Sunday Casey and I ran 8 miles, the same route as last week. Only this time I think it went a little better. We shaved some time off of the pace and I think I felt better overall. I still couldn't breathe on the hills. But Casey kept me pushing.
We were on a 10:30 overall pace until the hills on the way back. I slowly watched that goal slip away. It made me feel pretty crummy, but in the end, I still was happy that I didn't do any worse than the previous week.
Our splits were as follows:
1 - 10:09
2 - 10:44
3 - 10:10
4 - 10:18
5 - 11:07
6 - 10:55
7 - 10:53
8 - 11:16
My allergies are a mess. I'm so tired of it. I've been taking Allegra for almost 3 solid weeks now? at least 2 solid weeks, and nothing has changed. I was optimistic it would. This morning I was so worn out from them, I felt like I was sick. That typically only happens when it's the height of ragweed season. I guess I'll ask the allergist for something more. I am most bothered by the fact that I think it's effecting my breathing and running ability. My throat felt so tight when I was running on the hilly parts Sunday. That just can't be normal.
This weekend we're supposed to run 10. It's sooooo great being this consistent!!!!
Monday, February 27, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
8 Miles from Sun to Dusk
Sunday sun and brisk air; what a perfect day for 8 miles!
The day started as lazy one. I didn't really feel like running, and wasn't sure if Casey's ankle was going to cooperate for a run. However, it worked out that we went, and I'm so glad we did.
After some "it's ok if we slow down" pace coaxing from Greg and Casey, I decided if it really was alright by them, then yes I really didn't want to run at a pace where I struggled to breathe for over an hour. Greg only did 1.5 miles with us. He wasn't up for the distance that day. Casey and I continued along, up and down some rolling hills. My legs cramped early, but worked it out by around 3.
We crossed a busy road into another neighborhood that ended up having quite a few rollers! I hadn't even thought about hills. I knew we weren't going to take the very hilly route, but didn't anticipate having to deal with hills. Most of the way out was a net downhill. My watch later showed our quickest paces in 3 and 4 miles, and during them I chatted easily about work as we wound through the neighborhood. It was awesome being able to chat and enjoy the run. Coming back was more difficult :) Casey reminded me of some spinning terms/mental games and helped me to push myself through. I would have stopped if I had been alone. Before we crossed back over the busy road, I took a breather and coughed a bit. My throat only tightened up towards the end of the hilly stint, so that was good.
On the way back, I was spared with some more slight downhills, but even the slight uphills got me. Our last miles were over 11s, but the net pace ended up being 10:45.
Our splits (determined by my pace of course) were as follows:
1 - 10:20
2 - 10:44
3 - 10:18
4 - 10:00 (downhill)
5 - 11:17
6 - 11:03
7 - 11:11
8 - 11:12
Our splits (determined by my pace of course) were as follows:
1 - 10:20
2 - 10:44
3 - 10:18
4 - 10:00 (downhill)
5 - 11:17
6 - 11:03
7 - 11:11
8 - 11:12
The last two and half miles I froze my ass off. I have never been cold while running before. I clearly just didn't have enough layers on my arms for the amount that the wind picked up. The thought of a hot shower certainly was motivating!
I'm really happy with how I did. And I'm so thankful to not have been out there struggling by myself. I feel like I'm improving. Today I'm sore in muscles, but not in joints or IT band. The broomball game on Saturday was an added setback to my muscles, but I think the run helped overall. Tonight I will stretch and lift. Tomorrow is spinning!
Thursday, February 16, 2012
My Spinning Instructor is Pregnant!
Oh nooooo!!!
Thursday's instructor, whose class people were literally fighting about getting into at the front desk this morning, is preggers. She was really winded today and said she'd explain that later. So while we were cooling down she announced she is expecting her fourth child. FOURTH. Amazing and inspiring because this lady is fit as anything. But I'm also a bit selfishly sad because I am going to miss her while she's out. She is by far my favorite instructor. Maybe she'll still teach even while pregnant. I know you can still ride a bike for a while, having to adjust your lean for the belly. And, probably like running, you just have to watch your heart rate, which she trains by so I'm sure that would be no problem. Then maybe she'll just walk around and instruct from the floor if she is uncomfortable on the bike? I don't know. I would much rather that than not have her! Then she'll be on maternity leave.... Listen to me. It's ok. I'm sure the sub will be awesome.
