt the need to. I didn't push too hard and didn't go fast. But most of my desire to walk was laziness. When the stronger voice piped up to run a little more, I did just fine.
Speaking of voices, they still dead. So quiet.
My gut picked up around mile 4 or so, the urge but not like uncontrolled or immediate. But by the time I was nearing home I was running so I could get home sooner. Straight to bathroom, I was nauseated and wasn't sure which end of the GI tract I should be more worried about. Ugh, after 15 mins or so all the feelings passed. I've felt this before on a Wedsnesday run, not the first time. So I have a pattern.
This morning gut issue happens even on some Fridays when I don't run, and happened on a Saturday before a run that had a rain delay. But then the rest of the day I'm Ok, sometimes a bit urgy but nothing like this.
So I'm back like before in 2014, but without the debilitating gas and pains and cramps. But back then I woke up to this every day. I gotta fix it. This T=5 to T=6 on the Bristol chart stuff, the apparent lack of digestion to the food (evident as I flush), the odd orange-ish color (once I thought it could be blood). I just reviewed the Bristol, this is T=6 to T=7.
Time for a review of recent diet changes. From December through March I was a facultative veg*n. In April I started adapting more of a SAD with a few grains and more processed foods mixed in, as per nutritionist guidelines and just the need to be eating something. But things have been falling apart since March. I don't cook, at all. The stove is just extra counter top space. No recipes really, just separate components sometimes mixed together. My shopping is certainly much cheaper! And my list shorter:
Veg: Carrot zucchini broccoli. Tried frozen peas this week.
Fruit: banana, orange, berries.
Dairy: yogurt and cottage cheese, some Fairlife milk, rarely cheese
Meat: chicken thigh and eggs, only a yolk a day if that
Carbs: oatmeal and rice 2-3 serve a day, Cheerios and rice cereals,
Condiments: ketchup, mustard, some mayo, yellow sugar packs of sucralose,
Fat: rarely! sometimes few bits of avocado and recently a few dribbles of olive oil
Training: occasional gel, tootsie roll, dark chocolate,
Foods I've quit for lack of interest or suspected problem: lettuces, potatoes,
Others: protein powder,
Underlined means new food. Bold means a food I suspect as a problem.
The Cheerio have corn starch. Some yogurts have food starch, depends on the brand. The cottage cheese is the cheap shit with all the additives. The sucralose comes with maltodextrin.
These are the first foods to go. See what happens and go from there. Just eat plain oats and rice porridge. Quit buying cheap dairies on clearance, buy the good yogurt and cottage cheese instead.
I'm still eating all soft foods, not baby food puree but all soft for fear of throwing it back up.
Since this is only a morning thing, should I focus on what I eat at night? Or since I usually have a BM in the morning, that's just when I'd see symptoms? Start paying attention and see.
Tuesday, June 11, 2019
This could be the day...I relapse and reflect. Again.
RUN 6 miles in 56 mins -- stupid garmin -- 5.3ish miles
BIKE COMMUTE 13.8 miles
Last night I hit the azuc and dug a hole. "One day is OK", I tell my self, just get back on the road. This started at work after making the KT. "Habits are hard to change", I tell myself. Emptied the rest of the bag there. Was twice trapped once by someone seeing the jar and once by someone walking at me while I was on my way to get rid of it. Couldn't get rid of it, so now it's embedded, so to speak.
Enough of that shit! JFC.
Anyway, off to the track feeling tired but ready to run. I wrote up 4 workouts on red and blue cards and decided to do a Matrix-like "pick red or blue" thing with BE for fun. I liked all the workouts, I couldn't choose. Besides, let me choose and we do the longest one.
In my WU, a runner came up behind me and said hi, it was MS from the Thursday group! So 3 of us today. We picked the 1x1600 2x800 4x400 workout. MS ran way out front, BE just ahead of me, and I watched my HR thinking I'd get to 150 and hold that pace. To my surprise, the garmin was reading 7:20m/m! ?? After the 1600, BE said it was more of an 8 pace. So I started ignoring the pace and counted minutes. Sure enough, closer to 8 m/m.
All felt good, slow. But that's how it is for now.
Later at work, I examined the garmin data, actually counted laps on screen and on paper and got only 21.5 laps. Humph. Learned the next day, due to AH's garmin shopping, that I could set the garmin to pick up another satellite for increased accuracy. So might try that. 0.75 mile off is substantial. To me, anyway. And it's got me thinking that last week's track run was also off for distance. Ugh. No, you aren't going back to correct it!
Great day otherwise, not feeling terribly energetic. Hit some azuc again from packets, and once home again fell into the hole with M.
I don't like how this looks. I don't like what I see. I don't like the reflection.
So fucking change it!!
BIKE COMMUTE 13.8 miles
Last night I hit the azuc and dug a hole. "One day is OK", I tell my self, just get back on the road. This started at work after making the KT. "Habits are hard to change", I tell myself. Emptied the rest of the bag there. Was twice trapped once by someone seeing the jar and once by someone walking at me while I was on my way to get rid of it. Couldn't get rid of it, so now it's embedded, so to speak.
Enough of that shit! JFC.
Anyway, off to the track feeling tired but ready to run. I wrote up 4 workouts on red and blue cards and decided to do a Matrix-like "pick red or blue" thing with BE for fun. I liked all the workouts, I couldn't choose. Besides, let me choose and we do the longest one.
In my WU, a runner came up behind me and said hi, it was MS from the Thursday group! So 3 of us today. We picked the 1x1600 2x800 4x400 workout. MS ran way out front, BE just ahead of me, and I watched my HR thinking I'd get to 150 and hold that pace. To my surprise, the garmin was reading 7:20m/m! ?? After the 1600, BE said it was more of an 8 pace. So I started ignoring the pace and counted minutes. Sure enough, closer to 8 m/m.
All felt good, slow. But that's how it is for now.
Later at work, I examined the garmin data, actually counted laps on screen and on paper and got only 21.5 laps. Humph. Learned the next day, due to AH's garmin shopping, that I could set the garmin to pick up another satellite for increased accuracy. So might try that. 0.75 mile off is substantial. To me, anyway. And it's got me thinking that last week's track run was also off for distance. Ugh. No, you aren't going back to correct it!
Great day otherwise, not feeling terribly energetic. Hit some azuc again from packets, and once home again fell into the hole with M.
I don't like how this looks. I don't like what I see. I don't like the reflection.
So fucking change it!!
Monday, June 10, 2019
This could be the day I...wonder why I underestimate myself
BIKE 1:16 and 19 miles, intervals of 17:21, 17:00, 16:50
COMMUTE 9.2 miles
Nice intervals! We are doing ave of 16.5 mph for the 4.8-ish mile interval, my HR ave'd 126, 129, 131. The ave speed seems slow, but in the straights we're doing 20-ish mph. It's the multiple turns that slow the average down.
Yesterday I doubted that I'd have good legs for this ride, but as always I underestimate things like this. Thursday morning runs are like this, I wonder if I can "keep up". Less so these days on Thursdays. I like and dislike the feeling. Guess that's why I keep showing up.
The sun comes up so early now, 5:36am, and we had a fairly strong wind. Enough that I considered arm sleeves! BE wore them, so I wasn't alone in that. We talked his new apartment and IKEA furniture, about Charlotte and his family news there, about um.....more I can't recall right now. But always good conversation, always a good ride :) I was keen on keeping my chatter quiet, no talk about dog attack or problems (or what I think are problems, anyway), my health, none of that shit. Good for me.
Home to dog, and the mild chest and throat discomfort I felt earlier continued all day. I really don't think it's my heart. I think it's just fatigue, my posture has been poor with my back pain. Excuses? Don't know. Started my new Rx of Plavix today, but felt this odd feeling before I took the meds. Sitting here (having just straightened my posture) I still feel a heavy, sometimes cold, feeling in my upper chest. No other symptoms, maybe it's even GI related? Esophagus? Whateves.
Low energy all day, hit the azucar too much and I'll pay for it later.
Working on a list of things to start researching for the 100's: shoes, belt for the phone, run/walk intervals, travel plans.
Haven't registered for the Badger yet, feeling like I backslid a bit yesterday with the azucar, like I need to go one more day.
