Maria's Running Blog

I spent all weekend, both days, at the pool with my daughter. She was swimming in the long course championships. We came home around 7PM both days, so technically I could have run, but I felt so exhausted that running was the last thing on my mind. It's very tiring sitting for 9 hours on your butt (on a stiff bench with no back support, no less) in a noisy pool. I also didn't get my weekend sleep, since we had to get up at 6;30AM both days.

Today I just went for an easy 5 miler. Didn't feel particularly well, 2 days off broke the rhythm.

Just checked my miles for the month of June: 95.5mi vs. 79 in May and 49 in April. I hope to break a 100 in July.

Total time: 45:32 (9:06 pace).

It was pretty hot today, even at 8:30PM when I got out for my run. It was still around 75F - too hot for running (yeah, I know, I'm insane and terribly spoiled by cool London summers). I was sweating like crazy and didn't feel all too great. But did my 5 miles, and that's all that counts. I also got the coolest time ever for the run!

Total time: 44:44 (8:56 pace) - how cool is that, four "4"s?!

I continued my streak of lucky numbers today! I got 44:22 - how about that?!

Did my usual 5 miler. I am noticing that my runs get faster as the week progresses, it's been a pattern for 3 weeks now. I don't know why this is, one theory I have is that the body becomes more efficient as the week goes by, since Monday's run is often after a break over the weekend, and is usually the slowest run of the week. It also helped today that the "heat wave" abated, and it's back to cool 65F and it was even raining a little earlier in the day.

There were lots of people running around the park today. Several passed me, but only one was a woman. She looked like elite runner to me, very slim, maybe even too slim, her legs were all muscle and sinews and she ran on her toes. I estimated she was going at least 8:00 pace, maybe faster. The only thing she did that I wouldn't consider good technique, was that she carried her arms too far out from her body, as if she wanted to guard space around her as she ran. I couldn't see her face as she came from behind me and was quiet, so I didn't have any warning, but looking from behind I would say she wasn't very young, possibly over 40. She must have been really fast in her youth!

Total time: 44:22 (8:52 pace).

Did fartlek workout today: 14 min. warmup, 8 x (1 min. on + 1 min. off), cooldown. It was a fun workout, and already on the warmup I noticed that I was running faster than all the previous days this week. Fast segments were pretty hard, and I think I ran them too fast, but not sure of the pace - Garmin went haywire in the middle, but seemed to right itself by the end. Overall, I felt good and it was a fun workout. These are the splits I have:

1. 0.14mi - 7:10 pace

2. 0.15mi - 7:00 pace

3. 0.15mi - 6:57 pace

4. 0.17mi - 6:05 pace - this is where it started showing crazy splits

5. 0.15mi - 6:51 pace

6. 0.14mi - 7:13 pace

7. 0.15mi - 6:56 pace

8. 0.13mi - 7:40 pace - had to weave and run on the road to pass crowds of people spilling onto the sidewalk from Regents Park.

There must have been some upscale party at the restaurant in Regents Park, because I ran by some glamorous looking ladies in cocktail dresses and stilettos that were coming out with their handsome husbands in suits and ties. And there was I, dirty and stinky runner doing my fartlek! I got a few bewildered looks, but I'm sure people know that there are runners around Regents Park. It was just funny how out of place I (or them!) looked.

Total time: 43:44 (8:44 pace).

I had only a short time for a run today, due to food delivery between 8-9PM, but I wanted to still do something, rather than skip a day.

I went out and right away, did not feel good. Legs were dead and heavy, and I felt like I couldn't find a good rhythm. Probably consequences of faster running yesterday and 5 th day of running in a row. So I just slogged through my 3 miles. I'm hoping for better tomorrow!

Heard tons of very loud fireworks around 9PM - the Americans in the neighborhood were celebrating! We live in a heavily American neighborhood, complete with a grocery store that sells lots if imported stuff from US. Hearing fireworks was nice - we felt like the American spirit is alive and well, even though we had to go to work, and it's not mentioned anywhere else.

Happy 4th of July, everyone!

Total time: 27:40 (8:55 pace).

Did my longest run of the year today. My stomach was giving me trouble last few days, so I was worried how it will hold up for my planned 10 miles. I was careful with what I ate today, and my stomach actually behaved! I held back a little of the first loop, and after that I just kept running the same effort and felt surprisingly good. Sure, my legs got tired on the last loop, but my breathing was fine (although I felt that funny pressure in my throat - my lungs letting me know they are not 100% yet) and my energy level was fine too. I didn't have any water or gel. Overall, I'm very happy with this week of training and feel like I've made good progress last 3 weeks.

Total time: 1:31:29 (9:08 pace).