Wednesday, September 30, 2009

8.93 for me

Well the euphoria of yesterday's 5 mile effort did not quite carry over to today. The weather was quite windy and was really a shock. I have been spoiled the last few months besides for the random day here or there that pushed me around. I was really surprised by the warmth with all the wind. I decided to do a loop around what I call eastern Laramie.

The first mile was hard to get moving. My legs have definitely gotten that dead feeling the last couple of weeks. My taper can not come fast enough. But I am not there for another week and a half so I just need to suck it up. Easier said than done....

It took almost 4 and a half miles before I felt the rust coming out of the ol legs and felt good about being out there. The traffic was quite steady and there were a lot of lights that I caught. Made a little bit tougher to find my pace and my stride. But no matter...I made the distance...more or less and my time was respectable....little over 1 hour 31 minutes...so overall I would have to say the run was a success.

I am finding the sore feeling really staying with me longer and longer and harder to get to go away. Hopefully after the 5 tomorrow those 48 hours will get me feeling refreshed and charged up to hit 14 on Saturday.
Thanks for reading!

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

5 mile attitude adjustment

So I was in a really bad state of mind when I went to bed. I have been really struggling with my coursework and I am really starting to doubt my abilities to succeed in Computer Science. I was not even able to come close to completing a rather large programming assignment and that always drags me down. When I woke up 7:00 I really did not want to run. I just wanted to lie there and feel sorry for myself. I managed to get up and out the door. I was pretty over-dressed because the computer said it was only 37 out so that was my only real miscue of the morning.

The first mile was a bear. The legs are still sore. My IT has slowly started to show itself in the original knee pain I worked to get past. The frustrations of my world felt like a boulder weighing me down. I trudged and kept pushing to the top of my hill....my first mile.

The longer my legs kept pushing, the more relaxed and free my brain became. My pace was slow....no question....but it didn't matter. Getting out there and just doing what I have grown to love doing helps me find my center, create my balance. The run itself was pretty unremarkable. It wasn't fast....it was kind of painful...but mentally....it helped me get my focus back on track.....

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Not quite 18

Had some serious GI issues today. Only ended up going 17.5. I figure I am going to be on my feet for most the rest of the day dragging dead branches and trees, off by .5 won't be the end of the world. I am running late to help my folks in the mountains. I will give a full recap tonight. Hope you all had good runs, those of you that are runners.

Continue:

Had another pretty sleepless night. Kind of strange being tired and sick and not being able to sleep. I woke up at 5:45. I had tried to eat last night thinking it might help with the stomach issues from the Blocks energy supplement I had been trying. Since I was able to use the Hammer gels for Colorado (even though they made me miserable) I decided to try one in before I went out and then add the other later. (Ironically, I think it was the sample that we had been given at the Colorado Marathon in our goodie bag, although I don't remember for sure). That idea was one of the least intelligent I have had since I started running. But more on that later.

It was quite chilly. There was frost on the ground and you can really feel it. I carried my water bottle and the shot blocks with me up the hill and left them at the top. If I had known I would not be able to get them down, I could have kept my hands warmer by not carrying them. As it was, it took a long time to get warm.

First few miles went well. I was chugging along pretty slow, but I felt decent. The colors as the sun was rising were nice. There weren't too many people out for the first hour, and I always like less road traffic. As I slowly made my way around Laramie, you could see more and more leaves turning and that makes me sad. Feels like summer was just here. New York will be here before I know it (well not really....5 weeks away).

I first noticed the stomach pain around mile 5.7. I had gone to the gym last night and worked on my abs for awhile (I have been lax about getting there). I think I overdid it, but did not realize it until part way through the run. At almost the same exact spot, I had to stop and walk because of the horrible sensations in my stomach. But unlike last week, the track was still locked (it was unlocked the next two times around, so I am guessing it was too early). It took me awhile to find someplace and that really wore me down.

Even after my stop, the pain in my stomach remained. My next loop around, I tried to drink more and that seemed to help, but then I felt totally water-logged. This is a delicate dance I am going to have to learn over the next 5 weeks. I know I have to get used to them, I just don't like it.

Some point throughout my run, I turned off my watch and forgot to turn it back on. So I have really no clue how much time I spent running. I had to do all the distance math in my head, and it took me forever to figure out where I needed to be. I decided that 17.5 was all I was going to handle, because my stomach cramped up severely again about 1 mile from home. I ended up having to talk the last .3 of a mile. Kind of a bad way to end a run. But I almost got the full distance in.

To answer a question posed, I have not looked too closely at any races to do between now and New York. I need to, but I don't want to give up a day with driving and running so I will look tonight and see if I can find something. I am due for a long run of 14 next week I think so it should be an interesting week. Thanks for reading!

