I'm not crazy...I'm just bored!!

Well, not running for a couple weeks (pretty much) and heading out to conquer a 50K isn't advisable...all the time. Only when you're crazy...or bored :) 

I started this race hoping I could hit my 50K in the 5:00:00 and that my shin/calf wouldn't die on me. I accomplished one of those goals, well maybe both.

I had to limp myself into a run the first few miles and they were a lot slower than I would've liked, but at least I was running. The shin/calf eventually warmed up and then I was on my way. Still a TON slower than the people I would've liked to have been running with, but we all get left behind sometime. I wasn't the happiest about it, but luckily there was one person (Curtis) that was willing to take it a tad slower (we were hitting 8:30AP laps, so nothing horrible!) and chat with me and keep me company. During the 3rd hour he left to go bike for an hour with the goal of 13.1, 1 hr bike, 13.1 - and he hit it!! Anyway, from all those 5 million boxing classes my hammies and glutes were tight and screaming at me. I begged around and found someone willing to give me IB. Thanks Joshua! It kept the aches at bay so I could finish.

When Curtis came back the last 2 hours he was a little behind his laps and times. I told him to leave me and go get his goal. I love that about runners. We are willing to stick with friends even if it means we occassionally sacrifice our goals! I was SO grateful for his company. Otherwise I would've spent 5 hours solo...blech! I do this as a social run and it sucks when you don't get that. I did get a couple laps in with Rachelle and Kristen, so I guess I shouldn't complain too much. I guess I'm just disappointed in myself that I couldn't keep up and chat with all my peeps. 

I didn't plug into my music until the last 40 minutes, but it was a great change. Helped me push through those last few laps and get me closer to my goal. My shin was still feeling pretty good, even when I would stop and start again, which it usually would tighten up and I'd be hobbling again. It wasn't my shin making me hobble, but my hammies and glutes! I'd get them warmed up and not look too atrocious after a few steps. 

I finished my 5:00:00 with supposedly 109 laps, or that is what they recorded. I truly don't think that even with my couple stops I ran a 4:30:00 full. It just doesn't seem to add up! Some people had their laps right on to what they'd manually recorded and others were short 3-7 laps. Looking at the overall, I truly think that people were about 15-20 ahead of what the clock was giving them. I always seem to have issues with this race and lap counting. I should learn and count it myself! But, I always think "I'll trust them this year!" Especially since I took 4th by ONE lap! ONE! ugh. Anyway, bygones. 

So, since they'd only officially recorded 109 laps I went and ran 6 more after as they were cleaning up to hit my 115 laps and get to 32 miles. Okay, it is really like 31.6...but that is for the inside lane and I was always in lane 2 or 3, so I'm rounding up! 

A great race and good times with friends as always. I took home a case of bananas, a box of otter pops and a box of Gu. SCORE! Much better than some stupid trophy and a pair of Altras...right? ;(

9:15 boxing class, I was late due to work, but it was good to get moving and get a sweat up and move the lactic acid. My leg is better than expected. Not fantastic, but I'm not crippled now either!

10:15 yoga. Totally worth it! nice flow and stretch. Ahhhh. 

Now another mini-taper for tomorrows race....

I registered for this race to run with my friend Jocelyn. She had contacted me months ago wanting to train for and race this as her first half marathon. So, knowing I would have dead legs from Thursday, I told her I would run with her. She was intimidated, but I knew better than her that I was JUST fine going poky slow...for me. 

She plugged into music right away so I chatted with Laura Western, Skinner, Heather and Shaylee since we all started early and it was great! Just a wonderful little run with friends. 

I got chatting with Skinner and got way ahead of Jocelyn, but I would keep an eye on her and then stop every once in a while to walk and let her catch up. Around mile 6 I caught back to Shaylee and Skinner went with his wife. From there on out I chatted with Shaylee and then around mile 10 she started struggling, but Jocelyn just kept plowing ahead. She obviously didn't need the support I was giving to Shaylee, so I stayed with her and we were maybe 1min behind Jocelyn so I could watch her and catch her if she dropped back. 

