I Probably Should Make My Blog Public again

Just an easy 5 miles.  This week will be sorta light because I am starting training in earnest and my training program has me running long on Sundays (and I didn't run yesterday).  It's good that this week will be lighter with running because I am definitely stressed about school and classes.  This weekend is my last Friday/Saturday class for a month and a half.  Thank God.

So I've been away from other people's blogs.  I will be catching up later this week!

2 miles warm up, 4 x 1 mile at 8:00 pace with a 1/2 mile recovery after each (but I made a boo boo--should've done 1/4 mile recovery).  Then 6 x 200 at 7:03 pace (or as close to a 200 as I could manage on a treadmill that only kept mileage to the tenth) with 100 jog in between.  Really, what I did was set my treadmill for the fast pace and keep it for about 55 seconds, and then I dropped the speed until the treadmill marked the next tenth.  Then about a mile cool down.  I had to reset the treadmill a couple because it shuts down after an hour and I couldn't figure out after an hour how much more time I needed.  Then when it shut down the 3rd time, I didn't want to reset it just so I could come up with an even 10.

I have been wearing my glasses for the last few days because I threw away my last pair of contacts and didn't realize that I didn't have another pair.  I don't have time to get to the eye doctor right now.  But running in glasses is not my cup of tea.  I had to keep taking them off because they were all sweaty. 

An easy 5.2.  It got up to 40 today, which is exciting.  But you know what?  40 degrees is still cold :)

It reached 45 degrees today.  I contemplated shorts.  But my legs were worried about their exposure.  And I'm glad I didn't wear them because by the time I got going it was getting dark and it was hovering around 30.

2 miles warmup.  Three miles at 1/2 marathon pace (7:54, 7:52, 7:45).  Almost a 1/2 mile over to the track for 2 800s.  I probably should have planned to end the first 5 miles a little closer.

2 800s at roughly 7:00 pace.  I was shooting for 7:20-7:30 pace, but it was too dark to see the watch and the pace felt good.

Then 6 x 100 strides.  As I was hitting my sprint, which I was supposed to sustain for 5 seconds (and which most of the time was a little above or a little below 5 min pace), I was thinking that there are people who can actually sustain that pace for a loooooong time.  Crazy.

Then I ran home.

I did run in my glasses today.  They stayed on a little better because my hat was keeping them on. 

I ran 6 miles at about 9 min pace and then did strides during the last .6.

This was just a steady long run.  Avg. pace 9:08.  My heart really wasn't in it.  I just wanted to be done.

This has been a tiring week.  I was working on a big paper and a project, grading research paper, holding my student teacher's hand, dreading class this weekend.  But now I'm done with one class for the semester, I'm almost done with my research papers, and spring break is 2 weeks away.  I think the rest of the year is downhill from here.  Can you believe there are only about 9 weeks left of the school year?

I did the same workout this Tuesday as I did last Tues (except I did it right).  Warm up was 2 miles, then 4 x 1 mile at 1/2 marathon pace (400 recovery), 6 x 200 at a faster pace (100 recovery) and then about a 2 mile cool down.

Warm up was at about 9 min pace.  Splits on the 4 fast miles were 7:45, 7:41, 7:43, 7:38.  My 1/2 marathon goal is 8 min pace, but I was feeling frisky.  Then my 200 time goal was 53 seconds and I did all of them either in 47 or 53 seconds.  Cool down was slow--right around 9:45 pace.

It was almost 60 when I started out and I was way overdressed because I was intimidated by the wind.  I had to stop after the first fast mile to take off one of the shirts I was wearing (a cold gear shirt.  What was I thinking?).  A t-shirt felt good.  I did wear warmer pants on the bottom and they were fine.  I also kept on my ear band because it helped to keep my glasses in place (and sometimes the wind bothers my ears).

I had a dream last night that I was invited to Sasha's house for dinner and when I met him, he was a short, wrinkly old man, and I was incredulous about how he could run so fast.  There were also a bunch of other people there, but no one talked to me because they were all mad at me for some reason.  Then the house, which was 1/2 normal, but had this impossibly high dome made of bricks on it, fell down on us when a huge gust of wind blew.  I have no idea why I dreamed that.

