Week eight was a "recovery" week. I actually made it to two Gazelle workouts -- Meridien hill repeats and tempo run.
Meridien was a serious challenge as it was raining and cold, weather that soon turned to snow? or hail. The Boston group was to do 5 or 6 and these are brutal as they roll up and down and it's quite a challenge for me, but I tried to hang with the group. I didn't really warm up enough, but I had to get it done. We also ran up the hill backwards and sprinted. Fun Stuff!
Thursday was tempo day. Basically, a throw down. We warmed up for three miles, hit the bridge at Congress where Bernard was supposed to be, but wasn't and we took off. I started out with Ian and Jimmy and they quickly dropped me, but I tried to keep them in my sights the whole time and not give up. When you are alone, it's really tough to keep the time, but I did ok, dropping it some each mile. When I crossed the finish, Jimmy and Ian were already there, but the whole group of Gazelles was cheering everyone coming across which really made you want to dig it out.
Bernard asked us where we all were, since he claims he was a the start. We think he left after the faster people :-)
I made it to the gym twice (miracle) and did the 15 miles today for the long run. Compared to last week, the 15 miles actually felt short even with all the hills at "Lollipop" in the end. I hung and didn't complain. I had one moment where my calf tightened up and a very fast guy was a the water stop. He asked us the direction. He said he'd been running with Gilbert (now that's fast). We told him he could do the hill ahead or go back the downhill way. He said, I don't want to be a cry baby and give up now. I seriously thought he was channeling LB, who is on a cruise this week...it was kind of spooky.
I did the hill, we finished up. Since it was just us girls, my fellow Jersey girl, Mo and my fellow over extended mom, Liz, we had quite the range of topics...there's lots to say in 15 miles.
Thanks Ladies! Week 7, a harder week ahead which is more complicated by Rolph having to travel, but somehow, I'll get the runs in.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Beat up after 22
The culmination of a few weeks of build up, the big test, 22 miles. I arrive at RunTex Annex ready to go and pretty feisty about it. Mo is there, but LB is surprisingly and shockingly late. However, in pure LB fashion, he sends me a text to tell me he will be 7 minutes late. Exactly. I give him a little grief for lallygagging and he retorts, "We'll see about that at the end of the run." Ominous.
I should have kept my mouth shut. He was right.
I had a great first part of the run, in fact, great up until 18ish (just like San Antonio) For no reason at all, I start to crumble, complain, kvetch. I want to quit completely. I wonder why I'm signed up for Boston and what shopping I can do there instead while everyone else runs.
I mean, really, I was fine. My legs don't hurt any more than they are supposed to. I don't have a cramp, my feet don't hurt. I just slow down, like concrete blocks on my feet slow down. And, I am Jersey Girl angry about it!
I speed up and try to catch LB. I try to stay with Mo. They both pull away and I find myself grinding out the last several miles just watching their posteriors. Granted we added the hills at the end, not really following the pre-designated Gazelle route.
When their watches hit 22, they stop. My watch is STILL not at 22, so I have to keep going, shuffling along until the magic lap sound goes off. I trudge over the annex. I should have hid myself away, gotten in my car and slinked on home.
Gilbert asks me, are you OK Red? He seems to repeat this over and over as I gasp for an answer. Each time it seems he's getting louder and louder. If my face wasn't red to match my hair, I would be totally shocked!
After my great 18 miles the week before, I am humbled. I thought I was on track, that I was training up well. It's a mere 4 miles more and I crashed and burned.
I spend the day thinking about what it was...what I could have done differently aside from not being a smart alec to LB.
It's the red wine says Coach M; Gilbert says it's eating and drinking...which one should or shouldn't I be doing I wonder?
Luckily, there are 2 more attempts for me at this distance. Next time, I will keep my mouth shut at the start and just dread it quietly.!
I should have kept my mouth shut. He was right.
