Running Motivator

  This past race was a struggle for me and a big wake up call-- that maybe I'm not training as efficiently I could be.  So in attempt to get more serious with running and to be more accountable with my miles I am starting a running blog.   This has worked for a few runners I know so, I will give it a try.  

 Race Breakdown:

Mile 1 7:01- not to bad considering I was having IPOD issues and trying to work through the crowd.   My breathing was a little heavy even in the first mile.  I was a little concerned with it but, kept pushing through.   

 Mile 2  6:37 - great mile.  I could see the lead female runners and got a little zealous.  

Mile 3  6:45- still hanging in there pretty tough.  Still breathing heavy but, I feel okay.

Mile 4  6:26- this must have been a little down hill.  Because for not breathing well I am cruising.  

Mile 5  7:02 -  slowing down.  Buy now I am feeling the affects of not sticking to pace.   I try to gag down a GU and I'm pretty nauseous.  A little dry heaving going on. 

Mile 6  7:45-  wow I am really slowing down.  Jason has left me at this point and I'm really wishing this was a 10K.  I think this was a steady uphill.  Nothing to serious but, a small grade.

Mile 7 7:01 -  Catch back up with Jason on some rolling down hill.  I'm definitely a down hill runner.   I'm feeling okay and thinking maybe I can pull this out if I just stay mentally in it.  

Mile 8  8:05-  this is the start of some mental breakdown and fatigue.  This is also where we get some good up hill.  I hate hills.   The hills weren't long just short, steep intervals.  I'm pretty sure I walked one of these hills.  What was I thinking???  I could see Jason at the beginning of this hill after this mile I could no longer see him.

Mile 9 7:31 -  Making up a little time.  I notice some women passing me that are looking pretty strong.  I tried to stick with them for a little bit and they pushed me to try a little harder.

Mile 10 7:22 -  Making up some more time and feeling okay.  Not great but, Okay!!!

Mile11 8:03-  More hills!!!  I think by now mentally I knew I wasn't close to my goal time and I let it get to me.

Mile 12 8:25-  Shamefully I did a little more walking up some hills.  Wow, where was my energy?   

Mile 13 7:22 - I ran into my training partner Leslie and she pushed me in.  This was just what I needed to get me through this mile.  Knowing she was right behind me gave me that extra push.  

.34  2:11-  My Garmin, as well as Jason's, had the race about two tenths too long.   I felt really good at the end and sprinted in.

Moral of this race--  I need to do more races and more hill workouts!!!  Also, I have got to learn to pace myself the whole race.  I saw so many runners that looked so strong at the end.  I have a strong tendency to let my competitive nature take over in the beginning of a race instead of sticking to my pace and then I have nothing to give in the end.   Also my breathing issue-- I may be a little anemic.  Jason said he could hear me breathing hard in the beginning and was a little worried for me.   I have been really sluggish lately so I'm going to start taking my iron pills and see if that helps.  

Nothing!!  This week I'm taking a break from running.

Today I met up with Leslie at the YMCA.  I was hoping for a slow 3-4 miles but, got roped into doing 7 at an okay pace.   Both Leslie and I felt good in the beginning but, by mile 6 we were wishing we hadn't been so ambitious.  It was hot today and the sun was beating down on us those last miles.  Running at 9:30 AM this summer is going to be brutal.  

Average Pace-  7:30-8:00 

Today I took it easy and ran on the treadmill for four miles.   I then rode the bike for 10 minutes at an 8 and 80-90 RPM. 

 4 miles- 31:05 

Today I went to the YMCA and ran with the group.  We had quite a few runners there today.  Everyone all kind of did their own thing.  Leslie and I ran with Carrie for a few miles and then took off on our own.  We ran around the park, down Sunblest and then through River Glen and back.  It was muggy today and pretty hot.  Leslie and I both struggled at the end.  I hope I get used to the heat and humidity for some summer training. For a humid day we ended with 7.5 miles at about an 8 minute pace.

I'm still just kind of taking it easy this week hoping that I can come back next week with a little more ambition to get back into training hard for Provo River.    My right heel is giving me a little trouble.  It doesn't hurt to run on it.   Just throbs after and really hurts first thing in the morning.  I'm not really quite sure what it is??  Doesn't seem to be Plantar Fasciitis because it's not debilitating and I can run on it.  It feels more like a bruised heel. Is there such a thing??  Anyway if anyone has any ideas or any treatments for a bruised heel let me know.  

Today we took the kids out for a trail run.  We have wanted to trail run down at Fort Harrison in Lawrence for some time and with no sporting events to get in the way we gave it a try.  The trails are very different from Western Colorado but, beautiful in their own way.   The trails are heavily wooded making the trail shady and scenic.   I also like the fact that I don't have to worry about mountain lions, bears, etc. on the trail.  Not much wildlife in Indianapolis.  It was great to get back on the trails and change it up a bit. 

We ran roughly 3-4 miles.  The kids did great.  Mckay ran the whole way and was racing me on the hills.  Mckinley she hung in there.  Her short little legs got a little tired and she walked some.  Beckham, he was done after a mile and rode on Jason's shoulders.   He just wanted his milk and TV-- our little baby. It was a fun and relaxing run with the kids.     Jason and I are definitely going to go back without the kids and do some hard core trail running.  We miss the mountains.  

3-4 miles at a very slow, easy pace.   

Today Jason and I went to the gym and ran on the treadmill.  I didn't want to run to hard because I'm going to attempt a tempo run tomorrow but, I did want to push it a little bit harder.  I ran the first 6 miles in 43 minutes and then ran the last mile slower for a total of 7 miles in 51 minutes.   I felt good today and this run felt comfortable.  My heel was a little sore but, disappears after a mile.   It is a little sore now and hurts to walk bare foot.  I'm going to ice and stretch the calves tonight.  

7 miles avg. pace 7:20-7:30  

My foot has really been hurting after yesterday's run.  I stretched and iced yesterday but, this morning I have had a hard time putting any pressure on it.  It was very painful this morning as I got out of bed, so I decided it wasn't in my best interest to do any running today.   I was a little bummed because I was off to a great week and wanted to really start to push it this week.   I guess it will have to wait until next week.  I'm hoping to get a run in this week and maybe do a temp run we will see what tomorrow brings.  I wanted to get a little something in so I went to the gym lifted some weights and rode the bike for 35 minutes (this is all I could handle, I hate the bike).    I'm going to get some new running shoes and maybe some arch supports or a heel pad and see if any of it helps.    I'm icing currently, taking Ibuprofen,  and stretching the calves.  Hopefully the pain will go away soon-- I'm not a happy person when I'm not able to run.