Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Wednesday Workout Update

My long run on Saturday was a rough one - I tried a couple of new things and let me tell you, they did NOT work out like I'd hoped.  I could bitch and moan about the weather, too - but let's face it:  I live in Texas.  It's hot.  End of story.  We ran 4.5 miles, as planned...what wasn't planned was a mini breakdown around 1.75 miles in.  But after a little hissy fit (Jeff can be SUCH a diva!), I made a couple of adjustments and the rest of the run went much better.

I started off wearing a Frogg Togg Chilly Pad around my neck - I saw a woman with one after the Wolf Pen race we did last month and was amazed at how cold the towel felt, even after she'd run a 10K.  So I bought one for Jeff and I.  Well, it does stay cold, I'll give it that.  But it was bulky and heavy around my neck, plus it bounced around.  I tried tucking it into my shirt but that didn't really help.  Plus, I think the extra weight contributed to my feeling suffocated, and my breathing was back to the mess of panting/panic breathing that I thought I had gotten over.  Combine that with my hat feeling wrong (I think I had my ponytail too high and the hat didn't sit right), which in turn kept hitting the top of my sunglasses, which kept sliding down my nose (thank you, sweat), and I was ripe for a breakdown.  Luckily, it was short-lived - I was able to stop, readjust, take off the damn towel (and wipe my teary, sweaty face - the towel was cool, I'll give it that), take off the hat, and get back to running.  Which went fine until I stopped for my "Gu at Tu" (thanks to Kim for coining that phrase!) - I was low on my favorite flavor, Chocolate Outrage, so I tried a different one - Espresso Love.  Now, I love everything coffee flavored, but this GU was too strong for me - I couldn't even gag it down.  Now I know - use what works, and what works for me is chocolate.  Another lesson learned.

The one thing that was great about this not-so-great run?  My legs.  I don't know if it was the extra carbs I'd eaten for the last couple of days, or just that I've been running so often, but I didn't even notice them until close to mile 4.  That was a nice realization - if I can get my lungs and emotions in order, my body should be good to go the distance!

Before...
 Looking at the picture, I can see that my hat was on funny.  And that towel...no.  Just no.

And after:
Thumbs down to this run; 
Wait, let me wipe the burning sweat from my eyes; 
OK, maybe it wasn't so bad - after all, I just ran 4.5 miles.  Thumbs up!

********************

Monday, Jeff and I woke up and ran 2 miles.  Struggled a bit with my breathing again - what is up with that?!?  Dislike.  Later in the day, we headed out for sno cones, and actually walked there.  Yes, it was 92 degrees, but we walked in the shade most of the way, and really, it was less than half a mile each direction.  One thing about running is that it's made me realize how easy it is to cover some distance by foot.

Tuesday, Jenny and I ran 2 miles.  It was funny - we were talking a lot as we ran, and at one point I was pretty breathless and said "I have to take a break" and started to walk, then glanced down at Ricky Bobby, saw that we were at mile 1.78 and said "I can't walk now!" and we started running again, with Jenny going all gung-ho trainer on me..."we'll run, no talking!" - which is what we did, and what I needed to do.  It would have been silly to stop so close to 2 miles.  Sometimes, I just need that extra push.

Tomorrow, Erica and I have 2 miles scheduled...seems to be the theme of the week!  And then, I'll run a bit with Jenny - Erica and I run easy, so another little bit should be fine.  Dribs and drabs all add up to stronger legs, though.

27 comments:

  1. So sorry you had a bad run - those are no fun, but bad runs and rides happen. Sounds like you got right back to it and plan to stay that way - good for you! Not everything can be a mountaintop experience, I guess. Snowcones, however, certainly qualify.

    Dribs and drabs do add up - at least that's what I keep telling myself :-)

    I'm going to have to try the Gu. I will keep the chocolate recommendation in mind.

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    1. The chocolate Gu tastes like a melted Hershey's bar...and because you're exercising, it's OK! :) :) :)

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  2. Wow, great work though! I think any running is excellent... and probably more so if you don't enjoy it.

