Yesterday's run was a veritable triumph after several lackluster workouts for me. A road-run loop of 6.2 miles with a monster hill, completed in precisely 50 minutes. I could feel that, except for the hill, I was running faster than normal, but this time was a pleasant surprise. I look forward to trying that loop again and tackle the hill at a better pace, knowing how long it is, etc.
Incidentally, Suzanne's tempo pace has increased dramatically of late. She's going to rock the sprint tri scheduled for next month. I'll make her post about it soon.
For today, cross-training may be a boot camp video, or simply schlepping more 40-pound bags of mulch around. We'll see how the mood strikes...
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Friday, April 16, 2010
Nothing to it but to do it
I've been working on my pace in a methodical and gradual way lately, but it occurs to me I have not done actual speed work since...uh... last summer. TODAY IS THE DAY, people. I'll post more later, but I am thinking half-mile intervals at a 7mm pace. My colon got nervous as I typed that. Wish me luck.
Updated: Intervals are such a roller coaster ride. Many times throughout my brief workout I wanted it to be done, worried that I would vomit, or both. My routine: .5mi warm up at 8:34, 4x .5mi @ 7:03 with .25mi jogs, .75 'cool down' around 8:05. Let me tell you, when 8:05 felt like a light run, I was flying high! Not saying I'm looking forward to doing it again this week, just that it made me happy. Now I seem to have reached my 8:15 comfortable-tempo pace (albeit still not my conversational pace), so I am hoping this work will push me to the next level....
Updated: Intervals are such a roller coaster ride. Many times throughout my brief workout I wanted it to be done, worried that I would vomit, or both. My routine: .5mi warm up at 8:34, 4x .5mi @ 7:03 with .25mi jogs, .75 'cool down' around 8:05. Let me tell you, when 8:05 felt like a light run, I was flying high! Not saying I'm looking forward to doing it again this week, just that it made me happy. Now I seem to have reached my 8:15 comfortable-tempo pace (albeit still not my conversational pace), so I am hoping this work will push me to the next level....
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Sorry I keep doing this
....this one's about my dad:
http://mypwe.blogspot.com/2010/03/fathers-introduction-to-joy.html
http://mypwe.blogspot.com/2010/03/fathers-introduction-to-joy.html
Monday, February 22, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
The call
Rusty and tired. Weighed down, yet somehow nerve-endings feel jangled. Can't focus.
Work sits silently, staring me in the face. The expression might be described as bored or morose. Or maybe weary. Chores to be done hum in the background, behind the running dishwasher, a low and discordant tune. The clouds sweep by at a snail's pace, adding to the gray pallor of the day and draining the room of color. The breeze, a quieter twin of yesterday's wind, makes 23 degrees feel like 12. It's bite growls from outside the door leading to the garage.
Closing my eyes, I imagine the bed upstairs with welcoming, rumpled sheets next to the clock that tells me I have an hour to kill before heading to the bus stop. On Friday afternoon, no one would blame me for throwing in the towel. For hiding for a little because I can.
But more strong is the call from the basement. The treadmill sits compassionately, ready for me to work out some of the....what? Worry? Stress? It knows it offers but a brief respite, but there's more to it. If I answer the call, I will hang my hat on a day where I did more than hide. I will have added to the number in my mind - miles run, footsteps one in front of the other, number of days in a row of exercise for the week, number of times I have breathed a sigh of relief for endorphins.
A smile tugs at the corner of my mouth. Better give it another 15 minutes for lunch to be digested. In the meantime, the weight feels lighter. Up the stairs to change the shirt and find the running shoes. Calm sets in even before movement starts. I am grateful.
Work sits silently, staring me in the face. The expression might be described as bored or morose. Or maybe weary. Chores to be done hum in the background, behind the running dishwasher, a low and discordant tune. The clouds sweep by at a snail's pace, adding to the gray pallor of the day and draining the room of color. The breeze, a quieter twin of yesterday's wind, makes 23 degrees feel like 12. It's bite growls from outside the door leading to the garage.
Closing my eyes, I imagine the bed upstairs with welcoming, rumpled sheets next to the clock that tells me I have an hour to kill before heading to the bus stop. On Friday afternoon, no one would blame me for throwing in the towel. For hiding for a little because I can.
But more strong is the call from the basement. The treadmill sits compassionately, ready for me to work out some of the....what? Worry? Stress? It knows it offers but a brief respite, but there's more to it. If I answer the call, I will hang my hat on a day where I did more than hide. I will have added to the number in my mind - miles run, footsteps one in front of the other, number of days in a row of exercise for the week, number of times I have breathed a sigh of relief for endorphins.
A smile tugs at the corner of my mouth. Better give it another 15 minutes for lunch to be digested. In the meantime, the weight feels lighter. Up the stairs to change the shirt and find the running shoes. Calm sets in even before movement starts. I am grateful.
Monday, January 11, 2010
No pressure
Slowly easing back into routine. Eighteen miles total last week. Thinking thoughts about speed. Overall goals? Not sure yet. No races on the docket, though I am considering Clyde's (as usual), and some as-yet-undetermined 10-miler.
Otherwise:
- Get comfortable with a sustained 8mm pace.
- Continue strength training.
- Lose some ticks on the measuring tape in strategic areas (belly, hips, thighs, I am looking at you).
I continue to be strongly motivated by everyone's Facebook posts. What a great thing - a social networking site that actually works positively.
Now if I could just make my perrenial GI issues disappear. I can't complain though, as I know I have no real inclination to monkeying with my consumption habits.
This year is going to be about wholeness. Being rounded and grounded. Only pressure where it will get me happier, and no longer the kind to take the edge off for a brief spell. Can I do it? Let go. But again, no pressure.
Otherwise:
- Get comfortable with a sustained 8mm pace.
- Continue strength training.
- Lose some ticks on the measuring tape in strategic areas (belly, hips, thighs, I am looking at you).
I continue to be strongly motivated by everyone's Facebook posts. What a great thing - a social networking site that actually works positively.
Now if I could just make my perrenial GI issues disappear. I can't complain though, as I know I have no real inclination to monkeying with my consumption habits.
This year is going to be about wholeness. Being rounded and grounded. Only pressure where it will get me happier, and no longer the kind to take the edge off for a brief spell. Can I do it? Let go. But again, no pressure.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
More from the injury-prevention files
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/01/phys-ed-how-to-prevent-stress-fractures/
Worth a look.
Worth a look.
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