I had a great first part of the run, in fact, great up until 18ish (just like San Antonio) For no reason at all, I start to crumble, complain, kvetch. I want to quit completely. I wonder why I'm signed up for Boston and what shopping I can do there instead while everyone else runs.
I mean, really, I was fine. My legs don't hurt any more than they are supposed to. I don't have a cramp, my feet don't hurt. I just slow down, like concrete blocks on my feet slow down. And, I am Jersey Girl angry about it!
I speed up and try to catch LB. I try to stay with Mo. They both pull away and I find myself grinding out the last several miles just watching their posteriors. Granted we added the hills at the end, not really following the pre-designated Gazelle route.
When their watches hit 22, they stop. My watch is STILL not at 22, so I have to keep going, shuffling along until the magic lap sound goes off. I trudge over the annex. I should have hid myself away, gotten in my car and slinked on home.
Gilbert asks me, are you OK Red? He seems to repeat this over and over as I gasp for an answer. Each time it seems he's getting louder and louder. If my face wasn't red to match my hair, I would be totally shocked!
After my great 18 miles the week before, I am humbled. I thought I was on track, that I was training up well. It's a mere 4 miles more and I crashed and burned.
I spend the day thinking about what it was...what I could have done differently aside from not being a smart alec to LB.
It's the red wine says Coach M; Gilbert says it's eating and drinking...which one should or shouldn't I be doing I wonder?
Luckily, there are 2 more attempts for me at this distance. Next time, I will keep my mouth shut at the start and just dread it quietly.!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Too Much Gras in my Mardi
Our good friends K and M Manceaux invited us to a Mardi Gras party on, yes, Tuesday. I repeatedly told Rolph that we were staying for one hour or so. That was it; the "or so." Remember, my husband is Latin...partying is part of his DNA.
But, before I go blaming him, I guess I was in the mood to throw down because after the house was empty and we were still there with full drinks, it was way past an hour "or so."
I decided not to get up at 4(ish) and gave myself a "sleep in." My body is used to getting up at 4 (ish) and so I do, without the alarm. But, I try, since when I wake up at 4 (ish) I have a raging red wine headache. And, it's Ash Wednesday, so I cannot eat much today to absorb the wine from last night.
I get A ready for school and L too. I take L to school and head to church while on a conference call (too much already). I head to church with A and then, luckily, I have my gear in the car. Best thing for a over consumption, you got it, a run. It will hurt, but at the end, I will be happier.
I head to the trail and it's a beautiful day. I change and take off. My legs are sore from the gym, the 18 miles and the 11 miles. I mean, they are sore. Ok, perhaps it's dehydration that's keeping them tight.
I plug away at it, because I have to put in at least 5 miles to hit my goal this week of a 45 mile week. I pound at it; I hear myself breathing and stepping. I try to extend and relax and not look at my watch. This time of day is so different from the morning when it's dark and empty. There are dogs, walkers, strollers, joggers, lunch time folks...it's kind of fun to see the trail in this light...literally.
I survive and clear the toxins. On Thursday, LB gets called to the a "suspicious package" so I have to improvise. I call him back and he tells me my tempo has to be at 7:15 or better. Well, I seriously do not feel up to this alone. This is a fault of mine I know. I head to Gazelles where Dan tells me to go to Zilker for 1000's. Ok, it's way too early for so much driving around Austin.
Anyway, I head there and do 2 x 2000 to warm up and the Gazelle's arrive, stealthfully. I hang with them for drills and hit the first lap. Dan reminds me that I should be doing 2K's because I am doing Boston. I'm already behind, but I do it. I hit the line when the Boston group is taking off for the next one, but I go with them anyway without rest.
Now, Gilbert says to me, oh I forgot you might be here. Then he tries to hand me gloves because he doesn't like my mittens, but I just can't stop for them, so I head out.
I end up with 3 x 1000 on top of the 2K. The last 1000 at 3:55. My legs hurt. They've hurt since Tuesday; I'm tired. I actually have trouble sleeping. You would think with all this training, I would be out like a light, but I'm not. If I could sleep in the middle of the day for a bit, that would help. But, I can't...I'm a mom, I drive, I work.