5 cross training miles.  

The past two days I was subbing in the assistant principal's office.  It was interesting.  I really just basically took notes for him, but it's sometimes comical what happens down there, and other times you just gotta roll your eyes at the goings-on. 

But while I was downstairs, there was a big mutiny in my 8th period class over how my student teacher graded a quiz.  She was really upset, but the kids were out of line--and I'm sure I'll hear from some of them today, but I'm backing her.  My students are just seniors who don't want to do anything.  One kid walked out of the class saying, "I hate you!   I hate life!  I hate everything!" 

This is an 18 year old, mind you. 

I'm looking forward to today (eyes rolling in sarcasm).

Honestly, this was the worst run I've had in a long time, and I'm not quite sure I actually understand what happened.  

When I was getting ready, it started hailing outside, so I headed to the gym.  Once I got there my plan was a warm up, 3 miles at 1/2 marathon pace, 2 800s at 10K pace, and 6 200s.  

But the run was bad from the start.  9:40 pace felt too fast.  I warmed up for 2 miles, then sped up the treadmill to 8 min pace.  After .28, I just stopped.  I tried to talk myself into it, but I just couldn't get going again.  I thought maybe if I started slow and then worked my way into 8 min. pace I could do it, but it just wasn't happening.  So I just dropped the speed on the treadmill to a tolerable pace, every once in a while I would speed it up a little, and got to 5.5 and then hightailed it out of there.

It was really hot in there and my hands were swelling up.  I felt thirsty even though I drank an entire water bottle after the failed attempt at going faster.  I don't think I drank enough water during the day, and I'm not sure if maybe eating a light dinner before hand was the culprit.  I have also recently lost 3 pounds--even though I have been making a concerted effort to eat more because I think my body fat percentage is interfering with my cycle.  My percentage isn't ridiculously low (and it was measured electronically, not using calipers), but I've been interested in what I've been reading about body fat and pregnancy.

Now I will just try to forget it happened.  Maybe I'll do that workout on Saturday, but maybe not.

It was a busy day.  After school i ran home, got the kids and my nephew, dropped them off at school with a teacher friend so I could go to an eye appointment, picked the kids back up and took them to dinner, and then went back to the school to watch our production of Godspell.  It was great--and the kids behaved well, even though Eli got a little restless towards the end.

Then went home and did 6 cross training miles while I waited for Chuck to get home, and stopped when I got bored of waiting for him.

6 slow miles and then 6 200s with a jog in between. My watch was charging, so I just had to guess at distances.

On paper, my splits are unimpressive for this run, but miles 8-12.5 were mostly head into the 20 mph wind.  I ran around the perimeter of Rantoul, including some of the farmland around (Specchio's farm on the south end and Quinlan's farm--where we have our garden--on the north end).  The last 2 ish miles were with the wind.

I'm tired.

Splits:  9:20, 9:23, 9:11, 9:23, 9:24, 9:16, 9:10, 9:26 (the first of many miles into the wind), 9:24, 9:08 (1/2 mile was heading east), 9:21, 9:45 (ugh), 9:14, 8:48,  .75 @ 9:11 pace

I know that everyone else is lamenting Daylight Savings Time, but since I run in the late afternoon, I love it--this is the first weekday run in a long time that was all in the sun.  And it was a beautiful day, too:  over 60, sunny, a little on the windy side, but only about 5 mph or something.

Warmed up 1.75 miles to the track, got to the track and didn't start because instead I ran a couple laps with a guy I used to work with who was finishing his workout.  I would actually like to beat him in the 1/2, but I will know whether that is possible based on my race this weekend, which he is also running (which is a bit of a coincidence, I think, considering the race is in Chicago, but I guess maybe it isn't too huge a coincidence).  His goal is just slightly faster than mine, but I don't think he's been training that well.  After a couple laps I said my goodbyes and started my workout.

Run was 2 x (400 at 5K pace (100), 1200 at 10K pace (200), 2000 at 1/2 m pace).  Goal paces:  400--1:48,  1200--5:42, 2000--10:00.

