I ran five miles today with Shelly and our co-worker, Justin. It's only the second time since the marathon that I've run five miles, and it's the longest I've run since the marathon.
It didn't feel good today, but it made me happy. I had some weird tightness in my hamstring and soreness in my shoulder, which means I was running tense. Towards the end of the run, I got a stitch in my side. But I ran five miles at an average 10:26 pace. Not too shabby! It's a run that I'm proud of. I'm relieved to know I can still run more than two or three miles at a time.
It's really weird to switch gears and get into triathlon training. It's totally foreign to only be running two or three times a week. The only reason we ran five today was to avoid thunderstorms tomorrow, so we turned today's four-miler into five and we're skipping the run tomorrow. I think it was worth it.
I'm worried about Shelly. She hasn't had a good run since the marathon. She's been having calf issues that cause her to have to stop and walk it out on nearly every run. I haven't been stopping to walk with her. I feel guilty about leaving my partner behind, but we run so infrequently now that I can't make myself stop to walk. Justin and I just keep on running, and he challenges me to run slightly faster than is comfortable after several months of slow-paced marathon training. I miss running with Shelly though. I hope she starts to feel better soon.
Swimming and yoga tomorrow. Hooray!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Newbie
Shelly and I officially started triathlon training this week. We're training for the Capital of Texas "First Tri" on Memorial Day, and we're going to do the Windcrest Freshman Tri at the beginning of May as a practice race. It's all very exciting.
Shelly and I have a great plan (we think) - we're tri training through the spring. This is recovery after 9 months of base building last year that culminated in a marathon attempt last month. After the Windcrest Tri, we'll know if we like it or not. Maybe we'll pick another tri this summer to train for. Or maybe we won't really like it and we'll drop swimming and biking and start building our running base earlier for the marathon we're planning to run in November.
I'm a newbie again for the first time in 10 years. It's a really weird feeling. I'm not a great runner, but I know how running works. I've read the books and the message boards and I've gotten advice from other runners, and I know how to sign up for a race and train for a race. I know what to wear. I know when to replace my shoes. I know how to do hill repeats and speed work and long runs and recovery runs, and I know why you do all those things.
Now I have to learn all that stuff for triathlon, and it's kind of daunting. I've read a couple of books about triathlon training, and we got a 12-week training program out of one of the books. I have a book on swimming (Total Immersion), and we're using that to learn to swim.
After our first week of training, I have some takeaways:
Shelly and I have a great plan (we think) - we're tri training through the spring. This is recovery after 9 months of base building last year that culminated in a marathon attempt last month. After the Windcrest Tri, we'll know if we like it or not. Maybe we'll pick another tri this summer to train for. Or maybe we won't really like it and we'll drop swimming and biking and start building our running base earlier for the marathon we're planning to run in November.
I'm a newbie again for the first time in 10 years. It's a really weird feeling. I'm not a great runner, but I know how running works. I've read the books and the message boards and I've gotten advice from other runners, and I know how to sign up for a race and train for a race. I know what to wear. I know when to replace my shoes. I know how to do hill repeats and speed work and long runs and recovery runs, and I know why you do all those things.
Now I have to learn all that stuff for triathlon, and it's kind of daunting. I've read a couple of books about triathlon training, and we got a 12-week training program out of one of the books. I have a book on swimming (Total Immersion), and we're using that to learn to swim.
After our first week of training, I have some takeaways:
- I'm not tired for the first time in 20 weeks. The first week of beginner sprint tri training is way easier than a marathon taper.
- I love swimming. It feels amazing to slip through the water, and I think I could be good at it. But I hate chlorine, and I hate putting on a swimsuit. I also hate shopping for a swimsuit, which I need to do because we're going to be swimming twice a week and I don't want to do a ton of laundry.
- I love spin class and I love to ride my bike. I especially love that bike riding involves Robert. It's so much fun to ride with him.
- I don't know how to practice swimming so I can prepare for a triathlon.
