Half Marathon Training Week 6
Day 36 | November 23, 2009: Stretch and Strengthen
I did the same routine as last Wednesday plus lat pulldowns (15 @ 45 lb, 15 @ 60 lb, 15 @ 60 lb) per Erin’s recommendation. And no one in the gym harassed me about the legitimacy of my routine! Yay!
Day 37 | November 24, 2009: 4 m run rest
Reasons to Not Run:
- You feel exhausted
- Your lower back is sore (why is my lower back sore?)
- Your legs are sore (why are my legs sore?)
- It’s raining outside. Hard.
- You’re sick of running in the dark.
- You just don’t feel like it.
Okay, some of those reasons are more valid than others, but they’re ALL reasons why I didn’t run on Tuesday night…
Day 38 | November 25, 2009: 2 m run or cross 4 m run + strength
… and ran Wednesday morning instead – at 6:30 am at the office gym treadmill, meaning I caught the 4:56 train. The nice thing about working out before work is that you save time at home by not putting on makeup and getting ready – you do that at the office.
Both shins hurt for the first half mile, so I iced them later in the day. I listened to Holiday Music on 93.9 and watched the Today Show while running. It was kind of fun combo.
I visited the gym again during my lunch break and did the same strength routine as Monday. I had to be careful not to overdo it, because my back hurt all day Tuesday, but surprisingly, I felt fine.
Distance: 4.00 | Time: 40:44 | 1: 10:32 | 2: 10:11 | 10:11 | 4: 9:50
Day 39 | November 26, 2009: 4 m run + strength 5K Race
We ran the Crystal Lake Thanksgiving Day 5K in 28:40. This is my first 5K since the one I ran in August with Erin (side note – I miss running with you, Erin!!!). Three whole months without racing! It felt good to race again – not that I race to be competitive – there were plenty of people ahead of me. I just like to get out there in the running community.
Distance: 3.09 | Time: 28:40 | 1: 9:49 | 2: 9:11 | 3: 8:52 | 4: 00:46
Day 40 | November 27, 2009: rest or easy run
Yeah. This was a day of REST. Unless Wii Rock Band counts?
Day 41 | November 28, 2009: rest 6 m run
Warning: Photo Heavy Recap Ahead!
To take advantage of higher temps (50°) and a lower chance of rain, we decided to do our run on Saturday, and we tried a new trail! On the way to our 5K on Thursday, we drove by a sign for the Moraine Hills State Park. I was intrigued, so on the way back home, we drove through it to check it out.
We found that the park has four seperate trails (crushed limestone), as well as some dirt trails! I feel so ignorant for not knowing about it! This State Park is only 10 miles from my house and I am JUST NOW finding it? We decided to go check it out for our run (and hey, we actual got there at a decent hour!).
What a treat it was. This park has real trails and real HILLS. And the trails were so beautiful. We ran by prairie areas, by lakes and streams, and through the woods. Actually, the trails we took went through mostly wooded areas – I bet it would be a great place to run in the summer.
We took a very easy pace – around 10:20. And we were very stop-and-go. At first it was to make sure we were following the correct paths (they are directional) then it was to stop at the car so Steven could change (I was WAY overdressed) then it was to stop and take silly photos and look at neat wildlife.
I am excited to go back there again, especially because of the hills. And maybe even in the winter, Steven and I could do some snowshoeing.
Hills,
hills,
and more hills.
Like my improvised shorts?
Lake Defiance
Steven and Kim
Wetlands
Distance: 6.00 | Time: 1:02:05 | Our splits got messed up but you can see them here.
Day 42 | November 29, 2009: 5K Race 30 Day Shred (Level 1)
Oh, the 30 Day Shred. How I’ve neglected you. Usually, when I do it after I haven’t for awhile, it completely kicks my butt. Well, not this time! I found the strength and ab moves easier than before. It was the jumping jacks, butt kicks and jump rope that were bothering my shin. Someday, maybe someday, I will move on to Level 2. Ha ha.
Week Summary: 13.09 miles
Ha, I am not sure if there was even a point of putting the base Hal Higdon Novice Half Marathon Training Schedule up this week. We basically did our own thing to accommodate for the holiday and the 5K. Coincidentally, the plan did call for a 5K race this week, so that worked out well.
I would really like to see my weekly mileage increase, but I want to take it slow so I need to be patient. It’s kind of hard to up your mileage very much when you are only running three days a week! I really think that is the best plan for me right now though – I don’t want to overdo it and hurt myself.
Themocracy
That trail looks so beautiful!! There are so many pretty places hidden out there.
And you totally rock for hitting the gym twice in one day! I always feel so hardcore when I do that 🙂
P.S. I miss running with you, too.
.-= Author’s last blog post… The Boys of Lunch =-.
Looks like a great place to run.
When my lower back hurt, it was actually my hip flexors and my piriformis that were causing the problem…. really hard spot to stretch. (I’ll go away now… )
.-= Author’s last blog post… Fair is fair… The Updates =-.
You have the negative splits DOWN!!
It looks absolutely beautiful there. Well, except for the hills. I DESPISE hills. I know some people love the challenge…not me! It’s why I live in Indiana, people!
I think you’re being smart about your mileage. I think when I came back from my last injury, I went out and did too much too soon – obviously that came back to bite me! Slow and steady, ya know…. 🙂
.-= Author’s last blog post… Yes, I Would Like Fries to Go With That =-.
That looks so beautiful.
I am laughing that your lower back hurts. Not because it is funny, but because for the past week or so mine has been bugging me too for no reason I can think of.
.-= Author’s last blog post… Happy Thanksgiving =-.
Look at you, powering up all those hills! Woohoo!
I am going to try to get Harrison to walk with me more often, especially once Frenchie friend comes up. Maybe one day, we’ll come visit you and Steven, and we can go on a double-walk-date hahaha.
.-= Author’s last blog post… Waffles make things better. =-.
How did you deal with the distance between the start and end on your route? Is that just walking?
Reading your updates makes me want to start running again, but only until I navigate away from your page. 🙂 Maybe in the spring….
.-= Author’s last blog post… Macro Monday #38 =-.
Y’all have so many pretty places to run!!! The scenery is beautiful!!!
=^..^=
.-= Author’s last blog post… Happy Thanksgiving =-.
Is it just me or did Steven get a haircut? Or have I been absent from posting here in a while?
.-= Author’s last blog post… I’m Thankful… =-.