RUN 10 miles in 1:36, 9:36m/m
This is it! The last long run going into Potawatomi! And it's "only" 10 miles.
I've been suffering a bit of taper sludge the last few days and kept thinking that a nice fast blow-out run would clear the carbon off the spark plugs. But since it's probably not a good idea to be doing something stupid like that, and because my last few runs were poorly scheduled, I'm not sure it will happen.
And I needed some confidence after two weeks of foot pain and sludge. I trimmed the orthotic more aggressively this morning then ran briefly with Sugar. It still bothered me! Trimmed it a bit more, then felt the discomfort while driving to CCP. I had the scissors with me, trimmed it even more! The whole time worried about trimming it so much it didn't work anymore! I again brought the blank insole with me and we took off. It was the first time I'd seen TH since the Green Rock run 2 weekends ago. So much happened since then!
My foot discomfort thankfully faded in a few tenths of a mile and we ran at a steady pace for the 10 miles. Not much talk about the upcoming race, surprisingly we talked more about ironman racing this summer!!!!! OMG for real?!?!? She texted yesterday about registering for IML, and that got the ball rolling. It's so easy to convince yourself that IM training is easy when you are tapering.
But wasn't I just oogling the TriFuel Ultra plan a few days ago? Haha! So I can't blame her. Oh so tempting. When she first mentioned it, I thought I was safe from registering myself--I'd happily sherpa. But this morning it turned into a "me too" type of thinking. Not necessarily for IML (so $$$) but maybe Sandusky?
And in another sign, the check I gave her as payment for the hotels was #1406.
Oh dear god what are we thinking?!
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Thursday, March 28, 2013
What dehydrated feels like
RUN 6 miles in 57:45, 9:38 m/m
Another afternoon run. I needed to be at work early so I missed the group run and moved my plans to mid-morning or lunch. Then I missed those times and ended up leaving work around 3:30 (I do love the early-in, early-out days) and running at 5pm.
As per usual, my afternoon run was tough. I've thought about what makes my afternoon runs so difficult, and I can think of a few things. First off, my hydration suffers on some days. I'm always better hydrated in the mornings. Second, my nutrition is off and I don't each much in the way of carbs at lunch. It's no wonder I'm dizzy hungry in the afternoons. Third, sitting around for most or part of the day leaves my legs a little swollen and stiff. So they are like lead in the first few miles.
Today's run almost didn't happen. On the drive home I contemplated a bike ride and tried to justify it by using the "I'm sick feeling and tired" excuse. But I convinced myself that the run would be more satisfying. So I left the dog behind (that was another excuse for staying home on the bike) and took off for a TGP loop.
I started in the Adrenaline 13's with the orthotics, but within the first quarter mile the discomfort was too much. Yes I could suck it up, but No it's not a good idea with the race just 9 days away. Luckily I had my blank insoles with me--I'd stuffed them in the back of my tights. Swapped out just the right one, moved the unused soles to my sleeve so they didn't keep riding down my butt, and took off. I knew my foot would be hurting from the lack of orthotic by 35-40 mins and that wasn't encouraging.
But the run went on, even if it maybe shouldn't have. At one point I nearly rolled my left ankle making a turn on gravel. Then I nearly stepped wrong on it again. I felt like I was running uphill the entire time, or like the air was thin and I just couldn't get my breath. If my HRM would have been with me, I'm sure the HR would have been high, even though I was holding a super comfy pace.
When my leg muscles started to get that old familiar feeling--a light burn and tight stiffness--I knew what the problem was. And it's not like I just suddenly realized it, I knew all along but wouldn't admit it. I was dehydrated. I knew this feeling from other races and runs. My hydration has been so much improved in the last 6 months that I haven't suffered this in some time. So while this run wasn't fun, it was a good reminder of just how much it can suck to be low on water.
Why is it so hard for me to keep drinking at work?
Another afternoon run. I needed to be at work early so I missed the group run and moved my plans to mid-morning or lunch. Then I missed those times and ended up leaving work around 3:30 (I do love the early-in, early-out days) and running at 5pm.
As per usual, my afternoon run was tough. I've thought about what makes my afternoon runs so difficult, and I can think of a few things. First off, my hydration suffers on some days. I'm always better hydrated in the mornings. Second, my nutrition is off and I don't each much in the way of carbs at lunch. It's no wonder I'm dizzy hungry in the afternoons. Third, sitting around for most or part of the day leaves my legs a little swollen and stiff. So they are like lead in the first few miles.
Today's run almost didn't happen. On the drive home I contemplated a bike ride and tried to justify it by using the "I'm sick feeling and tired" excuse. But I convinced myself that the run would be more satisfying. So I left the dog behind (that was another excuse for staying home on the bike) and took off for a TGP loop.
