What Thanksgiving and last week taught me...

Last week was rough, wonderful, and horrid.  Yep - It all started Monday with a memory of my days in running camp (1998) and the early weeks in cross-country (2002).  Evening running and I have had tangles in the past and it sure hit then.  Tonight - it almost happened a second time, but I accomplished "mind over matter."  Tomorrow, I do a workout and we shall see what happens.

Thanksgiving proved to be wonderful and tough.  It was wonderful seeing family and having some stay with me.  It also kicked off the longest running migraine I have had in years combined with new symptoms.  Yep - I am thinking of ways to survive the upcoming holiday season, where it is likely to be as bad or worse.

Thankfully, tonight it backed off enough that I could run (yay) and I just hope it stays away for good, but I would not count on it.

So I am giving thanks for the time with family and also for the patience they have with me, because I am at my worst when the migraine hits.

Happy Tuesday!

What a week..Running keeps me sane!

Hi All!

Professionally, the past week has been good, tough, and miserable.  How can all those things happen?  It's simple, really, since that is how life goes.  If I end up not blogging as much, it is due to staying on track and keeping up with training.  Please accept my apologies, when this should happens in the future, and I will try to keep things happy, light, but real on this blog!

Running wise - things are fantastic.  I am finishing up week three with my coach.  It is by far the best choice I have made since relocating and starting a new position in July.  On Tuesday evening, I did my first time trial in years (yes, that is right - years!)!  Based upon the 5k I did in late September, my idea of what I might run looked as follows:

A)10-10:15
B)10:16 - 10:45
C)110:46-11:30

My easy pace - depending on the day - is in the 12-12:45 range.  So - I hit 10:04, much to my amazement and surprise, on Tuesday!  To accurately - sort of predict - what I might hit was amazing and the first time I have been able to do so with such a degree of precision since 2008!  You got it, folks - nearly 8 years ago was the last time I could do this.

Does this mean overnight my speed will return?  Will I eventually be a speedy person?  No and no - it does mean, though, I am getting back into shape and doing my best to execute the training my coach gives me.  Also - I got to PiYo last night and it was amazing!  All the aches and pains from the week pretty much went away and I am feeling much more springy.

Note - I promised myself a treat, if I could get my A goal.  I purchased a foam roller and used it on Wednesday night.  I love it!  Now - I am just looking to see if I can get something to assist my lovely shins, which get into pre-shinsplint mode faster than I can handle.  Compression socks and comfy sneakers help a bit, but I am still not thrilled.

Happy Friday and Happy Weekend!

400 miles, Sights, 6 weeks to go!

Woohoo - 400 milestone reached today!  A few weeks ago I caved and decided cross-training on a stationary bike was fine, but I quit including group classes.  No judging allowed.

This past 100 has included more running than any other up to this point (yay)!  My health - while more rocky than I hoped - is stabilizing.  Kombucha for the win.

Animals spotted:  2 tiny snakes, deer, a flock of geese

New things tried: 3 different parks and a trail, which is linked to a major park here.

Things learned:  I work best with a coach, who I trust to help me know when to back off or to push.

Happy Exercising - whatever this means for you!

Weekly Wrap-Up

Hey All,

This was my highest weekly cross-training, walking, and running mileage to date!  After quickly reviewing my goal of reaching 600 miles before midnight on December 31st, um, yeah I might be dreaming.  Stay tuned - though - it could happen.  The key to success for me - at least - seems to be having a coach, being honest, and doing the best I can.  I trust my coach to get me where I want to go and, if that does not work, I can always change.  So far - though - I am pleased and I hope she is as well.

Monday - 4.14 miles, myrtl (love this!)

Tuesday - Faartlek - only me and my coach (yes, I was terrified as she is speedy and I am so not!)

Wednesday - rest (sinus issues started Monday and persisted)

Thursday - 4.14 miles

Friday - rest day (still dealing with sinus stuff and routine blood work.  Fasting kills me with the blood work and I spent much of the day sleeping!)

Saturday - 5 miles, myrtl - I could see noticeable improvements from last week to this week each day.

Sunday - I want to do a bit of cross-training, but I am playing it all by ear.

Thursday night-Friday morning, time change, and the election = it was quite the week.  I am proud of what I managed to do.

Happy Running and congrats to all those who raced this weekend!

Why Faartlek's Rock and Headband Love

Hey all!