Yesterday I tried to run after work. Why oh why do I keep trying that? It never goes well. It had started to rain, but wasn't crazy cold, so I put on a heavy sweatshirt and went out. But my legs did their cramping thing and walking was ch-chi-chilly, so I bagged it at a mile. Figured I'd just go all out today.
So before spinning, I ran a mile, then spinned for 45 minutes (class was a good interval one and I pushed), and then I ran 2 miles after class. Now, these two miles were sllooooow, but my heart rate was up and breathing was smooth. So it felt good.
I felt really good actually. I felt a bit tired by the end, as expected, but I think...and it's cautious think...that my breathing might have been better! I have been taking Allegra since Sunday. While I'm still very congested, I didn't feel my throat close up while I was running. We'll see. I'll give it another week before calling anything and taking next steps.
Tonight...REST and stretch. It feels so good to have a great workout in already today and not have to worry about fitting something in in the evening. Tomorrow, I'm going to run very easy and lift. Saturday is our broomball championship game!! So I want to be fresh for that. Sunday...we need to go longer...maybe 8? There are only 4 more weekends until the heart mini. Woohoo!!
Thursday's instructor, whose class people were literally fighting about getting into at the front desk this morning, is preggers. She was really winded today and said she'd explain that later. So while we were cooling down she announced she is expecting her fourth child. FOURTH. Amazing and inspiring because this lady is fit as anything. But I'm also a bit selfishly sad because I am going to miss her while she's out. She is by far my favorite instructor. Maybe she'll still teach even while pregnant. I know you can still ride a bike for a while, having to adjust your lean for the belly. And, probably like running, you just have to watch your heart rate, which she trains by so I'm sure that would be no problem. Then maybe she'll just walk around and instruct from the floor if she is uncomfortable on the bike? I don't know. I would much rather that than not have her! Then she'll be on maternity leave.... Listen to me. It's ok. I'm sure the sub will be awesome.
Yesterday I tried to run after work. Why oh why do I keep trying that? It never goes well. It had started to rain, but wasn't crazy cold, so I put on a heavy sweatshirt and went out. But my legs did their cramping thing and walking was ch-chi-chilly, so I bagged it at a mile. Figured I'd just go all out today.
So before spinning, I ran a mile, then spinned for 45 minutes (class was a good interval one and I pushed), and then I ran 2 miles after class. Now, these two miles were sllooooow, but my heart rate was up and breathing was smooth. So it felt good.
I felt really good actually. I felt a bit tired by the end, as expected, but I think...and it's cautious think...that my breathing might have been better! I have been taking Allegra since Sunday. While I'm still very congested, I didn't feel my throat close up while I was running. We'll see. I'll give it another week before calling anything and taking next steps.
Tonight...REST and stretch. It feels so good to have a great workout in already today and not have to worry about fitting something in in the evening. Tomorrow, I'm going to run very easy and lift. Saturday is our broomball championship game!! So I want to be fresh for that. Sunday...we need to go longer...maybe 8? There are only 4 more weekends until the heart mini. Woohoo!!
Monday, February 13, 2012
Monday update
Workouts last week were good...but I didn't run as much as I hoped to. But that's OK. I'm getting a better feel for making everything work with my schedule.
Monday I didn't do anything. I was le tired.
Tuesday I spinned. It was good. The bike setup is different now in the room and I liked it.
Wednesday...I didn't do anything again. I really should have lifted.
Thursday morning I spend a couple hours at the dentist. So that evening, I got my bike out and rode on the trainer for 45 minutes. It was nice! I miss my bike! I can't wait to ride outside again, though I am nervous about trying to make that all work. I would like to find people to ride with again. Cycle Sport is gone...maybe Montgomery Cyclery or Trek will start up some group rides in the spring.