    PS. What are you wearing on the bottom - skirt of shorts or both. Am intrigued cos they look very groovy!

    Deb

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    1. It's a running skirt with liner shorts - so you are correct on both counts! It's by Skirt Sports - their Gym Girl Ultra. I have several and love them.

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  3. Bad runs are part of our running "career" but they are not fun at all. Even if the towel would be cool I would never wear it. I want no distractions, I don't even have a hand bottle, I want my hands free during running. I use a water belt.

    For the rest of the week your runs went great in my opinion.

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    1. I was like a pack mule finishing that run with the towel, hat and waterbottle in my hands! Not what I wanted, but I wasn't willing to leave them along the route and hopefully come back to them.

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  4. ahhh one woman's dribs and drabs is another misfit's GOAL.

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  5. OK, so now I want to remind you of a couple years ago when you were training for your half and you kept complaining about your legs. You and I got into an email exchange and I encouraged and then INSISTED that you up your carbs. I recall I even said that all the carbs don't have to come from grains, that fruit was really good too, but if you're going out to run 8 miles, eat a bagel dammit! Remember that?

    Well, after hesitating you did just that and VOILA! Your legs were better. So, I'll tell you so again. Even as I've migrated away from carbs from grains, I've worked at getting my carbs up with fruits and veggies so that my runs feel better.

    Everything else? Well, that's why we having 'training' runs. To find out what works and definitely what doesn't!

    Good for you for sticking it out, hissy fit and all :D

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    1. I swear, it was the watermelon...fun way to carb up! :)

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  6. You and I are so alike ;) My husband will not go out with me before dawn anymore due to past, pre-dawn hissy fits.

    It's so amazing to me how much the stronger legs help. Breathing is my struggle too but when my legs feel strong, I feel strong. I think I owe that to lots of squats and lunges with my trainer and by all means, yoga!

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    1. Glad I'm not the only one with the hissy fits...can you imagine if we ran together and both had one? LOL, talk about meltdown city!

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  7. VERY much looking forward to running with ya in the AM!!! Too bad the sno-cone stand isn't open that early, LOL ;) ;) Not that my stomach could stand it at 6am ;P

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    1. I actually mentioned that to Jeff - how good a sno cone would be after running! See you tomorrow!

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  8. Well even though I can't relate to most of your running woes, I CAN relate to the hat/ponytail problem. Ooh, that was so irritating to me when I used to wear a ponytail. If it wasn't in just the right position, it drove me nuts!

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    1. Amazing how a little thing can be so bothersome, right?

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  9. Isn't it funny how our bodies are way more ready for stuff than our minds? We get in our own way so much. I hate those hissy fits. That happens to me biking sometimes when stuff is just off. Shorts feel funny or my shirt is messed up or my helmet is crooked and I get *so* cranky!

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  10. I had to smile at the comment about "if you could only get your breathing and emotions in check!" but glad that your legs are feeling good!

    Love that you are getting all this mileage in - it will get better! :D

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  11. That is a lot of running, my friend! Good job. I've noticed that small things can really turn me into a diva too. Sometimes it can just be the wrong color socks. LOL

    Doing good and looking good!

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    1. Hey, sock color is very important! You should see my Thorlo collection!

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  12. I had wardrobe malfunctions galore this morning. But unlike you, I whined and bitched and finally just walked the last mile (I only did 2 miles total). I hate runs like that - it makes me question my own sanity!

    Glad you sucked it up and got it done - that's awesome!

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    1. Thanks - and isn't is bizarre how a wardrobe malfunction can really mess you up? No bueno.

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  13. Wow...you are a running MAVEN Shelley!!! I love your "skort" too. So cute!!! Glad you realized running and pushing through earned you a big thumbs up!!! Have a wonderful Thursday.

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  14. I always use the weather as an excuse to skip my afternoon jog. The fact that you didn't let it stop you is very motivational!

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  15. I hate hot! I could never live in Texas, even Maryland is bad enough in the summer. As for GU, I only eat tri-berry flavor, which I buy by the case. I like it, it works, and as you say, use what works!

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