Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Wednesday Workout Update

Running has been so fun lately - amazing how only (only!) running 6 miles makes me feel like a different person afterward...namely, not someone who's hurting.  I think my body is cut out for shorter distances.  I'd forgotten what it feels like to not spend most of the weekend recovering from a run, but after Saturday's 6 miler, Julia and I went out for breakfast, then I went home, showered and was pretty productive for the rest of the day!  That does not happen when I run longer distances; plus the whole "no pain" thing is pretty appealing, too.  Only one more long run - 13.1 miles - is on tap, for this Sunday, and then?  It's party time.  Free and easy, either 5K races or 5 miles, whichever is on the schedule.  I cannot wait!

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

Jenny and I had another great speed interval run yesterday - it was really windy and bitterly cold, but we blasted through our quarter-mile intervals!  We ran a couple of different loops around our usual park - they've added a new paved path, so we tried it out.  Turns out that one entire interval went up, up, up hill - whew, that was hard!  I thought for sure our pace would have been super slow for that one (it FELT like we were hardly moving), but when I looked at our stats afterward, it wasn't that bad.  Still, we discovered one loop where we went downhill the entire way, and I'm conniving to see if we can't make it so we always run the downhill and walk the uphill - sure, that may not be the wisest decision, but honestly, it'll be the funnest!  Who says running always has to be a challenge - I think just letting go and having a blast with it will keep us coming back for more!

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

I'd say this week is a taper week, but quite honestly, I don't run all that much during the week, so it's pretty much the same as always.  I'm actually planning on adding another day of running after the half marathon - well, not the first week...I'll be in recovery mode.  But I have plans for bumping up my workouts a bit; I'm feeling really energized and ready to do a bit more - I'm telling you, changing up my running is really making a difference in how zesty I'm feeling!

20 comments:

  1. It makes me happy to read that running is so much fun lately. I sometimes feel that if you start running, it is to be expected that you do a 5K-10K-half-full otherwise it doesn't count or something.

    Just like in the old days when you got engaged, bought a house, got some children. If you didn't do that you were weird. I made the decision not to marry and that we don't have children is a self made decision too and 20 years ago people thought we were weird because of that. I feel some runners approach running the same way.

    I want do do a half once in my life (preferably this year) but after that I might just stick to 10K max or maybe a 10 miler. I just don't know yet, I'll do whatever makes me happy, like you are doing now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are right with the running assessment - so many people seem to feel like they have to run all the distances - a rite of passage with runners, I guess. While I like the excitement of the half marathon, my body and my mind don't seem to, so I need to start listening to them. And it's just plain FUN to run a few miles!

      Delete
  2. Same here. After my half on mar 17 I am taking a rest!

    ReplyDelete
  3. you HAD and LOST me on that first sentence...

    ReplyDelete
  4. So glad to hear that windy run went so well. And you know, 5 or 6 miles is not a short distance at all. I wonder if, when you start running short distances more frequently, your overall mileage will actually increase. That would be really interesting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wonder if it might increase, too...that would be funny, actually!

      Delete
  5. I love your interval training Shelley - and that you are pain free after shorter (which 6 miles is NOT short in my opinion :D ) you are pain free - icing on the cake!

    ReplyDelete
  6. "Zesty"...LOVE that word applied to working out! Can't wait to hear all about Saturday!! Here's wishing you a pain-free run and painless recovery :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know zesty sounds slightly like a certain soap, but it was the perfect descriptor of how I've been feeling. :)

      Delete
  7. My comment got eaten up. Trying again. I am loving how much you are loving running. It really comes through in your posts now. Have a fantabulous half!

    I really want to get my bike outside now. I want that good feeling again.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks - and there's nothing like that good feeling, right?

      Delete
  8. I love this post and I love that you feel so great. It's contagious! Exercise without pain is a total blessing.

    It's amazing to me how in tune you are with your body and your running. Oh and p.s. six miles is not short :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL, I know that I'm in some weird universe to think that 6 miles is short...give me a month, and I'll go back to knowing that it's a long distance. :)

      Delete
  9. Have a great time at your Half Shelley! I can't wait to read all about it.

    ReplyDelete
  10. You must be having a good time with running, because the joy is coming out in your posts. Your excitement is contagious.

    ReplyDelete

Comments are now moderated to prevent spammers from leaving, well, spam - but rest assured that as soon as I read a real comment, I will publish it. So please, comment away, even though the blog is officially closed. Thanks!