Trust the Training.
Here it is.. Nike Women’s is upon us and there is no turning back. I think we all know that I am a little nervous as to what to expect. My last month of training hasn’t been stellar, but I’ll be honest, mentally, I am ready to give it my all. I know that I can run a sub 2, but it may not be this week. I am determined to go down trying, though.
With the sickness, I missed my last long run, but I refuse to dwell. My training since December has transformed my running and I have learned so much about myself.
I hope to enjoy every step of Nike, because this race is huge for me. It’s half marathon number 10 for me. I was chosen from the lottery for it and I get to run it with one of the raddest ladies on the planet, in our nation’s capitol.
I’ve pretty much come to the conclusion that breaking the 2 hour ceiling isn’t going to feel good, but I really want this for #10. Running has given me so much over the past 3 years, and this is something that I never thought I would be able to do.
For my “taper” week, I decided to get out my bike and ride with a group that meets near my work in the evenings. Completely out of my comfort zone, I am so awkward in group settings when I don’t know anyone. Which, I knew NO ONE. I thought it was going to be an easy 10-12 miles… it ended up being 20. OOPS. I didn’t mean to do that AT ALL. Especially the week of a race. They were super nice and were always giving me a heads up on uneven terrain or if a driver was on their cell phone. I also had my first official fall. We were stopping to get some water, and I always unclip on the left. I was turning to the right and slowing down and I guess leaning into the turn, and just went down like a ton of bricks. There is literally nothing you can do when you are clipped in and start to fall. Just hang on for the ride. Luckily, I fell into a patch of grass, so it was all good. Minus the chain marks and the bruise on my leg, I am good.
I ran Wednesday for my last run before Nike and my legs were feeling a little tired. My chest was a little heavy due to the sickness, but otherwise, I feel good.
Nike released this little gem this week…
A Tiffany blue Free. I want it so bad. I’m still debating on if I should purchase them… I would never run a distance race in them, so it seems a little ridiculous to drop $150 on a pair of shoes. But.. they are so pretty!!!
I need to start working on my race playlist, so tell me what you favorite song is right now to run to!
Any last words on encouragement? Should I get the shoes?!
Race Week Jitters Are Upon Us.
Once a upon a time, in a land far far away, I set a goal for my running. That goal was 2:15. I thought, if I could run that, I’d never complain about running. I’d be happy with that time for ever. After 3 years time, I’ve realized that’s not true for runners. We strive for greatness from ourselves. In November, when I had a 12 minute PR on a half marathon with a time of 2:20, while I was proud of the PR and how far I had come, I was ticked I didn’t break 2:20. I was on the cusp of that 2:15 time goal, that was my elusive white rabbit. I swore then, that I would break 2:15, come hell or high water, but I also realized, that while breaking 2:15 was all well and dandy, it wasn’t good enough anymore. I wanted a 2:10 now.
So, I set my mind to it, and got my training all laid out. I started running outside instead of the treadmill. I forced myself to run on the hillier side of town to prepare for Mercedes. And in the beginning, I felt like I was getting slower. That I was just beating up my body. One evening, I was running with my little group after a couple of weeks of solo runs, and I found myself able to keep up with Shannon, who typically runs off and leaves me. I found myself not slowing down with Donnie, but pushing myself. I found my breathing to come easier and my legs able to take the hills.
I may still hate that hilly Oktoberfest course, but I’ve forced myself to run it. One night last week, I ran it in 27 minutes. 2 minutes faster than I have ever raced a 5K. Those hills don’t hurt like that used to. Don’t get my wrong, they don’t feel good. But I’ve somehow, flipped the switch over to ”just keep going”. It may hurt, but just keep going. My training runs are right on par with a 2:10 half for Sunday. But I know and am trying to prepare myself mentally that I still may not do it. But I could also smoke it out of the water.
It’s been so long since I trained so hard for something, and I really want that number on the clock to reflect the blood, sweat, and tears poured into this training. I know that I am not defined by the number on the clock, but I really want it to read 2:10. 
I feel sorry for my coworker… she is getting the majority of my race week neuroses. My piriformis muscle is flaring up and I’ve got a soreness in the arch of my foot. So, naturally, I think I’ve torn a ligament or pulled a muscle. 
I’m planning on running tonight.. nice and easy. Swimming tomorrow and be done until Sunday. I’m also going to be doing some of the stretching videos this week from FitnessGlo.
I guess now it’s time to just trust the training…
Training Tuesdays
*Let’s take a moment to remember those who lost their lives 11 years ago today. We should all say a special prayer for those families.*
Well, I’m not really training for anything at the moment, but since training never really stops…
I want to continue my swimming and biking and running, but marathon season is upon us, once again.
I will most likely be racing the Mercedes Half Marathon in February, so I need to get my mileage back up before my training plan is set to start.