- I don't know how to practice riding my bike so I can prepare for a triathlon. I don't even know how to shift gears properly.
- I miss running. I went out for an extra unscheduled run on Saturday just to feel my legs move.
- I miss running. I don't think running three miles, three or four times a week, is going to work for me.
- I miss running. I want to go out and run 10 miles just so I know I still can.
- I miss running. I miss that feeling of satisfied tiredness that I have after I run long on the weekend.
- I miss running. I think I underestimated how running takes the edge off my anxiety.
- I miss running. I've got to figure out a way to get more running into this training plan.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Better Late Than Never!
It's almost a month later already and I haven't written an Austin Marathon race report. By popular demand (i.e., Leslie's request), here it is.
This was my first marathon, and it was 100% a learning experience. It was a disappointing (extremely disappointing) experience too, but upon reflection, it seems like anytime I undertake some big, meaningful endeavor (i.e., a giant race), it usually ends up being disappointing. Maybe I get my hopes up too high, or maybe I have unrealistic expectations for these types of things. Maybe I freeze up out of panic on the day of the big event. Maybe I'm too hard on myself... but for the half marathon it was true, and it turns out to be true for the marathon as well.
Anyway, Shelly and I trained our hearts out and really enjoyed the training. During the 20 weeks that we trained for this race, I skipped only two runs. That's pretty amazing, and unprecedented for me. We ran two 20 milers with little difficulty; in fact, every long run we did over 15 miles, I felt like I could keep going afterwards and complete a marathon.
Our plan was to stick to the 5-hour pace group and finish the race in 4:59:59.
Here's the report:
Miles 1-2: We went out too fast, trying to keep our pace group in sight.
Miles 2-7: After finally catching up with our pace group, we struggled to find our groove.
Miles 8-13.1: We settled into an 11:20 pace, running steadily over the hills. When we passed the turnoff where the half-marathoners went one way and we went the other, I became quite emotional. Wow, we're really doing it. We're going somewhere I've never been before. This is amazing. I had to choke back tears and had a little trouble breathing.
Mile 14: Shelly confessed that she wasn't feeling well: GI issues. We switched out water bottles with my family. (Thanks for being there, Mom, Dad, and Robert!)
Mile 15: We started to look for a porta-potty. When we stopped at the one at Mile 15, there was a line. We waited in the line for 5 minutes, which was just enough time for my calves and hamstrings to cramp up. After we left the porta-potties, I asked if we could walk to loosen up my legs. It was the first time Shelly and I smiled since the race started.
Miles 16-20: Shelly and I walked a mile and then ran/walked the rest. Shelly was really not feeling well. We said we'd meet my family at Mile 20 and ask Dad if he thought Shelly needed to DNF and get a ride back with them, or if she could walk on to the end of the race.
Miles 20-26: Mom and Robert walked us in to the finish.
Mile 26-26.2: Shelly and I ran feebly across the finish line (6:01) and picked up our finisher's shirts and medals.
It was pretty much a disaster, but it was a learning experience. After a day to think and cry about it, Shelly and I have decided to try again this fall at the San Antonio Rock 'n' Roll Marathon. In my secret dreams, in November, we are going to take an hour and 15 minutes off our marathon PR.
This was my first marathon, and it was 100% a learning experience. It was a disappointing (extremely disappointing) experience too, but upon reflection, it seems like anytime I undertake some big, meaningful endeavor (i.e., a giant race), it usually ends up being disappointing. Maybe I get my hopes up too high, or maybe I have unrealistic expectations for these types of things. Maybe I freeze up out of panic on the day of the big event. Maybe I'm too hard on myself... but for the half marathon it was true, and it turns out to be true for the marathon as well.
Anyway, Shelly and I trained our hearts out and really enjoyed the training. During the 20 weeks that we trained for this race, I skipped only two runs. That's pretty amazing, and unprecedented for me. We ran two 20 milers with little difficulty; in fact, every long run we did over 15 miles, I felt like I could keep going afterwards and complete a marathon.
