Running in Limbo

Nearing the top of Sullivan Canyon

Yesterday, was a strange, surprising run. I emailed my running coach about how to move forward this next month with my training. I'll be headed on two fishing trips this summer up to Canada, and while up there, at least for the first trip, running won't really be an option. I'll be in a very remote area, (we're dropped off by float plane, and picked up a week later) so running in the dense forest among the moose, black bears and wolves, would be a bad idea. I will have some time between the two trips, where I will be able to log a few miles in my hometown of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, but I've found in the past when I run there, I have a tough time of it. I don't know if it's the humidity or the bratwurst-based diet, but I rarely have a good run. For the next month or so, I'll be caught in a kind of running limbo. Coach told me that in the next month I should get in a few 10-12 milers, some trail runs and speed work. Say it with me: Fartleks!

Yesterday, I killed two birds with one stone, running an 11 mile trail run. I performed the night before, got to bed pretty late, and only managed 7 hours of sleep. I know I know, those of you with kids are giving me a hearty "F*ck You" right about now (the funk soul brother), but when I'm running a lot I need at least 8 hours of sleep, and usually 9 if I can manage. I ran the Sullivan Canyon to Westridge loop and it looked like this:

10.80 miles

1:40

Averaged 9:17/mile

149/bpm heart rate

I don't know how I managed to pull that run out of my ass. On the uphill sections my legs felt heavy, but the downhills and flats I felt light on my feet, and my form felt pretty good. This morning, I'm sore, but no more than I usually would be after a long run like that. It was the first run of any significant length since the Big Sur marathon last month.

I want to get at least one more long run in before I leave town, so I don't have the pressure on me to get one in on my vacation. I'd love to log a 15 miler next weekend.

Today, D and I are planning on a short hike. Sweet!

7 Miles

I ran a 7 miler yesterday, with heavy legs. I felt really out of shape, and yet, managed 7:59/mile. This morning my IT bands were pretty sore. No run today. I just "ran" out of time...

(rimshot)

These are the jokes folks.

Feeling Left Out

The elite men, kickin' some serious ass and taking names. Wesley Korir, (in the red shorts & orange singlet), not only went on to win the race an overtake the women who had started nearly 7 minutes earlier, but also set a course record in 2:08:24. The Red Kenyan has a bit of work to do.

Women's eventual winner, Tatiana Petrova (#52) runs by with camera crew in tow. Approximately 4 miles later, Wesley Korir overtook her.

The LA marathon was run yesterday. Memorial Day. I didn't run it. I couldn't. The race organizers changed the date TWICE, from it's home, the first sunday in March. They paid the price for their timing change. The amount of finishers was about 10,000 people short from years past. It felt strange to be watching from the sidelines, but I was excited to see the elites pass by. It's something I've never done before. It really was a sight to behold.

Checkin' My Guts

Today, I did my first speed work of any sort in about a month. I ran the Gut Check workout which is 1 minute hard 1 minute easy, 2 minutes hard, 2 minutes easy, 3 minutes hard and 3 minutes easy. I did it 3 times. I ran the "hard" repeats at 7:00/mile pace, and the "easy" portions @ 10:00/mile pace. I didn't feel like I was gonna die, but I DID feel it. I finished off with some stretching and worked my core. All in all, I was pretty pleased with the workout. I ran about 5 miles total (including my warmup).

5 Miles...

and a bit of upper body work. That's what I did on tuesday.

That's my story, and I'm stickin' with it.

A Quickie

Yesterday, after an unbelievably frustrating hour on on the phone with a credit card company, I had to jam in a quick 3 mile run, and some weights before I hurried off to class. I needed to work off some stress. It's a long, story with the credit card, but in a nutshell, they're rate jacking me, and I called to complain and have them do something about it. I spoke to 5 different people all giving me conflicting information, I was disconnected, and in the end, I cancelled my account.

"Customer service"?

Indeed.

Capital One, go f*ck yourselves.

Conservative Comeback

No, that's not a political reference, but merely how I'm trying to approach my running the last week or so. Yesterday was my first trail run in over a month. It felt great to be out there with the lizards running for cover, and the red tailed hawks soaring overhead. I only ran 7 miles. I was concerned I would overdo it on my first long-ish run since Big Sur. It was pretty hot out there, in the low to mid 80's I would guess. Ah yes, some things never change. There I was, running on a wide, well groomed fire road, when I kicked a little stone with my left foot... it traveled about 2 feet and landed squarely under my right foot.

And I rolled it.

Good times. 1.16 miles into my run, and I roll my ankle. The bad one. It wasn't a big deal, I continued on my way, but it is a little sore this morning.

My legs felt pretty heavy on the uphills, I guess that's to be somewhat expected, but I did make up for it on the way back. All in all, I ran the 7 miles in 1:10, averaging 10:00/mile. I was pretty pleased.

Today, I gotta hit the gym and do a little upper body weight lifting.

5 More Miles

I did another short 5 miler yesterday morning. Man, my hips and lower back get tight something fierce when I run first thing in the morning. In the future, I will have to get up a bit earlier, warm up, and stretch if I want to avoid injury and tightness.

On My Way Back

Well, I'm finally getting back into the swing of things, albeit, sloooowly.

Friday, I went on a 5 miler, most of which was done on a treadmill. Saturday, we headed to the beach where I ran after a frisbee all day long. This morning, we got up early and headed to the gym where I ran two miles on the treadmill, and did some weights. August 22nd seems to be right around the corner.

Still Resting

I continue my resting phase. I wanted to give myself at least 2 weeks of relaxing before I started back in on running and working out. From what I read, you're most susceptible to getting sick in the two weeks following a marathon. I felt so strong after Big Sur, but I had to fight the urge to get back to it too soon. I didn't want to get sick or injured. I did some pushups the other day, I will do so again today, just in preparation to begin working out again next week. Depending on how I feel, (and if the weather cooperates, it's ridiculously hot right now) I may start to come back this weekend.

I'm setting my sights on a 50K trail run on August 22nd. I'll have my work cut out for me.