I had a great chat with Shaylee and hopefully helped her realize she had the determination and strength to hit her goals, she just needs to believe it! 

We finished strong and Shaylee realized she set a PR. Celebration for the first timer as well as the PRer! Then I headed back out to pick up mom...Laura. Lisa was sick so I had to pick up the slack and run mom in :) I didn't have my garmin on, but I'm guessing I ran about another 1/2 mile or so. 

We all ate and chatted for quite some time and I loved seeing more friends! Running buddies are the best!

Certainly not a fast race for me, but sometimes races have greater purposes than PRs and fast miles.

No running. Easing back into the week with the shin/calf.

Biked at the kickr lab for 90 minutes. good hard push! I really am in love with the kickr lab. LOVE!

9:15 boxing class - Lina hit arms well this morning...very, very, well. 

Ran with the Newtons down to my boxing class. I meet them near my house as they start their 10 mile loop, then I cut off at MVC. It is great to be back out with them after so long away! Cory now has his own puddle :) 

8:08 AP, 8:55 for the first mile warming up the shin and on my own; 8:11, 8:11, 8:03, 7:41, 7:55 - not too shabby for having dead legs from last week.

6AM boxing class - Cyle loves his push-ups!

9:15 Boxing class - more of the same and I LOVE it!

Bikram Yoga with Diana. Holy cow! I don't think I've EVER sweat that much in my life. I loved the 100 degree room, but oh it got stuffy and smelly. You never stopped dripping like a faucet. I didn't think there was that much water in me! I didn't come prepared, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. My clothes were as wet as if I'd jumped into a pool and I didn't have any dry ones. It was a cold and nasty ride home. All that said I really liked it and I'd love to go back! I just need to bring 2 bottles of water, running out isn't fun!!

5:30 Kickr lab - 90 minute workout. I'm glad I didn't have them raise my watts like I normally do (I will test tomorrow and Rory said to take it easy today so I could be fresh for it). It was a tough one! 80% intervals were the REST for 100% pushes, 4 2 min segments then 85/100 (x4) then 90/100 (X4) - yeah it was a sweat fest!! But nothing like last night...nothing.

I was going to do 9:15 boxing like normal, but I was tired and I was already going to be late and then I'd have to leave early to get to Adam's music class...so I just bagged it and got an extra 30 minutes of sleep. 

Tried running Shaggy Mountain loop this morning. Oh man. My mind was willing, but I felt like CRAP. It was picture perfect up there today. I was slow enough I trailed behind the crowd, but the moon lit snow and quiet perfection reminded my WHY I love to run so much. I could've spent HOURS out on that perfect trail and perfect conditions with the snow crunching under my feet...ahhh! Snow as snot, but I got it done, eventually.

Biking at the Kickr lab again. Did the FTP test. Probably shouldn't have run, but that is okay :) 20 min at your max. I tried to tell myself it was like running a 5K and to just keep pushing through the pain...man oh man, it was tough. I wanted my number to read 235...that was my goal, 235! Well, I'd never done this before and it came out 222...not too shabby. I'll take it for a tired FTP!

2.5 hour ride in the kickr lab....it was tough and I was done. 1700 calories by 7AM is good enough, right?

HA!

Nick's boxing class and yoga afterward. Really starting to enjoy the yoga wind down on Fridays.

I'm an idiot. Got up (thinking I got to sleep in for an 8AM race!) and no one was at the start line...no one! Whaaa?!? I checked my phone, guess who didn't realize the race started at 9AM? At least I was there early and helped with sign in etc before the start.

I wasn't excited to run UP to the top of Daybreak, not just run but RACE! Nope, no I wasn't. This is why my race time is SO stinking slow. BUT, I was happy it was uphill to give my gimpy leg a chance. Yes, we ran down (if you wanted), but still. 

