Irene madness had my running at " prepare for flooding" - this meant prepare to run my longest run inside for 2 hours. Well I believed I could beat out the rain so I woke up early Saturday morning to out run Irene in my longest mileage run yet- 11.05 miles.
Last week was hard training with lots of excitement. I felt ready to run those 2 hours and after two 50 minute runs earlier that week I felt very prepared. I am using a drink for refueling instead of a gel which really is helpful. Having a nice sports drink during my run feels like I am resting when I am far from it. I really learned what my body really is made of-and I felt more than ever I am ready for this race. The feelings I felt when I came home just as it started to drizzle and tell my husband I just completed my longest run yet were pure enjoyment of my fitness level physically and mentally. To endure 2 hours of run run run is not easy, but it was so much fun! I did my favorite run to the memorial bridge- then down the Mall to the Capitol and added some laps. I shared smiles with other runners out before the big storm and concerned faces when we saw huge clouds and wind. The wind was tricky to run against but it offered a cool breeze. After my first hour I was on fire and nothing could stop me. While I did feel slightly depleted post run I had nowhere to be so I could just rest and recover. What did I do before big Irene showed her face- I ran 11.05 miles and it felt good to sit and watch TV all night.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Caffine Crash
Less than 4 weeks till race day. Last week I had some amazing runs with lots of power and confidence. I felt like yup I really am a strong runner, and it almost felt too natural. I felt excited about all my runs before, during and after.. all except that Saturday run...
It was my "recovery" week where I get to do easy 45 minute runs and then 1 long 90 minute run. I am working on my re-fueling strategy for the race and thought I would try a gel packet ( I have tried them before but not before a 90 minute run). Well I had this while tying up my laces- sugar & carbs great except this packet had caffeine. I have espresso or coffee everyday and I usually run no earlier than 2 hours post- caffeine. Rumor has it NEVER have caffeine on race day or right before a run- it will make you crash, thirsty and really throw you off balance. I of course thought what’s the worst that could happen I bet I will be super wired and fast. Wrong. After the first 45 minutes I was done, I was so thirsty but had to conserve my water, my head was weak , my legs were over it.. I kept running and didn't stop but I learned my lesson. I was sad because I wanted to kill the run and what I thought would give me more energy just made me week. I now understand why professionals know more than me .. ha blow to the ego. No caffeine right before the run, maybe hours before or none at all.
However I did travel far in that run. I went over the Memorial bridge, into the Arlington Cemetery and up to Rosslyn and back down and then all the way home. It was 8.22 miles- not my best time.. last night I did 5.24 miles in 50 minutes.. so it has a lot to do with the heat, refueling and how my body is prepared. That is what I have really been working on in my runs, is preparing it- loving it- feeding it- drinking lots of water etc. I have to be ready to run for over 2 hours without stopping. I get a preview this Saturday with a 2 hour run. Hopefully the rain/winds and hurricane Irene won't get in my way. I have been doing 3 intense runs in a row- which might not be the “best” for me but this is so I can keep my core and hip-hop class in my workouts. I think I may have to really only run a week or 2 before the race so I can just focus on that. I also want to try to sleep more, Jeremiah and I stay up late.. Glee and Checkers might have to be saved for date nights only, not midnight social hour.
It was my "recovery" week where I get to do easy 45 minute runs and then 1 long 90 minute run. I am working on my re-fueling strategy for the race and thought I would try a gel packet ( I have tried them before but not before a 90 minute run). Well I had this while tying up my laces- sugar & carbs great except this packet had caffeine. I have espresso or coffee everyday and I usually run no earlier than 2 hours post- caffeine. Rumor has it NEVER have caffeine on race day or right before a run- it will make you crash, thirsty and really throw you off balance. I of course thought what’s the worst that could happen I bet I will be super wired and fast. Wrong. After the first 45 minutes I was done, I was so thirsty but had to conserve my water, my head was weak , my legs were over it.. I kept running and didn't stop but I learned my lesson. I was sad because I wanted to kill the run and what I thought would give me more energy just made me week. I now understand why professionals know more than me .. ha blow to the ego. No caffeine right before the run, maybe hours before or none at all.
