Training Week 27
My next race is the Wisconsin Half Marathon on May 1.
Day 183 | April 19, 2010: strength
Even though I felt great during my 12-mile run the day before, my legs were a bit sore the day afterward! So I stuck to a really basic arm workout. I hadn’t been in the office gym since the previous Tuesday, and was surprised to see all new carpet and the machines all rearranged! It took me awhile to find what I was looking for!
Biangular Lat Row: 15 @ 45 lb, 2 x 15 @ 65 lb
Biangular Chest Press: 15 @ 30 lb, 2 x 15 @ 50 lb
Lateral Raise: 15 @ 25 lb, 15 @ 37.5 lb
Shoulder Press: 2 x 15 @ 20 lb
Lat Pulldown: 15 @ 45 lb, 2 x 15 @ 60 lb
Arm Curl: 2 x 15 @ 25 lb
Rope Pushdowns: 2 x 15 @ 30 lb
Day 184 | April 20, 2010: 6 m interval run
Steven and I ran 6 x 800s in the park near our house (which is conveniently an oval shape, and 1/2-mile around). It felt like it had been a while since we did intervals, but they went really well. We started with a 1-mile warm-up, then did the 800s around 4:45 with 400 recoveries and a 1/2-mile cool-down. Something tells me I could be running a bit faster. BUT, I would rather stay injury-free right now!
I wore these cute socks that I won in Kalli‘s giveaway!
Distance: 6.0 | Time: 59:43 | 800s @ 4:45, 4:47, 4:50, 4:39, 4:44, 4:38
Day 185 | April 21, 2010: cross
I snuck down to the gym and did a quick (recumbent) bike workout during my lunch break. I tried to take it easy, since my legs were still feeling sore from the long run the Sunday before.
Bike Time: 30:00 | Distance: 4.40 (Resistant set on 5.0)
Day 186 | April 22, 2010: 6 m tempo run (2 + 4)
What a great run. I told Steven I felt like I could have gone about four more miles! He noted that he’s been enjoying the speed workouts. He feels like doing intervals and tempo runs is a better way to work on speed that just trying to go all out, which is what we did last year. He thinks it is a lot easier on the body. I have to agree!
We did a 6-mile tempo run at the Nippersink Forest Preserve (it’s only 2 miles from our house!). We ran a 2-mile warm-up, 2 miles at tempo and a 2-mile cool-down. I ran with my new hydration belt – the Amphipod RunLite 4.
I bought this one because it holds four bottles and is adjustable. AND you can take the water bottles off to hold as many as you want. I really liked it on the first run! I ran with two bottles and they didn’t leak and the belt didn’t bounce! Woo-hoo!
Oops, I thought my shoe was rubbing!
Distance: 6.0 | Time: 1:00:46 | 1: 10:24 | 2: 10:24 | 3: 9:46 | 4: 9:39 | 5: 10:16 | 6: 10:14
Day 187 | April 23, 2010: cross
Steven and I were running some errands on the way to try archery and ended up with what we thought was a lot of free time, so we stopped at the Half Day Forest Preserve to check it out (we probably walked about 1.5 miles0. It has trails, sports and picnic areas and connects with the Des Plaines River Trail that we ran on last Sunday. Of course, when I saw it connected with the Des Plaines River Trail, I immediately started imagining running from forest preserve to forest preserve during long runs this summer. Fun!
Unfortunately, we didn’t have all of the free time that I thought we did. Even though we only had 30 minutes to drive, it ended up taking about an hour and a half, and we were late to meeting Erin and her husband, Jason, to try archery. Boo. I hate being late. But when the max speed on the highway is 15 mph between stopping, what are you supposed to do? I wish I had a hover car that turned into an airplane.
Anyway, we finally met up with Erin and Jason and went to the archery place. They showed us how it is done. Do I look like I know what I am doing in the picture below?
Ha! I don’t! I have discovered yet another sport that I have no natural talent in. I was telling Erin that I am hoping someday to find a sport, or something, that I am naturally talented in… or even, just good at after practice!
I thought archery was a lot of fun though. I can see getting pretty addicted to it, even obsessed with it (remember my bowling obsession of two summers ago?). Have you ever felt like you were addicted to a sport or activity?
It was super nice of Erin and Jason to be patient and show us how to do this. I hope we can go again!
Day 188 | April 24, 2010: 6 m run
Our training schedule called for 5-6 miles “easy” but I think I took us on more of a “half marathon pace” than easy. Oh well. It’s good practice, right? And, I am consistent! Check out my first four miles below (before the “finish strong” speed-up).
We went to the Sun Lake Forest Preserve to check it out. It has a 2.5 mile loop. It is really open, with hardly any shaded spots. It was okay for an overcast day like it was, but we were sweating because it was so humid! I cannot imagine what it would be like in the open sun.
So, are you guys getting sick of seeing all the pics of the forest preserves around our house?! I hope not, because here are some more…
Before the run
Our running partners!
After the run – we both removed a layer
Distance: 6.0 | Time: 1:00:48 | 1: 10:14 | 2: 10:13 | 3: 10:13 | 4: 10:14 | 5: 10:02 | 6: 9:47
Day 189 | April 25, 2010: rest
I am pretty sure this will end up being a rest day, but I can update it later if I need to!
Week Summary: 18.00 miles
This was a great week of runs. I feel ready for the half marathon next Saturday!
Notice that I didn’t do any two-a-days this week? And that I cut back quite a bit? Yeah… I think I am overdoing it and getting NOWHERE. And I am pretty sure my metabolism is all confused. I have no idea how much to eat anymore and am completely out of touch with what my body wants. So, I am going to stick to running and try to fit in cross/strength/yoga when I can, but not really beat myself up if I don’t. And HOPE that I can get to some sort of balance point with my eating.
