Program Week 8 - Days 3-5 - I did it!!

I did it!!! So freaking shocked!! I finished week 8 in line with the program....maybe even slightly above the 2 miles...slightly :) Days 1 and 2 in my last posting I was feeling a bit frustrated and was worried how things were going to go... Day 3 was sooo much better. Hadn't planned to run outdoor taking the advice of those closest to me but that day after work it was overcast and rainy (temp high 80 - low 90) so I decided to do the run in my neighborhood. Weather was humid but still not bad out at all. The run went so much better!!! Ended at 1.9m, 29 minutes....AND my pace came in at what it was on the track...flat land vs hills...avg 14:50 min...huh? Day 4 ran about the same as Day 3 but first interval was 20 min...just to get a little rest for Sunday. Day 5 - Sunday morning, got my butt up at 5am, Shelley came over and we hit the streets for a run at 5:45. She talked I listened :) no questions please...can't breath enough to talk :) Made it through the 30 min run a little over 2 mi and felt good...hot but really good!!!! I know I say this over and over again and I probably will continue to... At the beginning I was trying to convince myself I could do it but had serious serious doubts and really thought I'd be on to an alternative within 3 weeks. But I stuck to and did it and it didn't kill me....and even now after running the 2 mi which felt hard...today I continue to go further. I actually finished my run today and was anxious to do it again tomorrow (but it's a rest day). I'm infected with the sickness :)

Now onto the next 4 weeks....each week end increasing one mile therefore ending at 6 miles. Shelley is evil....it took me 8 weeks to get to 2 miles...now 4 weeks to triple it...what did I do to her?? :) Kidding, I get it...the process and thought behind it.. and honestly believe I can really do it. Onward I go....

Program Week 8 - Days 1 and 2

So I've decided to write a bit early about week 8 because I'm feeling a bit frustrated with my running this week. I can't sleep and it's really bothering me because I haven't really felt this way in a while so I thought I'd get it all out now in the hopes that I could move on....

This week I switched things up a bit...Ang is on a break from boot camp and so we decided it would be great to work out together....so she could work on her running and I could just continue on with my program but both have the benefit of support of each other and laughs (when we weren't dying). So we found a high school that is on both of our ways home from work and decided to run the track...during high school summer football workouts no less..... So not wanting her to wait until my usual time to work out we compromised and Mon started the workout at 6:30. Sun still fully on the track it was tough for the first part of the workout...27 min run/1min walk/2 min run. It was ok but I never fully got into a rhythm and it just didn't feel good the entire time....( I even managed to be unsuccessful in timing my running for when the sprinklers were spraying onto the track....give me relief lord :) ). Got through it and it was great to have Ang to walk a few laps and talk afterward as we warmed down. Now another point...this is a track...no hills nothing....shouldn't this be easier??????? What the f?? I forgot my watch so I couldn't time it but I think my times were actually better so may that's the other thing...I'm not used to someone running with me or near me so I felt pressure to increase speed therefore perhaps wearing me out faster...hmm. So today we did run #2....the program actually had me coming down to 20 min run for the first interval. Sky was overcast all day so we decided to head out a bit earlier so we could get it done. Found out it was still about 103 degrees out. Started at about 6....and was able to get 4 laps (ie 1 mile) down before the sun was out fully....my body was just in quit mode...it took everything in me just to finish at the 20 min mark....I actually wanted to quit at 15 min. Sorry if I sound crazy but ever have the couple minutes of insanity where all your brain is doing is telling you how much it just can't go on but you don't want to give in...and you're almost on the verge of a panic feeling...it felt like that...why am I getting this now?? Shouldn't this be showing up when I start increasing my distance and/or increase my speed....I've done this ...been doing this. And again...easier route. Had my watch today and my 1 mile pace did decrease to 14.50 so I did cut a almost a min...probably because of the flat land. I think the heat ultimately got to me today and yesterday to a degree. I think I'm just either going to have to convince Ang to go later or go back to my other routes....plus the track is so boring....oh hey there's the scoreboard...3 minutes later...oh hey there's the scoreboard...you catch my drift...very repetitious and not mentally stimulating. I was excited going into this week because I knew first I'd have my final run with Shelley Sunday morning...and also that I'd be starting the next phase...4 weeks to increase speed and/or distance...then the next phase of 16 weeks of both as well to get me close to the 13 miles by the race in November. So the most recent barrier...please let it be temporary.