However I did travel far in that run. I went over the Memorial bridge, into the Arlington Cemetery and up to Rosslyn and back down and then all the way home. It was 8.22 miles- not my best time.. last night I did 5.24 miles in 50 minutes.. so it has a lot to do with the heat, refueling and how my body is prepared. That is what I have really been working on in my runs, is preparing it- loving it- feeding it- drinking lots of water etc. I have to be ready to run for over 2 hours without stopping. I get a preview this Saturday with a 2 hour run. Hopefully the rain/winds and hurricane Irene won't get in my way. I have been doing 3 intense runs in a row- which might not be the “best” for me but this is so I can keep my core and hip-hop class in my workouts. I think I may have to really only run a week or 2 before the race so I can just focus on that. I also want to try to sleep more, Jeremiah and I stay up late.. Glee and Checkers might have to be saved for date nights only, not midnight social hour.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
75 minutes of happy run
Saturday- a day to sleep in, watch some E news, have a long lazy breakfast and gear up for an endurance run. Usually Jeremiah and I have Saturday morning together, but he was in court so I had some good motivation to get out and running while he was at court. I decided to run down to constitution pond on the mall because I was a part of an elaborate engagement plan for my good friend from Boston later that day. So I went down to the mall for my run to scope out some engagement spots. I had a 75 minute run with sprints- which was a little treat for my excitement! I love sprints when they are combined with endurance runs, they are like little tests to your legs but then you can settle right back into pace. The wind was blowing, I had my jams and the scenery made me so grateful for where I live in DC and that I can just hop out my door and run to all of this. I felt so overwhelmed with excitement for my friend it was great to channel that all into my run. It left me feeling that my happiness does translate into my run and that it can truly be amazing. This was hands down one of my best runs.
Finishing off last week I did 20 miles- that feels good and now I am into recovery week. Ahhh nothing says recovery like a 90 minute run haha- but my other runs are only 45 minutes so it will feel nice. I am really connecting with the cycle of training. Recovery week comes and you just let your body recover as you know you have weeks more ahead and you have to, and you reward yourself.. I treated my body to a great yoga class last night, felt so nice. Soon I will be 1 month away to race day- doubts yes, fears yes, but I have a lot of encouragement from what I have done in training so far. So I need to continue to trust my training, my body and get over it and run. Not all runs are happy runs the whole way through, lots are happy for me after the first 2 miles.. but when you get a happy run you just remember why you run in the first place.
Finishing off last week I did 20 miles- that feels good and now I am into recovery week. Ahhh nothing says recovery like a 90 minute run haha- but my other runs are only 45 minutes so it will feel nice. I am really connecting with the cycle of training. Recovery week comes and you just let your body recover as you know you have weeks more ahead and you have to, and you reward yourself.. I treated my body to a great yoga class last night, felt so nice. Soon I will be 1 month away to race day- doubts yes, fears yes, but I have a lot of encouragement from what I have done in training so far. So I need to continue to trust my training, my body and get over it and run. Not all runs are happy runs the whole way through, lots are happy for me after the first 2 miles.. but when you get a happy run you just remember why you run in the first place.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
like Magic
I ran almost 18 miles last week- 17.75 to be exact, let’s not start lying. I was really proud of myself, running 3 days in a row can be more stressful thinking about then actually doing it. When you are done with the run it is like magic. I feel accomplished, proud and complete. Excited to enjoy resting my body after such intensity. I had a great weekend filled with runs and eating lots of food! Always having a large appetite is a part of who I am , but now I am really eating a lot more. I have to make sure not to eat too much before a run, because it turns out it makes my belly feel like a big water balloon- ( half a large watermelon on Saturday before my run). Anyway food fuel and running has been quite enjoyable. I am eating more protein right after my runs for recovery but I am not hungry "right after" so sometimes it feels just like pure food recovery. Its eating a nice hot meal that feels soooo good. Anyway I think last week taught me alot about trusting my body and fueling body. I had a lot of connection with my body and it lead to having more control with my running. Sometimes its a battle- the run is in control or I control the run, this week so far I have controlled the run. When I am feeling weak, lazy, distracted, irritated, that run controls me - when I am fueled up, motivated and happy I kill that run. I love that word kill when it comes to running, Jeremiah laughs but its a good one. I feel like I put on my shoes ready for battle. I beat down the pavement or treadmill and conqueror all. I kill that run, and I am not afraid to self motivate with the saying " go hard or go home" cause I do and I love it. I also love saying “brooke you have done this before you can do it again" or " Legs, feet lets do this" - I think if running was just for the run it would be boring- its the battle that makes it fun! Its ending up feeling like magic just happened when you did something you were afraid of but did it anyway.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
moment of fear
Fear fear fear! That’s what keeps me from doing things and that’s what I am feeling right now about my running plan! I am afraid it won't work, I am afraid I can't run 13.1 miles and I knew I would be afraid but sometimes I walk through fear and I feel so much better, but that doesn't always mean the fear is gone huh? Well true story I am afraid of running. I am running on Friday instead of Thursday because I want to run with my friend, this means 3 days of running- 2 are 45 min runs, and 1 is an hour run.. so afraid!! I shouldn't be because supposedly I am going to be running 2 plus hours in the race, its just hard to vision.. I drove today from Falls Church, VA to DC- that is 9 miles, and I was thinking no way could I run this. I guess I have to trust trust trust. You can't really call it paralyzing fear if you don't let it control you. Instead its just a moment of fear hopefully taken over by faith! This happens often right? haha
Monday, August 1, 2011
Loving that training plan
End of week 8 of the training ( also week 1) if you look at it that way, but I am working backwards for whatever reason I prefer to count down the “8 weeks of training”. I tried to keep my usual workouts in plus my 4 runs of training, all while adding a camping trip that involved a 7 mile hike. This deserves a day of rest today, but I may hit up a new yoga class because I could use some good opening of those hips!
