What's up with the heat?? I'll never pick up my pace if we have 95-100 degree heat.
Tried to do some speed work up hills on Thursday. What a joke!! I set my GPS wrong, so for a while I had no idea what my pace was, and I set way too many intervals. It's one of those days where you just laugh at yourself and say, "Well, I tried."
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Final decision
I finally decided not to do the 50K this Saturday. I decided that my weekly mileage and long runs are not high enough to support such a long race. My pace has been so slow, and I've been taking walk breaks when I never would have before my injury. MMTR is most important right now, so I need to focus on that. There's plenty of local races to fill that fix.
I'm so worried about my pace. It has been so slow. I can't seem to get out of this mental funk that I have. I am taking walk breaks when normally I would keep running, and even stopping to drink water, when normally I would just slow to jog to drink. I UNofficially start MMTR training on June 1st, but I threw some runs in the training program to cover the lost 50K. I would also like to drop 8 pounds. I want to weigh 140. Lose this spare tire I seem to carry with me where ever I go. Hot southern summer running will help with that, I hope.
I'm so worried about my pace. It has been so slow. I can't seem to get out of this mental funk that I have. I am taking walk breaks when normally I would keep running, and even stopping to drink water, when normally I would just slow to jog to drink. I UNofficially start MMTR training on June 1st, but I threw some runs in the training program to cover the lost 50K. I would also like to drop 8 pounds. I want to weigh 140. Lose this spare tire I seem to carry with me where ever I go. Hot southern summer running will help with that, I hope.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Undecided
I went for a trail run Friday afternoon. My original plan was to go 12 miles. I started at 1:40pm. I took plenty of cold water with me, and a bottle of Gatorade. The trail is about 4 miles, so I thought I could loop it, and replenish my water, and not have to carry it all with me.
I made it about 1.77 miles, and had to stop and drink lots of water. I was so hot!! This is South Carolina so it gets hot quick. And, more than half the trail is fully exposed to the sun. I hadn't planned on that either. No sunscreen, and wearing a singlette. I'm so fair skinned, that I will burn like a fry. And I did. Last year I wore singlettes on the trails of Paris Mountain, and never once thought about sunscreen. So this took me by surprise.
Long story short, I only did 1 loop, and just added on 2 more miles back and forth in the shade.
But something occured to me while on this run. I have not acclimated to running in the heat yet. I've been running, but in the morning, when the sun isn't so strong.
So, I started thinking about the Chattooga River 50K race on June 8th. I'm not sure if I should do it. My longest run has been only 10 miles. My weekly mileage has not been consistent every week either. 14-24-9-30-11 each week. I've been so busy, that it was hard to fit my runs in. But even when I did the 30 mile week, I didn't feel any pain in my hamstring, or worn down. I felt great. Then I had 11 this past week. The race has not time limit, so my plan was to run/walk. I also thought I could at least try it, and drop if necessary.
It will also be hot during this race. I'm not sure how much of the trail is in the shade. But there are aid stations, and I will carry my energy drink with me. I will also apply plenty of sunscreen.
But there's an entirely different element to my decision for this race. June 8th is also the day my mother died, 8 years ago. It's also my younger sister's birthday. I had every intention of running this race in honor of them. That is very important to me.
So, with all this, I can't decide if I should do the race. I really do want to. I started to email the race director to tell her I would not be there, but I couldn't do it. I've already missed her first 2 races from this hamstring injury, and I just feel the need to do a race. But the question is SHOULD I do it.
My big goal race is Mountain Masochist 50 mile on November 1st. I DNF'd last year, and I have to conquer it this year. That is the biggest goal this year. My training will start right after the 50K on June 8th. I just hate to not do something, not knowing if I really could've finished it.
Anyone have thoughts about this? Any advise?
Cheri
I made it about 1.77 miles, and had to stop and drink lots of water. I was so hot!! This is South Carolina so it gets hot quick. And, more than half the trail is fully exposed to the sun. I hadn't planned on that either. No sunscreen, and wearing a singlette. I'm so fair skinned, that I will burn like a fry. And I did. Last year I wore singlettes on the trails of Paris Mountain, and never once thought about sunscreen. So this took me by surprise.
Long story short, I only did 1 loop, and just added on 2 more miles back and forth in the shade.
But something occured to me while on this run. I have not acclimated to running in the heat yet. I've been running, but in the morning, when the sun isn't so strong.
So, I started thinking about the Chattooga River 50K race on June 8th. I'm not sure if I should do it. My longest run has been only 10 miles. My weekly mileage has not been consistent every week either. 14-24-9-30-11 each week. I've been so busy, that it was hard to fit my runs in. But even when I did the 30 mile week, I didn't feel any pain in my hamstring, or worn down. I felt great. Then I had 11 this past week. The race has not time limit, so my plan was to run/walk. I also thought I could at least try it, and drop if necessary.