As I type this, I am trying so hard to not refresh the election results.  My ability to stay up for a definite win is not going to happen.  My body - which is not adjusting well to the time change - decided I should be wide awake at 5 am this morning.  Yes, you did read that correctly 5 am.  Normally this would not bother me, but I had to a)vote and b)a faartlek workout scheduled for 6:30 pm.  Anyone want to guess why at 3:30 pm I emailed my coach when I just had not been feeling good for several hours?  Once I removed my contacts and switched clothes, I felt remarkably better.  Part of what held me back and caused nerves - of course - was fear.  I just started with this coach and I was 7 days into my new training plan to build a base.  I am slow, not in the best of shape, and had not done much - if any - speedwork in quite awhile.  On top of all that, I excel at adding distance - not speed - and that is going to present a challenge!

Then, I got a headband, learned I was the only one, and off we went.  Check out this cool headband:

This is my favorite piece of late fall/early winter gear yet. I tried this headband and it is warm, breathes, and promotes my coach (hurrah)!

A photo posted by Runningwithallergies (@runningwithallergies) on Nov 8, 2016 at 5:28pm PST

Tomorrow, I am scheduled for rest or cross-training and Pilates.  My core - along with most of my muscles - is a bit on the flabby side.  On Monday, though, I completed the run and noticed the passing of miles only after 2 were complete.  I glanced down to make sure my watch was not running low on battery, which is has been doing.  In all previous runs, I could tell you when a mile had passed.  I am slowly improving.  Little steps are the key!

I am not doing the Turkey Trot, but I might sign up for a Santa Race.  It is almost definite that I will be working much of the holidays this year and that is another reason I am thrilled to be getting back into running.  Watch out, Spring - the buildup is starting and I am excited to see what you have to offer!

Happy Exercising.

The Turkey Trot Debate

Happy Monday!

The Turkey Trot is a yearly event some of my extended family members do.  My immediate family has no interest.  The first one I did was in 2009 and we arrived minutes before the race started.  It was the last time I ever arrived with so little pre-warmup time.  The one I am considering does not start until 9 am, which means I could quite easily make it, since the drive is minimal.  I am commuting 2 hours for a 5k.  Nope - that insanity is for my extended family members - not me.  To run or not to run is the question.  Tapering will not happen for sure.

Beyond that, the fall foliage spotting continues along with seeing two little snakes in the past two weeks.  One was alive and the other was dead.  Note to animals - please stay off the path!  I will try to dodge you, but I can only do so much.

The following photos are from two weeks ago Saturday:

This next photo was taken this past Saturday.

My 2016 miles in 2016 will not happen, but I am pleased with all that I have accomplished, despite the many changes I have made.  Will I do the challenge next year?  Nope - it did serve to get me out and moving on the days when I felt the most sluggy, though, and that counts for something.  My guess, which will be judged on December 31st, is 600 miles.

Have fun!

The Weekly Roundup

Hey All!

This was a tough week.  Getting back into regular exercise means that I am kind of a nightmare in some respects for two weeks.  My emotions resemble roller coasters and I had a meltdown of epic proportions followed by a run on Monday.  All told.  It was a decent week in most respects and I am putting things in motion to make next week even smoother.

This week I started my first week of coached running in over a week and I am so glad Coach Runacious (www.facebook.com/runacious) stuck with me, after I got the time wrong and appeared late two weeks ago.  Kudos to her - she is nice, calm, and pushes me without adding extra stress.

My paces are pretty consistent at this point and they are not where I know they could be.  Right - I am building the base and trusting my coach to help the speed return.  Apparently, I am healthy enough to add back in mileage and not crash.  I think the trick was cutting out dairy. :)  Stay Tuned.

Monday - 2.78 miles and myrtl

Tuesday - 3.03 miles and strides (I am pretty sure I messed up the stride length, but it felt good to do some speed work!)

Wednesday - 3.33 on a stationary bike, since the Elliptical was occupied.  Looking back on it, this was probably a better choice for where I am training wise.

Thursday - 3.27 mile + PiYo (eek - lunges get me all the time)

Friday - Rest (I was feeling the PiYo)

Saturday - 5 miles + myrtl

I may or may not do some cross training tomorrow.  If I can work out the soreness from PiYo, then I will for sure.

Nope - this post does not have a bunch of pictures, but I will leave you with this Instagram Sunset photo from Tuesday.  Next week - I will try to post a bit more, but my focus is on getting in the training, recovery, and sleep.  Instagram will be active, though, and I will post at least once a week here!

Happy Saturday :)

Sunsets=who can beat them?

A photo posted by Runningwithallergies (@runningwithallergies) on Nov 1, 2016 at 3:19pm PDT