The Gym

So I joined Urban Active. Soon, Greg's insurance will pay for the membership for free :)  But for the next couple of months, I'm paying (just $25...not bad). I mostly did it for the spinning classes, because I missed spinning a lot. So far I've done one and enjoyed it.

My legs are aching like crazy. I think it's all due to the increase in track and then running around in cleats. I have been thinking about it more, and, looking back, there was a track workout at Sycamore where I did 14 100s or something like that. I remember feeling the twinge in my lower legs then from the pounding. Perhaps I shook something up. I just hope I haven't damaged too much. It's getting to the point where I wonder if I should run on them at all (when not playing Ultimate). We'll see if things start balancing out once I build up some strength with spinning. At track Tuesday, I only ran one lap because everything hurt. I walked the rest of the laps. Then before Ultimate I warmed up a lap around the park, sending my lower legs into their painful tightness and making my knee feel like it could give out at any moment. For the game, I babied it, limping a little when running hard. It made it, so that's good.

I'm still trying to decide if I want to do a fall marathon. Seems silly to even discuss given the state my legs are in. But there is still time. Perhaps it's another half–a much more manageable distance and more fun for everyone.

For now all I really want is to be able to run without any pain.

Track Tuesday

It was a very stormy afternoon. But Roman and I agreed to meet and run anyway. I will run in rain. But if there's lightning I kind of feel like a target, so that was where I'd call it. Luckily, when we got there, it wasn't even raining anymore and held off the entire time.

We warmed up together for a mile, chatting about work and leg pains, and watching the sky. We saw a really cool cloud that was huge, spiral-y and scary looking. I am still not adjusted from my cleats. My legs are taking a beating from them and hurt. I have new shoes now, but didn't wear them because it was supposed to rain. Didn't want to break in the shoes all soggy-style. I am SO DONE with these old shoes. There is nothing left in them I'm afraid.

Anyway, after we warmed up and stretched, Roman was going to do a couple of mile repeats. I did 100s. I did 7, not counting, just hitting my lap button on my GPS. I love that thing.
Here are the 7, with walking 100 in between to recover:
22:79
24:12
21:38
21:52
20:48
22:15
19:79

These are a lot slower than the 100s I did a couple of weeks ago. Also, I noticed my legs were really slapping when I struck the ground. I decided my body was too tired to handle 100s without making my shins and knee even more sore. So I switched to 200s, smother and slower.

Here are the 4 I did, with walking 100 in between to recover.
50:79
51:75
53:48
51:72

Sooooo yeah, not the speediest, but it was still a good workout. Roman and I walked 2 laps after that and then hit BW's. Thursday I'm supposed to hear back about my blood work I had done Monday. Maybe there will be some explanation for how I've been feeling lately.

Ultimate Game #3

I am definitely starting to feel the benefits of more intense running that happens within Ultimate. About mid-way through the game last night, after a rather long play, I was huffing and puffing...but then very quickly got my breath back. My energy was good and my legs felt fresh even with a sore knee. I felt a glimmer of strength that I haven't felt with physical activity since last fall. It's nice to be pushed. I have struggled with pushing myself for a while now. But being on the team, being in front of others, knowing that if I don't hustle I'll just look slow or lose my person I'm guarding...those are all good motivators. And for the first time in a while, I felt like it will in fact be possible to run faster again, be strong again, and feel like my happy physical self again. My game sucked last night, and I never even got to handle the disc. But I'm elated that I felt again what I used to feel so often from running, not so long ago.

The Rest of the Week...

...didn't go as I hoped. I think I'm beginning to repeat myself here. :(

Ultimate Game #2

I keep learning about this game, and it's very fun. Tonight we played a game 3 guys down and did rather well considering. For me, everything is starting to make more sense about where to be and the general flow of the game. I'm still not understanding the forcing to sides though. Every time Lee explains it, and even has a white board for illustration, I just don't get it. I feel like I need to study it myself or something.

I didn't make any good plays or anything. Definitely made some mistakes, but we all did. I think I'll get cleats for the next game. My feet were sliding like crazy in my shoes.

In general, I was happy with how well I was able to keep trying while I was out there. Having 5 girls to rotate 2 positions seems like a perfect amount. Next week I have to find some cooler shorts though. My running shorts were sticking to me and felt tight and not breathable.

It's Hot

Didn't do track today because the DAAPworks show began and I met Greg and other BHDPeople down there. It was fun to walk around the building I spent 5 years in. It's funny how things take you back. I noticed details that apparently stood out to me before again tonight. And the smell of the place! It was pretty funny. I also drove by my old apartment...it looks like a shithole!

Anyway, in the afternoon, I snuck in a 2 mile run. I wanted to do 3, but woah. It was hot and I'm not acclimated yet. My head got all poundy and I was moving along at a snail's pace. So I thought 2 was enough. It would have been a good track day though. Even in the afternoon heat, the repeats allow for breaks and water!

Tomorrow is ultimate. Now is bed.

Strength Day

I didn't go on the group ride. I'm not sure if it happened. There wasn't a group message and I didn't call. My neck hurts really bad and I just didn't feel up for it.

Instead I went outside and worked on the stone path for a couple of hours. Digging, moving, digging, deciding, digging more. It's pretty fun. Slow and methodical.

As for working out, I'm calling it a strength day. I did leg lifts and ab work on the floor. I can tell I feel better already from all of the yard work I've been able to do the past couple of weeks. And there is plenty of more left that can fill the rest of the summer.