It will also be hot during this race. I'm not sure how much of the trail is in the shade. But there are aid stations, and I will carry my energy drink with me. I will also apply plenty of sunscreen.
But there's an entirely different element to my decision for this race. June 8th is also the day my mother died, 8 years ago. It's also my younger sister's birthday. I had every intention of running this race in honor of them. That is very important to me.
So, with all this, I can't decide if I should do the race. I really do want to. I started to email the race director to tell her I would not be there, but I couldn't do it. I've already missed her first 2 races from this hamstring injury, and I just feel the need to do a race. But the question is SHOULD I do it.
My big goal race is Mountain Masochist 50 mile on November 1st. I DNF'd last year, and I have to conquer it this year. That is the biggest goal this year. My training will start right after the 50K on June 8th. I just hate to not do something, not knowing if I really could've finished it.
Anyone have thoughts about this? Any advise?
Cheri
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Ever have those days?
Every once in a while, there is a day when you just don't feel like exercising. Today was one of those days. Of course, I felt guilty for it. I should've been out there cycling tonight since I couldn't run this morning. But, I just decided to go to my son's soccer practice, and watch him kick 2 GOALS!!! I would've missed it. Gotta remind myself that family will always come first.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Getting slower?
I can't seem to get my pace back to where it was before my injury. I fell on February 9th. It's now May 15th. 3 months later, and I don't feel anywhere near what I could do.
It seems that everyone around me is getting faster. My sister just finished a 10K, with an 8:48 pace. She just started running not too long ago. I'm so proud of her!!
I guess I just want to be where I was last year. I will start training for my 50 miler in 1 month. I need to get my mileage back up there. I have a plan written out, but I need to make some final adjustments to it.
My fitness is very important to me, but my training log doesn't reflect that. There are quite a few blank pages. Of course I've been busy and my husband was out of town for 2 weeks. Made it hard to get exercise in with 2 young kids. Why do I feel I'm in such a slump? Everyone around me is faster, and I'm struggling to keep up. I think I need a good, short race to get my spirits up. I need to find a 5K or an 8K. I could run those fast. Need to show myself that I can still do it.
Wow. Enough whining from me. Get to have a date night with my husband tomorrow night. Yea!!
It seems that everyone around me is getting faster. My sister just finished a 10K, with an 8:48 pace. She just started running not too long ago. I'm so proud of her!!
I guess I just want to be where I was last year. I will start training for my 50 miler in 1 month. I need to get my mileage back up there. I have a plan written out, but I need to make some final adjustments to it.
My fitness is very important to me, but my training log doesn't reflect that. There are quite a few blank pages. Of course I've been busy and my husband was out of town for 2 weeks. Made it hard to get exercise in with 2 young kids. Why do I feel I'm in such a slump? Everyone around me is faster, and I'm struggling to keep up. I think I need a good, short race to get my spirits up. I need to find a 5K or an 8K. I could run those fast. Need to show myself that I can still do it.
Wow. Enough whining from me. Get to have a date night with my husband tomorrow night. Yea!!
What a week!!
This has been a busy exercise week for me. I didn't sub at the preschool, so I actually had time to run. Two weeks ago, I ran 24 miles, and cycled 21. Last week I cycled 30 miles, but only ran 9. What's up with that? This week is much better. I did weights 2 times, and ran 4 days in a row. I already have over 22 miles, and still have a long run on Saturday. I'm hitting the trails, and I'm so excited. I miss running on the trails with my girlfriends.
We've had some heart to heart, funny, confessing, and even simple conversations while hitting the trails. That's a big thing for me. I love those conversations. It's great to have someone to talk to when you're running for 5 hours. That would be really lonely.
I'll let you know how it goes.
Still think about a 100 miler.
Cheri
We've had some heart to heart, funny, confessing, and even simple conversations while hitting the trails. That's a big thing for me. I love those conversations. It's great to have someone to talk to when you're running for 5 hours. That would be really lonely.
I'll let you know how it goes.
Still think about a 100 miler.
Cheri
Saturday, May 3, 2008
I might get over 20 miles in this week. Snaps for me!! My hamstring is doing much better, as long as I keep up on the stretching.
I'm registering for Mountain Masochist this week. I own that mountain this year!! I'm actually excited about it. Now I know what to expect, and what's ahead of me. I need to rewrite my training program though. I was always exhausted at the end of each week last year. I know I need the mileage, but I need to add a little more cross training.
My husband, and a few friends think I'm crazier than normal, but I'm seriously considering a 100 miler next year. I've read about the Rocky Raccoon, but that's in February. I wonder if that's too soon after Mountain Masochist, or if I need to train a lot longer for a race of that distance. Anyone have ideas? I would need to find a good training plan for that, too.
I'm so happy to be running again. I really did miss it.
I'm registering for Mountain Masochist this week. I own that mountain this year!! I'm actually excited about it. Now I know what to expect, and what's ahead of me. I need to rewrite my training program though. I was always exhausted at the end of each week last year. I know I need the mileage, but I need to add a little more cross training.