I started at the back knowing my place, but quickly started passing people. I knew I was slow as snot and so I wasn't trying to hit the front or anything, I just kept trucking along at my slow pace. There was a lady around the big, steep curve that was in front of me that I was slowly reeling in. I was ready to walk, so I did. But I made sure I wasn't losing any ground as I walked and she ran. Finally put that long stride to use! Along the flat part before the final climb I finally was able to kick it in and pass her, because I hadn't killed myself on the other part. It felt good to leave her behind and push to finish. I passed another lady walking and as I did, I recognized her as the winner from the Fall Burn up Butterfield. I figured something was wrong and talking to her after the race, it was. She was injured and wanted to finish but not jeopardize her health. Smart lady! So, when I crossed the finish line I was 4th place female! Woot Woot! I know it was a super small race and all, but an uphill one while I was broken...I'll take it. Being an ambassador I refused the cash prize and had Jared pass it along to the next racer. I felt it reflected the values the company I'm representing has. I didn't pay for the race, so I didn't feel right taking it from someone who did. The next 2 ladies behind me were excited to get a prize, so that was all that mattered to me. Great ladies and I ran down with them. Slower, as well, than I anticpated, but I had a great time!

My leg was aching more than a bit and so I decided to go home and pout about it and take the next week off running to try and get it healed for SG half. 

boxing with Lina

rowing for 30 minutes and then strength training to finish off the day

*sigh* 

No running...again.

Boxing early morning with Cyle, always a good workout!

Kickr lab on the bike. 35 miles and 1100 calories burned on the hills in 90 minutes. Excellent!

40 miles, 98 cadence and 1025 calories burned in the kickr lab before 7AM. Gotta keep that cardio!

Boxing with Lina then running off to music, but I didn't have to stay :)

So I went to play volleyball for 35 minutes at JL! Awesome.

Early morning boxing with Cyle, man that guy kicks my trash! 

We worked on my diet plan...I'm not getting enough protien. Things need to change. A lot of hard work and food tracking for me in store :/

Kickr lab: same workout as yesterday morning, but since I was late I didn't get it all in. 94 cadence and 33 miles. I'll take it!

Left early AM to go to SGhalf expo to help out Jared Eborn as an Extra Mile Ambassador. I love helping out good people and companies that reflect the values I carry.

I got a free hotel room out of it, so Craig and the kids came. Best part was seeing QP!!! I love having her closer to me. 

Now to see if I can race in the morning

I really don't want to talk about this race. I know I haven't been running much and trying to keep my cardio up with biking etc, but it just isn't the same. No, nope, not. Keep in mind, last year I paced 1:45 easily and chatting and the year before hit 1:36...yeah, this race sucked. 

I enjoyed visiting and running over with Marci and QP and started in the back around the 3:00 pacers just to take the pressure off. I knew I could hit a sub 1:40, I KNEW it. I was going to do it. 

I eased into it limping on my leg and after a mile or so finally fell into a groove. Kelli passed me around 1.5 and I was confused...she'd had a screw in her shoe she had to take out. YIKES! She was catching up to pace 1:45 with Bill. I figured I should catch and pass her. So, I slowly dragged her in over the next couple miles and around 4 was maybe 20 seconds behind her. I wanted to catch her, but I just couldn't I was giving it my all and coming up at 7:44-7:50 paces. Then the real hills hit. I was still hitting 7:57-8:10 (the worst at mile 7) which is pretty good pace for me on hills. I was then excited for the downhill and ready to finally take over Kelli! 
 

Then, I died. Seriously. Mile 9 was it. I was done. I had no more go. My pace splits show it horribly. I went from my steady 7:50 to 8:30, 8:40, 8:50....it was a nightmare. My legs were just done. poo. I've lost my speed AND my endurance. I wanted to walk, but willed myself to keep running. Mile 10.5 I wanted to stop and barf. Mile 11ish I remember doing positive talk with Kaylee the year previous and getting her through those miles. I started saying the same CRAP to myself. Mile 12 I realized I should be grateful for even being here running and to shut up and just finish. The final .1 stretch came. Kick it in and sprint...nope. nothing. I had nothing left to give. My legs were dead lead bags hanging off my hips and it was all I could do to keep my pace. I hadn't looked at my watch, I just knew Kelli was gone and so was my race. 1:47....wow, I suck. Poo! I was NOT happy with my time and felt like crap for something so slow for me. 

