A story of going from being a non-runner to planning for a marathon in three years...

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Half and Ugh



Last night was supposed to be an 8 mile tempo run (one mile warm-up, 6 miles at 9:29, one mile cool-down). My plan was to do half outside and half inside on the treadmill. Well, I got the first 4 miles done outside (and three of them substantially faster than 9:29) but when I got back to the house I felt exhausted, light-headed and just generally out of sorts. I had been hoping for the effortlessness that was last week's 7 mile tempo run, but it was not to be. I thought about just calling it at night with the four miles. Four miles is better than no miles! But, I changed out of my running tights and into shorts and pounded out 2 more miles on the treadmill at 6.3 and 6.4 MPH, respectively. Six miles is definitely better than no miles!

This has just been a week of half-effort workouts. Tuesday night's 30 minutes on the elliptical barely registered 2 miles when usually I crank out at least 3. Tonight's Pilates class about killed me. I did do my two miles on the treadmill at the gym (at 5.6 MPH and 1% incline) but I fear that the wrath of the hormones might be upon me.

Normally I'd be stressed out that I didn't do my entire tempo run, but this week I'm like, "eh, whatever." I know I can run 10 miles at a stretch. I'm not worried about finishing my half. I haven't set an outrageous goal time (at least I don't think I have) so I'm pretty sure I'll be just fine. Plus, the race is almost only two weeks away. I think some people would claim I should be on my way to taking it easy anyway.

So, with that, I'm going to go enjoy my dinner and sit on the couch like a lump. I think I've earned it.

But, first, I'll leave you with the Garmin and Bones in Motion data from the 4 miles I did get in outside on Wednesday:

Photobucket


Activity
Route:--Elev. Avg:628 ft
Location:Forest Park, ILElev. Gain:+0 ft
Date:03/25/09Up/Downhill: [+85/-85]
Time:06:25 PMDifficulty:2.0 / 5.0
 
Weather:Overcast
 43 F temp; 64% humidity
 43 F heat index; winds W 13
Performance

Distance: 4.14 miles
Time:0:38:07
Speed:6.5 mph
Pace:9' 12 /mi
Calories:354
Map
 
Elevation (ft)
 
Pace (min/mile)
 

Posted from bimactive.com

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

You're going to have to slow down or me and my knee will never catch up! I'm sure your body is just really, really tired. You do need some rest!

kristen said...

I know exactly what you mean. I just havn't been feeling it all week. I think your right about the wrath of hormones. Aren't you getting excited about the half?

kilax said...

Sometimes I have a workout like that - where my normal routine just feels EXHAUSTING! It's best to take it easier those weeks, like you are :)

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