COMMUTE 9.2 miles
Nice intervals! We are doing ave of 16.5 mph for the 4.8-ish mile interval, my HR ave'd 126, 129, 131. The ave speed seems slow, but in the straights we're doing 20-ish mph. It's the multiple turns that slow the average down.
Yesterday I doubted that I'd have good legs for this ride, but as always I underestimate things like this. Thursday morning runs are like this, I wonder if I can "keep up". Less so these days on Thursdays. I like and dislike the feeling. Guess that's why I keep showing up.
The sun comes up so early now, 5:36am, and we had a fairly strong wind. Enough that I considered arm sleeves! BE wore them, so I wasn't alone in that. We talked his new apartment and IKEA furniture, about Charlotte and his family news there, about um.....more I can't recall right now. But always good conversation, always a good ride :) I was keen on keeping my chatter quiet, no talk about dog attack or problems (or what I think are problems, anyway), my health, none of that shit. Good for me.
Home to dog, and the mild chest and throat discomfort I felt earlier continued all day. I really don't think it's my heart. I think it's just fatigue, my posture has been poor with my back pain. Excuses? Don't know. Started my new Rx of Plavix today, but felt this odd feeling before I took the meds. Sitting here (having just straightened my posture) I still feel a heavy, sometimes cold, feeling in my upper chest. No other symptoms, maybe it's even GI related? Esophagus? Whateves.
Low energy all day, hit the azucar too much and I'll pay for it later.
Working on a list of things to start researching for the 100's: shoes, belt for the phone, run/walk intervals, travel plans.
Haven't registered for the Badger yet, feeling like I backslid a bit yesterday with the azucar, like I need to go one more day.
Sunday, June 9, 2019
This could be the day...I celebrate one week of Freeeeeeebiiiiiiiird
BIKE 55 miles in 3:22, ave HR 124, ave 16.3 mph
I didn't sleep all that great and woke up wondering if a long ride was a good idea. It's a rest week! I should be feeling all the magical energies, not tired and a little sore. If I rested today, I'd have a great Monday ride tomorrow, and go into a 48 mile week feeling ready.
But you know me, I rode anyway. I just kept it easy. I have some trepidation about riding alone, but right now alone keeps me from feeling like I need to keep up with a group or like I'm pushing to hard to ride with them. Alone I can control it.
Alone. Speaking of which, today makes 1 week since my harsh realization. Since then, I've made it a point to speak or think of my issues, to myself or anyone else. They don't care. They don't want to hear it. Neither do I.
Ate too much brekkie (ugh, and cereal too, threw the rest away) and left for schnucks in my fancy Rapha gear. Feels so "pro" for me :) Great day with clouds and winds out of the NE/E, meaning a headwind on the outbound.
Up Cherry, to Bluffside (the view at the top of the hill is the reward for climbing), then off along the pretty roads to the blue barn along Saeger. I can remember the landmarks after I see them, but was forgetting how far it was between them. I'd see the barn and think the bridge was soon up, but found I had to wait a bit first. I took Zingg with the Zingger of a hill, haha, waited for a tractor pulling a planter, struggled to find speed on some hills but found it easy on others.
So many memories along here, as I saw them again they'd pop back into memory. I probably haven't ridden this since 2014? Did I ride it last year? Not sure.
Got a rear flat after taking the detour by the mulch company, probably a piece of glass along the highway? Took my time to change it, realized I didn't have a frame pump. Flat tires leave me nervous about them a few miles, wondering if I really fixed it or not. But it held up, rode into the Freeburg (Home of the Midgets, really) but skipped the gas station stop. Didn't stop at all this ride for a break, I prefer this over the gas station hopping we used to do.
Through Smithton then off to the roads that confused me a bit more. Right when I was thinking about my self-proclaimed Route Maven status I took the wrong fork at Etting and ended up going south a few miles before realizing the error. LOL, hey, now I know a new road! Where does it go? Nowhere. But now I know.
Back on course after nibbing a few Rice Chex pieces and in the next few miles started lagging a bit, wanting to get done. That would be the low fuel talking. As I came in on Bohleysville Road, I couldn't make the mental connection of how we accessed this road years ago, where did we connect to it? As I came up on it, I remembered the RC airplanes field and "clink" the connection back. But I'm still reviewing maps. Route Maven . lol.
Instead of turning to follow our old route, I headed west on Lake Gilmore, I think I've ridden this before, in fact I probably rode it 2 weeks ago at the Great Pizza ride. It should connect me to the Ritz of gas stations in Waterloo. Checked, yup it does. And Bohleysville Road is also Triple Lakes Road, so that connection in place too.
This last few miles was pretty, and all new to me. Pretty sure of this. Nice rolling entry into the Columbia, the last miles on Centerville where shaded, winding through a slight downhill foresty area with cottony seed puffs from trees floating over a sunny grass field. Did I really think I'd miss out on this by resting?
I f'd up the entry into town. I passed a Dollar General and thought I recognized it, checked the phone map, and was all confused about directions. Gotta study this better. I took a left instead of a right, ended up biking along IL-3 before realizing nothing looked right. Checked again, turned around, and found my error.
As I came across the last intersection across Rt 3 to get to the parking lot, I hit a hard edge and the rear tire flatted again. Walked the last 2 blocks, super happy this didn't happen miles ago. Lucky!!
Great ride!! All podcasts, all good effort with no stress. No mental demons, no voices, no fear. Just me.Slipped a bit on the nutrition, waaaaay too much meal in the morning and again too much sugar in the afternoon.
Errands to buy dog food, buy an wedding item for mom, fight the urge to buy more food for I-don't-know-what, habit? Met with the dog owner and we made everything right, can close the book on that story. Took the dog for a too-long walk, gave her a bath, got lots done, settled into listen to the Blues lose Game 6. Winner of a day!
And with 1 week of no M, I can sign up for the Badger 100K!
NUMERICS 10:49 hours, does not include commute
BIKE 90.3 miles
RUN 30.35 miles
COMMUTE 50.6 miles
I didn't sleep all that great and woke up wondering if a long ride was a good idea. It's a rest week! I should be feeling all the magical energies, not tired and a little sore. If I rested today, I'd have a great Monday ride tomorrow, and go into a 48 mile week feeling ready.
But you know me, I rode anyway. I just kept it easy. I have some trepidation about riding alone, but right now alone keeps me from feeling like I need to keep up with a group or like I'm pushing to hard to ride with them. Alone I can control it.
Alone. Speaking of which, today makes 1 week since my harsh realization. Since then, I've made it a point to speak or think of my issues, to myself or anyone else. They don't care. They don't want to hear it. Neither do I.
Ate too much brekkie (ugh, and cereal too, threw the rest away) and left for schnucks in my fancy Rapha gear. Feels so "pro" for me :) Great day with clouds and winds out of the NE/E, meaning a headwind on the outbound.
Up Cherry, to Bluffside (the view at the top of the hill is the reward for climbing), then off along the pretty roads to the blue barn along Saeger. I can remember the landmarks after I see them, but was forgetting how far it was between them. I'd see the barn and think the bridge was soon up, but found I had to wait a bit first. I took Zingg with the Zingger of a hill, haha, waited for a tractor pulling a planter, struggled to find speed on some hills but found it easy on others.
So many memories along here, as I saw them again they'd pop back into memory. I probably haven't ridden this since 2014? Did I ride it last year? Not sure.
Got a rear flat after taking the detour by the mulch company, probably a piece of glass along the highway? Took my time to change it, realized I didn't have a frame pump. Flat tires leave me nervous about them a few miles, wondering if I really fixed it or not. But it held up, rode into the Freeburg (Home of the Midgets, really) but skipped the gas station stop. Didn't stop at all this ride for a break, I prefer this over the gas station hopping we used to do.
Through Smithton then off to the roads that confused me a bit more. Right when I was thinking about my self-proclaimed Route Maven status I took the wrong fork at Etting and ended up going south a few miles before realizing the error. LOL, hey, now I know a new road! Where does it go? Nowhere. But now I know.
