Wk 4-6 of 16 Wk Program

Been working really hard on and off the track....at work continue to live and breath 2010 plan....but end of week 4 headed to Huntington!!! :) So I get a much needed break from work and enjoy some vacation time with family on the beach! Worked my workouts around it but also B and I were also excited to get in a workout on the boardwalk along the beach! So for week 4 I was still down in the lower mileage for this plan but knew I was soon suppose to be back at that 5 mile mark. It was stessing me out and I was worried after not hitting that for almost a month now I wouldn't be able to do it and I was getting behind. Also as I talk about these weeks I really don't know what my true pace is...have a good idea but have spent so much time on trying to calibrate for indoor it just isn't working out. Anyway did a workout that Monday 3 miles...then getting ready for the trip didn't get in another run until B and my run in Huntington. So funny thing...B and I, (brother and sister, hermana y hermano), were so excited to do this run, we're in cooler weather (outside the 100 plus heat of Vegas and Phx,) plus we were on the BEACH!! This is going to be great!! He's like we'll run together...and I kept saying...you don't have to my pace is really slow (keep in mind at this point he'd started training almost 2 months after me and had already reached a 7 mile run and in one of those miles did a 8-9 min pace....boys are so lucky! :) ) So he's like no no we'll stay together....not even 1/3rd of a mile he bails :) I tease because I can and it's funny to me....but honestly, I get it! I have just as much trouble trying to run with someone faster because it's making me go out of my comfort zone and throws off my overall pace and approach to my run. I think afterward during our bloody mary...yes that's right bloody mary, he said it would have been easier to walk with me...ouch :) No again I know this and the pace is what I'm now working on but I do have to say it has improved. Funny story which I've told a few people...in my first week or two when I was running in my neighborhood there was a couple walking in front of me....not more than 25 yrds....first it literally took me 10 minutes to catch up to them...then I actually ran (what am I saying jogged, trotted...whatever you call it) next to them for a good 2 minutes...I COULDN'T EVEN PASS THEM)...boy did I feel pathetic and couldn't help but laugh inside my head. So anyway B ran ahead which was absolultely fine I do better by myself...he was going to do 5 and I was going to do 4 and hopefully by the end we'd meet up at the same time. So I'm going along trying to take it all in...and I just wasn't feeling it...isn't this suppose to be amazing?! Keep going and ugh finally 2 miles...one of the hardest 2 miles but now I get to turn back. Think that's cool...just keep an eye on the pier and I know I'm almost done. The run was miserable...wasn't taking in any of the beautiful ocean...my chest felt like I was being drowned...my breathing just stunk. It was actually the first time I walked...at 3.25 mi I walked...ran walked again and then finished it out. I did manage to beat him back but only because he went 5.8 instead of 5...good for him! I was able to see GPS and get a true pace...and it ranged from 13:20 to 14:20....and in this case with the higher pace at the end which is usually opposite for me. I tend to improve. But so why was it so hard....was it the ocean air...the moisture and humidity (didn't feel humid but obviously there is some being on the ocean)? And if that's the case it's got me freaked out for Monterey...what if I run into the same issues?? The other thing I think may have wigged me out is I think I've actually now become more accustomed to indoor training...counting laps etc and mentally I've shifted...when I was outdoor running...I kept seeing sights in the distance and think oh hey if I reach that crazy looking guy in the speedo then I've got to be close to the 2 mi mark...and then I'd get there and I'd still have another qtr mil...what the freak..it was defeating! Scoping out the distance in front of me visually really messed with me I think plus I think I made a skate boarder wipe out. So anyway we didn't get another run in that weekend but got plenty of exercise on the beach in the ocean boogie boarding. And that's another thing walking in sand is hard and tiring ( you don't remember that until you do it) and the waves can take there toll...but I honestly felt really good...no problems digging a big whole to bury my nephew in and carrying his wetsuit, boogie board, shovels and pails...my muscles are getting strong and they held out for me over the weekend...it was great!! Oh and what was it my nephew said when he saw a guy playing volleyball in a speedo...first why is he playing in his underwear...and then I think there was something about his twigs and berries, or meatballs and noodles...either way we were dying!!!

Boy this is going to be a long post....ok so when we got back I was feeling a little pressure like I said because I was getting close to having to hit that 6 mi long run and was worried 1) because I hadn't done 5 since a month ago and 2) it was only increasing from that point forward. What about my hip blah blah blah...I also decided to change up my days with my long run being on Monday's so week 5 I moved my long run to 8/31...6 miles the day before my 34th B-day. I was really nervious about that 6 mile long run. I just didn't see how I could do it...80.4 laps around this track but with my b-day the next day it became a personal goal for me. So I did it...it was hard and it sucked at many points...oh but the highlight...a complete stranger whom I never recall ever seeing there before (ya get to know the repeaters) started walking on the track around mile 5 and as she saw me approaching her she says "you are really doing a great job...I can really see all the weight you've lost especially from behind"...what?! I don't care from which angle...that was the nicest thing!! She must have been watching me since I started running at the center and seen my progress...it just totally lifted my spirits and made the rest seem easy. So I finished and what is it about once you stop your body just is shot....I'm breathing fine in my 6th mile but the moment I stop running it's like I can't suck enough air in...I went to sit down and put my head down between my legs...came back up as a guy was walking toward me to see if I was ok...he just smiled and back away. I was dripping, half my shirt was drenched, my face was all salt and I couldn't have worn that more as a badge of honor...it was awesome!! I liken it to what I can imagine as giving birth...sucks while you're doing it but it's great afterward..of course I just recently read pregnant women hate when you use this comparison and you've never had kids....so forget that :) Also my recovery went well...no major hip pain outside just the overall aches and pains from long run so I was psyched about that.

Next night was great with the girls celebrating my b-day...low key, sushi and a couple drinks...oh and forgot to say I got a surfboard from dad while in CA so my goal next summer is work this ass and get into surfing shape :)

Labor day weekend was fun...had family over and played water volleyball in the pool...and then didn't get my run in Monday so I did my long run tonight. Horrible day overall and was literally 90% checked out from running but then something just told me it would make me feel better mentally and physically...because ultimately I'd just beat myself up for not doing it and feel worse. Ang came with me and while stretching asked how many miles I needed to do today and I said 6 mi...she essentially said oh my gosh really....she hasn't been there for anything past 4. She ran the first mile with me which was a great distraction and then did her own intervals around the track as well as weight training but on top of that came back to take care of me and be my water girl...that was great...so supportive and really helped. Time went slow but fast and I felt great when it was done!!! So so glad I did it and just have to remember that the next time I try and talk myself out of it. So anyway....whew...that all! 3 weeks worth of catching up....