1000s on tired legs

My fourth consecutive track Tuesday!  I'm proud of myself!  It's not always easy to get out there especially when you have homework, tests, and blah blah blah.  But not this week!  :)

My legs were feeling a little tired from Monday's 20 miler.  But I went ahead with my usual morning 5 to stretch out the legs and test out how they were feeling.  It was a fine run, but a little slow.. 9:30 average maybe? 

I knew my legs were tired, but I decided to go to track Tuesday anyway with the group.  I'm glad I did, and it turns out I wasn't the only one who showed up tired!  A couple guys had just ran the Sandrat race on Sunday so were pretty tired and I ended up having people to run with.. Score!  I probably averaged around 7:00 pace for the repeats which is not super fast, but still much faster than half marathon pace!  I was able survive 5x1000s with a 200 jog in between. I would post my splits, but I'm not sure it matters..  I ended up getting in over 10 miles for the day. Yippee!!!  It feels good to be sticking with the plan.  I'm supposed to run tempo run this week, but since I'm doing a 5K Saturday I think it can wait until next week.  After my VO2 max test on Monday... NERVOUS about that!!!!

Today was an easy day, 5 miles slow and easy in the morning, followed by 5 miles slow and easy in the evening.  At exactly the same pace!  I ran on my sister's new treadmill.  6.5 MPH.  My comfort zone. :)  Tomorrow is back school again.. Yikes!!  I'll be up early to get back into my routine of running at the Rec before class. 

I can't believe this but I've already logged over 40 miles in 3 days... Feels awesome. :)

Running Envy

With the Chicago and Twin Cities Marathons this weekend I am having some MAJOR running envy!  Oh I wished I had race this weekend too... And I wish that I was in better running shape.. But I've resolved to get back into shape!  A lot of things have happened over the past year...

Mostly same-old same-old.  School driving me nuts and frustrating me.  Not getting much sleep.  Feeling mentally drained and wanted to go home and cry about a hard test.  But that is how graduate school is I guess.  I've already survived the first year which is supposed to be the hardest, but so far the second year isn't much easier.  I have a new job at a running store which keeps be busy, but I worry that it might be too much.  Then again, I average only 10 hours a week at the store.. :)

I've been running frequently, but too often in the comfort zone.  I want to change that.  I ran my first tempo in a very long time on Saturday. 3 miles in 6:49, 6:49, 6:44.  I'm was very happy that I survived and it makes me feel like I'm not completely hopeless. :)  I'm running a 5K for run this weekend, and I'm anxious to see how I do.  I know I can only improve from here!  I'd like to start posting more frequently on the blog to keep myself accountable, and it's very motivating to read about others out there training and working out! 

Everyone who registers gets a free mustache kit... How awesome is that?  I'm really looking forward to getting a finishers medal with a mustache on it.. :)  If you're from the KC area, check it out.. at http://www.mustachedash5k.com/!!

Week 5 Lincoln Training

I know I'm a little behind!  Sorry!!  This week was a cutback week, and I was feeling sickly towards the end of the week, but I'm fine now and back at it!!

Sunday: 11 miles @  8:38
Monday: 11 miles.. 9 @ 7:53 average and 2 @ 9:00, did 10 strides in the 9 miler
Tuesday: 5 miles recovery @ 9:11
Wednesday: HILLS 9 miles @ 8:13, and I did 8 hill sprints in there :-)
Thursday: 5 recovery @ 8:35
Friday: Off
Saturday: 13.7 @ 8:45

I definitely did not feel good on Saturday's run.  Not sure if it was a mild flu or dehydration or just a mental break down.  But regardless I decided to take off the next day to regroup.  And I am glad I did!! :)

Happy running everyone!!

Lincoln update, Week Four

I can't believe another week has gone by!  This week has been nuts even though I had Monday off. 