Back on course after nibbing a few Rice Chex pieces and in the next few miles started lagging a bit, wanting to get done. That would be the low fuel talking. As I came in on Bohleysville Road, I couldn't make the mental connection of how we accessed this road years ago, where did we connect to it? As I came up on it, I remembered the RC airplanes field and "clink" the connection back. But I'm still reviewing maps. Route Maven
Instead of turning to follow our old route, I headed west on Lake Gilmore, I think I've ridden this before, in fact I probably rode it 2 weeks ago at the Great Pizza ride. It should connect me to the Ritz of gas stations in Waterloo. Checked, yup it does. And Bohleysville Road is also Triple Lakes Road, so that connection in place too.
This last few miles was pretty, and all new to me. Pretty sure of this. Nice rolling entry into the Columbia, the last miles on Centerville where shaded, winding through a slight downhill foresty area with cottony seed puffs from trees floating over a sunny grass field. Did I really think I'd miss out on this by resting?
I f'd up the entry into town. I passed a Dollar General and thought I recognized it, checked the phone map, and was all confused about directions. Gotta study this better. I took a left instead of a right, ended up biking along IL-3 before realizing nothing looked right. Checked again, turned around, and found my error.
As I came across the last intersection across Rt 3 to get to the parking lot, I hit a hard edge and the rear tire flatted again. Walked the last 2 blocks, super happy this didn't happen miles ago. Lucky!!
Great ride!! All podcasts, all good effort with no stress. No mental demons, no voices, no fear. Just me.Slipped a bit on the nutrition, waaaaay too much meal in the morning and again too much sugar in the afternoon.
Errands to buy dog food, buy an wedding item for mom, fight the urge to buy more food for I-don't-know-what, habit? Met with the dog owner and we made everything right, can close the book on that story. Took the dog for a too-long walk, gave her a bath, got lots done, settled into listen to the Blues lose Game 6. Winner of a day!
And with 1 week of no M, I can sign up for the Badger 100K!
NUMERICS 10:49 hours, does not include commute
BIKE 90.3 miles
RUN 30.35 miles
COMMUTE 50.6 miles
Saturday, June 8, 2019
This could be the day...I rest and wonder if it's enough?
RUN 16 miles in 2:41, ave 151 bpm? and ave cad 169. Walked about a minute for each mile
Really, that was my HR? That was with a chest strap too. Didn't feel that hard.
This is the end of my rest week, of "only 30 miles running" as I've been telling myself and others. I don't feel rested! Up for a run in FoPa, used the Forsyth/Wydown loop for an extra 4 miles then a full loop of FoPa and a "zoo loop" to finish it off. It rained this morning so I had a later than usual start.
I've been thinking on my run/walk intervals for the 100. Both the 100K and the 100M. Reading online gets me many variations to think on, from 3 min/1 min to 5 min/1min, etc. In Kansas 2016 I started out with a 1 mile run/1 min walk for the first 40 miles. After that I lost the counting. But with that I thought I might have been going too fast? Yet I certainly didn't break any speed records. Doesn't help that I walked most of the last 40 miles though...
Today I tried for 1 mile run/1 min walk. Start and adjust from there. It's hard to slow and walk after only a mile, especially when it's "only" 15 miles (this was supposed to be a 10+5 weekend) but somehow or another I was tired and it took a few miles to get into it.
Out to Clayton (pretty houses), back on Big Bend (bikes!), back to FoPa and up Skinker (coworker AH reported in on his first 10K right as I came up on 6 miles myself!) (Yes I compared our times...similar), and by about this time I was settled into the pattern of run/walk.
No issues pretty morning, no pains or stomach upsets or issues. Pretty sure I didn't drink enough. Had slow intake of a gel after 10 miles. Podcasts all morning I think, but can't remember which ones right now.
My feet were slightly sore again, should I look into more cushioned shoes? My phone in my bra chafed my skin, should I look into a SPIbelt to carry it?
All good! Home for lots of housework and walking, prep for tomorrow's ride.
Really, that was my HR? That was with a chest strap too. Didn't feel that hard.
This is the end of my rest week, of "only 30 miles running" as I've been telling myself and others. I don't feel rested! Up for a run in FoPa, used the Forsyth/Wydown loop for an extra 4 miles then a full loop of FoPa and a "zoo loop" to finish it off. It rained this morning so I had a later than usual start.
I've been thinking on my run/walk intervals for the 100. Both the 100K and the 100M. Reading online gets me many variations to think on, from 3 min/1 min to 5 min/1min, etc. In Kansas 2016 I started out with a 1 mile run/1 min walk for the first 40 miles. After that I lost the counting. But with that I thought I might have been going too fast? Yet I certainly didn't break any speed records. Doesn't help that I walked most of the last 40 miles though...
Today I tried for 1 mile run/1 min walk. Start and adjust from there. It's hard to slow and walk after only a mile, especially when it's "only" 15 miles (this was supposed to be a 10+5 weekend) but somehow or another I was tired and it took a few miles to get into it.
Out to Clayton (pretty houses), back on Big Bend (bikes!), back to FoPa and up Skinker (coworker AH reported in on his first 10K right as I came up on 6 miles myself!) (Yes I compared our times...similar), and by about this time I was settled into the pattern of run/walk.
No issues pretty morning, no pains or stomach upsets or issues. Pretty sure I didn't drink enough. Had slow intake of a gel after 10 miles. Podcasts all morning I think, but can't remember which ones right now.
My feet were slightly sore again, should I look into more cushioned shoes? My phone in my bra chafed my skin, should I look into a SPIbelt to carry it?
All good! Home for lots of housework and walking, prep for tomorrow's ride.
Friday, June 7, 2019
This could be the day....I get called back
COMMUTE 9.2 miles
Rest day! And I'm honoring it. I'm eagerly planning my weekend, all 10 + 5 miles running I get to do, and hopefully a bike ride. I've mapped out an almost-50 mile Freeburg route. There's rain in and out of the forecast, but nothing seems serious or heavy or predictable. So sometime tonight I need to decide what I'm doing and when.
It did cross my mind to run 5 tonight to break it up. But I gotta rest. And it's crossed my mind to run 15 all at once. But I gotta learn the back-to-back weekend thing. I don't know why I think that. I run back-to-back-to-back Tues-Weds-Thurs. So the back-to-back thing shouldn't be an issue.
Still planning. See what the most up to date weather I get later or tomorrow morning is. I've thought about seeing if anyone like IT, RM, or BE would like to join the ride. But haven't acted on it yet.
Rest day apparently includes rest brain.
Regarding the callbacks. Heard from the dog owner, meet up with him Sunday. And after days of wondering what to do, I was nearly about to act on it, when I got a text from the SO. First since Sunday. It's Friday?! I was starting to go a bit nutty over it. What did I do, if I did anything? What can I say or do? Think think think. The brain did not take a rest from this!
Didn't sign up for Badger 100K yet, but I've announced the plans. 49 spots remain. My goal was to sign up if I could get through 1 week of no M Demon. I made it, as of today!!!!! Tonight, really. I'd also planned to sign up for HH100 if I could do no M Demon until the end of the month, but ran out of time as the race filled. So as a bit of a push, I'm going to say Badger is OK if I get through this weekend ok.
A week of no M and no B!! Go me!
Rest day! And I'm honoring it. I'm eagerly planning my weekend, all 10 + 5 miles running I get to do, and hopefully a bike ride. I've mapped out an almost-50 mile Freeburg route. There's rain in and out of the forecast, but nothing seems serious or heavy or predictable. So sometime tonight I need to decide what I'm doing and when.
It did cross my mind to run 5 tonight to break it up. But I gotta rest. And it's crossed my mind to run 15 all at once. But I gotta learn the back-to-back weekend thing. I don't know why I think that. I run back-to-back-to-back Tues-Weds-Thurs. So the back-to-back thing shouldn't be an issue.
Still planning. See what the most up to date weather I get later or tomorrow morning is. I've thought about seeing if anyone like IT, RM, or BE would like to join the ride. But haven't acted on it yet.
Rest day apparently includes rest brain.
Regarding the callbacks. Heard from the dog owner, meet up with him Sunday. And after days of wondering what to do, I was nearly about to act on it, when I got a text from the SO. First since Sunday. It's Friday?! I was starting to go a bit nutty over it. What did I do, if I did anything? What can I say or do? Think think think. The brain did not take a rest from this!