I started in the Adrenaline 13's with the orthotics, but within the first quarter mile the discomfort was too much. Yes I could suck it up, but No it's not a good idea with the race just 9 days away. Luckily I had my blank insoles with me--I'd stuffed them in the back of my tights. Swapped out just the right one, moved the unused soles to my sleeve so they didn't keep riding down my butt, and took off. I knew my foot would be hurting from the lack of orthotic by 35-40 mins and that wasn't encouraging.
But the run went on, even if it maybe shouldn't have. At one point I nearly rolled my left ankle making a turn on gravel. Then I nearly stepped wrong on it again. I felt like I was running uphill the entire time, or like the air was thin and I just couldn't get my breath. If my HRM would have been with me, I'm sure the HR would have been high, even though I was holding a super comfy pace.
When my leg muscles started to get that old familiar feeling--a light burn and tight stiffness--I knew what the problem was. And it's not like I just suddenly realized it, I knew all along but wouldn't admit it. I was dehydrated. I knew this feeling from other races and runs. My hydration has been so much improved in the last 6 months that I haven't suffered this in some time. So while this run wasn't fun, it was a good reminder of just how much it can suck to be low on water.
Why is it so hard for me to keep drinking at work?
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Bike and run, a TAD? And my 500 run!
BIKE 30 mins and 9 miles
RUN 41 mins and 4.4 miles
No it's not really a TAD, but it's fun to thing about doing those again this summer!
The run was a highlight! Even though I was tired and as bad as I run in the afternoons, this one was special--it was my 500 mile run! I crossed the 500 miles in 2013 threshold! Last year at this time, I was around 260 miles. I was also injured!
This run went from work to Forest Park, splish-splash through the puddles of melted snow. I ran in the Cascadia's but without the orthotic. That's still bothering me.
RUN 41 mins and 4.4 miles
No it's not really a TAD, but it's fun to thing about doing those again this summer!
The run was a highlight! Even though I was tired and as bad as I run in the afternoons, this one was special--it was my 500 mile run! I crossed the 500 miles in 2013 threshold! Last year at this time, I was around 260 miles. I was also injured!
This run went from work to Forest Park, splish-splash through the puddles of melted snow. I ran in the Cascadia's but without the orthotic. That's still bothering me.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Missed the run, biked instead
BIKE 15.5 miles in 50 mins.
Having a doggie now is disrupting my schedule. I started planning my day in half hour blocks to be more efficient, but sometimes I'm overly optimistic about how fast I can get things done, and waaaaay too optimistic on thinking about I can get stuff done when I'm hungry.
I pulled out the TriFuel Ultra plan and took the first two weeks as a guide for this week. I have the urge to keep Mooooving during this taper and why iron-type training sounds good I don't know why. I knew I wouldn't get to the swims, even though I wrote them into my scheduler.
So this bike followed the plan's 2 week introduction schedule: 20 mins easy, 20 mins harder, 10 mins CD.
I was supposed to run 4 miles, but once the day got started I just couldn't fit it in. Combined with how tired and hungry I am by the end of the day, no way I was going to enjoy a run. So I moved it to tomorrow.
Having a doggie now is disrupting my schedule. I started planning my day in half hour blocks to be more efficient, but sometimes I'm overly optimistic about how fast I can get things done, and waaaaay too optimistic on thinking about I can get stuff done when I'm hungry.
I pulled out the TriFuel Ultra plan and took the first two weeks as a guide for this week. I have the urge to keep Mooooving during this taper and why iron-type training sounds good I don't know why. I knew I wouldn't get to the swims, even though I wrote them into my scheduler.
So this bike followed the plan's 2 week introduction schedule: 20 mins easy, 20 mins harder, 10 mins CD.
I was supposed to run 4 miles, but once the day got started I just couldn't fit it in. Combined with how tired and hungry I am by the end of the day, no way I was going to enjoy a run. So I moved it to tomorrow.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Another Kinvara run
RUN 8 miles in 1:16 9:30m/m
Figuring my foot would still be hurting I ran again the Kinvaras. Did my right foot hurt from the orthotic? No. But did both of my feet hurt from lacking the orthotics? Yes.
It was a good run, aside from the worry about what 18 miles in one weekend in these shoes would do to my feet. Later that night one of the bones on the very outside of my left foot by my 5th toe hurt. Initiate Stress Fracture Stress Program!
But otherwise everything felt OK.
Figuring my foot would still be hurting I ran again the Kinvaras. Did my right foot hurt from the orthotic? No. But did both of my feet hurt from lacking the orthotics? Yes.
