Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Wednesday Workout Update

You may have noticed that I haven't participated in very many races this spring, which is something of an anomaly compared to previous years.  It's partly due to the ebb and flow of local races - several that I've done in the past aren't being held this year (Teal Ribbon, Run For Shoes, Downtown Derby/Love Run, SRPH Fun Run, Joe Conway, Rock the Mind) - and partly because I ended up being in North Carolina for two that I was going to run (GLOW run, Girls Just Want to Have Fun run).

The few others that are being held, well...I'm just not sure about.  The Run for Remembrance that we did last year at the TEEX fire training school will be on May 10th this year at 5:00 p.m.  Let me repeat that start time:  5:00 in the afternoon.  In mid-May.  I don't think I want to subject myself to running when it most likely will be super warm AND with the sun beating down on me.  So that race is a probable no.  The chicken race (Ukraine 5K) that we did last year is May 3rd, but it's mostly on grass this time, which I usually avoid because I'm chicken (haha) about turning an ankle on hidden rocks.  There's a color run in a couple of weeks, but really, that was a once-and-done event for me.  And some obstacle runs are coming up, but again, I'm too worried about hurting myself and not being able to run at all to want to do any races like that.

While I mostly enjoyed participating in the local races (aside from that bout of anxiety about racing), I'm not a runner who HAS to do all the races.  So this year looks like I'll mostly be a runner, period.  And I'm OK with that.

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Last week I ran/walked a total of 8.6 miles.  Can you tell I'm enjoying the off-season?  I'm dealing with some pain so I'm hoping that by not pushing it, I can get whatever is bothering me to heal without having to completely take some time off from running.  After a few walk/runs with Jenny, I've come to realize that running feels much better if I've had a good warm-up before I start.  We walk for a mile before running; on Saturday, I stretched for a couple of minutes and jumped right into my run.  Everything hurt (well, not everything, but a lot), whereas it wasn't that bad on Thursday.  So I'm going to make a point to get to the park early on Saturdays and walk a mile before we all gather for our run.  I'd rather set my alarm a little earlier and do that than feel like everything is falling apart during the first mile I run, you know?

Yesterday, it was freezing when Jenny and I met up to walk/run.  We were bundled up like it was the dead of winter instead of mid-April in South Texas:
BRRRR!  It was 41 degrees, with a north wind making it feel even colder!

I will say that the brisk weather contributed to a very good run, though.  We ran our intervals so fast that we couldn't even talk - it was nice to put out that much effort, for a change.  Normally my runs are at a pretty leisurely pace.  What can I say...I'm a relaxed runner!

16 comments:

  1. Chicken LOL 41 degrees and north wind? Been there done that yesterday too but I was wearing my Summer running outfit with a capri.
    Just teasing you of course because I did ask myself why the hell I thought I could switch to summer gear already LOL

    When I read your workout updates it often comes to my mind that you are at your best off season: no pressure just fun. I'm glad you don't have to do all races but just choose the ones you like. I would even dare to suggest that you quit running races at all and just enjoy the running itself. You can still train with your group of course. But it seems to me that you are most happy off season.

    Well done on the brisk run yesterday!

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    1. I know, I'd moved all my headwarmers and gloves to a distant box and had to dig them out again!

      I do like the no pressure of impending races/training. But I also like the camaraderie of training with my friends. It's a conundrum, for sure!

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  2. Aww, I would actually welcome a race that starts at 5pm! I think the worst part of races is standing around in the morning shivering while you wait to start. ( or maybe aall the shivering is just my nerves! )

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    1. You would be sweating like crazy waiting around for this race! But I agree, it's miserable to wait around when it's so cold.

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  3. Well it snowed then sleeted then iced here and when I got up this morning the weatherman said "We're having February temperatures." I took the day off as I just didn't want to face the dreadmill.

    I'm with you on evening starts - just the lowest energy of the day for me in general and the last thing I want to do is run. I might walk it though if it was for a good cause.

    Depending on what is going on, you might have to stop running altogether but didn't you do that when you were in NC? Pain/injuries are so annoying when all you want to do is run, right?!!

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    1. I forgot about lower energy as the day goes by - I was just focusing on the sun and heat. But yeah - there's a reason why I am a morning runner!

      I wasn't running while in NC, but I was on my feet so much with the move that I might as well have been running. And I'm sure all the hard walking in Danskos that we did in Utah didn't help the situation. Still, what a pain, this pain is!

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  4. I'd much rather have cold than heat:)

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  5. That's a cute picture of you and Jenny. It sounds like you're doing what we're supposed to do--enjoying exercise! We're supposed to enjoy it, right?

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  6. I keep getting emails about doing the Color Run again but I'm like you - once was enough. I wasn't super impressed with it anyway. I am doing a Crayon Run (same idea as the Color Run) hosted by a local elementary school and I am legitimately looking forward to that. :)

    There are so many runs I could do around here, but I'm being selective. It has to be something I really WANT to do or it's contributing to a really good cause. Trying to RUN ALL THE RACES burns me out.

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    1. OK, the Crayon Run at the elementary school sounds really cute - I would probably do that one, too!

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  7. Wow, 41 degrees is chilly for you!! I agree, I wouldn't want to run a race at 5:00 in the afternoon - I've never heard of a race starting at that time.

    I am really slow to get comfortable running - I usually start at 4.0 mph and then slowly up the pace as I go along - otherwise I just feel all winded out if I start out at 6.0.

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  8. 41 degrees - that just might be our high today :D

    I don't think I would do a 5pm run either, just for traffic reasons. That's during rush hour!

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  9. I'm not a runner, but once spring gets going, I catch myself wanting to break into a jog after I've walked a mile or so. I usually get it out of my system after a few blocks, but it's fun while it lasts. :)

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  10. I had one of my best ever runs in bitter cold with blisters forming. I kept running (and faster) because I just wanted it to be over!

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