I am serious about the sub 2:15 half… we are making it happen is 2013.
I did want to share that J went to the pool with me before my Tri and I had him watch my stroke and tell me what I can improve on. Hopefully it will help one or some of you…
Trust me, if I can swim like this, then anyone can.
I was swimming 50 yards in about 53 seconds and J gave me the goal of 45 seconds… this is me making it happen in 43 seconds. Too bad he stopped the video before I shrieked in the pool over the time.
I have a decision to make. Since my Garmin 405 crapped out, I can pay $70 to get it fixed or the new Garmin Forerunner 10 for about $140.
I have a hard time working the 405. I don’t use it to it’s abilities and the bezel and I don’t get along very well.
The downside to the 10 is that it will only show total distance and time on one screen and you have to click over to see average pace– which is a runner’s best friend.
The plus side is.. it comes in pink.
Help me decide what to do!!
What are you training for?
Do you have any upcoming races?
Training Tuesdays
Wow. It’s been a while since I last blogged.
A lot has happened. But more on that at a another time…
This week is it. My first Triathlon is Saturday. I feel like I have put my training in, but it doesn’t feel like enough. With running, I know where I stand. I know what my times mean. With swimming and biking, no clue. I’m just out there. I have no idea how far I can push my body for each event. I know what it can take with running. It’s a very scary thought for me.
With all of this said, I am absolutely petrified that the open water swim is going to cause me to panic and DNF right out of the shoot. Swimming isn’t my strong suit, although, I have come a long way with this training, and feel, given a few more months, it could very well be something I’m pretty decent at.
I went this weekend and bought some sunglasses for the event. Are they as fashionable as my Coach sunnies? Nope. But they are pink and pretty awesome. The nice man at Cahaba Cycles showed me a very pretty bike and I will take donations to be able to pay for it. Geez- what an expensive sport!
I’ve spent the majority of my cycle time in spin class. I am not sure if this will hinder me or not. But I had a ton of fun doing it. We have been up to ride the course and it’s pretty flat, but in doing so, I found out that the run is a trail run– which, I hate trail runs. So, this should be interesting.
I am hoping to finish with a time around 1:30 (Can I put that out there? Because I honestly have no clue how long it could take me.) I am also hoping to not look like a sausage casing in my Tri outfit, because those things are TIGHT. I rocked my tri shorts to spin last night, and let me tell you the LOOKS I got. It was about the same as whenever I wear running skirts up there.
I also decided to wear my hair in a bun, I think. With a visor for the run, which I am not a fan of doing but I’m not going to have much choice. I would expect a ton of pictures, since my step-dad is going and we all know he is a mini-papparazzi.
Oh, and let’s not forget that I have been diagnosed with an upper respiratory infection. So, that’s fun. Two shots in the butt, an oral steroid, z-pack, and a cough syrup and hopefully I’ll be better before Saturday. I don’t think I have ever run a big race and not been sick. I guess my body’s response to nerves is for my immune system to stop fighting germs.
So, wish me luck! Any last minute thoughts or words of wisdom?
You’re Gonna Do ALL THAT in One Day?!
I have a confession.
I haven’t been completely forthcoming with you guys.
Maybe I knew once I spoke it here, that it was really true.
But my secret, is a dream, and it actually scares the crap out of me.
I keep telling myself that Pinterest tells me if my dreams don’t scare me, then they aren’t big enough.
Source: fitfabcities.com via Jocelyn on Pinterest
See.
Anyway, so my super-secret-scares-the-crap-out-of-me-dream is that I am training for my first Triathlon.
It’s a Sprint Tri. Swim 400 meters (1/4 mile, roughly), bike 9 miles, and run 3. See. No biggie. (!!!! currently dying on the inside)
Except… I still haven’t gotten on the bike. I really wish spin could count as bike training.
I am getting more comfortable in the water, so that is a plus sign. The running, of course, will be my strong suit.
But, I’ll tell you, I had no idea so much went into Tri’s. First, I had to buy new tires for John’s mountain bike. We went with road tires ($95) and a new helmet ($45). I already had a bathing suit, googles, and a swim cap (Whew!). But.. I needed a try outfit. I scoured the interest looking for the best deals… I wanted a tri top and a pair of tri shorts– you can do all 3 events in those. After a week of searching, I bit the bullet, only to order a pair of shorts that were entirely too small and extremely stretched to their max. So, I ordered the mediums and they fit wonderfully. Only.. the outfit cost me $100 and I hadn’t even signed up for the race! Geez..
So, $300 later, I am signed up and have all my crap for the race. It’s July 21st… I’m excited but nervous as all get out.
So, I have started mentioning it to people…at work. I get these super odd looks of “Wait, you’re going to do that all in ONE day?! No breaks?” Umm yes. That’s the plan anyway…
I really wish I would’ve picked a better named Tri, as it’s called The Wet Dog Tri. But, it’s only 30 minutes from here, so not that far.
