Heather's Training - Week 11

Training Day #28 - August 2, 2010

One word: redemption. I figured going into tonight’s run, anything had to be better than the crap I did last week. Fortunately, I did do much better and was back up to where I was the week before.

Since it’s hot enough to bake a cake in my car, I headed to the gym and hopped right onto my favorite treadmill. I decided to do a full 5-minute warmup before I started my run, because, to be honest, I was terrified of how I would do. Last week’s disaster was still fresh in my mind and I wanted to prepare myself.

After the 5 minutes were up, I set the treadmill for a run, covered the screen and away I went. I was determined to finish at least four songs before I stopped, took a break or looked at the screen. I didn’t accomplish the last one, I looked after song 3, but I didn’t stop running! I miraculously ran for 18 WHOLE MINUTES before my legs ever got a break. Hot. Damn. During the second song, I really wanted to stop, but I forced my brain into not being a wimp and pressed right on through. At minute 18, I really needed a water break and a quick breather. I wasn’t doing too bad at this point, but figured I should give myself a hot second to recover. Then, I was back at a run until minute 24 when I decided to walk it out for a few minutes. Minute 26 until the end wasn’t pretty, but I finished.

It’s weird how after the first 5 or 6 minutes, I got into a groove and didn’t feel too bad. The moment I took that first break, the rest of the run was run/break/run/break/run/walk/run/break. I just couldn’t get my stride back, and after each quick break or walk, my muscles would get tight and then running was that much more difficult. I think once I can build up the stamina to run the entire thing, I’ll be much better off. I need to stop stopping (that’s an awesome phrase).

In 30 minutes, I completed 2.71 miles, with the full 5K in 33:58. I was determined to finish under 34 minutes, so the final 15 seconds or so were at a massive run to get it all in. Success. Not my best time so far, but it comes in a close second, so I am perfectly happy with that. And like I said, wayyyy better than last week.

Side note to the guy next to me: please recognize the fact that you’ve decided to run random increments at 11 or 12 mph. No one else is making you run that fast. There is no need to smack the treadmill or drop 85 F-bombs. You did this to yourself jackwad. Now shut the hell up.

Second side note: While I thought it was a good idea to eat some Honey Nut Cheerios before I hit the gym (a little carb-loading), the nutty burps I was straining to hold in the entire time were not pleasant at all.

Training Day #29 - August 4, 2010

Sweet sassy molassey, it’s hot. When I walked into the gym tonight, the air was heavy with humidity and sweat. Blech. I knew immediately it was going to be an unpleasant run. I’m glad I’m training this time of year for this though, rather than in January and February. Lots of people stay away from the gym in the summers due to busier schedules and lots more activities outside. Which is great for me, because I don’t have to fight for a treadmill.

I started with my 5-minute warm up since I drove to the gym instead of walked. Hey, it was 99 degrees out. I’m not at all ashamed about cranking the A/C in the 5 minutes it took me to drive it. After that I plugged 5.5 into the run speed and away I went. It was a bit more difficult to get going than it was on Monday. I think it had a lot to do with the heaviness in the air. Even though the air was on, the gym was still a sweltering sweatbox (say that 5 times fast). I just felt like I couldn’t get complete full breaths. I eventually worked out some kind of rhythm, but I couldn’t keep from staring at the screen and time ticking oh-so-slowly by. I tried covering it with my towel, but about every minute and a half, I had to remove the towel to wipe down. Maybe I need to start bringing another towel with me. Or maybe they need to invent the shower treadmill that sprays you with cold water as you run. I imagine that could be a bit of a death trap though.

I was determined to finish 20 minutes without a break and that proved to be harder than I thought. I thought my lungs were going to collapse, followed immediately by my knees and my ankles. But, somehow, I kept going, despite the ragged gasps of air. I needed to prove something to myself, and that was that I can do this. I’m strong enough to make it. And I did. As soon as that clock struck 20:00 though, I hopped off for a quick drink and tried to get my breath in check. After about 15 seconds and half of my water bottle gone, I was back on and switched to a fast walk for another minute or so. The last 10-12 minutes were run/break/run/break, etc, with only one more minute of a full walk.

I managed 2.78 miles in 30 minutes with 3.1 miles in 33:10. YES! After reading my sister’s blog and seeing that her treadmill considers a 5K 3.12 miles, I ran that little bit extra and finished in 33:20. The last minute and a half, I had the speed up to a 6.7 and I was bookin’ it. It took all of my concentration to focus what little energy I had left into not tripping. I have never been happier than I was when I pressed that cool down button. Good Lord, I was dripping sweat everywhere. I’m surprised I didn’t slip on it after the bucketful that fell onto the belt.

Side note: I’m not a fan of triple-digit Midwestern summer days.

Second side note: I’m glad we’re running this race mid-September. Although in Missouri, that could still mean it could either be snowing or 95 degrees out. Let’s hope for somewhere in the middle.

Training Day #30 - August 7, 2010

Running outside stinks. Can’t they just get hundreds of treadmills that we could run on for the race? That’s totally reasonable, right?!

Considering the heat we had earlier this week and will have next week, this morning was gorgeous. Low to mid-70’s when I headed out, which was great. Until I started running. By the time I finished, it was hitting the low-80’s. :( I set off through the neighborhood today, rather than heading to the park like last week. I really wasn’t in the mood to deal with the hills this morning. Running through the neighborhood is nice, except for the sidewalks. I have to concentrate so much on not tripping on anything and paying attention to sprinklers so I don’t get doused (although that actually feels good on a hot day!) I could have run on the street, but St. Louis City drivers sometimes leave something to be desired. And I wasn’t looking to get run over today.

I did a quick warm up walk to the corner and then away I went. I’m pretty sure of the route now, as far as distances go, so I was able to run over a mile before I got winded and needed a break. And I was right on track with a 10-11 minute mile that I’ve been doing on the treadmill. That made me feel really great. The remaining two miles weren’t as pretty, and I needed a few more walk breaks than I’d like to admit, but they weren’t terrible.

There’s a two-mile route that I run that goes from my house around the neighborhood and back around to my house. I didn’t take any water with me b/c I hate carrying a water bottle when I run, so after the 2 miles, I stopped in to the house and chugged some agua. Then, I was back at it again.

I also know the half mile mark from my house, so I ran that, turned around and came back home for the last leg. All in all, I finished in a little over 35 minutes. Considering the amount of times I stopped to walk, I’m happy with that number. I really thought it would take me longer outside. I'm reasonably certain that I completed the entire 3.1 miles, but I'm seriously thinking about getting a pedometer to be sure. I can't trust my car's odometer completely.

I’m pooped now. In the half hour I was outside, the temp rose considerably and I drank about a gallon of water when I got back to the house to hydrate.

Side note: I’m thinking maybe dodging cars to run in the street might be better than dodging cracks and tree roots on the sidewalks. Either way, it’s an obstacle course running near my house.

Second side note: SIX WEEKS LEFT!!!