Our plan was to stick to the 5-hour pace group and finish the race in 4:59:59.
Here's the report:
Miles 1-2: We went out too fast, trying to keep our pace group in sight.
Miles 2-7: After finally catching up with our pace group, we struggled to find our groove.
Miles 8-13.1: We settled into an 11:20 pace, running steadily over the hills. When we passed the turnoff where the half-marathoners went one way and we went the other, I became quite emotional. Wow, we're really doing it. We're going somewhere I've never been before. This is amazing. I had to choke back tears and had a little trouble breathing.
Mile 14: Shelly confessed that she wasn't feeling well: GI issues. We switched out water bottles with my family. (Thanks for being there, Mom, Dad, and Robert!)
Mile 15: We started to look for a porta-potty. When we stopped at the one at Mile 15, there was a line. We waited in the line for 5 minutes, which was just enough time for my calves and hamstrings to cramp up. After we left the porta-potties, I asked if we could walk to loosen up my legs. It was the first time Shelly and I smiled since the race started.
Miles 16-20: Shelly and I walked a mile and then ran/walked the rest. Shelly was really not feeling well. We said we'd meet my family at Mile 20 and ask Dad if he thought Shelly needed to DNF and get a ride back with them, or if she could walk on to the end of the race.
Miles 20-26: Mom and Robert walked us in to the finish.
Mile 26-26.2: Shelly and I ran feebly across the finish line (6:01) and picked up our finisher's shirts and medals.
It was pretty much a disaster, but it was a learning experience. After a day to think and cry about it, Shelly and I have decided to try again this fall at the San Antonio Rock 'n' Roll Marathon. In my secret dreams, in November, we are going to take an hour and 15 minutes off our marathon PR.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
It's All Uphill From Here!
Today, Shelly and I ran our first "real" long run of our marathon training program. It's the first real run because we ran further today than we have ever run before (on one continuous run). We ran 15 miles on the Scenic Loop Road.
We carbo loaded last night at PF Chang's. I think I was pretty nervous because the dinner felt like a rock in my stomach as we were eating. This morning, I was definitely nervous before the run, as evidenced by 4 trips to the restroom before leaving the house (is this too much information? Sorry.). On my way out, I told Robert that I wasn't sure if I was feeling bad because I was nervous, or because of the dinner last night. "It's nerves," he grumbled, in a half-asleep state, "go out and run." So I did.
The run was pretty good! We had our Garmins with us (Shelly's ran out of batteries halfway through), our new packs of Clif Shot Blox (we're trying those instead of Sports Beans for variety), and good attitudes. We ran past the 6-mile mark on the Scenic Loop into uncharted territory. Our plan was to run 7.5 miles out and then turn around. There were some ridiculous new hills, including one incline that lasted almost a mile. As we came closer to the 7.5 mile mark, we saw a busy intersection ahead. Having passed our turnaround point, we ran up to the intersection just to see what road it was. We'd reached the Boerne Stage Road; the Scenic Loop Cafe was in front of us! I couldn't believe we'd run all the way to the Scenic Loop Cafe. We turned around and headed back.
The second half of the run passed by uneventfully, except for Shelly getting a rock in her shoe (as usual) and spilling a river of snot out her nose when she bent over to take off her shoe (again, TMI? Sorry.). Luckily, we had some Kleenex (and something to laugh about for a couple of minutes).
As we approached mile 12, we were running down a hill. We saw a cyclist at the bottom of the hill, and discussed whether we should move into the middle of the road so that he could proceed up the hill without having to swerve around us. As we came closer, I realized that we knew him...the cyclist was Robert! It was so cool to see him! He'd decided to surprise me and also get a workout in. I think seeing him gave me the energy to finish the run.
When we got to mile 13.1, we exclaimed that we'd just run a half-marathon, and every step beyond would be further than we'd ever run before. Although we ran into a little trouble with having a low supply of water, we finished the run happily and walked like grandmas into Roger Soler's Sports to buy a drink.