Here's what went down this week:

Sunday: 14 tough miles 8:32 average, with Lucy
Monday: Recover run of 5 miles 9:11 pace
Tuesday: Tempo day, 5 miles at 6:54 average, 10 total for the day
Wednesday: Another medium long run day.. 12 miles I didn't want to run but did anyway.. 8:32 average
Thursday: 6 miles recovery at 9:01
Friday: Off and so ready for a break
Saturday: 20 miles long run 8:24 average
Total miles: 67

I'm feeling pretty exhausted and I'm looking forward to a little bit of a cutback this week!  My long run coming up will only be 14 miles!  So excited!!!!  Plus my mid week medium long runs are only 11 which is much better than 12. :-)

Have a great week everyone!!!

Week THREE Lincoln Marathon Training Update and Lucy's PR.

Survived another week!  3 down.  Many to go.  Classes started back up this week, but we didn't have all our labs so it was a pretty light week and I was able to get all my runnings in!  Woot!  Here's how it panned out:

Sunday:  13 miles @ 8:32,  plus body sculpting class
Monday: 5 miles easy @ 8:33
Tuesday: Intervals 5 miles with Lucy then mile repeats (6:36, 6:31, 6:32.. tough!) 11 miles total for the day
Wednesday: 12 mile TM run @ 8:07
Thursday: Easy run 5 miles @ 8:41 in the freezing cold
Friday: OFF
Saturday: 19 miles long run @ 8:05 average.. Woot!

I'm super happy with my long run this week!  It was windy, but I still did great.  AND, I did some massive hills twice!  :)  It was a good week, but I only got in one strength training on Sunday.  Darn...  Oh well.

Goals for this week:  Get in at least 1 body pump class, do hill work again.

I started out this training week with a 14 miler yesterday, which is a PR for Lucy!  I was so proud of her!  She did great!!!!   She was a little tired though later that day... :)

Happy MLK Day!

Did you get the day off?

I DID! :)

A Chilly Run and Dog Sweaters

Yesterday it was rather chilly!  About 15 degrees to be exact with a wind chill of about 5 degrees.  Luckily I only had 5 miles to do.  I was a little concerned about Lucy being too cold, so I made her wear a sweater.  Unfortunately, I got the sweater when she was a puppy so it didn't fit her very well.  It looked like she was wearing a tube top.  LOL

So obviously she needs a new sweater if she's going to be running outside in a 5 degree wind chill!

.

I like the neckline on this one.  It's not really her color though..  The price is good.. $12.69

I also like this one...  Preppy and adorable. :-)

These will go well with her snow boots she just got...

So adorable.

Fortunately it should be back in the 50s again tomorrow so I'll be able to enjoy another long run outdoors!  Woot!!

Happy Friday!!!! :)

Track Tuesday: Mile Repeats

I knew it.

If you read my last post, I was whining that I hoped we would not be doing mile repeats for our group intervals on Tuesday.  But I knew it had been a while since we had last did them so it was time.  *sigh*

The workout:  3-4 1600s with a 2 minute rest in between.  My goal pace is 6:40

The results:

Mile 1: 6:36

Mile 2: 6:31

Mile 3: 6:32

I elected to just do 3 because I'm a baby and they are just too hard. :-)  Plus I was just not feeling the workout today.  My legs didn't feel fresh and I felt like 3 was all I could do today. We all have days like that so I'm not too concerned.  I'm just glad that it's going to be a few more weeks before mile repeats will be in the rotation again.. YAY!!!!

Today's run I decided to hit the gym because the winds around here are CRAZY!!!  And you never know what will happen in Kansas in regards to the weather so why risk it? ;)

I had a medium long run to do.  I tried to run a little faster than my normal 8:30, so I ran 2 miles at 7 mph (approx 8:30ish) and then I alternated 1 mile at 8 mph(7:30) and 7mph to finish off the 12.  That worked out pretty well!  My average is 8:07 which is much faster than I would have ran outside in the wind and cold.  I do feel bad I didn't get to run with Lucy though..

Mandatory Lucy Picture.

Anyone else do intervals this week??