Didn't sign up for Badger 100K yet, but I've announced the plans. 49 spots remain. My goal was to sign up if I could get through 1 week of no M Demon. I made it, as of today!!!!! Tonight, really. I'd also planned to sign up for HH100 if I could do no M Demon until the end of the month, but ran out of time as the race filled. So as a bit of a push, I'm going to say Badger is OK if I get through this weekend ok.
A week of no M and no B!! Go me!
Thursday, June 6, 2019
This is the day...I'm INVINCIBLE
A warrior
Struggling
To remain
Consequential
Who, why, how
Bold and proud
Where I've been
Here I am
Beating chest and drum
Beating tired bones again
Age-old battle, mine
Weapon out and belly in
Tales told
Of battles won
Of things we've done
Come make your love again
Beating tired bones
Tripping through, remember when
Once invincible
Now the armor's wearing thin
Heavy shield down
Struggling
To remain
Consequential
Who, why, how
Bold and proud
Where I've been
Here I am
Beating chest and drum
Beating tired bones again
Age-old battle, mine
Weapon out and belly in
Tales told
Of battles won
Of things we've done
Come make your love again
Beating tired bones
Tripping through, remember when
Once invincible
Now the armor's wearing thin
Heavy shield down
This IS THE DAY...I signed up for Hennepin Hundred
RUN 4.35 miles in 42 mins, 142 bpm chest strap, 172 spm
With LC!! Who I should start calling LM, that's what she's been going by. But she's been LC all along these past 10 years, see if I can make the change. And wonder years later...who is LM? And what happened to LC? lol
Beautiful morning, just perfect, but we heated up and were sweating quite a bit. The leaves still had some rain on them, as we ran under we'd get a bit of cool water but not enough to really make a difference. BE dropped out in the first half mile, "wasn't feeling it" I think he said. So just me,LC LM, IT, and MS (MikeS).
I could feel the fatigue and effort, higher than expected HR, and sore right quad but kept going just the same. It's my rest week....gotta rest! Like swim, instead of extra bike, like yesterday.
We turned off at the zoo, IT and MS kept going. LM told me about her training plan, plans for racing Wisconsin 70.3 this weekend (!!YAY!!), and how she and her hubby DP were changing their affiliations for training groups. All good. Great seeing her :)
We stopped at 4.35 miles, when I'd hoped to do 5. I seriously considered leaving the truck to run another 0.65, or getting home and running it before going in the house. Ugh. REST.
Later that day I refreshed my Badger 100K and Hennepin 100 pages on Ultrasignup. I'd been doing the maths to see how many people were registering, so as I could gauge when I needed to register before they filled up. I noticed kinda by accident that HH had 19 more spots available!!! OMG!! I was going to wait until July to register, after D2D. But I couldn't wait that long now. It had to be in the next day or two.
SO I DID IT TODAY!! TODAY!! My "word" lately. I went through the sign up process twice, hesitated, paced, hesitated, saw that there were 18 slots left (I'm guess it was my pre-registration that did that?) (Maybe not, only 17 slots as of now, a few hours later).
Now my usual would be to tell everyone. The first to learn was coworker AH who had to deal with my pacing and thinking. How do I tell my family, the same people who dropped everything to help me last fall? I don't expect them to crew me, would be great to see them, but no expectations. My training partners, this is a few hours away so I don't expect to see them. But pacers would be nice.
Lots of things would be nice. Isn't that the theme of the past few days? Might be nice, but don't count it on happening.
Anyway, I texted my sis. Texted Jess to say I'd be home for her bday a few days after the race. That's as far as I've gotten. I'm eager to tell people, but not sure how. Or if they want to hear it.
I'm gonna "Run my a$$ off", as the H100 (or is it HH100?) (H100-2019?) race company says.
I'll go with HH100, has a nice flow and easy to find tag.
With LC!! Who I should start calling LM, that's what she's been going by. But she's been LC all along these past 10 years, see if I can make the change. And wonder years later...who is LM? And what happened to LC? lol
Beautiful morning, just perfect, but we heated up and were sweating quite a bit. The leaves still had some rain on them, as we ran under we'd get a bit of cool water but not enough to really make a difference. BE dropped out in the first half mile, "wasn't feeling it" I think he said. So just me,
I could feel the fatigue and effort, higher than expected HR, and sore right quad but kept going just the same. It's my rest week....gotta rest! Like swim, instead of extra bike, like yesterday.
We turned off at the zoo, IT and MS kept going. LM told me about her training plan, plans for racing Wisconsin 70.3 this weekend (!!YAY!!), and how she and her hubby DP were changing their affiliations for training groups. All good. Great seeing her :)
We stopped at 4.35 miles, when I'd hoped to do 5. I seriously considered leaving the truck to run another 0.65, or getting home and running it before going in the house. Ugh. REST.
Later that day I refreshed my Badger 100K and Hennepin 100 pages on Ultrasignup. I'd been doing the maths to see how many people were registering, so as I could gauge when I needed to register before they filled up. I noticed kinda by accident that HH had 19 more spots available!!! OMG!! I was going to wait until July to register, after D2D. But I couldn't wait that long now. It had to be in the next day or two.
SO I DID IT TODAY!! TODAY!! My "word" lately. I went through the sign up process twice, hesitated, paced, hesitated, saw that there were 18 slots left (I'm guess it was my pre-registration that did that?) (Maybe not, only 17 slots as of now, a few hours later).
Now my usual would be to tell everyone. The first to learn was coworker AH who had to deal with my pacing and thinking. How do I tell my family, the same people who dropped everything to help me last fall? I don't expect them to crew me, would be great to see them, but no expectations. My training partners, this is a few hours away so I don't expect to see them. But pacers would be nice.
Lots of things would be nice. Isn't that the theme of the past few days? Might be nice, but don't count it on happening.
Anyway, I texted my sis. Texted Jess to say I'd be home for her bday a few days after the race. That's as far as I've gotten. I'm eager to tell people, but not sure how. Or if they want to hear it.
I'm gonna "Run my a$$ off", as the H100 (or is it HH100?) (H100-2019?) race company says.
I'll go with HH100, has a nice flow and easy to find tag.
Wednesday, June 5, 2019
This could be the day...run with no mental entourage
RUN 51 mins and 5 miles
COMMUTE 9.2 miles
More later ?? ETA BIKE 60' on Bird to quell some energy
Woke up to more quiet. Pre-run to quiet. Extra cocoa krispies cereal with some clamor. Ooooh gotta go.
Out the door, no one waiting at the corner for me like before. Was gonna run 4 with an out-n-back to the TGP bandstand but added in a loop around BP with Lemp. About 3-4 mins in I can up with a potential explanation for a primer alignment question I was stuck at work with yesterday. A benefit of not having a mind full of voices? I was tired soon, heavy, and blamed the slow hills.
It wasn't the hills, I was just tired. My quads were sore and I had the urge to foam roll them. Keep going, out to TGP and now ready to walk a bit. So I did. No one behind me. I just let myself walk, 30 seconds or so at a time. My HR reflected the fatigue. Even though I was doing only (only...) 10 m/m my HR was hovering around 150, my "upper limit" set by Dr W.
Round the bandstand (goooooaaaaallllll!!!!) and back around. Still more walking Wow, glad I didn't a 10-miler on the plan today! I think I would have pushed through though. I would have made it happen. Walking or no, I would have done it.
I still felt good when I got home, happy I found a solid 5-miler route. Thought maybe the next time a 10-miler seemed intimidating I'd run this twice. Is that a mental cheat? I mean, really. Would I really leave the house again after a stop halfway through the run, or would I cheat out and quit?
Or did my 'urge' for a BM influence this thinking? Like yesterday, about 1 mile in I had the urge to "go", even though I went beforehand. This has been a trend the past few weeks. At least controllable. Ugh.
This is my rest week, I could have biked? But on the bike into work I was fatigued, and thought maybe I could swim. I still can. I haven't swum since ... February? Just no urge. But I'm wasting my $42/month for the YMCA. Believe it or not, I'm seriously considering an hour ride tonight. Why? I want to!!
Lunch with TV by the plaza in the heat. Mouse harvest for TGs. Lotsa sitting it seems. But my steps are in. Maybe I should leave a bit early from here. For my bike ride?!
COMMUTE 9.2 miles
More later ?? ETA BIKE 60' on Bird to quell some energy
Woke up to more quiet. Pre-run to quiet. Extra cocoa krispies cereal with some clamor. Ooooh gotta go.