Today, for the first time, I wondered...I am so tired and cranky, is it worth it? Could I even sleep if I had the time?
But, before I go blaming him, I guess I was in the mood to throw down because after the house was empty and we were still there with full drinks, it was way past an hour "or so."
I decided not to get up at 4(ish) and gave myself a "sleep in." My body is used to getting up at 4 (ish) and so I do, without the alarm. But, I try, since when I wake up at 4 (ish) I have a raging red wine headache. And, it's Ash Wednesday, so I cannot eat much today to absorb the wine from last night.
I get A ready for school and L too. I take L to school and head to church while on a conference call (too much already). I head to church with A and then, luckily, I have my gear in the car. Best thing for a over consumption, you got it, a run. It will hurt, but at the end, I will be happier.
I head to the trail and it's a beautiful day. I change and take off. My legs are sore from the gym, the 18 miles and the 11 miles. I mean, they are sore. Ok, perhaps it's dehydration that's keeping them tight.
I plug away at it, because I have to put in at least 5 miles to hit my goal this week of a 45 mile week. I pound at it; I hear myself breathing and stepping. I try to extend and relax and not look at my watch. This time of day is so different from the morning when it's dark and empty. There are dogs, walkers, strollers, joggers, lunch time folks...it's kind of fun to see the trail in this light...literally.
I survive and clear the toxins. On Thursday, LB gets called to the a "suspicious package" so I have to improvise. I call him back and he tells me my tempo has to be at 7:15 or better. Well, I seriously do not feel up to this alone. This is a fault of mine I know. I head to Gazelles where Dan tells me to go to Zilker for 1000's. Ok, it's way too early for so much driving around Austin.
Anyway, I head there and do 2 x 2000 to warm up and the Gazelle's arrive, stealthfully. I hang with them for drills and hit the first lap. Dan reminds me that I should be doing 2K's because I am doing Boston. I'm already behind, but I do it. I hit the line when the Boston group is taking off for the next one, but I go with them anyway without rest.
Now, Gilbert says to me, oh I forgot you might be here. Then he tries to hand me gloves because he doesn't like my mittens, but I just can't stop for them, so I head out.
I end up with 3 x 1000 on top of the 2K. The last 1000 at 3:55. My legs hurt. They've hurt since Tuesday; I'm tired. I actually have trouble sleeping. You would think with all this training, I would be out like a light, but I'm not. If I could sleep in the middle of the day for a bit, that would help. But, I can't...I'm a mom, I drive, I work.
Today, for the first time, I wondered...I am so tired and cranky, is it worth it? Could I even sleep if I had the time?
Monday, February 15, 2010
Nine Weeks and Counting
Today started with a great 11 mile run -- Longhorn Dam Route plus a little. I love this run as LB and I did it repeatedly before San Antonio and it's really peaceful in the early AM hours out there. I also like the idea of starting the week with a run longer than 7 miles. It kind of sets the week in motion.
We talked a lot about the Austin Marathon, held on Sunday, 2/14. LB's wife ran in it as well as lots of Gazelles and Gilbert himself. It's always amazing to actually be out there as a spectator to see how people challenge themselves. The physical and mental fortitude it takes to run a marathon is tremendous. It's a great reminder for me as I think I have forgotten that part.
The shoe debate continues. A from SPI thinks I should be wearing Brooks. I finally got a pair of Asics Gel Nimbus 11 in narrow and have put off wearing them. I broke down today put them on. I've already sent back two pair already as the toe box on the right foot feels too big. But my other shoes are so worn out and A told me that I should retire them..they are not doing my feet any good. The new shoes felt great, no pain post run. Now, just time to get them dirty; they are too clean.
We talked a lot about the Austin Marathon, held on Sunday, 2/14. LB's wife ran in it as well as lots of Gazelles and Gilbert himself. It's always amazing to actually be out there as a spectator to see how people challenge themselves. The physical and mental fortitude it takes to run a marathon is tremendous. It's a great reminder for me as I think I have forgotten that part.
