Training Week 64
My next race is the Frozen Zucchini Snowshoe Adventure (5K) on January 30th.
Day 442 | January 3, 2011: 5 m run
This run made me regret all the junky food I consumed over the month of December. I felt very “blah” and stopped to rest quite a few times. Sad.
I also stopped to check out the progress on the bridge being built for the new trail by our house:
Happy! It’s coming along!
But this trail? Kicks my butt. Here’s the elevation profile (same route, just upped the scale):
Maybe running it regularly will make me a stronger runner?
And P.S.:
Distance: 5.0 | Start Temp: 35° | End Temp: 34° | Time: 49:33 | Avg Pace: 9:54 | 1: 9:54 | 2: 9:40 | 3: 10:01 | 4: 9:59 | 5: 9:55
Day 443 | January 4, 2011: rest
Day 444 | January 5, 2011: cross
Recumbent Bike Time: 40:00 | Distance: 6.80 | Set on “Forest Ride”
When I was changing my socks in the gym I noticed the toenail on my second toe on my left foot was loose. Upon further examination at home, I found there was another toenail growing underneath, so I clipped the top one off. My first lost toenail! I feel like I should have a little badge or something.
So I made one. Feel free to use it if you want. Ha ha.
Day 445 | January 6, 2011: 4 m run
I felt like I was running in to the wind this entire run. How is that even possible? At least I didn’t stop at all… I just slowed down. A lot.
But… I did wear the new Tek Gear jacket from my Grandma. I love it! It has a nifty little pocket in the arm for your MP3 player, and has thumb holes. And it’s a beautiful purple color (or as Tek Gear calls it “blue iris”).
Distance: 4.0 | Start Temp: 23° | End Temp: 24° | Time: 39:31 | Avg Pace: 9:52 | 1: 9:26 | 2: 9:58 | 3: 10:05 | 4: 9:59
Day 446 | January 7, 2011: strength + cross
I did Level 1 of The 30 Day Shred with 2-lb weights. So, I am not sure when the last time I did the Shred was, and I am not looking it up, but DAMN. DAMN DAMN DAMN it was hard. A good workout for sure, I felt like I could actually feel my muscles stretching out. Maybe I will stick with it? Ha.
Steven and I went on a 2.5 mile walk in the afternoon. It was 20°F and lightly snowing. Brr!
Day 447 | January 8, 2011: 7.3 m run + stretch
Saturday was my first virtual 5K and my first run with the Grayslake Running Club! Twelve of us showed up, and I instantly found myself with 11 new friends. Everyone was very friendly and chatty, and someone (various people) ran with me the entire time, despite my slowing down. I can’t wait to get to know everyone better!
I ran 7.3 miles total, and ran the first 5K for Adam‘s Freeze Your Thorns Off Virtual 5K. I slowed down after the 5K point, and the group meet again at mile 4 (7 people stopped at 4 miles). Then I ran 3.3 more, even slower. It was cold, I was sore from doing The 30 Day Shred, it was windy, I felt out of breath, and… I’m heavy. Things will get better! I really enjoyed meeting new people and having someone to run with.
Run stats: I wore the Asics Cumulus 12s. I drank 6 ounces of water and ate a Vanilla Bean GU at mile 4. I had on wool socks, tights, pants, Under Armour ColdGear, my green Fila jacket, Under Armour Hood, Tek Gear beanie, and gloves. I took the gloves on and off a few times.
Distance: 7.3 | Start Temp: 10° | End Temp: 19° | Time: 1:15:27 | Avg Pace: 10:17 | 1: 10:09 | 2: 10:16 | 3: 9:49 | .1 : 00:59 | 4.1: 10:29 | 5.1: 10:18| 6.1: 10:31 | 7: 10:20 | .2: 2:31
In the evening I decided to try Jillian Michaels’ Yoga Meltdown (which I received for the holiday) to stretch out my muscles. Um, no. That DVD is like yoga CARDIO, and I did not need another cardio workout! I will have to try it another day.
Has anyone else done the Yoga Meltdown DVD? What did you think of it?
Day 448 | January 9, 2011: yoga
The first thing I thought when I woke up is “I am so sore and stiff!” I wasn’t planning on doing yoga first thing in the morning, but I thought it would make my day a lot better if I did! I did the YogaWorks Beginners DVD.
I wore a cute new yoga outfit that my mom gave me for the holiday. It’s Tek Gear (love!) from Kohl’s. It was perfect for yoga – it stayed right in place and allowed me a full range of motion.
Steven was in the garage on Saturday night, so that was where I had to go to have my picture taken. I first put this outfit on to use in the Yoga Meltdown, then quit 6 minutes in!
Week Summary: 16.3 miles
Despite all of my whining about my hard runs this week, I actually felt pretty motivated and energetic, so let’s hope that sticks around!
I really enjoyed running with the group on Saturday. It put me in a very good mood that lasted all day!
Themocracy
I have yoga meltdown and I love it as a cool-down stretch routine. I do it after other workouts, typically other workout DVDs. Like I’ll do a strength one and then follow that up with meltdown for stretching. As a standalone video I don’t like it but in combo with something else, I enjoy it a lot.
I’m pretty sure the Jillian DVD I have is the Yoga Meltdown. It has two levels, and as much yoga-ing as I’ve done, I’ve never attempted the second one. It is much more cardio than the vinyasa yoga I’m accustomed to…and I have the same issue- I’ve usually done my cardio for the day and am seeking more stretch and relaxation. Guess those words aren’t in Jillian’s vocabulary!
All the Jillian DVD’s scare me, plus I’m wary to buy any of her products. (Why does she have diet pills?!?)
I have the same issue with my toenails, one in particular. They need to stop doubling up on each other!
Hahahah, I love the toenail badge 🙂 My black one peeled off a month or so ago and there was a new one underneath. Crazy.
I’m glad that running with GRC made you feel energized! That’s how I feel when I run with OPRC.
Great job this week! And that’s a Tek Gear jacket? That’s really nice! I * heart * Kohls stuff as well!
I might be at the Chilly Cucumber running shoe race. Not going to run it, have a Windburn Six hour (although can only do four hours) day before but some friends are signed up so might come up and bring the Nike promo cow bell, hup hup hup. Oh that’s XC skiing.
Can’t answer the Jillian Michaels question but yeah why does she promote diet pills. There are plenty of good yoga videos out there although I’d suggest sign up for a class. I did a six week intro course in Aug/Sep and it was great. Small review on my blog: http://denalifc.blogspot.com/2010/09/six-weeks-of-yoga-fundamentals.html
Best,
Ian
I love your captions in your photos! And that trail looks AWESOME. Well, except the elevation (me and hills don’t mix), BUT hills are so good to run. I need to tell that to myself, though.
I actually have that Yoga DVD….and I’ve never done it! 🙁 I guess I’ve been intimidated. It wouldn’t surprise me, coming from her!