Emily's training blog

I warmed up running to Valley Park for a fartlek workout.  Except, I never really warmed up.  It was chilly this morning, and I decided to wear shorts.  It did warm up as the sun came up, but I had numb legs for the first part of my workout.  However, it has turned into a beautiful morning. 

After a 15 minute warm up, I ran three sets of 1,2,3,2,1 with 1,1,2, 1,1, recovery.  The three minute fartleks were tough, and the third set definitely hurt!   I jogged home for a cool down. 

Today is day 1 of my no chocolate commitment.  I decided to implement a little self control in my life since I looked in the mirror a few days ago and noticed that my physique was not as lean as I like it to be!   I'm running Grandma's Half Marathon on June 18, so that is my target date.  My diet is usually okay, except for a devilish sweet tooth.   So, I will be testing my self-discipline over the next seven weeks, and hopefully it will result in increased fitness.

It was very windy this morning, but much warmer than yesterday.  I pulled off my hat and gloves before the first mile, and contemplated removing my long sleeve shirt.  But, when I turned into the wind I could feel the chill, so I left my shirt on. 

I ran out to 4800S and down to the River trail.  I ran on the trail until Bullion, and then ran up to 5400 S and back home.  The sidewalk from Redwood Road to 1900W is completely torn up, so I spent the last half mile of my run gingerly picking my way through construction equipment.   I finished my run in 46:16. 

Today is day 2 of my "no chocolate" commitment.  I have had no major cravings, yet.  Though, I'm regretting buying two boxes of brownie mix at the grocery store yesterday.  I'm glad that I put it on the blog.  If I think someone is reading this, it will keep me honest!

I felt strong and fast while I was running today.  I love those days when running feels effortless.  They are becoming more rare as I get older . . . ah the aches and pains!  It was another cold morning.   The marquee at the elementary school that I ran past posted a 35 degree temperature reading.   That was definitely a little cold for shorts, but at least the sun was shining, and it will be a beautiful day.  Just think, in a few weeks I will be complaining about hot mornings instead of cold mornings.

I avoided the construction along 5400 south, and opted for a route through the neighborhood down to 1300 W.  This added about half a mile to my normal route.   I ran out 1300 W to 7000S, up to 2700 W, back to 5400 S and home.  It is a nice rolly course, with a particularly long gradual hill on 2700W from 7000S to 6200S.   However, after the mile climb, it is downhill all the way home.  

Day 3 of no chocolate:   Yesterday I mindlessly popped a single m & m in my mouth.  Just as I bit down on the candy shell, I remembered that I have forsworn chocolate.  I quickly spat the offending m&m out in the sink.  Phew!  That was a close one!   It made me wonder how much mindless munching I do during the day.  

Thanks to a wonderful neighbor, who didn't mind taking my rugrats off of my hands for a couple hours, I was able to meet Devra at nine at Liberty Park for a speed workout.  It was wonderful to run a little later in the morning, and with a fast running partner.  

My goal was 3-4 x a mile at 5:40-5:45 pace.   We warmed up two miles around the park, and then started the workout.  We ran half a mile recovery in between.  The first mile was 5:36, which was faster than I expected to run.   The second mile I overshot the marker by about five seconds, so I think I ran 5:37-5:38.   The third mile I started to fall off pace a little bit, but managed a 5:43.   I definitely need more work on the endurance!   My left quad began to twinge a little bit during the third mile, so I decided three repeats were plenty.  I'm just getting started with speed, so I need to build up slowly.  So, 4 next time.   We were getting 4-4:30 for recovery.  

Stopping at three was probably a good decision, since I had a blood sugar crash during the cool down.  For the cool down, we finished the lap we were on, and then ran two laps around the outside of the park.  We ran 10 miles, and I was very dizzy by the end. 

No Chocolate Day 4:  My protein drink was chocolate flavored.  That doesn't count, right?  It didn't taste anything like a candy bar!

I'm pretty beat up from yesterday's speed workout, so I kept it short and easy this morning.  The warmer weather is nice, but unfortunately it looks like a few more cold mornings next week. 

I ran 4800S to the river trail, and got off an Mill Race Park, turned up through the neighborhoods, and headed home.  I left my watch at home and just ran off of feel.  I have sore calves and hips!  But, I'm sure I'll be recovered for tomorrow's long run. 

No Chocolate Day 5:  Nothing to report.  It's only six in the morning.

While Teren went down to Provo to run the Provo City Half Marathon, I headed down to the river trail for a twelve mile run.  I'm not quite in half marathon shape, yet.  I'm saving that for next month.   I decided to download a session of general conference onto my I-pod to listen to during my run.  I figured that would be a good way to sneak in some extra religion.  I must admit, the gentle lilting tone of a general authority's voice doesn't exactly get the adrenaline flowing quite in the same way that Eminem does, but I had some wonderful teachings to contemplate as I ran.  And, couldn't we all use a little extra spirituality in our lives?

I ran out past Gardner Village, avoiding the river that was flowing through the underpass, and continued for another mile.  I went out in 42:00, and finished in 1:20:41.   I'm too tired to do the math, but it was faster coming back.  

I'm happy with my training this week.  I think the nice weather helped my motivation and spirits!   And, I am six days chocolate free!