Plus I guess what is bothering me mentally is that I need to get in more cardio on top of this as well as strength training...and I just don't know what do...because I want to swim at one place, run at another, and strength train at another...it makes it hard from a time perspective...I need to figure that out in my brain. And with finishing running at 8...I just want to stay up later because I know I have to start the day all over again..and I'm just not ready. Not about the workouts but from my hectic work hours and this in addition to it.

So on a positive note...don't get me wrong...I'm still farther along than my brain ever thought I would be and I'm seeing very positive results on the scale etc...so I'm very happy about that!!!

I'm just in a thing right now...and have to work it out mentally.

Program Week 7

So week 7 went well..work week was better as well...however it wasn't until Tuesday night that I realized I actually had to get in 5 runs this week...all progressing toward 26 min non-stop by end of the week....crap...close to the 2 miles for me...for someone else that actually had speed perhaps 5 miles. :)

Monday ran my route in my neighborhood 20 min run/1 walk/9 run..hadn't charged my watch so I wasn't able to see my pace but things went well. Same time etc for Tuesday run as well. Wed finally had my watch and got to see how my pace was on this route with my new watch. I actually did better than the other route...huh..there is way more uphill on this route. Don't get me wrong was very happy but very surprised. Last 5 minutes straight uphill...was so so hard but felt so freakin fabulous once I was done. Friday went about 7:15 and ran the route in the other neighborhood...went just early enough to be out of the creepy areas by dark. It was an overcast day and actually had a few sprinkles in the beginning which felt great. Time increased to 24 min which came in at about 1.3-1.4 miles....Sat 26 min but didn't have my watch....think my distance came in at about 1.7 miles for the non-stop ..just under 2 in total.

Short submission this week...as things just seemed to move along plus I'm tired :) Talked to Shelley this week and she is going to be in town the weekend of my last day of this program (week 8) which is the 28th so she's going to do my end goal for this program of full 30 min run....so I'm happy to have her do it with me....if she can keep up with my wicked speed :)

The good weather we had in June definitely came to an end in week 8....so far not as great of a final week in this program as I'd hoped....changed my routine and don't know if that's what's messing with me...still 3 more runs this week left...fill ya in next week.

Program Week 6

Ok better late than never :) So week 6, continue to progress. I was very excited Monday when I managed to run my first mile without walking or stopping...1.09 mi to be exact! :) Couldn't believe it...my first time ever! Bought a brand new bad ass watch by Garmin that allows me to track everything..heart rate, GPS mapping of my route, per mile times etc. So that first 1 mi came in at 15.41. I did the route I did the previous Friday and again tried the opposite route. Not bad...however I did find that it can get creepy at night in a half built subdivision. Twice had to consider in my brain if I thought I could actually run faster if I needed to outrun Creeper Creeperson. Decided that it didn't seem feasible, I was spent :) I was SOL! Rest of the week was hell...not running but work! Monday after the run worked until 2am...keep in mind I started work that day at 7am. Wed had a mini-breakdown but by Thursday was settled and ok again. Wanted to get my workout in before sundown so went to the gym with mom and did my workout on a treadmill for the first time. Thought it might be easier with the give of the treadmill....but honestly it felt harder...for the first time I got shin splints. I think it was hard to find my normal pace. It was funny to me that I've run in warmer weather but even with the fans from the machine came out of there sweatier than I've ever been..but still overall great workout and stuck to my program. Overall, I'm really trying to make a commitment to myself that even if I have to work late, if I know I can do some of the work at home (which I normally can) I try to leave at least to get a run in...because I have to do these things for myself. I still may work late but I have to make it a priority..plus it helps to destress my brain for a period of time. Friday headed to Vegas to celebrate B's b-day. Was a good girl and did a run in Vegas. A little to late around 9 or 10 and even though Vegas is cooler the sun was beating down. I've also come to the decision that there is just no flat land in neither Phx nor Vegas :) Didn't have my watch with me so I didn't capture my times but hey at least I got the work out in. 18 min run, 1 walk, 11 run. Better work week in week 7 so that's good. Even though I didn't get in all my workouts I'm still learning that I need to do this for myself and if at all possible get it done even if it means going back to the grind immediately after. Soon week 7...