It was a good run, aside from the worry about what 18 miles in one weekend in these shoes would do to my feet. Later that night one of the bones on the very outside of my left foot by my 5th toe hurt. Initiate Stress Fracture Stress Program!
But otherwise everything felt OK.
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Foot hurt, so ran in the Kinvaras
RUN 10 miles in about 1:35
I started out in the Adrenalines but just 0.48 in I was back at the house to change shoes. Even though I'd trim the outer edge of the orthotic, it still hurt. And after just a short distance, it hurt to even walk. I tried a little more, to see if my foot could relax, if I could find a good form, if I could just keep going.
But I didn't want to abort this run too, so I decided to go as far as I could in the Kinvaras. So far I'd only run 4-ish miles at a time in them, so this was a gamble. And it was trading one problem for another--without the orthotic my toes can go numb and hurt. I pushed aside my usual all-or-nothing way of thinking (I can only run 4 or 5 or 6...it doesn't have to be 0 or 10).
So out from the house again. It was a gorgeous day, high 30's if not low 40's, full sun, little wind. Let's ignore the big winter storm rolling in from the mountains.
In the end, my toes did hurt. It was kinda on then off again, as most pains are (excepting the stupid pain from my orthotic...) and didn't linger after the run at all. In fact, I felt pretty damned good after the run. No soreness, good energy, and more confident about whether this injury was gonna hold be back on the Fitty. I'm not fully happy and 100% confident, but at least I'm more confident.
I started out in the Adrenalines but just 0.48 in I was back at the house to change shoes. Even though I'd trim the outer edge of the orthotic, it still hurt. And after just a short distance, it hurt to even walk. I tried a little more, to see if my foot could relax, if I could find a good form, if I could just keep going.
But I didn't want to abort this run too, so I decided to go as far as I could in the Kinvaras. So far I'd only run 4-ish miles at a time in them, so this was a gamble. And it was trading one problem for another--without the orthotic my toes can go numb and hurt. I pushed aside my usual all-or-nothing way of thinking (I can only run 4 or 5 or 6...it doesn't have to be 0 or 10).
So out from the house again. It was a gorgeous day, high 30's if not low 40's, full sun, little wind. Let's ignore the big winter storm rolling in from the mountains.
In the end, my toes did hurt. It was kinda on then off again, as most pains are (excepting the stupid pain from my orthotic...) and didn't linger after the run at all. In fact, I felt pretty damned good after the run. No soreness, good energy, and more confident about whether this injury was gonna hold be back on the Fitty. I'm not fully happy and 100% confident, but at least I'm more confident.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Skipped another run
BIKE 1hr 19 miles
I didn't even try running today, I could feel the soreness in the foot and just went for the bike. The original plan was for a tready. I'm amused by the sacrifices I can make for an A race. From 28+ mile runs to completely resting it.
What is going on with the foot? It feels like a bruise, and luckily not an acute break/tear type of injury. Of course, that's just how it feels. It doesn't hurt to move the foot and flex the toes, it doesn't hurt for my hands to massage it, but it is definitely a sore spot. About a 2 out of 10 on the pain scale, in other words, pretty mild.
But on the nervous scale--more like a 7 out of 10. My big race is just over 2 weeks away and here I am nursing this little injury. Yet I'm pretty calm. I think about it, but don't agonize. I'm aware, but not sick about it. I also have a lot of trust learned last fall about being able to rest once the cardio base is in place. So just like the Redman to Glacial interval, I will rest again here in faith that I'm ready.
And my arms are sore from yesterday's short strength workout :) My abs aren't, or they aren't yet. I'm looking forward to getting back into strength training.
I didn't even try running today, I could feel the soreness in the foot and just went for the bike. The original plan was for a tready. I'm amused by the sacrifices I can make for an A race. From 28+ mile runs to completely resting it.
What is going on with the foot? It feels like a bruise, and luckily not an acute break/tear type of injury. Of course, that's just how it feels. It doesn't hurt to move the foot and flex the toes, it doesn't hurt for my hands to massage it, but it is definitely a sore spot. About a 2 out of 10 on the pain scale, in other words, pretty mild.
But on the nervous scale--more like a 7 out of 10. My big race is just over 2 weeks away and here I am nursing this little injury. Yet I'm pretty calm. I think about it, but don't agonize. I'm aware, but not sick about it. I also have a lot of trust learned last fall about being able to rest once the cardio base is in place. So just like the Redman to Glacial interval, I will rest again here in faith that I'm ready.
And my arms are sore from yesterday's short strength workout :) My abs aren't, or they aren't yet. I'm looking forward to getting back into strength training.
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