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

8.9....eh close enough

First of all, Jon I know the treadmill would have been the way to go. But getting one at 5:00 on a weeknight is a no go. And they have a time limit so it just did not feel like the way to go tonight. I will probably pay the price tomorrow.

The weather was not too bad. The temperature was a little under 50 without the wind chill. The wind was up around 18-19 miles per hour. Overall, with the way I felt it could have been much worse.

The first mile seemed to really drag on. Just not used to running when I am sick. I was worried about really getting thirsty, but it worked out fairly well. There were a lot of people out driving...around rush hour...go figure. I hit many many traffic lights, so finding my rhythm was not easy.

It was nice to see some of the fall colors with the sun close to twilight. I did see a few more runners than my run last week of 8 miles. It always helps keep me going.

The last few miles were tough, and right now my legs are really beat but overall I am pleased that I just took the initiative to get out there and get the mileage in. I could have given in and said no, but I didn't....I did what I needed to do. Thanks for reading.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

No 4 for me

So I have been nursing a serious head cold since Saturday. I originally thought I would just nut up and do my run today....but I need to be as healthy as possible for my mid run of 9 and my real long run of 18. Plus after that, I promised my folks I would go up to the  mountains and help them haul branches and stuff so if I don't get better sooner, I am going to be kicking myself later. I will get 9 in tomorrow morning....promise.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

13 is the luckiest number....or maybe not.

So I tried to do everything right with this run. I was in bed by 10 but being in bed did not translate to actually falling asleep. It was pretty surreal. Just laid there most the night not falling asleep. This has been a brutal week with school so I though I would crash, but it was not to be. The alarm went off at 5:30 and I got up and fed the cat and almost fell over because I was so tired. So I crawled back in bed for an hour. It helped...a little.

I was really looking forward to the 13 mile run today. I was able to find a charger for my Ipod through one of my roommates friends and that helped my mood to be sure. I also downloaded quite a few new songs to put in the rotation. I took off Thursday thinking it would help my legs recover from the hard effort Wednesday. I am just not sure what else I could have done to be ready for today.

I have been trying to work in some Shot Blocks to help with the energy in the morning and during the run. My stomach has just never been able to get used to them, and today they really wreaked havoc on my system.

The first couple of miles there was that tenderness from the left knee that sometimes singles trouble and sometimes just goes away. Today happened to be one of the days it just really went away. Even though it was about 7:10-7:15 by the time I was on the road, it was still quite cold. I could see my breathe up until about mile 8. I did enjoy the coolness, to be sure. There was a lot of dew on the grass and leaves so that was kind of nice to look at once I noticed it.

I had some really strong miles from about 4 to 6 that made me feel pretty good. Around mile 7 is when my stomach started going haywire. Usually, when I need to stop to hit the bathroom, I have a mile or two sometimes even three before it becomes absolutely necessary. Today....once I hit mile 7.8 that was it. I had to completely stop running and walk until I got to a bathroom. Kind of bad for the confidence, but I was able to find a bathroom at the UW track stadium and that was a pleasant surprise. So now I have 2 places a mile and a half apart when needed.

After the stop I did an ok job of picking the pace back up but it was really hard to find a pace that felt right. With the walking mixed in, I was well behind what I wanted today....but I really made hay the last 2.2 miles...in fact...and I know the mph isn't 100% accurate on the Garmin, but it was what was showing when I looked down at 12.91, my speed said 6.9 mph so I was going pretty well. I actually ended up at 2 hr 9 min and 56 secs by the time it was all said and done. So I am pretty excited about that. And Jon if you check this out...I tried to do the lap time on the Garmin to check my half split, but can't figure out how to check both times. Any help would be appreciated. Hope all my runner friends had good runs and that everyone has a nice weekend. Thanks for reading!

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

8 is enough

So I didn't get out for my 8 mile run this morning, but I did get out this early evening. The temperature change as stated before is pretty drastic. I looked everywhere for a charger for the ol Ipod and could not find one anywhere in Laramie. I ordered one online and hopefully it will be here by Friday so I can charge up for my run on Saturday. One of my upstairs neighbors was nice enough to let my borrow her Zune. She likes a lot of techno so it worked out ok.

I came out of the gate at a reasonable tempo, but after the first mile, I really pushed too hard for how I was feeling. It came back to bite me about 4 and a half miles in. I did not see as many runners as I normally do around 5:00 out running. They must have gotten the memo about me being out late and thought better of getting their runs in.