Actual paces:  400--1:43, 1200--5:25, 2000--9:57, 400--1:47, 5:40, 2000--9:45. And I wasn't sure what to do as far as recovery between my first 2000 and second 400, so I settled with a 300.

Then I cooled down 2.62 miles to home. I had stupidly worn too many layers on my run because I was sitting outside while the kids were playing after school, and was a little cold then and didn't feel like peeling off my clothes right away.  So I was dying on my warm up, took extra layers off during the actual workout, and then wore the extra layers around my waist on the way home, and felt really bogged down.  I started off wearing more clothes than I did during winter running.

An easy 4 miles with 6 x 100 at the end.  Didn't wear the watch.  It's probably mentally better for me to leave it off on easy days.

Another gorgeous day!  It was over 60, I think.  But of course, I hear it's supposed to snow on Sunday...

Dear new shoes,

Thank you for cushioning my feet during my run.  I know you look exactly the same as my last 2 pairs of shoes (and remarkably similar to the two pairs before you), but somehow I've got a feeling that you and I are going places together. 

Love,

Tracy

(Avg pace:  8:36.  Splits:  9:11, 9:04, 7:58, 8:07, 8:01, 7:53, 9:25, 8:58, plus running back and forth in front of my house so that I didn't end on a weird # for mileage)

5 cross training miles.  Nervous about getting in my run today.  I'm in Chicago and the weather is less than desirable.  I will be taking the train into the city to meet up with a couple of friends who say that they want to run, but I'm nervous that they won't actually want to once I get there. 

So if I don't get in my miles today, I am just going to switch my 10 mile run from today to Monday.

Race tomorrow will be in this sloppiness!

Went to my friend Mo's gym to get in a few miles on the treadmill.  I'm glad I got in a run today, even if it wasn't as long as I had wanted.  Mo ran 2 and Colleen ran 6, so when Colleen was done, I felt like I better hurry up and finish too.  That and the run was at 6, so I knew I probably shouldn't push it, since my race was at 9 on Sunday.

I stayed at my friend Colleen's sister Mo's place the night before the race and we just hung out.  She has a parking spot in the lot right by the start line, so we drove over and came out of the lot and were right by the finish.

I was the only one running in the first wave, so Colleen and I warmed up about 1.5 miles and then after coordinating where we were going to meet afterward, I headed over to my corral.  I probably warmed up a little too early, but no big deal.  It was about 30 degrees, but at least it wasn't raining like the forecast had been warning all week.  The national anthem was sung (pretty badly if you ask me) and then the race started.  It took about 3 minutes before I got to the line.

My first three miles were pretty slow.  I just started and wasn't really too concerned about how fast I was going.  There were a lot of people running (36,000 or so) and there was a lot of weaving, really throughout the whole race, but most in the first mile.

The rest of the race was unremarkable.  I just tried to keep a steady pace, anticipate the turns, and pass the people in front of me.

My garmin was pretty useless.  Not sure why, but it says I ran 5.4 (and I doubt I was weaving that much) and says that my avg. pace was 7:01.  Obviously not.  According to the results page, my splits were 7:48, 7:51, 7:44, 7:18, 7:14.  I wish that I had been able to get moving in those first 3 miles.  I don't know if it was me or the crowd, really.

Then I cooled down 1.5, waited for Colleen and Mo to finish, and called my brother.  It took me a while to find him and his wife, but we finally found each other and we took the el home.  I'm actually kind of disappointed.  I could have done better, but I'll blame the crowd.  My nemesis finished in 35:30 or so--maybe he won't be my target for the 1/2.  Or maybe I will just chalk this up to having a so-so race and redouble my efforts for my next race.

The real reason I am posting is to ask for prayers for our buddy Luke.  If you recall, his bone marrow transfusion went well (at the end of Feb), but he's been fighting off infections since.  I just found out he has RSV, which is very dangerous for someone in his condition.  He's stable, but in the ICU and getting breathing assistance. 

Cross training:  6 miles, + abs and some lazy pushups.