Out the door, no one waiting at the corner for me like before. Was gonna run 4 with an out-n-back to the TGP bandstand but added in a loop around BP with Lemp. About 3-4 mins in I can up with a potential explanation for a primer alignment question I was stuck at work with yesterday. A benefit of not having a mind full of voices? I was tired soon, heavy, and blamed the slow hills.
It wasn't the hills, I was just tired. My quads were sore and I had the urge to foam roll them. Keep going, out to TGP and now ready to walk a bit. So I did. No one behind me. I just let myself walk, 30 seconds or so at a time. My HR reflected the fatigue. Even though I was doing only (only...) 10 m/m my HR was hovering around 150, my "upper limit" set by Dr W.
Round the bandstand (goooooaaaaallllll!!!!) and back around. Still more walking Wow, glad I didn't a 10-miler on the plan today! I think I would have pushed through though. I would have made it happen. Walking or no, I would have done it.
I still felt good when I got home, happy I found a solid 5-miler route. Thought maybe the next time a 10-miler seemed intimidating I'd run this twice. Is that a mental cheat? I mean, really. Would I really leave the house again after a stop halfway through the run, or would I cheat out and quit?
Or did my 'urge' for a BM influence this thinking? Like yesterday, about 1 mile in I had the urge to "go", even though I went beforehand. This has been a trend the past few weeks. At least controllable. Ugh.
This is my rest week, I could have biked? But on the bike into work I was fatigued, and thought maybe I could swim. I still can. I haven't swum since ... February? Just no urge. But I'm wasting my $42/month for the YMCA. Believe it or not, I'm seriously considering an hour ride tonight. Why? I want to!!
Lunch with TV by the plaza in the heat. Mouse harvest for TGs. Lotsa sitting it seems. But my steps are in. Maybe I should leave a bit early from here. For my bike ride?!
Tuesday, June 4, 2019
This could be the day...I get to work on time
RUN 5 miles in about 50 mins, 5 minute tempo intervals on track
COMMUTE 13.8 miles
Woke up still feeling strong, and alone. The voices are quiet. Like the backwood girls in the book I enjoyed as a kid (still have a copy of the book), the BG's would normally follow me around and oddly enough talk about me in the third person. I know, I know, makes little sense. But to me was the normal.
Now is quiet. Sometimes I turn around and look to prove they really aren't there right now. How long will this last?
Up early and on time for the run, the weather channel said rain possible from 8-11. But when I took Puppy into the alley for the ride to the track there were dark clouds suggesting rain at more like 6am. Oops. Rode to track anyway, got an easy mile in with light rain before BE joined in. He drove, and turns out he also wanted to get to work on time today.
He had his HR monitor on, and ironically after programming mine yesterday I forgot to wear the chest strap today. Duh. BE clocked the intervals of
4 mins 70% (1 min 60%) 8 and 7:55-8
3 mins 80% (2 min 60%) 7:25 and 7:20
2 mins 85% (3 mins 60%) 7 and 6:51
and 1 min 90% (4 mins 60%) 6:34
These felt great, I just ran and ignored the HR. Garmin says the run intervals were pretty speedy for me right now -- I added them in above. Really? Is this right? Or is the garmin cutting corners on me? And since no HR chest strap, no HR data. We walked the 60% sections. I'd rather have jogged, but I followed his lead.
BE and I talked about the rain. He said he thinks of it as an emotional amplifier. Never thought of it that way! So we decided that since we were enjoying the run, the rain made it all the better.
Home with the goal of getting showered and fed and walked and out the door to get to work closer to 9am, instead of my usual-of-late 10am. WIN!
---
As for my mental state. I think the word is insecure about things with SO. I want to ask, is everything OK? And has something changed? That's where I am on that. Just want to know. I hate the "waiting" I think I'm doing, waiting for him to message (none yesterday), and only a brief reply to mine this morning. Just want to know. Did I do something? Did I not do something? Is it me at all? This isn't the first time I've wondered this.
---
As for my This could be the day -- put that in my tattoo? haha, run out of skin trying to get all these words in. But today I'm moving on getting estimates for house jobs that need to be done. No more optimistically hoping that Dad or TV or someone might be available to help me with it. What are they supposed to do, read my mind? If I can't bring myself to ask a favor, then I need to grow the fuck up.
Same goes for my left neck and shoulder. The tingly/stabbing pain is spreading out from the spine into my left shoulder, behind the shoulder blade. I should call Dr L, but feel like such a nag for doing so. So no complaining until you grow the fuck up and call.
COMMUTE 13.8 miles
Woke up still feeling strong, and alone. The voices are quiet. Like the backwood girls in the book I enjoyed as a kid (still have a copy of the book), the BG's would normally follow me around and oddly enough talk about me in the third person. I know, I know, makes little sense. But to me was the normal.
Now is quiet. Sometimes I turn around and look to prove they really aren't there right now. How long will this last?
Up early and on time for the run, the weather channel said rain possible from 8-11. But when I took Puppy into the alley for the ride to the track there were dark clouds suggesting rain at more like 6am. Oops. Rode to track anyway, got an easy mile in with light rain before BE joined in. He drove, and turns out he also wanted to get to work on time today.
He had his HR monitor on, and ironically after programming mine yesterday I forgot to wear the chest strap today. Duh. BE clocked the intervals of
4 mins 70% (1 min 60%) 8 and 7:55-8
3 mins 80% (2 min 60%) 7:25 and 7:20
2 mins 85% (3 mins 60%) 7 and 6:51
and 1 min 90% (4 mins 60%) 6:34
These felt great, I just ran and ignored the HR. Garmin says the run intervals were pretty speedy for me right now -- I added them in above. Really? Is this right? Or is the garmin cutting corners on me? And since no HR chest strap, no HR data. We walked the 60% sections. I'd rather have jogged, but I followed his lead.
BE and I talked about the rain. He said he thinks of it as an emotional amplifier. Never thought of it that way! So we decided that since we were enjoying the run, the rain made it all the better.
Home with the goal of getting showered and fed and walked and out the door to get to work closer to 9am, instead of my usual-of-late 10am. WIN!
---
As for my mental state. I think the word is insecure about things with SO. I want to ask, is everything OK? And has something changed? That's where I am on that. Just want to know. I hate the "waiting" I think I'm doing, waiting for him to message (none yesterday), and only a brief reply to mine this morning. Just want to know. Did I do something? Did I not do something? Is it me at all? This isn't the first time I've wondered this.
---
As for my This could be the day -- put that in my tattoo? haha, run out of skin trying to get all these words in. But today I'm moving on getting estimates for house jobs that need to be done. No more optimistically hoping that Dad or TV or someone might be available to help me with it. What are they supposed to do, read my mind? If I can't bring myself to ask a favor, then I need to grow the fuck up.
Same goes for my left neck and shoulder. The tingly/stabbing pain is spreading out from the spine into my left shoulder, behind the shoulder blade. I should call Dr L, but feel like such a nag for doing so. So no complaining until you grow the fuck up and call.
Monday, June 3, 2019
This could be the day...new moon
BIKE 20.3 miles in 1:22, 3x TGP: 17:09, 16:48, 16:44
COMMUTE 9.2 miles
Went to bed in a mental state, and woke up in the same. I realized last night that I'm still hanging on to old ideas, old formats, the past. Was a harsh wake-call. But like I learned on Saturday from Zen & The Art of Triathlon on Saturday: I can't control my emotions, but I can control my reactions. I didn't react to this right away, I thought about it and walked away from it best I could. Hour or two later I responded.
So this morning, this could be the day I quit putting myself in the victim position.
While it bothers me (what happened last night), I'm doing OK with it. Probably because it was hard truths exposed. On both sides. I'm typing this post first, not sure I'll get into what happened yesterday in yesterday's post or not. Really doesn't belong here?
What hard truth did I realize? That I'm alone. It's all on me. I can't count on anyone else. I can't wait for anyone else. No one is going to help me. To stop waiting for something to happen and just take care of it. And -- I'm not the goal, I'm not the prize, I'm not that special.
Anyway, great ride this morning, even with the mental distraction and the now-constant realization that I put myself in the victim position (I just don't have a better way to say it yet). The voices in my head that usually clamor back and forth are really quiet today. It's like the curtain was pulled back on them, and instead of hearing them behind me I can now see them for what they are.