I ran 3 of the 4 runs outside. 2 in the morning, very early and they were amazing. They were hard to get out of bed but once I was out there I felt so glad I finished strong. Thursday morning I ran out by the monuments and saw all the other " morning serious hard core runners" I have issues comparing myself to them but I have to remember its not about them its about me and my run.. jezz I wonder how I will feel on race day when I am around tons of serious runners! Friday morning I opted to stay clear form those runners and ran up my street where it was much quieter and more focused on my run. Both runs had speed intervals which also felt great and I was able to do 15.5 total miles this week. The worst run was yesterday on the treadmill in the afternoon after my suppose to be "rest day" which ended up being a great 7 mile hike with my husband and friends. Lucky for me I got to see the last 45 min of the movie “ stick it” and it kept me motivated, and gave me a desire to do gymnastics haha.
I think a big change in this week has been the power of having a training plan. Thursday and Friday morning I would not have gotten out of bed to run if I was not on a training plan.. and a plan not to lose weight or look good but to race. Race feels so powerful and strong that I like that word to motivate me. I like feeling like I am an athlete and I tapped into what training really means. It’s easy to run when you want to run, but it takes strength to run when you don't want to. It’s funny I had a lot of thoughts about running and love this week because it reminded me of that. Loving someone is easy when they are easy to love and are lovable- but loving someone when they aren’t lovable is true true love. I have been feeling this lately with various things such as friendships, working, and running. I also read some stuff recently that reminded me of the Gods will and Love. I think what I gained this week is being strong in my actions to love others, because it is not always easy. Love thy Neighbor etc.. its very hard I tend to love those who love me... that’s easy right? Loving my husband tremendously because he loves me.. but loving that co-worker or that morning run.. hmm not the easiest. But we do things out of our comfort zone because they make us stronger. I guess that’s why my goals after each run this week were to stay strong because I feel like I need strength when I am outside of my comfort zone- running or in life. Well, and God is always present and trusting him and his will for me always provide strength outside of my comfort zone. I think that’s how I feel like my relationship to my training plan is – trusting it and I will be able to do this race if I keep with the plan provided. Let’s see!
I ran 3 of the 4 runs outside. 2 in the morning, very early and they were amazing. They were hard to get out of bed but once I was out there I felt so glad I finished strong. Thursday morning I ran out by the monuments and saw all the other " morning serious hard core runners" I have issues comparing myself to them but I have to remember its not about them its about me and my run.. jezz I wonder how I will feel on race day when I am around tons of serious runners! Friday morning I opted to stay clear form those runners and ran up my street where it was much quieter and more focused on my run. Both runs had speed intervals which also felt great and I was able to do 15.5 total miles this week. The worst run was yesterday on the treadmill in the afternoon after my suppose to be "rest day" which ended up being a great 7 mile hike with my husband and friends. Lucky for me I got to see the last 45 min of the movie “ stick it” and it kept me motivated, and gave me a desire to do gymnastics haha.
I think a big change in this week has been the power of having a training plan. Thursday and Friday morning I would not have gotten out of bed to run if I was not on a training plan.. and a plan not to lose weight or look good but to race. Race feels so powerful and strong that I like that word to motivate me. I like feeling like I am an athlete and I tapped into what training really means. It’s easy to run when you want to run, but it takes strength to run when you don't want to. It’s funny I had a lot of thoughts about running and love this week because it reminded me of that. Loving someone is easy when they are easy to love and are lovable- but loving someone when they aren’t lovable is true true love. I have been feeling this lately with various things such as friendships, working, and running. I also read some stuff recently that reminded me of the Gods will and Love. I think what I gained this week is being strong in my actions to love others, because it is not always easy. Love thy Neighbor etc.. its very hard I tend to love those who love me... that’s easy right? Loving my husband tremendously because he loves me.. but loving that co-worker or that morning run.. hmm not the easiest. But we do things out of our comfort zone because they make us stronger. I guess that’s why my goals after each run this week were to stay strong because I feel like I need strength when I am outside of my comfort zone- running or in life. Well, and God is always present and trusting him and his will for me always provide strength outside of my comfort zone. I think that’s how I feel like my relationship to my training plan is – trusting it and I will be able to do this race if I keep with the plan provided. Let’s see!
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