I finally realized that for not running as much as I have it was actually a pretty good race. Doesn't mean I like it. Doesn't mean I accept my failure. Doesn't mean I don't want to kick someone's dog about it. But, I'll survive and try to learn and grow from this one too. I feel like I have a lot of learning/growing races recently and nothing to really celebrate.

*sigh*

I then went back to run my sister in, but I'd barely missed her and I didn't know it until I was a mile back on the course and my husband called and said she was at the hotel. What the crap?!? So, I missed/hated my race AND I missed my sister. Ugh. I'm done....walked back to the hotel, alone.

That afternoon we went to Turtle wall for Craig to climb and my calf was hurting SO bad I seriously wanted to puke. I hate this stupid leg injury. Please get better!!

woke up in the middle of the night and the inside of my knee was so painful I couldn't even bend my knee. What the crap?!? Really?!? ugh...no running this next week...and I made an appointment with the PT. 

Boxing with Lina

3.0 miles of uphill walking at 15% incline and 3.5MPH or more. Awesome workout! 

Then I did calf strengthening stuff and core work.

Boxing with Cyle in the early AM...no Craig, he is a working machine this week.

Kickr lab: 34 miles cadence 99 - 33.5 miles on FTP intervals!

Early AM kickr lab: same workout as yesterday. About the same output, except my email messed it all up. Weird, but it says my watts were 91...yeah, that would've been nice!

Boxing with Lina and then off to music with Adam.

Boxing with Cyle early AM

Kickr Lab: 156 watts, 90 cadence, 36 miles and 1137 calories on Long Hill Workout...ugh.

Early Kickr lab: oh my! hardest ride I've done in the lab!! 

2:30:00 - 60 miles, 156 Watts, 91 cadence, 1812 calories. 

This stunk! 90% tempo pushes for 3 min, then 105% for 1 min...recovery? 90%!! repeated 3X and then recovery for 5 min and we'd do it again. Three sets! Then, the last 35 minutes we started at 85% and slowly dropped down to 65%. It was tortorous. I hope this makes me a better biker!!!

Went to Nick's class...he wasn't nice to me :P then yoga. It was a nice relaxing stretch yoga...aaahhh!

Sooooo...my leg after doing horribly on Sunday felt better and better each day! Wednesday it was practically pain free. I was going to run Thursday, but decided to be safe and hold off until Saturday. Today was finally the day to test it out!

I ended up having to run alone...poo. BUT, that also meant I got to sleep in :) 

Decided to do the Shaggy Mountain extended loop from my house. In the first half mile I seriously wanted to stop and turn around. It hurt, not my leg, it was just hard! I had a mental struggle! But, by mile 1 I decided I didn't care about my slow pace. My goal was to keep running and not stop OR walk until the peak. Oh, now I was slow. about as slow as the snot in the loogie I hacked on the snow! But, I made it! To the top of Shaggy Mountain without stopping or walking. This really is a feat for me, the hill hater! Then, I ran the rest of the way home without stopping or walking either. Despite my music going at mile 6. I almost stopped to fix it, but figured I was fine and just enjoyed the ride. 

Around mile 8-9 my stupid knee (where it bugged Sunday) started tightening up again. Made me worried, but my shin seemed to be doing well. 

I finished with a 9:27AP and with 11+mm on the uphill, I did a good job making up some time the 2nd "half". 

My leg held up well and the stiffness in the knee quickly disapated. I think I'm ready to start running next week!!!

Boxing with Lina

3 miles on the TM at the gym to make sure that my leg would be good to go. 

I had to start slow...but I ran intervals! Trying to get some semblance of speed back. 