The last 3 miles really kicked my trash. All the more reason to get up and get the run in early in the day....no food to make me feel all off. But hey....I got it in....1 hr 19 min and 53 secs for 7.99 miles. I will probably not go for my 5 mile run in the morning, but will evaluate how I feel after work to see if I want to do it tomorrow night. Thanks for reading.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

4 miles...no Ipod....booooo

Sorry this is late. Tuesday is one of the busy days for me so this is the first chance I have had to update. Over the weeked I accidentally stepped on the docking station for my Ipod...and it is dead dead dead. I got up at 5:50 and was out the door by around 6:20 so I feel good about that. My legs felt a little sore for most the run, but nothing too bad. Just have to keep chugging along. The sunrise was nice, but I was running west for most of it....there is nothing like a Wyoming sunrise, if you catch a few clouds....maybe I will have more luck toorrow. The pace was a little slow, I am sure the Sportstalk played into that, but that was probably good for my body. I have 8,5,13 for my remaining runs and I am looking forward to all of them. Thanks for reading!

Saturday, September 12, 2009

1...little 2....little 16....miles

Got up and at 5:30! Out the door by a couple of minutes after 6 and I am here to tell, it was downright cold. I could see my breath for the first 11 miles. Fall is here, I don't care what anyone says. First couple of miles went really well. I was feeling pretty good, enjoying the brisk weather.  I was curious to see the impact of today's game on the population of Laramie. I decided to take my big loop around what is in essence, east Laramie. It ends up being just a little bit less than 8 miles. Some of the leaves have already fallen. I did see on sign referencing the game today and I had to chuckle. It said "Texas. You suck!" But it was like three pieces of cardboard taped together with packing tape. You stay classy Laramie!

As mentioned in the last couple of blogs, I am getting pretty tired. Today really seemed to highlight that fact. I didn't feel bad for most of the run, minus knee tenderness, but I can really tell that the miles are adding up.

After the first loop I decided to do a couple close to campus to witness the craziness unfold. I turned onto Willett which is the main street through campus and goes right by the stadiums. It could only have been 7:40-7:50 when I passed and there were already people with the RVs getting set up to tail-gate. It is pretty crazy. I ended up running by the same spot two more times and by the third total time, it was really starting to fill up.

I also decided to do a loop around Prexy's Pasture in the middle of campus to make up for the .3 I was off by my first loop. There were only about 4 or 5 people walking around campus, which seemed odd. I am sure by now there are many.

The only other important thing about the run is that it really honestly felt like I got stronger the last couple of miles. I was able to pick up the pace significantly and hold it until the end which makes me feel like I am at a much better point through my training cycle than I was last Spring. My time was down a little bit (10:13 mile pace), but I am not going to sweat it because I am tired and I know it will all even out in the end.

Hope you all have a nice weekend and GO POKES!

Thursday, September 10, 2009

4 miles and ready for an off day

It was pretty darn chilly this morning. It is consistently taking me longer to warm up. I am wondering if it is a less blubber thing or if my circulation isn't quite what it used to be. Not a big deal, just one of those things you think about while you are running.

With the Texas game being this weekend, I expected to see more people around campus than I did. I am guessing by Saturday's long run, it will be a zoo. Local drivers are hard to figure out as to what their intent is, so I always give them the right of way. Out-of-towners......should be interesting.

The left knee is still a little tenious. I walked a lot yesterday going back and forth and all around campus, and that seemed to help. The soreness crept back in though, as soon as I was out the door. Just like all the other days, the pain has been something that was tolerable so I am going to try and put it out of my mind as much as possible.

The run itself was pretty unremarkable. The first mile was kind of hard after yesterday's run, but not too bad. I can tell I am getting a little beat-up by how much effort it takes to reach my goal pace. Got the 4 in, but feel pretty drained. I am hoping the day off will help get some life back in my legs.

Well, off to school....thanks for reading.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

8 miles and tired

I had another night filled with homework nightmares and have decided to drop one of my classes. When I was in my early 20's I probably could push all the things I have to do in my life and still stay on top of everything, but at this point I just can't physically/mentally do it. That was only marginally running related, but the point is that I am hoping to have a little more time in my day so I don't have to keep rushing my runs or killing myself into the wee hours of the morning to get things completed for class. In other words....I am trying to find balance! On with the run....

My left leg has stayed in my mind since last week, and that isn't a good thing, but the pain has been very manageable (think I spelled the wrong, I have no idea why Blogger got rid of spell check). After the run yesterday, it felt a little sore constantly over the next 24 hours. I decided I still wanted to get my 8 in and I did, but it was not the best experience. Surprisingly it had nothing to do with my knee.

The first mile seemed to go crazy slow. I was going my 11 min mile pace up the hill so I am not sure why. I think it has to do with how tired I am or maybe I am coming down with something. I tried to listen to sportstalk to help me not try to push, but it just made the run feel even longer. By mile 4 I really had to come home to use the restroom (I should really find out what University buildings I can get into....seems silly to always come home) and so at mile 6 once I was around the apartment I stopped.