My husband, and a few friends think I'm crazier than normal, but I'm seriously considering a 100 miler next year. I've read about the Rocky Raccoon, but that's in February. I wonder if that's too soon after Mountain Masochist, or if I need to train a lot longer for a race of that distance. Anyone have ideas? I would need to find a good training plan for that, too.
I'm so happy to be running again. I really did miss it.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Hello everyone, I'm new to this blogger thing, and I've been told that this is a great place to talk to other "crazies", like me.
I've been running for 4 1/2 years, but started trail running in January 2007. I've been stuck there ever since. I also just started ultra running last year as well. Trails and ultras seem to go together.
It all started at the Black Mountain Marathon/Mount Mitchell Challenge in February 2007. Two Friends and I trained for the marathon for a few months, and at the prerace meeting, we were told (by another runner -innocently enough) that we were doing the short race. The challenge was on.
So we found a 50K in June , and completed it, with the first 5 hours in the rain. In South Carolina, in June, rain wasn't so bad. Until the rain stopped, and the sun came out, in the afternoon. It was miserable. But I survived.
Wouldn't you know it? I went for an easy run a couple weeks later on the road, and twisted my ankle on a rock. I didn't go to the doctor, when I should have. I'm so bad about that. It turned out I broke it.
I decided to do a 50 miler, and the closest one to home was Mountain Masochist in Lynchburg, VA. The training was on. It was miserable training at the end of summer. We had a massive heat wave that put temps up to 105-107, with heat index up to 118. It was just so hot!! It's not like I was training for Badwater.
I did well at the race, except for one thing. I didn't finish. I had a good strategy, which was to just make it the next aid station. And then the next one. I did that great. Until AS 15, when I was 2 minutes behind the cut off time, and was pulled from the race, with only 8 miles to go. I haven't felt such disappointment in a very long time. I made it 46 miles, but was not allowed to finish. My first DNF, and I struggled with it. I will be back next year.
Now, I'm battling another injury. On Feb 9th, I was on my last long training run in the mountains, when I tripped on a rock, and pulled my proximal hamstring. I tried to do the race the next week in a lot of pain. The whole time on the course, I thought to myself, "Why am I doing this? I can only imagine what the doctor will find when I see him this week." So I decided to pull myself at the half way point. That was very difficult for me. I was OK with it on the trail, but when I actually told them, I broke. My second DNF.
The doctor sent me to physical therapy. I've been very good about that, and went for about 5 weeks. I tried running in the meantime, but struggled with pain each time. So I quit running, and cross trained instead. I just started running last week. I'm up to 5 miles at a time, now. I'm keeping in mind my goal for this year: MMTR. I own that mountain!!!
I've been running for 4 1/2 years, but started trail running in January 2007. I've been stuck there ever since. I also just started ultra running last year as well. Trails and ultras seem to go together.
It all started at the Black Mountain Marathon/Mount Mitchell Challenge in February 2007. Two Friends and I trained for the marathon for a few months, and at the prerace meeting, we were told (by another runner -innocently enough) that we were doing the short race. The challenge was on.
So we found a 50K in June , and completed it, with the first 5 hours in the rain. In South Carolina, in June, rain wasn't so bad. Until the rain stopped, and the sun came out, in the afternoon. It was miserable. But I survived.
Wouldn't you know it? I went for an easy run a couple weeks later on the road, and twisted my ankle on a rock. I didn't go to the doctor, when I should have. I'm so bad about that. It turned out I broke it.
I decided to do a 50 miler, and the closest one to home was Mountain Masochist in Lynchburg, VA. The training was on. It was miserable training at the end of summer. We had a massive heat wave that put temps up to 105-107, with heat index up to 118. It was just so hot!! It's not like I was training for Badwater.
I did well at the race, except for one thing. I didn't finish. I had a good strategy, which was to just make it the next aid station. And then the next one. I did that great. Until AS 15, when I was 2 minutes behind the cut off time, and was pulled from the race, with only 8 miles to go. I haven't felt such disappointment in a very long time. I made it 46 miles, but was not allowed to finish. My first DNF, and I struggled with it. I will be back next year.
Now, I'm battling another injury. On Feb 9th, I was on my last long training run in the mountains, when I tripped on a rock, and pulled my proximal hamstring. I tried to do the race the next week in a lot of pain. The whole time on the course, I thought to myself, "Why am I doing this? I can only imagine what the doctor will find when I see him this week." So I decided to pull myself at the half way point. That was very difficult for me. I was OK with it on the trail, but when I actually told them, I broke. My second DNF.
The doctor sent me to physical therapy. I've been very good about that, and went for about 5 weeks. I tried running in the meantime, but struggled with pain each time. So I quit running, and cross trained instead. I just started running last week. I'm up to 5 miles at a time, now. I'm keeping in mind my goal for this year: MMTR. I own that mountain!!!
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