3:00 hours, 30:60 second run/walk ratio
Have had a very exhausting week. I ended up splitting the difference between getting up early enough to avoid the heat of the day and getting up late enough to be completely rested, and got up a little before 7 am and was at Meadowbrook Park ready to run at around 8:35 am. Luckily, the sky was cloudy for most of my run, even dropping a few drops of rain on me. The sun came out in the middle of my 9th mile, so the last few miles had that on top of being "new" miles, but I didn't feel too tired by the time I was done. I expected to run a bit slowly today, and finished in exactly three hours, averaging about 16.4 minutes/mile.
I brought some oyster crackers along with me to nibble on for snacks while I ran. Had a few at 4 miles and a few more at 7.5. My stomach was a bit wonky, but I don't know if it was the crackers or just general wonkiness. I also brought GU but didn't eat any of them. I like the crackers; I'll try them again when I'm not so wiped out and see how I feel.
I stopped once for the bathroom after 3 miles. If I'm not going to stop during the actual Half Marathon, I'll have to get up earlier and watch what I eat the day before. Should probably have dinner early and stop eating after 5 pm. My digestion is kind of sensitive these days. For training runs, it doesn't matter, but it would be good to figure out how to run 3.5 hours without having to stop. That would have added about 7 minutes to my time. Don't even know how available bathrooms will be in Las Vegas.
All in all, not a great run, but not a bad one. And I've made it to eleven miles! At this point, I could run a half marathon if I had to -- only another 2.1 miles. But I've got another month and a half to get stronger.
I skipped my Thursday run this week -- first time I've had to miss a midweek run. Spent all day working on replacing the water heater and fixing the pipe from the pump. Skipping one run won't make a difference, but I've got to be extra diligent not start missing more of them.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Friday, October 08, 2010
Week 10: Four miles
1:03 hours, 30:60 second run/walk ratio
I decided to do the Dennison-Valley run today, for something different, and because it was short enough that I could run without water or bathrooms or such. Didn't even use my waist pack. It was chilly this morning, so I wore my black running pants and shirt and my running hoodie, and just put handkerchief, ID, and truck key in my hoodie pockets. The sun was out and I ended up tying my hoodie around my waist after about a mile and a half. It was a very nice run, beautiful weather, and I felt strong the whole way.
I decided to do the Dennison-Valley run today, for something different, and because it was short enough that I could run without water or bathrooms or such. Didn't even use my waist pack. It was chilly this morning, so I wore my black running pants and shirt and my running hoodie, and just put handkerchief, ID, and truck key in my hoodie pockets. The sun was out and I ended up tying my hoodie around my waist after about a mile and a half. It was a very nice run, beautiful weather, and I felt strong the whole way.
Friday, October 01, 2010
Week 9: Nine and a half miles
2:35 hours, 30:60 second run/walk ratio
Today's run was one of those runs. I got a late start, the weather was stifling, my stomach was wonky, and I was really, really glad when it was over. It was supposed to be cloudy today, so I was hoping for some shade, knowing I was going to be out there for over two hours, but none of the clouds ever came between me and the sun. It was probably close to 90 degrees, without a bit of shade. I felt like I was flirting with heat exhaustion by the time I was done, despite drinking plenty of water and pouring water over my head now and then. And I forgot to put on sunscreen before I left this morning.
I made bathroom stops at 4 and 7 miles, but stopped my watch while I was off the trail. I got a good start, with 1:01 at 4 miles, but had a hard time getting back into the groove after stopping. It was just so hot. I ate my last two Clif Shot Bloks at 4 and 8 miles. Must get some more! Maybe they were hard on my stomach, especially since they're so old and the package has been opened for a while now.
I ended up walking the last half-mile, because I was starting to feel pretty wrung out. Considering how awful I felt for the last half of my run, I still did a pretty darn good time, averaging about 16.5 minute miles.
One good thing: my shoulders and neck didn't get sore, like they have on previous long runs. Yay pushups!
Just after I got home, the sky clouded over and we were pounded with thunderstorms for about an hour and a half. And now it's nice and cool. Oh well. I got my 9.5 miles in!