Program Week 5

A couple days late but things have just been so busy at work..and I'm completely drained on top of it. I kind of thought the running thing would energize me more...but I'm more tired than ever! Been getting the best sleep however :)

First run Monday was ok...did my route backwards which again had it's pros and cons. Find that whenever doing a route you think "oh hey if I go reverse" it's probably easier...well you quickly find it equally has it's challenges...and in this case that down hill section I previously loved was way more uphill the other way than any of the uphills the original way. Didn't like that hill so much that way...can you go slower than a worm??...I think I proved you can :) Any way did the first interval at about 12 minutes...then when starting to run again right after the hill my Achilles (sp?) felt a little tight...not wanting to risk anything just ran 2 minutes....walked 10 then ran the remainder and I was fine. Wednesday was good, tried the reverse route again and things we ok...still slow up that hill for sure. Then Friday after an early evening appt in the salon...drove over to a neighborhood on the other side of the mountain looking for flatter land and a change of scenery. Found a loop in the subdivision that I"d seen previously while walking and decided to do this route. Drove it and it measured to about 1.75 miles. Started running and at first my body just felt weighted down...like 4 minutes in I just wanted to walk...kept going and started looking around to distract me. It's a new subdivision that has basically come to a halt on new homes since the economy so in many sections of the loop you have wide open views of the mountains and at this time the sunset. It was soooooo beautiful...it was at that point where the sun is almost down and the base of the sky is hot pink and against it are the black mountains...found myself just taking in the view and next thing I knew I was at the 14 minutes...second interval was fine as well because I was hitting a bit of downhill and also with it being a cloudy day that day...the temperature was great!!! Got done, put the top down on the car and drove home for a chilled out Friday night of movies. Was a bad girl and missed the last workout over the weekend .... but does laying on your raft and swimming over to your drink on the side of the pool count??!!

Good to hear from Shelley that the first so many minutes sucks for everyone because it seems like I"m getting used to a bit of the distance but that beginning 5 or so just stinks!! Still have a hard time fathoming 13 mi!!!!!

Won't spill but my Monday workout this week....oh nevermind...I'll tell ya next week :)

Program Week 4

So what a crazy and odd week! Monday was a holiday, work was so busy and stressful, Zach came into town Wed night (but because of work couldn't see him until Fri). Was then able to spend the weekend relaxing from the busy work week and enjoying time with Zach. So what about the running....??? Ended last week with my knee really bothering me again and decided to give it about 4 days to rest. Still was really bothering me as of Sunday but Tuesday decided to run even though I could still feel a little tenderness. Decided to stick with where I left off and not push additional time just to be safe so I did 6min x4 and 2 min...with 1min walk in between. Knee felt good and no issues the next day. So far so good! Thurs planned to up it 1 min per interval...but still always thinking about what was going to push my knee over the edge again this week.... First interval didn't feel too bad was able to do 7 min. Second interval...didn't feel as good so I lasted about 5:30...then on the next interval something happened and I was in a complete rhythm and felt like I could go forever....so Shelley will probably kill me but instead of sticking with my intervals I decided to keep going and see what I could do, fully understanding I may really regret this. Now don't expect a miracle here but I ended up comfortably running a 13 min interval. I was really happy!!! It felt so good!! I think I did another 2 min interval...but again I was expecting the worst from my knee the next day. Next day...not a problem. What?? Maybe it will take a day for the pain to kick in?? Friday came and my stressful week was coming to an end...just looking forward to having fun with Zach and not doing anything outside that. Planned to get up Sat morning and run but was just so exhausted from the late nights during the week working that I slept in. Zach and mom stayed the night Sat night and Sunday morning got up before everyone and went for a run. Decided to see where I could land between the 7 min and 13 min and ended up doing 11 min x2 and 5 min at the end. Felt really good...don't get me wrong...it's still tough but it's bearable tough! First morning run...went a bit later than I'd hoped...around 8 and honestly it felt much hotter than the evening runs...the sun beating down on you...even though the temp was lower. Strange how for Shelley and I it's opposites...I do have to admit maybe if it had been closer to 6 am that may have been another story. So not a typical or ideal week but I think I made a ton of progress that I wasn't at all expecting!!! Back on plan now and we'll see if I can stay the course vs. this twisted one I seem to have been on the past couple weeks. :)

I don't know what to think about the knee...ok I take that back, I do have some thoughts...whether any of them are valid who knows...
1) Muscles are getting stronger and it's helping to take some of the strain
2) I don't think I did any real damage to the knee as I was fearing (considering my prior MCL tear) but I think it's just bruising that I'm feeling and it seems to be working to just give it a few days to really rest and then restart.

Pretty simplistic thinking but right now something is working....so I'm going to go with it. I'm continually shocked by where I'm at just 4 weeks in....but also feel completely overwhelmed when I think about the end goal. Can't think of that and just need to keep on, keepin on... :)