Friday I ran easy 3.3 miles. It went pretty badly on some fronts, but I'm sore from it too, so I guess I did some work. I was just not able to go very fast. I felt winded. After about 1.5 miles, I did two .25 mile pickups around 8:30 - 9:00 pace. I walked in between them. Then I slogged home the 1.5 miles. I guess the pickups were more beneficial than I thought they'd be, the way my hammies are yelling at me today.
Saturday our broomball game was cancelled. So I didn't do anything.
Sunday I ran 3 miles. It took me a lot to get out there. It was sunny, but crispy cold. I just went up and down the street because mentally, that sounded like a better idea than an out and back. It would go by fast. It did for the most part, and I felt soooo smooth! It was strange. Unfortunately, I didn't have very good expectations, so I didn't take my watch out with me...because I didn't want to get so down about the shape I'm in. Now I kind of wish I had so I can know if I really was quicker or if it was just an illusion. Right after my run, I hopped in the shower and got in to more cold weather clothes for broomball. I took 2 Benedryl pills before the game because my throat had closed up so much during the run. I knew that I wouldn't be able to breathe heavily during the game the way everything was acting up. I think it helped. I meant to wear a Breathe Right too, but forgot.
And now it's a new week. I'm back to taking Allegra this week and I might pop some Benedryl's at night if I don't have much to do. I'm hoping to see some improvements, or I'm going to ask my allergist for new medicine the following week. The more I think about things, the more I think my breathing is really messing things up.
Plan tonight is to lift and do core work. My legs are sore! I will do a run before spinning tomorrow though.
Monday I didn't do anything. I was le tired.
Tuesday I spinned. It was good. The bike setup is different now in the room and I liked it.
Wednesday...I didn't do anything again. I really should have lifted.
Thursday morning I spend a couple hours at the dentist. So that evening, I got my bike out and rode on the trainer for 45 minutes. It was nice! I miss my bike! I can't wait to ride outside again, though I am nervous about trying to make that all work. I would like to find people to ride with again. Cycle Sport is gone...maybe Montgomery Cyclery or Trek will start up some group rides in the spring.
Friday I ran easy 3.3 miles. It went pretty badly on some fronts, but I'm sore from it too, so I guess I did some work. I was just not able to go very fast. I felt winded. After about 1.5 miles, I did two .25 mile pickups around 8:30 - 9:00 pace. I walked in between them. Then I slogged home the 1.5 miles. I guess the pickups were more beneficial than I thought they'd be, the way my hammies are yelling at me today.
Saturday our broomball game was cancelled. So I didn't do anything.
Sunday I ran 3 miles. It took me a lot to get out there. It was sunny, but crispy cold. I just went up and down the street because mentally, that sounded like a better idea than an out and back. It would go by fast. It did for the most part, and I felt soooo smooth! It was strange. Unfortunately, I didn't have very good expectations, so I didn't take my watch out with me...because I didn't want to get so down about the shape I'm in. Now I kind of wish I had so I can know if I really was quicker or if it was just an illusion. Right after my run, I hopped in the shower and got in to more cold weather clothes for broomball. I took 2 Benedryl pills before the game because my throat had closed up so much during the run. I knew that I wouldn't be able to breathe heavily during the game the way everything was acting up. I think it helped. I meant to wear a Breathe Right too, but forgot.
And now it's a new week. I'm back to taking Allegra this week and I might pop some Benedryl's at night if I don't have much to do. I'm hoping to see some improvements, or I'm going to ask my allergist for new medicine the following week. The more I think about things, the more I think my breathing is really messing things up.
Plan tonight is to lift and do core work. My legs are sore! I will do a run before spinning tomorrow though.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Another 6 Miles and Breath Rights are Awesome
Before the Superbowl party time kicked off, Greg, Casey and I ran 6 miles in beautiful, sunny and warmish weather. We changed up the route a bit, splitting the 6 in two 3's. The first 3 allowed our 4 legged running partner to come along. Max enjoyed the trot and fresh air, and he helped us impress some little kids that were outside playing as we ran past. "They are running soooooo fast!" one of them exclaimed. Aw...thanks, kid. I'll remember that when I feel slow. ;)
After the first 3, we were at 10:07 pace. I had a hacking incident around 2.5. I was struggling to breathe, even though I was wearing a new amazing discovery: a Breathe Right strip. Wow those are awesome. After I put it on, I could breathe through my nose and my voice didn't sound so nasal. I had to make myself breathe in through my nose while running because I just never do that. Eventually though, I was sucking as much air in through my mouth like a fish out of water. The pace was too fast for me Sunday. My breathing couldn't keep up.