Today's run was one of those runs. I got a late start, the weather was stifling, my stomach was wonky, and I was really, really glad when it was over. It was supposed to be cloudy today, so I was hoping for some shade, knowing I was going to be out there for over two hours, but none of the clouds ever came between me and the sun. It was probably close to 90 degrees, without a bit of shade. I felt like I was flirting with heat exhaustion by the time I was done, despite drinking plenty of water and pouring water over my head now and then. And I forgot to put on sunscreen before I left this morning.
I made bathroom stops at 4 and 7 miles, but stopped my watch while I was off the trail. I got a good start, with 1:01 at 4 miles, but had a hard time getting back into the groove after stopping. It was just so hot. I ate my last two Clif Shot Bloks at 4 and 8 miles. Must get some more! Maybe they were hard on my stomach, especially since they're so old and the package has been opened for a while now.
I ended up walking the last half-mile, because I was starting to feel pretty wrung out. Considering how awful I felt for the last half of my run, I still did a pretty darn good time, averaging about 16.5 minute miles.
One good thing: my shoulders and neck didn't get sore, like they have on previous long runs. Yay pushups!
Just after I got home, the sky clouded over and we were pounded with thunderstorms for about an hour and a half. And now it's nice and cool. Oh well. I got my 9.5 miles in!
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Week 8: Three miles
49:48 minutes, 28.1 laps, appx 30:60 sec run/walk ratio
I was still pretty worn out from hauling brush and tree limbs for three hours yesterday, so it was a slow-ish three miles around the house, but I got it done.
I was still pretty worn out from hauling brush and tree limbs for three hours yesterday, so it was a slow-ish three miles around the house, but I got it done.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Week 7: Eight miles
2:12 hours, 30:60 sec run/walk ratio
I got up a little before 7 am today, and was at the park for my run by 8:30 am. Weather was sunny with a bit of a breeze, hot but not too hot. I was feeling listless and slow, and was in fact a bit off my usual pace, but not too bad.
I brought along the Clif Shot Bloks I had left over and ate two or three of them while I ran. I like them, I think I'll try to get more. They'd gotten a bit dried out after being opened, but I splashed a couple of drops of water into the bag before I left, and they softened up a bit by the time I ate them.
I'm pleased at the way I've been keeping up with my runs, even though sometimes I feel blah and unmotivated. I haven't seriously been tempted to blow any of them off, I just trudge out there and do them anyway. Still, I hope I have a little more enthusiasm when it comes time for the longer runs. And especially for the half marathon itself. I still haven't registered. I think I'll enjoy it once I'm there, but I've got too many other things going on right now to think much about going to Las Vegas in December.
I got up a little before 7 am today, and was at the park for my run by 8:30 am. Weather was sunny with a bit of a breeze, hot but not too hot. I was feeling listless and slow, and was in fact a bit off my usual pace, but not too bad.
I brought along the Clif Shot Bloks I had left over and ate two or three of them while I ran. I like them, I think I'll try to get more. They'd gotten a bit dried out after being opened, but I splashed a couple of drops of water into the bag before I left, and they softened up a bit by the time I ate them.
I'm pleased at the way I've been keeping up with my runs, even though sometimes I feel blah and unmotivated. I haven't seriously been tempted to blow any of them off, I just trudge out there and do them anyway. Still, I hope I have a little more enthusiasm when it comes time for the longer runs. And especially for the half marathon itself. I still haven't registered. I think I'll enjoy it once I'm there, but I've got too many other things going on right now to think much about going to Las Vegas in December.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Week 6: Three miles
47:37 minutes, 28.1 laps, 30:60 sec run/walk ratio (approximate)
I slept in until 8 am today, because I've been so tired this week, the weather has been cooling down, and it was only a 3-mile run. So I didn't get out there until 9:30-ish, and just did my run around the house. I felt pretty good, and my time showed it—I averaged just under 16-minute miles, and cut about 3.5 minutes off my Week 1 3-mile time. Go me!
I didn't use the watch to time intervals, so they're approximate. It's too easy to get messed up trying to run exact intervals on such short laps. I generally run somewhere between 30–40 seconds and then walk the rest of the way, usually about a minute. So it's close enough. Maybe it helps to run a little more than 30 seconds on the short runs, makes it easier to keep going for 30 seconds on the long runs.