This is kind of funny, but I was bored last night and googled my maiden name. I found some middle school track race I did in 1999 and DO NOT remember AT ALL. Apparently I ran an 800 in 3:10.26. Yeah, it isn’t amazing but I wonder if I could do that now.
Kind of funny though, I have been running on and off for at least 10 years.
Themocracy
Very exciting that you have your half coming up so soon! You’re going to rock it!
That blister pic– OUCH!!! 🙁
Hi – you could have fooled me with that bow, I think it looks pretty pro ;-). I just came across your blog so maybe it’s moot to say that I am not tired of your pics but anyway, I think it’s a really beautiful area and I enjoyed all the pics, lucky you!
Good luck with your race.
Ah… that blister looks painful! I guess it wasn’t so bad though since you were able to run a couple of days later?
So glad you are feeling ready for your half – and so excited for you that it is so close! 😀
Ugh, bloody blisters always make me cringe. Yikes! They look so painful.
That’s nice that your hydration belt doesn’t ride up. Mine likes to move up and settle around my waist. It’s so annoying, so I gave it to Harrison because he (obviously) has no hips.
One week to half marathon! Wheee!
Ugh…I get that shoe rubbing problem a lot. So frustrating!
Oh, and I’m in love with your socks. Too cute! 😀
That’s good to hear about the water bottle belt and how it doesn’t bounce all around on you! I bought a “Nathan’s water belt” last year and wore it once before giving it away. That thing went everywhere throughout the run! I’ll need to check this one out. 😀
Oh that blister looks rough! I’ve taken my shoes off to a surprise like that on my toe once… ruined my good sock!
That has happened to my husband too! It even bleed through and stained the toe of his shoe!
Waaait how can it be May next weekend? Time is getting away from me! Love the pics (except for the rubbed raw foot one–ouch!) Your new fuel belt looks like a good one! Enjoy!
I love that you have pics for your recaps! I want to do that but don’t know when to take pictures. Ha!
After this half I’m going to start working on speed work. And I agree with Steven, I like tempo runs and such so much better than balls-to-the-wall runs. I think that kind of speed work was also part of the reason I got injured last year during a race. Boo
Love the archery picture! You look so bad ass! I’m pretty addicted to martial arts and would be really grumpy if I had to give it up.
Your hair cut is so cute! Love it and how wavy it is, so pretty!
Thank you 🙂
I am able to put my camera on my hydration belt and take random pics during the run. You should try it, it’s fun!
The socks are adorable! The blister not-so-much. Looks like you’re ready for the upcoming Half May 1st. Nice. 🙂
I am so glad you are working on listening to your body. Keep doing that, and I bet the rest will fall into place. Oh, and sleep. Try to get sleep. 😉 My doctor was telling me yesterday that when you have a good blend of sleep, exercise, and good eating, your body manages stress at its very best.
Every time you mention the bowling obsession I crack up because I remember it so vividly!
I am struggling with getting enough sleep in a really bad way. We are going to try to go to bed early this week (for the race) and I hope Steven sticks with it and likes it 🙂
I love the forest pictures! Keep them coming 🙂
I dont have any sports that I have a natural talent for. My dad will argue that and tell you that Im a natural athlete and was always good at everything. But hes lying. The only thing I cant argue with him about was skiing – its too long ago and I cant remember. But at that point I figured I took enough risks by having a horse, I didnt need to be breaking any bones skiing.
Great pictures! I love the smiley face socks 🙂
You’re totally right about the intervals and being healthy vs 120% prepared. Best to be on the start line healthy than hurt any day!
(and yes, you do look like you know what you are doing with the bow)
I think it’s awesome that you were addicted to bowling! I bowled in my high school’s team (yea, my hs has a bowling team, what? haha). I mainly did it for free bowling but then really enjoyed it. I bowled in 2 leagues after/during those years and still miss it. I still have my own shoes and ball.
Good luck on your half next week. Can’t wait to hear a recap.
Sounds like you had a great week and are well prepared for your half next weekend! Just take good care of that blister – it looked painful – ouch!
Archery is so FUN! I agree that it can be totally addicting!!! But it is SO fun!!
Good thing you didn’t bleed all over your new socks! Those are super cute. Your shoe doesn’t normally cause injury, does it?
I’m jealous that you have so many great paths to choose from such a short distance from your house. I get kind of tired of my bike path. I’m looking forward to trying out all your routes this summer!
Sometimes I find that my body really likes it when I cut back. Hopefully that works for you! Are you going to take a running break after Saturday?
No, my shoe doesn’t normally do that! Actually, these were a new pair of socks too. And they were just too low 😉
I am looking forward to running these routes with you too!
I think I am going to take a week off after the race. Or, more realistically, 5-6 days, then do a long run 🙂
Your shoe/foot looks exactly like mine did when my kids were grossed out by me.
Archery sounds like so much fun. I didn’t know there was a place to do it near us.
Oh, the place we went to was FAR from us… down in Forest Park!
OUCH on the foot!
You did look natural with the bow, I would have never known you didn’t take to it like wildfire had you not said! Nope I have never been a natural at any sport, which is to bad. I think I would like them more if I could find one!
It looks like you are all set for Wisconsin on Saturday. Except for that nasty rubbing from your shoe. I hope that heels up soon for you. I’m getting excited for the race myself.
Oh my gosh….your poor ankle! I have surprisingly never gotten blisters on my feet. But my skin is REALLY dry, so maybe it’s like extra protection or something? 🙂
I never get tired of your forest preserve pictures!
I think that’s a great idea to cut back if you think you were overdoing it. My metabolism goes wonky when I switch up my workouts, too. VERY frustrating. Hopefully it will all even out very soon!