The shoe debate continues. A from SPI thinks I should be wearing Brooks. I finally got a pair of Asics Gel Nimbus 11 in narrow and have put off wearing them. I broke down today put them on. I've already sent back two pair already as the toe box on the right foot feels too big. But my other shoes are so worn out and A told me that I should retire them..they are not doing my feet any good. The new shoes felt great, no pain post run. Now, just time to get them dirty; they are too clean.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Wine Cap of the Week
This week was pretty decent, all things considered. I ended up with 41.28 miles for the week, with a great 18 mile run on Saturday. I had trouble sleeping on Thursday night and ended up getting out of bed a little after 4 to go to the gym.
Thursday's run was tough and my foot started to hurt. I left LB and went flying over to the RunTex Annex to see if Pieter was there. I open the Annex door and don't say a word to anyone. Pieter is there and no one is waiting to see him...Gilbert looks at me and says, You don't look happy Red, what happened. I don't say a word and head to straight to Pieter. I hop up on the table and Pieter goes to work. He tries to calm me down by talking about that Jersey Shore show...ok, first of all, those people are not from NJ....Crack, twist, adjust, turn this way, turn that way, all the while Pieter keeps me talking. He knows me well enough know to know he has to distract me. Finally, I sit up. Ok, I say, how's the cuboid. Honestly, he says, it's not that bad. You did the right thing and came to me right away. The ankle was too tight and that was putting pressure on your cuboid. Gilbert comes over and gives me a high five and asks me how far I ran...it's all about the numbers (see earlier blog entry)
Saturday was a tough run, with hills following the first 15 miles. LB said, let's do one Wilke, it will be good. I honestly thought he was kidding so I went along with him and made the left turn to do Wilke. I hate Wilke. It's huge and I can hardly get up without wanting to rip my lungs out. I said to LB, you're kidding right? Well, he says in his understated manner, you can do it or be a wuss. Really? Ok, I head half way up and stop and let LB go. I know he won't stop; it's not part of his DNA. I turn off my Garmin and wait for him to come back down.
I'm not messing with my foot on a training run. I tell him. He says nothing at first. Then, in the LB fashion, changes the subject to let me know that the house at the top of the hill is for sale....for $850,000. If you lived here, he says, you could do Wilke every day. Hmm...I say. This is basically the, if you made it to the top of the hill, you would have discovered this too, but you didn't, you stopped and waited. I repeat some lame thing about my foot and continue on running. I think it's pretty damn good that I'm doing 18, let alone Wilke.
The night before we were at a 40th birthday party for a friend. My good friend, neighbor and lifetime chef for Thanksgiving, ROLANDO BENAVIDEZ is there with his lovely wife and my comadre, T. I try not to mention running or that I have to leave early, have to watch what I eat, have to not drink to much, need water....etc. Suddeenly, Rolando asks me, so, Guera (that's what he calls me...basically, white chic); whatcha running tomorrow? Ugh, here we go, down the slippery slope of the running schedule. I'm in the midst of the hard training, I say. Ok, how far? 18 I mumble...18, cabron. There we go, into the whole running conversation. I tried, but there it is. I like that he's calling my Eye Rollers the ER's! Anyway, T and my other very good friend, PM, are running together and I know I will see them out there.
After Saturday's run, A from SPI is in the Annex and adjusts me and works on my feet. She too thinks the cuboid is holding out ok, but that my shoes are shot. Oh Boy, the shoes, I know, it's a huge dilemma. I keep wearing the old ones since the new ones feel strange.
I LOVED that my good friends in DC -- my very good friend and fellow Jersey Girl and her husband are reading my blog and following along on this journey with me! Thanks L and J! Thanks to all my blog followers and my friends who are so supportive and, of course, my family...they are so proud of every long run, every accomplishment.