Ugh, back to the ride. Lap 1 we talked about...the weekend, WH pool,..? Lap 2 mentioned the Blues and hockey, comparisons to lacrosse and cricket. Lap 3 got into politics, lightly so, and it was pretty surface deep. I almost never talk politics with anyone, I just don't care enough about them. But the hockey discussion -- to my surprise I knew some stuff! The Neutral Zone though, that's not the Romulans, LOL.
I came into the ride thinking that since this is a rest week, I should only do 2 intervals. I also thought I'd be too tired to ride good. And I thought....oh fuck it. My stupid head.
COMMUTE 9.2 miles
Went to bed in a mental state, and woke up in the same. I realized last night that I'm still hanging on to old ideas, old formats, the past. Was a harsh wake-call. But like I learned on Saturday from Zen & The Art of Triathlon on Saturday: I can't control my emotions, but I can control my reactions. I didn't react to this right away, I thought about it and walked away from it best I could. Hour or two later I responded.
So this morning, this could be the day I quit putting myself in the victim position.
While it bothers me (what happened last night), I'm doing OK with it. Probably because it was hard truths exposed. On both sides. I'm typing this post first, not sure I'll get into what happened yesterday in yesterday's post or not. Really doesn't belong here?
What hard truth did I realize? That I'm alone. It's all on me. I can't count on anyone else. I can't wait for anyone else. No one is going to help me. To stop waiting for something to happen and just take care of it. And -- I'm not the goal, I'm not the prize, I'm not that special.
Anyway, great ride this morning, even with the mental distraction and the now-constant realization that I put myself in the victim position (I just don't have a better way to say it yet). The voices in my head that usually clamor back and forth are really quiet today. It's like the curtain was pulled back on them, and instead of hearing them behind me I can now see them for what they are.
Ugh, back to the ride. Lap 1 we talked about...the weekend, WH pool,..? Lap 2 mentioned the Blues and hockey, comparisons to lacrosse and cricket. Lap 3 got into politics, lightly so, and it was pretty surface deep. I almost never talk politics with anyone, I just don't care enough about them. But the hockey discussion -- to my surprise I knew some stuff! The Neutral Zone though, that's not the Romulans, LOL.
I came into the ride thinking that since this is a rest week, I should only do 2 intervals. I also thought I'd be too tired to ride good. And I thought....oh fuck it. My stupid head.
Sunday, June 2, 2019
This could be the day...I fight back the demons
This is just a catch-up post for June.
My bullet journal mantra/cover for June is "This could be the day you stop doing that self-destructive thing you do". Found in late May, hung on to it. Felt kinda odd putting that "out there" like that, anyone looking at my calendar will see a mini version of that on each weekly page.
But it's time to get upfront on this shit. I'm tired of feeling sick. Feeling sorry for myself. For using the past as an excuse. For focusing on me so much, like I'm somehow different. For limiting myself based on what the voices in my head say about me. For seeking approval from all the wrong places. For waiting for things to happen for me. For expecting others to fill in gaps for me.
Done with it. Each month I lay out 30 or 31 goals for the month. This month it's tidying up the stomach issues (this whole mental issue with the "hard truths" came after the 30 days was laid out).
The plan is to track what I do, see how it effects me, eliminate some potential dietary issues.
Oh JFC I'm still bullshitting myself. I also added a 3x3 grid to track my demons, purple and yellow, the 9 nazgul in my head including Blerch, Balrog, Devil, and Monster.
But now I have this new demon, this mental victimization demon of self doubt and coping mechanisms. Really, the 9 demons above are probably the coping mechanism for this self doubt.
I told myself if I could go 3 days with no M, I could sign up for Badger. Today (Monday) is day 3! Then what for Hennepin? The rest of June? Hate to have the race sell out.....
But no urge for D or M or Balrog. Blerch is having internet issues at the dining room table, jeez that should make things easier for me, right?!
This post didn't really delve as deep as I'd hoped it would. Let me incubate on it. Still too new to spell out. And still waiting to see what comes of yesterday's text exchange.
NUMERICS 16:36 hours! Doesn't include bike commute time, but does include the long Memorial Day ride.
BIKE 126 miles
RUN 45.8 miles (on goal!)
COMMUTE 29.6 miles
That adds up to 200 miles yo!
My bullet journal mantra/cover for June is "This could be the day you stop doing that self-destructive thing you do". Found in late May, hung on to it. Felt kinda odd putting that "out there" like that, anyone looking at my calendar will see a mini version of that on each weekly page.
But it's time to get upfront on this shit. I'm tired of feeling sick. Feeling sorry for myself. For using the past as an excuse. For focusing on me so much, like I'm somehow different. For limiting myself based on what the voices in my head say about me. For seeking approval from all the wrong places. For waiting for things to happen for me. For expecting others to fill in gaps for me.
Done with it. Each month I lay out 30 or 31 goals for the month. This month it's tidying up the stomach issues (this whole mental issue with the "hard truths" came after the 30 days was laid out).
The plan is to track what I do, see how it effects me, eliminate some potential dietary issues.
Oh JFC I'm still bullshitting myself. I also added a 3x3 grid to track my demons, purple and yellow, the 9 nazgul in my head including Blerch, Balrog, Devil, and Monster.
But now I have this new demon, this mental victimization demon of self doubt and coping mechanisms. Really, the 9 demons above are probably the coping mechanism for this self doubt.
I told myself if I could go 3 days with no M, I could sign up for Badger. Today (Monday) is day 3! Then what for Hennepin? The rest of June? Hate to have the race sell out.....
But no urge for D or M or Balrog. Blerch is having internet issues at the dining room table, jeez that should make things easier for me, right?!
This post didn't really delve as deep as I'd hoped it would. Let me incubate on it. Still too new to spell out. And still waiting to see what comes of yesterday's text exchange.
NUMERICS 16:36 hours! Doesn't include bike commute time, but does include the long Memorial Day ride.
BIKE 126 miles
RUN 45.8 miles (on goal!)
COMMUTE 29.6 miles
That adds up to 200 miles yo!
This could be the day...I get some hard truths
BIKE 50 miles in 3:40, in town with RM on the Hub route plus more
2400 feet elevation, ave 13.6 mph (huh?), ave HR 111 bpm
So for some comparison, I rode 60 miles last weekend in 3:40-something. That was out of town, this was in town. Lots of stops, but geez still the speed seems low? Data is data, can't argue it.
I rode to RM's house and oogled the Trek he was testing to buy. The bottom bracket on his Synapse went out, the cost of repair almost equal to the value of the bike. Nice Trek, I think I saw a PowerTap, was a carbon frame with Di2 shifting, and a pretty jewel-tone on black paint job.
We rode west to Webster Groves on roads I've driven and gotten lost on. Lockwood to Kirkwood to Geyer to Clayton (no idea Geyer went as far as Clayton, and what a NICE stretch of road!). Clayton to Mason Ridge (this was a familiar area to me), up to S Outer 40 (new to me), then south along 270 back to Clayton, then south on Ballas to Dougherty Ferry (long hill stretch)!, Dougherty Ferry (traffic!) to Big Bend, the BB east past SOs butterfly garden, back on to Geyer, then close the loop back home.
RM loves the bike for it's jump and climbing, I love the ride for it's novelty and company and challenge! Lots of new road to me.
I rode to work with the goal of grabbing the Garmin charger since it was going to die before tomorrow's TGP ride, but my ID card wouldn't open the door. And I didn't bring my keys, so on to Walgreens. But by the time I reached Chouteau I was out of energy. My only fuel on this 3.5hr+ ride was half an orange with a good breakfast! I wasn't starving hungry, but I was out of fuel. Walgreens later.
Home, ate too much too fast I think and felt sick the rest of the day. Shopping errands, OfferUp sale, tried to get stuff done. Tried to nap but failed.