I haven't been keeping track of fast miles/slow miles lately, but I guess I'll start that up again.

My husband got home today and I relinquished control of the kids to him for the time being.  I guess I'll have to be helpful for the rest of spring break, but only because of Eli's arm.  He went on a fun trip out to AZ and brought me back a turquoise necklace as a peace offering.

wu 2 miles, 3 x 1.5 at 10K pace with .25 recovery, 3.1 miles cd.

Avg. pace:  8:20. Pace for fast portions: 7:20, 7:22, 7:35.  Darn that 3rd one.

Please keep up prayers for Luke.  He had a rough night last night.  He is now on a breathing tube and is pretty heavily sedated.

Five miles in old shoes.  Big mistake.  I stopped a few times to stretch my left arch.  

I'm not gonna lie.  My garmin told me I had a low battery about 1/2 way through my run and I kept hoping it would just shut down so I wouldn't have to finish my intervals.  No such luck...

2 mile wu, 6 miles 3 min fast/1 min recovery, 2.1 miles cd.

I did 12 intervals.  My paces ranged from 7:21 average to 7:46 average, but I only had 2 in the 7:40s, and those were two into the wind.  I took a quick pit stop after the 7th one.  I had to give myself a stern talking to before I could convince myself to start up again.

Now that I'm done I feel good about the workout.

Just FYI:  Luke is taking baby steps of improvement.  They are trying to wean him off his breathing tube, but slowly, as he is still having respiratory issues.  Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts for him!  Keep them coming!

An easy 6 with 6 x approx. 100 m strides and approx. equal recovery jog.  I just did the strides along my route and then jogged the rest of the way home.

It sure is hard to figure out how to dress for runs lately.  When the wind was gusting I was just fine, but when it wasn't (or when I had a tailwind) I was hot.  I should have worn shorts and just one long sleeved shirt.  I need to remember that for next time.  And I guess I should have looked at the temp before going out.  It was 55 (with 13 mph winds).  When I was out earlier this morning, it was in the low 40s.

15 miles on the dreadmill.  I went to the gym because it was pouring when I got home from church and I made the decision that I'd rather be dry (well, sorta) and hot than cold and wet.  I was a little worried about using the treadmill since the power in town went out last night and this morning (in the middle of the gospel) but it didn't go out again while I was working out.

I was supposed to do 3 to 6 miles of 1/2 M pace in the middle third of the run.  I did 2 at 8 min pace and then slowed down a little for another 2 miles.  I did another 2 miles at 8:40 pace, and then called it done.

The treadmill shut down twice.  The last 2 miles (right after the 2nd shut down) were difficult, but at about mile 11, the guy on the elliptical next to me said something to the effect of "You're quite the runner," and that comment helped me just finish.  I did the last 1/2 mile at 8 min. pace, just to cut about 30 seconds off my finish time :)

I was mad when I left the gym because it wasn't raining anymore and I drove home thinking I had made the wrong decision.  But my husband said it had just stopped raining about 20 minutes before I got home, so I think I made the right choice.

No more treadmills for a while, hopefully.

I have to change up what I was planning this week since I won't be running my long run this Sunday.  Running long Saturday will probably be what I do, but it's going to depend on family business.  

I also was supposed to run an actual workout, but I'll have to do that Wed.

It was a beautifully sunny day, almost 80 degrees.  But the wind!  My God! The wind!

I warmed up 2.1 miles to the track.  Almost my entire warm up was full force into the wind.  It seemed strong.  I didn't look up any stats when I got home, but the hourly report on the weather channel says the wind was from the south at 26 mph.  That seems about right.

At the track I did 2 sets of 400 (5K pace--1:48), 1200 (10K pace--5:42), 2400 (1/2MP--12 min).  I set myself up so that I never had to finish any of the intervals into the wind, just for mental purposes.  I tried to keep myself dead on pace, but I was a little under on the short ones.

 Actual run:  400 (1:44), 1200 (5:32), 2400 (12:00), 400 (1:41), 1200 (5:36), 2400 (11:56).

Then I ran back home.  This time the wind helped me, which is good because I was beat.