Valentine's Day...they got me a big red roller to roll out my muscles...Perfect!
Thursday's run was tough and my foot started to hurt. I left LB and went flying over to the RunTex Annex to see if Pieter was there. I open the Annex door and don't say a word to anyone. Pieter is there and no one is waiting to see him...Gilbert looks at me and says, You don't look happy Red, what happened. I don't say a word and head to straight to Pieter. I hop up on the table and Pieter goes to work. He tries to calm me down by talking about that Jersey Shore show...ok, first of all, those people are not from NJ....Crack, twist, adjust, turn this way, turn that way, all the while Pieter keeps me talking. He knows me well enough know to know he has to distract me. Finally, I sit up. Ok, I say, how's the cuboid. Honestly, he says, it's not that bad. You did the right thing and came to me right away. The ankle was too tight and that was putting pressure on your cuboid. Gilbert comes over and gives me a high five and asks me how far I ran...it's all about the numbers (see earlier blog entry)
Saturday was a tough run, with hills following the first 15 miles. LB said, let's do one Wilke, it will be good. I honestly thought he was kidding so I went along with him and made the left turn to do Wilke. I hate Wilke. It's huge and I can hardly get up without wanting to rip my lungs out. I said to LB, you're kidding right? Well, he says in his understated manner, you can do it or be a wuss. Really? Ok, I head half way up and stop and let LB go. I know he won't stop; it's not part of his DNA. I turn off my Garmin and wait for him to come back down.
I'm not messing with my foot on a training run. I tell him. He says nothing at first. Then, in the LB fashion, changes the subject to let me know that the house at the top of the hill is for sale....for $850,000. If you lived here, he says, you could do Wilke every day. Hmm...I say. This is basically the, if you made it to the top of the hill, you would have discovered this too, but you didn't, you stopped and waited. I repeat some lame thing about my foot and continue on running. I think it's pretty damn good that I'm doing 18, let alone Wilke.
The night before we were at a 40th birthday party for a friend. My good friend, neighbor and lifetime chef for Thanksgiving, ROLANDO BENAVIDEZ is there with his lovely wife and my comadre, T. I try not to mention running or that I have to leave early, have to watch what I eat, have to not drink to much, need water....etc. Suddeenly, Rolando asks me, so, Guera (that's what he calls me...basically, white chic); whatcha running tomorrow? Ugh, here we go, down the slippery slope of the running schedule. I'm in the midst of the hard training, I say. Ok, how far? 18 I mumble...18, cabron. There we go, into the whole running conversation. I tried, but there it is. I like that he's calling my Eye Rollers the ER's! Anyway, T and my other very good friend, PM, are running together and I know I will see them out there.
After Saturday's run, A from SPI is in the Annex and adjusts me and works on my feet. She too thinks the cuboid is holding out ok, but that my shoes are shot. Oh Boy, the shoes, I know, it's a huge dilemma. I keep wearing the old ones since the new ones feel strange.
I LOVED that my good friends in DC -- my very good friend and fellow Jersey Girl and her husband are reading my blog and following along on this journey with me! Thanks L and J! Thanks to all my blog followers and my friends who are so supportive and, of course, my family...they are so proud of every long run, every accomplishment.
Valentine's Day...they got me a big red roller to roll out my muscles...Perfect!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
10 Weeks to Go
It's kind of shocking how long and how short 10 weeks seems all at the same time. When I first looked at the schedule for Boston, it seemed so far away, now there's 10 weeks -- that's it.
Hard training for eight weeks, one week to taper and race week. Wow! Here's where I start to get scared and very obsessed with the numbers -- how many miles, what time, etc.
I also still have a cold which isn't helping.
I ran Monday and the minute I got out there, the Heavens opened up. Of course, I had waited for it to clear up. With my chest cold and now being completely soaked to the skin, I pulled up a little after 4 miles.
Aidan had practice with Bernard later that night, so I figured somehow I would get another mile in there.