Regarding these hard truths...do I want to spill that here? I texted the dog owner about reimbursement for the medical bills. This was hard for me to do. While trying to nap, I text chatted with SO and in what I thought was an off-hand comment said I texted the owner. He didn't answer to it until much later, with a "news flash they aren't going to pay, hire a lawyer asap, that's all i'm going to say on this", paraphrased. I replied, I know but I'm going to try. And said I tell him because I value his opinion. It wasn't my goal to bring this topic up, I knew he didn't want to hear about it from now and before. Then the reply, which made me sick to my stomach almost. Something to the effect of "read my last message again, i and everyone else told you to call 911, get report filed, can't run from the reports, please don't talk to me about this again." This hurt so much to read that I don't even want to open my phone to copy it as he wrote it.
Crushed. Not for the fact that he didn't want to talk about it, really. But for the fact that I'm apparently just a nag or drag on him? That he wasn't open to my explanation, that 911 wouldn't make him pay the bills and I did in fact call the police? That it just came across so damned harsh. Not door closed, but slammed shut in my face.
He followed with "good night. get some rest ok!" Now this seemed nice enough? Like maybe just the dog topic was the issue, not the rest of me?
I immediately went to bed. Crushed. Felt sick. WTF? I thought about it. And here's what I came up with:
-I do value his opinion, and he gave it. It's not that I didn't like his opinion, it's the delivery. But still, he's right and I know that and it hurts for some reason.
-He offered his advice the day it happened and I didn't act on it, even though I didn't ask for. For the record I didn't ask today either. So I essentially turned his advice down, as if I didn't value it. I did what I could that day, between being sick and the panic and the confusion I felt. But he doesn't know that. He wanted me to call 911, but I specifically didn't want the noise and drama and continued contact with the dog and people. I just wanted to get calm and home.
-For years I was in with a spineless twat, and one reason I respect SO is that he's anything but that. So while I appreciate him being like this, it's just a shock to have it happen like this. But I appreciate it. I don't want lies and platitudes and non-committal answers. Maybe I'm so used to being coddled? Maybe I expect it? I've felt like a victim since 2014 when the whole ball of shit started rolling, like I just went from one drama to the next, and maybe I'm treated different or expect to be?
-Finally, why did this hurt so much? Why did it feel like such a smack in the face? Was he mad at me? Or just mad at this topic? Will I hear from him again? (Writing this on Monday, almost 5, not a word yet). What do I expect from this? Maybe I wanted some support, in a "good for you for trying" sort of way?
For some context, I asked RM after the ride what he thought, he said I need to be a better negotiator and quit being so nice.
So before falling asleep, I texted back "in bed, hope sugar lets me sleep, good night".
He replied back, "hope sugar lets you sleep, night night"
I realized in that hour or so, that I'm on my own here. I have friends. I have family. But I'm on my own.
2400 feet elevation, ave 13.6 mph (huh?), ave HR 111 bpm
So for some comparison, I rode 60 miles last weekend in 3:40-something. That was out of town, this was in town. Lots of stops, but geez still the speed seems low? Data is data, can't argue it.
I rode to RM's house and oogled the Trek he was testing to buy. The bottom bracket on his Synapse went out, the cost of repair almost equal to the value of the bike. Nice Trek, I think I saw a PowerTap, was a carbon frame with Di2 shifting, and a pretty jewel-tone on black paint job.
We rode west to Webster Groves on roads I've driven and gotten lost on. Lockwood to Kirkwood to Geyer to Clayton (no idea Geyer went as far as Clayton, and what a NICE stretch of road!). Clayton to Mason Ridge (this was a familiar area to me), up to S Outer 40 (new to me), then south along 270 back to Clayton, then south on Ballas to Dougherty Ferry (long hill stretch)!, Dougherty Ferry (traffic!) to Big Bend, the BB east past SOs butterfly garden, back on to Geyer, then close the loop back home.
RM loves the bike for it's jump and climbing, I love the ride for it's novelty and company and challenge! Lots of new road to me.
I rode to work with the goal of grabbing the Garmin charger since it was going to die before tomorrow's TGP ride, but my ID card wouldn't open the door. And I didn't bring my keys, so on to Walgreens. But by the time I reached Chouteau I was out of energy. My only fuel on this 3.5hr+ ride was half an orange with a good breakfast! I wasn't starving hungry, but I was out of fuel. Walgreens later.
Home, ate too much too fast I think and felt sick the rest of the day. Shopping errands, OfferUp sale, tried to get stuff done. Tried to nap but failed.
Regarding these hard truths...do I want to spill that here? I texted the dog owner about reimbursement for the medical bills. This was hard for me to do. While trying to nap, I text chatted with SO and in what I thought was an off-hand comment said I texted the owner. He didn't answer to it until much later, with a "news flash they aren't going to pay, hire a lawyer asap, that's all i'm going to say on this", paraphrased. I replied, I know but I'm going to try. And said I tell him because I value his opinion. It wasn't my goal to bring this topic up, I knew he didn't want to hear about it from now and before. Then the reply, which made me sick to my stomach almost. Something to the effect of "read my last message again, i and everyone else told you to call 911, get report filed, can't run from the reports, please don't talk to me about this again." This hurt so much to read that I don't even want to open my phone to copy it as he wrote it.
Crushed. Not for the fact that he didn't want to talk about it, really. But for the fact that I'm apparently just a nag or drag on him? That he wasn't open to my explanation, that 911 wouldn't make him pay the bills and I did in fact call the police? That it just came across so damned harsh. Not door closed, but slammed shut in my face.
He followed with "good night. get some rest ok!" Now this seemed nice enough? Like maybe just the dog topic was the issue, not the rest of me?
I immediately went to bed. Crushed. Felt sick. WTF? I thought about it. And here's what I came up with:
-I do value his opinion, and he gave it. It's not that I didn't like his opinion, it's the delivery. But still, he's right and I know that and it hurts for some reason.
-He offered his advice the day it happened and I didn't act on it, even though I didn't ask for. For the record I didn't ask today either. So I essentially turned his advice down, as if I didn't value it. I did what I could that day, between being sick and the panic and the confusion I felt. But he doesn't know that. He wanted me to call 911, but I specifically didn't want the noise and drama and continued contact with the dog and people. I just wanted to get calm and home.
-For years I was in with a spineless twat, and one reason I respect SO is that he's anything but that. So while I appreciate him being like this, it's just a shock to have it happen like this. But I appreciate it. I don't want lies and platitudes and non-committal answers. Maybe I'm so used to being coddled? Maybe I expect it? I've felt like a victim since 2014 when the whole ball of shit started rolling, like I just went from one drama to the next, and maybe I'm treated different or expect to be?
-Finally, why did this hurt so much? Why did it feel like such a smack in the face? Was he mad at me? Or just mad at this topic? Will I hear from him again? (Writing this on Monday, almost 5, not a word yet). What do I expect from this? Maybe I wanted some support, in a "good for you for trying" sort of way?
For some context, I asked RM after the ride what he thought, he said I need to be a better negotiator and quit being so nice.
So before falling asleep, I texted back "in bed, hope sugar lets me sleep, good night".
He replied back, "hope sugar lets you sleep, night night"
I realized in that hour or so, that I'm on my own here. I have friends. I have family. But I'm on my own.
Saturday, June 1, 2019
This could be the day...I run long! 25 in Rockwoods/Al Foster
RUN 25 miles in 4:42! 11:18 m/m ave
There was lots of walking intervals, or at least it seemed that way to me. So the break-down of data is different.
Zone 1 HR: 0:26
Zone 2 HR: 1:45
Zone 3 HR: 2:27
Right now I can't find what Garmin thinks my zones are. Ugh, looking...
Zone 1 is 50-60% 114-127
2 is 60-70% 127-140
3 is 70-80% 140-154
4 is 80-90% 154-167
Got the idea...but a percentage of WHAT...says max HR is 180 and resting is 46. No help there yet. Google says us %HRR which is a percentage of a heart rate reserve, which is my max HR minus the resting HR. Oh fuck this,
change it to BPM. So now I've typed in the numbers above.
I'm not sure if this changes my data from the run. Anyway. Back to the data.
1400 ft elevation change all in the first 15 miles.
Ave HR 138 and ave cad 164.
The cadence is low for the walking. But the HR still seems higher than it should be?