After dropping Max off and having a nice little break, we started out again. But I didn't last long before my breathing was out of control again. My throat felt as if it had shrunk down to the size of a straw and was tight. I tried breathing through my nose again, thinking I could pull in more air that way, but that resulted in a snotty sniff thanks to the cool temps getting all of that flowing. So, somewhere around 4, I stopped. I offered the watch to Greg and Casey, but they insisted that we could just slow down a bit and it would be OK.
The new pace was way better. I tried to not be disappointed in the fact that I couldn't make it happen this weekend. But man, it was nice to be able to chat a little and feel like I was on a relaxed run. Around mile 5 I could feel that I was losing it again though. Breathing was getting hard. I tried to recover on a downhill before the long gradual incline. I slowed down a lot. In the last stretch, I pushed as hard as I could, but I felt soooo crappy not being able to breathe well. It wasn't a pain kind of thing, it was more of a crummy feeling. Hard to explain.
So, we did 6. I'm very happy with it. And, as it was pointed out to me again, it was a pace that we were doing before after a lot more training. I'm frustrated with my breathing because I don't have much explanation for it. I've been heavier and in worse shape. But maybe I'm pushing myself harder now than I have in the past, and in a month or so will see the results? I also know for a fact that my allergies are way worse than they've been in a long time. Despite the shots, I'm getting worse. So, in order to try to remove that as a factor, I'm going to start taking Allegra again and see if it does anything.
So, it was a really great run even though I had my frustrations. I still know I'm doing the right thing by training and having someone to push me makes all the difference. I'm still looking forward to what can happen by March 18th and then again in the beginning of May. Here's to another week of working really hard!
And....Breath Right strips are awesome!
After the first 3, we were at 10:07 pace. I had a hacking incident around 2.5. I was struggling to breathe, even though I was wearing a new amazing discovery: a Breathe Right strip. Wow those are awesome. After I put it on, I could breathe through my nose and my voice didn't sound so nasal. I had to make myself breathe in through my nose while running because I just never do that. Eventually though, I was sucking as much air in through my mouth like a fish out of water. The pace was too fast for me Sunday. My breathing couldn't keep up.
After dropping Max off and having a nice little break, we started out again. But I didn't last long before my breathing was out of control again. My throat felt as if it had shrunk down to the size of a straw and was tight. I tried breathing through my nose again, thinking I could pull in more air that way, but that resulted in a snotty sniff thanks to the cool temps getting all of that flowing. So, somewhere around 4, I stopped. I offered the watch to Greg and Casey, but they insisted that we could just slow down a bit and it would be OK.
The new pace was way better. I tried to not be disappointed in the fact that I couldn't make it happen this weekend. But man, it was nice to be able to chat a little and feel like I was on a relaxed run. Around mile 5 I could feel that I was losing it again though. Breathing was getting hard. I tried to recover on a downhill before the long gradual incline. I slowed down a lot. In the last stretch, I pushed as hard as I could, but I felt soooo crappy not being able to breathe well. It wasn't a pain kind of thing, it was more of a crummy feeling. Hard to explain.
So, we did 6. I'm very happy with it. And, as it was pointed out to me again, it was a pace that we were doing before after a lot more training. I'm frustrated with my breathing because I don't have much explanation for it. I've been heavier and in worse shape. But maybe I'm pushing myself harder now than I have in the past, and in a month or so will see the results? I also know for a fact that my allergies are way worse than they've been in a long time. Despite the shots, I'm getting worse. So, in order to try to remove that as a factor, I'm going to start taking Allegra again and see if it does anything.
So, it was a really great run even though I had my frustrations. I still know I'm doing the right thing by training and having someone to push me makes all the difference. I'm still looking forward to what can happen by March 18th and then again in the beginning of May. Here's to another week of working really hard!
And....Breath Right strips are awesome!
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