Anyway, I'm pleased to have done such a good run after feeling so icky this week (mostly stressed out and not getting enough sleep, but I think I'm past it now). I hope I can stay strong for next week's eight-mile run.
I still haven't registered for the race. Registration is $145 and I had truck repair expenses this month, so maybe I'll wait until next month. There's still time. I should get my hotel reservations done, though.
I slept in until 8 am today, because I've been so tired this week, the weather has been cooling down, and it was only a 3-mile run. So I didn't get out there until 9:30-ish, and just did my run around the house. I felt pretty good, and my time showed it—I averaged just under 16-minute miles, and cut about 3.5 minutes off my Week 1 3-mile time. Go me!
I didn't use the watch to time intervals, so they're approximate. It's too easy to get messed up trying to run exact intervals on such short laps. I generally run somewhere between 30–40 seconds and then walk the rest of the way, usually about a minute. So it's close enough. Maybe it helps to run a little more than 30 seconds on the short runs, makes it easier to keep going for 30 seconds on the long runs.
Anyway, I'm pleased to have done such a good run after feeling so icky this week (mostly stressed out and not getting enough sleep, but I think I'm past it now). I hope I can stay strong for next week's eight-mile run.
I still haven't registered for the race. Registration is $145 and I had truck repair expenses this month, so maybe I'll wait until next month. There's still time. I should get my hotel reservations done, though.
Saturday, September 04, 2010
Week 5: Six and a half miles
1:46 hours, 30:60 second run/walk ratio
I actually did about six and three quarter miles, because I ended up doing the short lower loop at Meadowbrook Park for my "half mile," which I'd figured out from previous runs in the park was about three quarters of a mile. But I stopped my watch after eight and a half minutes or so, about where I thought a half mile was, and walked the rest of the way back. So my time and distance are approximate, but close enough.
I had a good run, despite being kind of tired. It was hard getting up at 6 am. I'd gone to bed at 10 pm, but wasn't really sleepy and didn't get to sleep until after 11. So I was a bit short on sleep. But I felt pretty good and finished without getting too tired, averaging just over 16 minute miles. (My time at 6 miles was 1:37.)
My shoulders and neck were a bit sore while I was running, which means I was leaning forward while I ran, trying to push myself ahead. I need to pay more attention to my posture and stay upright while I run.
I ate a Cliff Blok at 4 miles. Pretty good, kind of a gummy cube. It was probably a bit dried out from sitting in my cupboard for over a year—it was from a sample packet I picked up at my last half marathon. I will try them again on my next long run.
There was a light breeze, which kept the heat from being too overpowering. I finished by 9:30 am, so it wasn't too hot. But I hope the weather starts to cool down before my runs get much longer. I'm not going to be able to get up any earlier.
Five weeks into my training, and still going strong! Guess I could go ahead and register for the Las Vegas Half Marathon now.
I actually did about six and three quarter miles, because I ended up doing the short lower loop at Meadowbrook Park for my "half mile," which I'd figured out from previous runs in the park was about three quarters of a mile. But I stopped my watch after eight and a half minutes or so, about where I thought a half mile was, and walked the rest of the way back. So my time and distance are approximate, but close enough.
I had a good run, despite being kind of tired. It was hard getting up at 6 am. I'd gone to bed at 10 pm, but wasn't really sleepy and didn't get to sleep until after 11. So I was a bit short on sleep. But I felt pretty good and finished without getting too tired, averaging just over 16 minute miles. (My time at 6 miles was 1:37.)
My shoulders and neck were a bit sore while I was running, which means I was leaning forward while I ran, trying to push myself ahead. I need to pay more attention to my posture and stay upright while I run.
I ate a Cliff Blok at 4 miles. Pretty good, kind of a gummy cube. It was probably a bit dried out from sitting in my cupboard for over a year—it was from a sample packet I picked up at my last half marathon. I will try them again on my next long run.
There was a light breeze, which kept the heat from being too overpowering. I finished by 9:30 am, so it wasn't too hot. But I hope the weather starts to cool down before my runs get much longer. I'm not going to be able to get up any earlier.
Five weeks into my training, and still going strong! Guess I could go ahead and register for the Las Vegas Half Marathon now.
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