I decided to try put on dry undergarments before I left, and it really made a difference in how I felt. I was not able to muster much more out of my body. But I stil came in a hair under a 10 min mile (1 hour, 19 mins and 46 secs), so that is pretty good. I think that today my physical issues might have been cause by a lack of mental focus. I am hoping to remedy that tomorrow with a good night's sleep and a better attitude.

8 miles is a respectable distance, and I am please that I was able to complete it. I also stepped on the scale and I am now 2 pounds less than my lowest weight during the last training cycle. I am guessing it was probably when I was 14 or 15 and not fully grown that I was this weight. So that really helped my overall mood. Thanks for reading!

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

4 mile Tuesday

The left leg is still a little sore, but I decided to go ahead and try to get my 4 in today. It stayed stiff throughout the first mile, but then seemed to loosen up a bit about a mile and a half in. The weather was nice and that always helps my mood. I felt tired throughout most of the run, but when I looked down about 3 miles in I could see why, I was about a minute and a half faster than the pace I wanted. I am usually pretty good about checking, but with all the traffic around campus, it just slipped my mind. I need to stay more focused on not trying to push too much or too hard. My time ended up being 38 mins and 14 secs. I have 8 coming tomorrow, and that should be interesting. Thanks for reading.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Call me Capt. Lead Legs

I was nervous about 15 today no question about it. With the stiffness building in my left leg, the chances of re-tweaking or doing whatever it is, I did to my IT Band increases. I set the alarm for 5:30 but for some reason it did not go off. I did wake up at 5:55 though, quite confused about why the alarm never went off. I am sure I did something wrong, but can't figure out what it was. No matter.

I was out the door at 6:25. And running by around 6:30. I decided to change up the pattern a little bit. The monotony of the same three miles is starting to where on me. I decided to go in south Laramie, much like I did while training for the last marathon. I am still a little unsure about west Laramie, if I had people that could come get my sorry butt if I broke down it would be one thing....but that is a long walk home if something goes wrong. But I digress...

The first few miles I felt cold....I usually warm up pretty quick, but today my hands just did not get warm for about an hour. It was really cool to see the full moon while running towards the west. There were a couple of times I had some dogs scare me....but all bark and no bite! After almost 6 miles I had to stop back home and use the facilities. I probably should change into dry clothes when I do that....might help with the chaffing

I decided to stick close to home for the next 9. It took my awhile to get back in a groove. This is a game weekend, so there are staffers all along my 3 mile route making sure people are parking in the right areas...I always wonders what goes through their minds when I pass them the 2nd or 3rd time.

The hill three times after a break almost did me in. It seemed to get harder and harder to raise my legs up and they just kept getting heavier and heavier. After about mile 12, it was all I could do to keep getting one in front of the other. That concerns me....

The one really good thing I will take from today, is that I didn't walk....God knows I wanted to do so. My pace could not get above a 10 minute mile the last 2 miles, but I did not walk. My time was slow (2 hours, 32 minutes and 31 secs), but I was able to labor on and get the mileage in.....Have a good weekend.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

No run for me

So when I woke up, the left leg was really stiff and sore. I decided to take the day off in hopes that it will get a little better before Saturday's 15 mile effort. I really hate missing days in the cycle, but if I don't make the starting line, nothing else matters....

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

7 mile we-knee

Because I am tired of being razzed, I somehow managed to get up at 6 after another long night. I was out the door by 6:20. The sun hadn't really started to rise, and I did not get to see the cool red effect that I witnessed yesterday. As I ascended my opening hill, the legs were feeling a little dead. I had the normal aches that seem to work themselves out after a couple of miles, but they seemed to stick around longer today.

During my second time up the hill, I really felt a little off. My pace was around where I wanted, but I seemed to be working harder than usual for the result. After the 6.7 I stopped at the gym and did my crunches. The legs felt better, but when I went to run home, the aches came back.When I was in the shower and since, it feels like the IT Band might be getting inflamed again. I am going to try to have my feet up for awhile before class, but I am a little concerned. It had been doing well, and I don't want to lose that momentum....

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

3 for me

I ended up not going to the gym yesterday. The coursework seems to be piling up faster than I can knock things out and so I am staying up later to try and get things done. I hope things mellow out soon, I am not sure I can take a semester like this. Got up and out the door at 6:50.There was a little fog, and the sun was a very cool red. It was really neat to see. Both of my knees were a little sore while I was walking and through the first mile. The pain seemed to go away though and has still not returned, so I am optimistic. It was cool, but not cold. About as nice a weather as I could ask for September, 1st in Laramie.

After 2.7 I hit the gym for some crunches, I just can't afford the time to do my whole routine, and that frustrates me. Hustled home and quickly got ready and ate. It was a decent run, an I am curious as to what tomorrow's 7 miler will bring....maybe another red sun. Well....back to the books. Thanks for reading.