If you have any training tips, transition tips, or general words of encouragement, now’s a good time to hear them!
Training Tuesday
3 and a half weeks.
That’s how long it is until RNR DC.
Not long at all. I have yet to complete a 10 mile run. I know I can cross the finish line, but mentally I am not in the game.
Maybe it’s too many other factors– stress, family, seasonal depression, feelings of inadequacy.
You know once you get into a funk, it’s really hard to shake it. I keep letting these other factors affect me and my desire to run.
Everyone has been leaving comments, emails, and texts with ideas and love on my running. It’s so nice to hear.
I do know, that DC is going to hurt. It will not feel good to cross that finish line and attempt to walk around. Why? Because I’m haven’t been putting in the training. If I run a sub 2:30, it’ll be a miracle of God.
I know what I need. Some cross training. A run outside. A new playlist.
I also have no idea what I am wearing… any ideas? I wish I could find a pink and green St Patty’s Day shirt to run in.
So. I need ideas for my outfit. I’m thinking my Lululemon crops.
And your current favorite running songs.
And someone to come to Alabama and force me to run outside. I really really really loathe running outside by myself. The sidewalks randomly end around here and add some extremely questionable driving skills of others, it’s bad news bears.
So, as I am re-reading this post, it’s makes it sound as if I am on a ledge about to jump.. Trust me. I am not. I may or may not be sitting on my couch at 3:30 in the afternoon in my pajamas.
My goal is to get up and go run at 5 in the morning and Thursday morning and run in Nashville Friday. THEN, come home and run Sunday too. I guess that means, I can’t stay up until 11 watching The Vampire Diaries tonight.
Sad Panda.
Also.. How true is this?
Source: tumblr.com via Rachel on Pinterest
Training Tuesdays
Y’all.
I get these amazing comments, e-mails, friends that stop me and tell me what a great motivator I am. And that makes me happy, because I love nothing more than for people to go after their dreams. I love to look at your success and happiness and know that along the way I gave you some encouragement. Not everyone gets that, and running is an amazing sport. Not a lot of people understand distance runners and question why they do it.
But… I am failing y’all. So, I’m gonna need some of that motivation back.
I ran 8 miles TOTAL last week. I know.. stress, stress, stress. I will share with you as soon as I can, but we are deciding some life changes over here and it is doing nothing but stressing this gal out. Seriously, all I did was cry Wednesday.
Anyway, I was all set to run 10 miles on Sunday after my niece’s birthday party and I got to the gym (Yes, I would rather run 10 miles on a treadmill than run 1 mile outside by myself) and I couldn’t make myself get into it. My earbuds kept shocking my ears while I was trying to watch Arrested Development on the iPad. So I switched to my iPod. And it died. WTF Apple Products?!?! I buy you because you are superior- don’t let me down on my long runs. So, I forced 3 miles and went home.
Ever had those periods of time where you feel so overwhelmed from stress and life that you can’t shut your mind off for a run? That’s me right now. The funk is lifting. And I am wondering if I need to switch up my routine. Maybe run outside or try to go to the gym at a different time?
How do you re-motivate yourself after a funk?
Also, I should wish you a Happy Valentine’s Day. I don’t really care for the holiday because it’s the anniversary of my Paw Paw’s death. I hope you guys have a wonderful day though!
Training Tuesdays
I thought about instilling a Training Tuesdays just to keep note with what is going on with my training lately. Feel free to let me know how any training or new workout program is going for you! We may need to get a snap cup for some of you!
I got some new shoes this week and they couldn’t have come soon enough. I guess they are retiring my Brooks Ravenna 2′s, so I was able to score them on a deal from Amazon.
I was a terrible runner this past week.
I was knee deep in business taxes and those are 4 days I will never get back. I was so stressed that I couldn’t even muster up the energy to run. So, I ran Monday and Friday. Friday, I felt so good, I did some kettle bell squats and hip thrust things. I went up on my weights to an 18 lb kettle bell and I was so pumped. It hurt but I was proud. I was going to wake up early and get my long run done on Saturday, and I got to the gym by 7:15. I started to run and realized, my legs weren’t where my mind was, and after 2 agonizing miles, I called it quits. I was so mad at myself for making such a stupid training mistake the night before. Why did I think it was a good idea to not only, work out with weights, but also go up?
My hamstrings are still tight, but I plan to get back on the saddle again this week and not miss a run.. No matter how I have to swing it.
I really need to start making myself run outside. It’s going to kill me in a month if I don’t. Who wants to be my running buddy?
Discouragement. It really stinks.
My Style Monday and Gameday!
Oh yeah… one more reason I love the one.. Cup holders.