Hooray! Eight more runs, each one longer than the last, to go! (Not really, but it sounds impressive, doesn't it?) 16 miles next week.
We carbo loaded last night at PF Chang's. I think I was pretty nervous because the dinner felt like a rock in my stomach as we were eating. This morning, I was definitely nervous before the run, as evidenced by 4 trips to the restroom before leaving the house (is this too much information? Sorry.). On my way out, I told Robert that I wasn't sure if I was feeling bad because I was nervous, or because of the dinner last night. "It's nerves," he grumbled, in a half-asleep state, "go out and run." So I did.
The run was pretty good! We had our Garmins with us (Shelly's ran out of batteries halfway through), our new packs of Clif Shot Blox (we're trying those instead of Sports Beans for variety), and good attitudes. We ran past the 6-mile mark on the Scenic Loop into uncharted territory. Our plan was to run 7.5 miles out and then turn around. There were some ridiculous new hills, including one incline that lasted almost a mile. As we came closer to the 7.5 mile mark, we saw a busy intersection ahead. Having passed our turnaround point, we ran up to the intersection just to see what road it was. We'd reached the Boerne Stage Road; the Scenic Loop Cafe was in front of us! I couldn't believe we'd run all the way to the Scenic Loop Cafe. We turned around and headed back.
The second half of the run passed by uneventfully, except for Shelly getting a rock in her shoe (as usual) and spilling a river of snot out her nose when she bent over to take off her shoe (again, TMI? Sorry.). Luckily, we had some Kleenex (and something to laugh about for a couple of minutes).
As we approached mile 12, we were running down a hill. We saw a cyclist at the bottom of the hill, and discussed whether we should move into the middle of the road so that he could proceed up the hill without having to swerve around us. As we came closer, I realized that we knew him...the cyclist was Robert! It was so cool to see him! He'd decided to surprise me and also get a workout in. I think seeing him gave me the energy to finish the run.
When we got to mile 13.1, we exclaimed that we'd just run a half-marathon, and every step beyond would be further than we'd ever run before. Although we ran into a little trouble with having a low supply of water, we finished the run happily and walked like grandmas into Roger Soler's Sports to buy a drink.
Hooray! Eight more runs, each one longer than the last, to go! (Not really, but it sounds impressive, doesn't it?) 16 miles next week.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
A Little Change in Plans
I'm too lazy to write about the whole thing, so let me just say that the Rock 'n' Roll 1/2 Marathon was great. Shelly and I finished in about 2:20, which is right in the middle of our happy pace range.
So now it's time to really get training for the marathon. *eek*
The big news is that Shelly entered a contest and won ... and the prize was a paid entry into the New Orleans Mardi Gras Marathon in February 2009! So we thanked our lucky stars that we hadn't already signed up for the Austin Marathon, adjusted our training schedule for a race that is two weeks earlier than we'd planned, and booked a hotel in New Orleans for February.
Laizzez les bon temps rouler!
So now it's time to really get training for the marathon. *eek*
The big news is that Shelly entered a contest and won ... and the prize was a paid entry into the New Orleans Mardi Gras Marathon in February 2009! So we thanked our lucky stars that we hadn't already signed up for the Austin Marathon, adjusted our training schedule for a race that is two weeks earlier than we'd planned, and booked a hotel in New Orleans for February.
Laizzez les bon temps rouler!
I Love You, Garmin
Robert gave me a Garmin 305 as an early Christmas/birthday present. I've casually wanted one for years, but as Shelly and I train for a marathon, it has become almost a necessity rather than a luxury.
Having said that, I have to say that today's run with the Garmin was luxurious! Guessing about our pace? A thing of the past. Estimating how much further we had to run to reach our 6-mile goal today? Don't be ridiculous. I have that information right here on my wrist! Wondering if we're running too fast? Nope, let me check the Garmin...it says we're right on track for our goal pace.
It was so super cool! I love my new gadget. It's the perfect running companion for someone who wants to be precise about distance measurements! Go Garmin! And thank you, Robert, for the perfect present.
