Emily's training blog

I really need to pay more attention to the postings at the Oval. I drove all the way out there again to find the speed skating championships were still going on.  I realized as I left that it was posted right on the front door that the track would be closed.  So, back to the treadmill!

I warmed up two miles and then ran a 30 minute threshold run.  I started at 10 mph and increased every five minutes.  

Mile 1: 6:05

Mile 2: 5:55

Mile 3:  5:51

Mile 4:  5:46

Mile 5:  5:40  Total time: 29:19  30 minutes  5.1 miles

I cooled down two miles.  The total time for nine miles was 57:48.  I really need to get outside to run!  Maybe tomorrow if the roads are clear enough.

I decided to brave the great outdoors this morning.  Not a good idea.  Although I stayed relatively warm, I realized that there are no safe places to run in my neck of the woods during the winter.   There was so much snow and ice on the sidewalks, and most of the roads had too little space on the shoulder.   I spent a lot of time gingerly picking my way through unshoveled stretches of sidewalk.   My plan was 10 miles, but I gave up after 5 and a half.   Hopefully  I'll find some time to get a few more in today, even if it is just an hour of biking.  I'm so ready for winter to be over.

I miss the days when I lived up by the U.   There are so many good roads to run on in that part of town.  Taylorsville kind of sucks for running. 

PM  I made it over to the club for an easy 4.5 miles on the treadmill.  I sent the kids to the daycare, and they did wonderfully.  I will have to utilize it more often now that Cole is past the stage where he screams the entire time.   That's why I haven't brought my kids to the day care too often.  He seems to have outgrown it.

I missed running yesterday. I wish I had a really good excuse for it, but I just slept in, and then never got around to going. If I don't get up and get it done, it is very difficult to go because I never know what's going to happen with the kids or my husband's job and activities. It's only 5 in the morning that I know there is no other conflicts. My mileage goal for this week is 50, which I can still accomplish. I am still working on that consistency! I did a hill run on the treadmill this morning.  I started at 8.6 mph and increased .1 every 5 minutes for the first 20 minutes, every 4 minutes for the next 20, and every 3 for the last 20 minutes.  In addition I increased my incline to 3% every 10 minutes for a two minute hill.  I ran six hills.   The last one about killed me since it was at 10.2 mph.  I gotta get those hills in somehow.  I completed 9.25 miles in an hour.  Maybe I can sneak in a few more miles tonight to make up for yesterday.  

I made it out to the Oval this morning.  (Finally!)  It was even a bargain day; one dollar because it is a red burn day.  So, I did some people dodging on the track, but that is still preferable to yesterday's run on the treadmill where someone left their chewed up gum in the console.  Thank you so much, Considerate Stranger! 

I warmed up 15 minutes.  My legs were a bit tired from yesterday's "hill" run, so I pared down the workout a touch.  I ran 20 sets of 1 minute on 1minute off.  I was pretty consistent, staying between 5:20 and 5:25 pace.  I thought that was pretty good considering it was 5:30 in the morning and I was wearing trainers.  It was actually nice to do some turnover work.  I definitely use different muscles during speedwork than when I'm just logging mileage.  I cooled down 15 more minutes.  

So, I'm debating whether to run an easy 4-5 this afternoon, which will only leave me 7 tomorrow, or save the entire 12 for tomorrow.  If the air quality stays like this, I will be banished to the treadmill again.  I kind of dread the thought of running for an hour and a half on the treadmill.  Hmmm . . . what to do?

I read in the newspaper this morning that going out in the inversion is like smoking a pack of cigarettes a day.  So, I opted to run my long run on the treadmill.  For a change in scenery I went up to the West Jordan 24 Hour Fitness.  The equipment is much nicer there.  Plus, the have tv's attached to each treadmill.  It makes me kind of dizzy to run and watch tv, but it was a nice diversion for an hour and a half of running in place.  I watched stupid, mindless shows the entire run.  First, was Supernanny, ("London, pushing Denver down the stairs is UN-acceptable.  Sit in the naughty chair.)  followed by 16 and Pregnant. ( "I never thought my baby daddy would leave me.  We were gonna live happily ever after)  I may be dumber after running today!

Finishing my run was a mental victory.  I started having stomach cramps after 6.5 miles.  I've been having chronic stomach issues since having Lily.  I won't go into details, but they are not pleasant!  It may be time to see a GI doctor.  Even a bathroom break didn't help matters much.  I was about to call it good at 7 miles, but then sucked it up and finished the last few miles.  I did have to back off of the pace a little bit, but I was proud of myself for finishing.  I know I can be kind of wimpy when the going gets tough.  Giving in to my weaknesses is what keeps me from achieving my goals.

I am pleased with running 50 miles this week.  I know that's not a lot, but it's actually the most I have been able to run since having Lily.  I am also happy that I got a long run in, as well as 2 good speed sessions.

There is still room for improvement.  I didn't work out on Wednesday, and I neglected strength training this week. That gives me some goals to aim for during next week's training. 

Total time for 12 miles: 1:22:30