8/29/06: SMART Workout-Back to the Grind!

Took it easy today since my groin was slightly sore from my 9 miles o’ fun on Saturday. Meant to get in about 10 miles on the bike too but just ran out of town. Next weekend, for SURE…Anyhow, I did the SMART lite schedule today of 12x30/30’s (30 seconds all out pace, 30 seconds recovery) with a 2 mile warmup and a 2 mile cooldown. I also got in a good CORE workout with Mirem and crowd beforehand. Overall, I felt energetic and strong, and held back in pace in order to avoid aggravating anything.

Special props to HRB Steve who has become my new Terry Hershey workout buddy!

The STATS:
4 miles total

2 mile warmup, 2 mile cooldown
12x30/30

Heart-rate: n/a
Weather: very humid, yuck.

8/26/06: Race#2-Keep Austin Weird 5K!

So after running a race (hard) and being all business this morning, this evening race was all about having fun. After all, a race in Austin, with the word ‘weird’ in it, certainly isn’t going to be your average race. And I was soo right.

I, too, being a bit weird (laugh now, but if you have met me, you know it’s true!) embraced this race and wore a costume to get into the weirdness along with other Austinites. It was a hoot. I was a pink flamingo. I don’t think I have ever been so photographed in my life. I also made the Channel 8 news. I went all out…pink shirt and wings, black shorts and feet and a flamingo hat too. It was wild and funny. And hard to run in.

This race had 6000 runners in it, and probably half of those were in costumes. From the guy that wore nothing but a thong and a sign that said ‘autograph’ me to a couple that was Adam and Eve, to a trio of guys that portrayed ‘snakes on a plane,’ it was wild. I have never laughed so loud. And the race was funny in other ways too.

Sure, there were plenty of water stops, but along with those, were beer, ice cream, sushi, and other assorted treats to snack on while racing. It was hard. The first stop for me…the beer. The last stop for me…the beer. I have never drank beer and ran at the same time before. I can now knock this one off my ‘things I have done in my life’ list. Honestly, it was a bad idea, since I wanted to get sick half the race, but it was sooooo fun. My whole objective was fun…and my next objective was not to walk and finish under 30 minutes.

That was tough; I was soooo sore from this morning. And it was pretty warm, and the costume was tricky. But it was only 3.1 miles. Not a PR, and I didn’t care. The memories of acting absolutely goofy in public and get noticed for it made the whole race worth it. Definitely worth going to if you aren’t going to take it serious. Back to serious running on Tuesday:)

The STATS:
3.1 miles

official time: 29:08
Ave. 9:20/mile (hahaha)

Heart-rate: who cares
Weather: 7pm start…nice breeze from Town Lake.

8/26/06: Race #1-Caliente 10K in Killeen, TX!

I decided to take advantage of a weekend out of Houston and do a little running. Notice, I did NOT say racing. My body isn't ready for any of that. Well, so I thought. But since the 10k is my favorite distance to run, I wasted no time in signing up for this one right outside of my home town that I found out about. I saw it as a 'welcome back to running' celebration.

The race was small...maybe only 100 people. I saw a lot of the same faces from the Jackrabbit 10k though (back in May), and that was pretty cool. Weird about the race? We didn't get race numbers...just 'pull tabs' that we wore pinned on our shirts. More on that later. I was worried on how I was going to hold up, my stomach was very upset due to the past sauce I has eaten the night before. I pulled though though-that feeling generally goes away the second I go running.

The weather was cool...but with a 7am start, it was quickly warming up. We didn't end up starting until almost 7:15am, another annoyance, but not a big deal. I set myself about midpack, knowing that there were people that were going to walk, and I saw people that I set myself next to before, so I knew their pace. I then saw Michelle, the girl I went to high school with, and knew instantly I had to finish in front of her. That became my only goal for the race now.

I ended up losing the splits to the race, but I finished the first mile about 8:37 or so. Too fast, but I felt strong and that mile flew by. Mile 2 was into the wind (ughh!) and slower. The water station's water was freezing, but felt great splashed on me and my head. Mile 3 was starting to feel like 'survival' mode already, which scared me a little. And there was no water. It wasn't too hot (yet!) but still!

Mile 4 finally saw a water station and I grabbed two cups without stopping and sipped on them for a few minutes. I must say I think I have mastered drinking on the run (more on THAT later!) and am able to hit a water stop, not break stride and grab water, and slow down only enough to drink and not lose my breath. We started to hit some small rolling hills. I knew I was going to be hurting.

Mile 5 was the last water station (why they would put only 3 on the course, spaced out mile 2, 4,5 is beyond me). The hills were brutal becuase they were long and two of them were pretty steep (not like the Jackrabbit race steep though!) I know from good advice though to hammer through the downhills, so that's esactly what I did. I know it does a number on my quads, but I was able to pass at least 10 people hammering the downhills. Mile 6 couldn't come soon enough (back into the wind, i think) and I felt a blister starting on my big right toe. Ouch.

I am pretty sure the course was measured wrong, as my split for the last 1.2 miles was 8.37. Ahh well, I put in a good fight to the finish, for sure. I felt my emotions starting to overwhelm me. Here i was, about to come close to PRing on a race that I had no plan to race and I felt like the king of the world. I kicked it into high gear for the last .2 mile (I guess, I didn't see a mile marker for mile 6!) and finished strong. I FINISHED STRONG.

I ripped my pull tab off and immediately tried to catch my breath. I starting bawling as I caught my breath. Wow...emotions were flooding me. All I could think about was what i just did...and how i was coming back from injury. Strongly.

That moment in time freaking RULED.