Having said that, I have to say that today's run with the Garmin was luxurious! Guessing about our pace? A thing of the past. Estimating how much further we had to run to reach our 6-mile goal today? Don't be ridiculous. I have that information right here on my wrist! Wondering if we're running too fast? Nope, let me check the Garmin...it says we're right on track for our goal pace.
It was so super cool! I love my new gadget. It's the perfect running companion for someone who wants to be precise about distance measurements! Go Garmin! And thank you, Robert, for the perfect present.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
The First Long Run
Shelly and I just finished week 4 of our training for the Austin marathon. We're following Hal Higdon's Novice 1 program, which has us running 4 days a week and peaking at a long run of 20 miles. We're working the San Antonio Rock n Roll Half Marathon into the plan, so we've actually modified Higdon's program a little by repeating some of the weeks.
Today was our first long run of the training program. We ran 9 miles on Scenic Loop Road at 7:30 this morning. Last week's "long" run was a 5 miler; the last time I ran 9 miles was up a mountain at Reach the Beach 6 weeks ago. I didn't sleep so well last night - I guess I was a little nervous about this run.
We had an amazing run. I mean, it was an amazing run. I don't even know how else to describe it! We ran 5 miles out and 4 miles back, and then walked the last mile back to our cars.
The first half felt like a normal, everyday long run. As usual, the first couple of miles were weird until I got into a rhythm. Then it felt fine. We trotted along, chatting and laughing, enjoying the 55 degree weather (Lesson Learned: Do not wear long sleeves when it's 55 degrees outside. You will get hot after 7 minutes).
At mile 4 we started eating our first pack of sports beans and began to ascend The Hill, a mile-long hill that just seems to keep going and going. We hammered up it and then turned around to head back. Shelly struggled a bit, so we walked for about 30 seconds on our way back down.
But then... the run turned AMAZING! The second half of the run felt like a breeze. We were flying back towards the start. We even passed some roadkill (two runners and an actual dead animal). Both of us felt incredible for the 4 miles back to the cars. I felt like I was floating along in my fabulous, new, pillowy-cloud shoes (Asics Gel Kayanos).
I don't even know what happened, but I hope every long run feels like that. Last week's run was fantastic too. I guess Shelly and I have gotten into really good shape somewhere along the way. The cooler weather probably has something to do with it too. Hooray for a fantastic long run! Shelly, how about another high five!
Today was our first long run of the training program. We ran 9 miles on Scenic Loop Road at 7:30 this morning. Last week's "long" run was a 5 miler; the last time I ran 9 miles was up a mountain at Reach the Beach 6 weeks ago. I didn't sleep so well last night - I guess I was a little nervous about this run.
We had an amazing run. I mean, it was an amazing run. I don't even know how else to describe it! We ran 5 miles out and 4 miles back, and then walked the last mile back to our cars.
The first half felt like a normal, everyday long run. As usual, the first couple of miles were weird until I got into a rhythm. Then it felt fine. We trotted along, chatting and laughing, enjoying the 55 degree weather (Lesson Learned: Do not wear long sleeves when it's 55 degrees outside. You will get hot after 7 minutes).
At mile 4 we started eating our first pack of sports beans and began to ascend The Hill, a mile-long hill that just seems to keep going and going. We hammered up it and then turned around to head back. Shelly struggled a bit, so we walked for about 30 seconds on our way back down.
But then... the run turned AMAZING! The second half of the run felt like a breeze. We were flying back towards the start. We even passed some roadkill (two runners and an actual dead animal). Both of us felt incredible for the 4 miles back to the cars. I felt like I was floating along in my fabulous, new, pillowy-cloud shoes (Asics Gel Kayanos).
I don't even know what happened, but I hope every long run feels like that. Last week's run was fantastic too. I guess Shelly and I have gotten into really good shape somewhere along the way. The cooler weather probably has something to do with it too. Hooray for a fantastic long run! Shelly, how about another high five!
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