1 mile warm-up, then .2 on .2 off (8mph, 6.5mph) slow for what I used to do, but at least the turnover is coming slowly back. I did that 4X  and then the last .5 mile I did at a steady 7.2mph (8:20ish pace) to push my "tempo" back to something in my normal. I did just fine by the end, but I don't want to admit how much the 8mph hurt :/

Then I did a set of weights and core.

Ran the shortest route to the gym this morning by myself. I remember now why I don't like to run in the cold...alone. Takes me forever to motivate myself to leave!! But, I ended with an AP of 8:45, not horrible, but whatever....

Boxing with Cyle

Kickr lab: 159Watts, 89 candence, 37.14 miles. Oh man. Intervals! They weren't as hard as I expected (the Monday class was whining about them), but they weren't easy either. 100%, 110%, 120% effort with high cadence (or try!), but it was only for 20-45 seconds and then a 20 second recovery. The hardest set, for me, was 45 sec on 15 seconds off. My body was used to the 20 second recovery and those ones were hard to recover from. But, overall an awesome workout!

Kickr lab early: another bum email...it is weird how they really don't show what the board does in class! Crazy. Anyway, it was 10 min tempo intervals at 85%. Not horrible, but I was SO tired!!! Just exhausted. I didn't want to go, didn't sleep well...NO motivation to do it. But, I got it done.

Boxing with Lina - killed my arms, that is all.

music drop off and then 35 min at JL playing volleyball.

I want to do Shaggy Mountain in the morning, so I'm saving my leg for that. I don't want to put too much on it the first week back.

The lovely Shaggy Mountain. All the Newtons were SO nice to go poky slow for me. A few times Dave and Mike would get a head, but wait and the re-group spots. But, I didn't stop! Again, if I can't have speed I'll hit endurance. So, I ran the WHOLE loop no stopping or walking. A first for me I think. I'll take it though. I felt great afterward! Shin is a little achy, but after icing it seems fine now.

Kickr lab: Same workout as yesterday morning. Luckily stats on the email were right. 156 watts, 33 miles, 88 cadence. A good push, then I did 15 min afterward just as a time filler before preschool pick up and to chat with Rachael and Debbie. 

Oh I did NOT want to get up this morning. I am SO flipping tired. But, I talked myself into it and I'm glad I did. 

2:30:00 ride at the Kickr lab. 56 miles, 147 watts (an easy day, zone 2), 81 cadence (yeah, I was tired), 1633 calories. 

Got home, got kids off to school, took Adam in his jammies to Catchweight

Nick kicked my trash...oh, and I forgot shoes! I wear flip flops to the lab, because my shoes are on my bike. I usually grab my shoes and throw them in my bag...nope. At least it was a good day to not have shoes. Did a lot of stuff stradling and laying over the heavy bags...it wasn't easy!! A seriously tough workout.

Finally relaxed at a nice hatha yoga/stretching class at Catchweight. It was nice to just relax and take it easy. 

Leg feels ready to take on tomorrow's 14 hilly miles.

First full week back and leg is A ok! 

Got to run with a great group through the Shaggy Mountain Half loop today. Dave, Chad, Mike, Rob, Kelli, Shanna and I all met to brave the hills! Since I have no speed my goal was to do a continuous run to the peak again, but this would be 8 miles and many more hills. No stopping or walking! Well, being the tail end of the group, I can get away with not stopping at re-groups. They can always catch up! 

Despite my lack of speed, I made it! Okay, the mud was deep on the last stretch and I tried not stopping, but my feet had 5 inches of mud and I couldn't lift them anymore, so I had to stop for 30 seconds to scrape it off. But that was it in the first 8 miles. Tough, but now I KNOW I don't need to give up and walk those hills. I can do it! Had a great finish to the run and had a great time with friends!

went home, got my protein shake in, then took a nap. I'm always tired.

12-3 was my ride at the kickr lab. 74 miles on a good zone 2 ride, 1700 calories burned. Ahhh! Tomorrow, I get to eat like a fat kid!