Anyway, back to the run. Up early for the drive to the Al Foster area, I'd mapped out a run there with some out-n-back in Rockwoods along the road with the water fountain. My distance guesstimates were a bit off -- I reached Rockwoods at about 2 miles, and the gate at the other end of Rockwoods at 4.5 miles. Listening to Joe Rogan's interview with Tool vocalist. Even with the cars right along me, this was a great segment with shade and water and bathrooms. After hitting the gate, turning back down the hill I stopped for bathroom biz, then kept going. I was surprised to see SO driving in for his ride after a midnight shift. I waved, and didn't think he knew who I was, he just kept driving. I didn't want to interrupt his ride prep. I wondered if he'd come out to find me? I sent a short phone message "Hi. Have a great ride"
At mile 7 or so, near the park entrance he caught up to me. I'm happy to see him! I ask on butterflies, he asks how far I'm going, I ask what happens if I keep running on the south road of the park, he says hills. I don't want to hold him up from his ride, but at the same time wanted to see him. I writing this on Monday, after what happened Sunday, so I'm trying to keep Saturday's perspective here. He rides off, I take the south road. Yup, hills. Faster cars, more sun, more hills. I turn around and head back to the north road and head up to the gate.
Hit the gate, stop for one of my failed rice cakes (just yuck, not again), back down the hills, another bathroom break, assess my Camelbak water levels, decide to get to the truck for refill and finish the the run on the softer and flatter Al Foster.
Hit the truck at 17 miles. Only 8 more to go! I'm feeling good but warm, maybe a bit dehydrated but no stomach upset or specific pains. I grab my purple chamois "cooling" towel and wear it at as a scarf. Off to the trail.
I started to lag more here. Maybe more sugar needed. The entire run was on 4 tootsie roll pops, 3 mini chocolate bars, and most of two of the rice cakes. And a good breakfast. I was using the last of the pops as a distraction and sugar, but not sure it was enough. I walked more, and let myself walk as that was the plan to start mapping out my run/walk intervals.
Came across a loose dog on the trail, the owners caught it, and I only had mild anxiety. Stupid anxiety. Kept going, hit the sandy area (wore my butterfly gaiters just for this segment) but it flooded out soon with tree debris. Back to the other fork, too muddy and rocky for the road shoes I was wearing. I meant to turn around at 4 miles out or 21 miles total, but I turned back at just over 20 and knew I'd have to find an extra 2 miles.
Really lagging now, but no urge to quit. My feet were starting to hurt, I was just low on motivation, and that's it. But that's almost enough to ruin a race, especially if the weather goes back or the terrain too rough. But 21, 22, 23, used that short "overlook" out-n-back of 0.5 miles, then back on the AF to hit the needed out-n-back distance to end at 25 at the truck.
Think I saw MattyD twice on the AF. Saw cacti with bright yellow flowers blooming. Saw a few milkweek, but no caterpillars. Saw the mini railroad tracks, a few swallowtail butterflies.
Great run!! I was a bit nauseated by the end, didn't want to run another step, was NOT motivated to hit the "magical" 26.2 distance (save that for another day). Cleaned up, changed clothes at the truck, drove home. Thanks to road construction the drive took an hour. Ugh.
Once home, I was sore and tired, but not totally wiped out. Had trouble getting to sleep.
I didn't have to run 25 today, the plan says 20 today and 5 tomorrow, but I knew I'd be biking tomorrow and 5 just seemed too damned hard after today. Hahaha. I'm glad I pushed it through, proved I could, showed my nutrition is weak but on track. My road shoes should be good for Badger 100K and Hennepin 100M.
Oh, my back. Don't forget that. Very uncomfy when the Camelbak was fully loaded, like an uncomfortable squeeze through the ribs. And my next into the left shoulder, that stabbing burning pain seems to be spreading into the shoulder blade? Why don't I do something about it?! Stupid shit move.
There was lots of walking intervals, or at least it seemed that way to me. So the break-down of data is different.
Zone 1 HR: 0:26
Zone 2 HR: 1:45
Zone 3 HR: 2:27
Right now I can't find what Garmin thinks my zones are. Ugh, looking...
Zone 1 is 50-60% 114-127
2 is 60-70% 127-140
3 is 70-80% 140-154
4 is 80-90% 154-167
Got the idea...but a percentage of WHAT...says max HR is 180 and resting is 46. No help there yet. Google says us %HRR which is a percentage of a heart rate reserve, which is my max HR minus the resting HR. Oh fuck this,
change it to BPM. So now I've typed in the numbers above.
I'm not sure if this changes my data from the run. Anyway. Back to the data.
1400 ft elevation change all in the first 15 miles.
Ave HR 138 and ave cad 164.
The cadence is low for the walking. But the HR still seems higher than it should be?
Anyway, back to the run. Up early for the drive to the Al Foster area, I'd mapped out a run there with some out-n-back in Rockwoods along the road with the water fountain. My distance guesstimates were a bit off -- I reached Rockwoods at about 2 miles, and the gate at the other end of Rockwoods at 4.5 miles. Listening to Joe Rogan's interview with Tool vocalist. Even with the cars right along me, this was a great segment with shade and water and bathrooms. After hitting the gate, turning back down the hill I stopped for bathroom biz, then kept going. I was surprised to see SO driving in for his ride after a midnight shift. I waved, and didn't think he knew who I was, he just kept driving. I didn't want to interrupt his ride prep. I wondered if he'd come out to find me? I sent a short phone message "Hi. Have a great ride"
At mile 7 or so, near the park entrance he caught up to me. I'm happy to see him! I ask on butterflies, he asks how far I'm going, I ask what happens if I keep running on the south road of the park, he says hills. I don't want to hold him up from his ride, but at the same time wanted to see him. I writing this on Monday, after what happened Sunday, so I'm trying to keep Saturday's perspective here. He rides off, I take the south road. Yup, hills. Faster cars, more sun, more hills. I turn around and head back to the north road and head up to the gate.
Hit the gate, stop for one of my failed rice cakes (just yuck, not again), back down the hills, another bathroom break, assess my Camelbak water levels, decide to get to the truck for refill and finish the the run on the softer and flatter Al Foster.
Hit the truck at 17 miles. Only 8 more to go! I'm feeling good but warm, maybe a bit dehydrated but no stomach upset or specific pains. I grab my purple chamois "cooling" towel and wear it at as a scarf. Off to the trail.
I started to lag more here. Maybe more sugar needed. The entire run was on 4 tootsie roll pops, 3 mini chocolate bars, and most of two of the rice cakes. And a good breakfast. I was using the last of the pops as a distraction and sugar, but not sure it was enough. I walked more, and let myself walk as that was the plan to start mapping out my run/walk intervals.
Came across a loose dog on the trail, the owners caught it, and I only had mild anxiety. Stupid anxiety. Kept going, hit the sandy area (wore my butterfly gaiters just for this segment) but it flooded out soon with tree debris. Back to the other fork, too muddy and rocky for the road shoes I was wearing. I meant to turn around at 4 miles out or 21 miles total, but I turned back at just over 20 and knew I'd have to find an extra 2 miles.
Really lagging now, but no urge to quit. My feet were starting to hurt, I was just low on motivation, and that's it. But that's almost enough to ruin a race, especially if the weather goes back or the terrain too rough. But 21, 22, 23, used that short "overlook" out-n-back of 0.5 miles, then back on the AF to hit the needed out-n-back distance to end at 25 at the truck.
Think I saw MattyD twice on the AF. Saw cacti with bright yellow flowers blooming. Saw a few milkweek, but no caterpillars. Saw the mini railroad tracks, a few swallowtail butterflies.
Great run!! I was a bit nauseated by the end, didn't want to run another step, was NOT motivated to hit the "magical" 26.2 distance (save that for another day). Cleaned up, changed clothes at the truck, drove home. Thanks to road construction the drive took an hour. Ugh.
Once home, I was sore and tired, but not totally wiped out. Had trouble getting to sleep.
I didn't have to run 25 today, the plan says 20 today and 5 tomorrow, but I knew I'd be biking tomorrow and 5 just seemed too damned hard after today. Hahaha. I'm glad I pushed it through, proved I could, showed my nutrition is weak but on track. My road shoes should be good for Badger 100K and Hennepin 100M.
Oh, my back. Don't forget that. Very uncomfy when the Camelbak was fully loaded, like an uncomfortable squeeze through the ribs. And my next into the left shoulder, that stabbing burning pain seems to be spreading into the shoulder blade? Why don't I do something about it?! Stupid shit move.
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