Well, Monday night it got very cold and windy. I headed to add my mile when my daughter fell and skinned her knee...she's determined to run, but we headed back to the car.
Here's the thing about Gazelles. My friend R., who is doing the Austin Marathon this coming weekend, was out there and borrowed a pony-tail holder from me. She came back to my car to return it. She really didn't have to. But, she did and she sat in my car for a few minutes entertaining my daughter so I could get my mile in. She knows how important the mileage is. Thank you R! (I know R well people, so don't get all crazy about me leaving my kid with someone!)
And, Bernard waited for me to get back too...I was gone all of 8 minutes, but the miles got logged for the day.
Tuesday, up at a crazy hour to meet LB by 5 AM to do 11 miles. My legs felt stiff, but LB, who keeps incredible records from the past trainings, reminds me that we are running more and better than when we trained for San Antonio. I feel assured by that. Perhaps this aging athlete's body is learning to absorb the tough training.
I would really like to get in a 65 - 70 mile week before Boston, but I think my body cannot handle it. The most I ever did before San Antonio was 45 miles. I will have to live with 50-55.
Today, I read about elites training for Austin who put in 100 miles weeks...amazing. I can't wait to watch them on Sunday!
Hard training for eight weeks, one week to taper and race week. Wow! Here's where I start to get scared and very obsessed with the numbers -- how many miles, what time, etc.
I also still have a cold which isn't helping.
I ran Monday and the minute I got out there, the Heavens opened up. Of course, I had waited for it to clear up. With my chest cold and now being completely soaked to the skin, I pulled up a little after 4 miles.
Aidan had practice with Bernard later that night, so I figured somehow I would get another mile in there.
Well, Monday night it got very cold and windy. I headed to add my mile when my daughter fell and skinned her knee...she's determined to run, but we headed back to the car.
Here's the thing about Gazelles. My friend R., who is doing the Austin Marathon this coming weekend, was out there and borrowed a pony-tail holder from me. She came back to my car to return it. She really didn't have to. But, she did and she sat in my car for a few minutes entertaining my daughter so I could get my mile in. She knows how important the mileage is. Thank you R! (I know R well people, so don't get all crazy about me leaving my kid with someone!)
And, Bernard waited for me to get back too...I was gone all of 8 minutes, but the miles got logged for the day.
Tuesday, up at a crazy hour to meet LB by 5 AM to do 11 miles. My legs felt stiff, but LB, who keeps incredible records from the past trainings, reminds me that we are running more and better than when we trained for San Antonio. I feel assured by that. Perhaps this aging athlete's body is learning to absorb the tough training.
I would really like to get in a 65 - 70 mile week before Boston, but I think my body cannot handle it. The most I ever did before San Antonio was 45 miles. I will have to live with 50-55.
Today, I read about elites training for Austin who put in 100 miles weeks...amazing. I can't wait to watch them on Sunday!
Saturday, February 6, 2010
W3: Weak Wilke Workout
Wilke is not to be messed with. I've never done very well at Wilke, but on Tuesday, I decided that perhaps I was in good enough shape to head out there with the Boston group of Gazelles. Boy, was I wrong.
First of all, I've had a head and chest cold since 3M. I laid off a bit hoping to get better, but truthfully, I was still hacking up a lung. My friend and fellow Boston Mom in training, L. had the same thing. We were running along like two smokers who had just quit. We stayed together and left early. Thank God for L. Group after group kicked my butt. I had to walk up after three. I only did five, no sprints and none backwards.
Ah well, chalk it up. I've got some work to do, but I have to get better.
First of all, I've had a head and chest cold since 3M. I laid off a bit hoping to get better, but truthfully, I was still hacking up a lung. My friend and fellow Boston Mom in training, L. had the same thing. We were running along like two smokers who had just quit. We stayed together and left early. Thank God for L. Group after group kicked my butt. I had to walk up after three. I only did five, no sprints and none backwards.
Ah well, chalk it up. I've got some work to do, but I have to get better.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