I ended up winning (but not!) my age-group with a (un)official/official time of 52.10. The reason why I say it that way is that the race was tab timed, and due to the fact my name wore off my tab, I never got recognized for placing. I was actually told after the awards ceremony i was second in my age group, but the girl that supposedly 'won' finished AT LEAST 2 minutes AFTER ME...hmm. Add to the fact that this race was timed by the Park's Recreation department, so I don't really think the credibility in their timing was all there, ah well.

A great one, overall, and now off to the next race of the day!

The STATS:
6.2miles

official time: 52.10
Ave. 8:23/mile!

Heart-rate: n/a
Weather: not bad, but windy at mile 2 and 4 and the sun was bright...

8/24/06: Recovery Run and Getting Stronger!

I couldn't make it to tonight's SMART program, so I decided to get in an easy 3 miles before my friend Lucky came into town. The run itself was pretty uneventful, other then being slow and some creepy security guy following me in his car. Ugh. Not too sore after Tuesday's run...just got to build the strength in my legs again.

Looking forward to this weekend...I am pulling a Jon Walk and running two races in one day:)

The STATS:

3 miles total running
about 30 minutes

Heart-rate: n/a
Weather: warm, a tad. lol.

8/22/06: SMART #2: Kenyan Relays!!!

I was a little skeptical to do this workout since I haven't really done any speedwork since the injury, and I am weary to do any until I have a good, solid buildup of mileage underneath me.

I did run this workout very conservative, and was able to put 'enough' speed behind me to feel like i worked up a little cardio sweat. It was fun! Fellow Strider Bessie was an awesome partner and was very encouarging. She is getting so fast, she is already leaving me in the dust from last season:)

A great workout overall. Swimming and biking are coming along too...slowly. I need to hit it really hard the next month (like cramming for a test, I guess!) and stay as injury-free as possible. I think I will make an 'ok' showing for the Tri...however, I am very much looking forward to it (especially the bike part!) and not scared anymore! woohoo!

The STATS:

1 mile warmup, 1.5 mile cooldown
20 minutes of relays

Heart-rate: n/a
Weather: hot!!!! until the cooldown.

8/19/06: My first Long Run since June!

Here was another milestone workout for me tonight...5 miles! Painfree! I had the biggest smile on my face as I made the rounds at the Park. I like this renewed sense of energy my lack of running the past two months has given me. I hope it last all through Marathon season.

Next milestone? The first race, post-injury. A week away, can I be ready!?!

The STATS:

5 miles total running
about 50 minutes

Heart-rate: n/a
Weather: humid, slight breeze.

8/17/06: Getting Stronger!!!

Ran 3 miles in the neighborhood tonight. Feeling better already, not very sore or in pain after Tueday's terrific workout. This brought my total of mileage for the week to 10...an accomplishment like no other for me right now! Things are looking up...

The STATS:

30 minutes total running
about 3 miles

Heart-rate: n/a
Weather: humid, slight breeze.

8/15/06: The first SMART workout for me of the season!

I was actually happily suprised that I didn't hurt (other then a swollen right foot!) after my run the previous night. I am not sure why my foot is swollen, other then crazy-running-around while I was in Madison, WI this past week (no actual running though!) :( And the weather was so beautiful and cool too...

Anyhow, I knew, tonight was THE night that I had to make it out to a SMART workout. No excuses, right?! I meet up with the Memorial Park SMARTies and we had a grand time...the schedule was 'C' and a 2 mile warmup/2 mile cooldown and 5x800m repeats. Oh yeah, and mix in all the other fun stregthening excersises too. Haha...it was a good time.

I did as much as I could, which ending up being a 1.5 mile warmup/1.5 mile cooldown, and all the excersises and then 5x400m repeats. I was slow, but I did it-4 miles, a milestone for me post-injury! My foot didn't bother me too much, and my groin didn't bother me at all! woohoo, i think I am on the mend. I just wish I wasn't sooo painfully slow.

"Paitence, Young Grasshopper...."

It's going to be a long journey back to where I want to be (pre-injury). But I am on the way now, determined and not going to give-up and it feels great!

Thanks for all the encouragement everyone...now I need to slowly hit the swimming and biking again seeing how I have a triathalon to complete in a month in a half!!! 30 minutes in the pool tomorrow!!!

The STATS:

1.5 mile warmup
1.5 mile cooldown
5x400m repeats (at about 2:28 per 400m)

Heart-rate: n/a
Weather: humid, slight breeze.

8/14/06: Getting Back Onto Schedule!

So the summer is pretty much over and now it's time for me to not have an excuse to be active and get back on my running schedule. I have nursed my groin long enough I feel and I am ready to hit the road again. I have programed a simple and gradual mileage build-up into October, where I will hopefully be back on the SMART schedule I need to be on.

SO the run tonight went fine (although a little slow) and I am mentally preparing myself for this challenge of training for the 26.2 in January. After all, it's only 5 months away (to the day, NOW!) and I hope I can be ready and strong by now.

The STATS:

30 minutes total running
about 3 miles

Heart-rate: n/a
Weather: warm. humid.

8/7/06: I Ran Again!

My body and groin were a little sore the day after my last run...but the real reason why I haven't run since then is that I was involved in a musical that basically consumed entire evenings. I mean, I didn't get home until 11pm for a week straight. It was great though, I got to play percussion, perform AND get paid--woohoo!

Anyhow, back to the run...went out for 3 miles tonight. It felt good but I think I might have gone out too fast. My bosy is telling me it's ready to run though, and my groin is still telling me 'no.' It will happen though, slowly and surely I will come back to top form and kick the Marathon's butt!

The STATS:

30 minutes total running
about 3 miles

Heart-rate: n/a
Weather: humid but breezy.