I'm a former rower, looking at getting into some other form of competition after "retirement" from my pastime of the previous four years. I'm dedicated, but a little held back by my formerly 215lb 6'7" frame.
Another basic Green Lake run, very, very windy outside, still moved pretty well despite all that. Its pretty clear I need new shoes, as these Asics, I've had for a long time (prior to recording my runs here); feel like I'm a few long runs away from getting shin splints in these beasts, and that would be terrible. Went 55:18, a 7:50 pace.
Was going to do my long run today, but felt my shins this morning, and then proceed to smack them against a machine at the gym in the morning (only I could do this). Picked up a new pair of shoes (Asics GT-2150s), and also picked up a high-arched pair of insoles (now that I can finally afford them, thanks Mom and Dad for the Road Runner gift card). Calculated the scattered logs that I have, and realized I had run 523.41 measured miles on my Nimbus-11s, and I know of at least 50 miles of running (mostly races) that I hadn't logged.
So to sum up, did a weight workout in the morning, and swam 4,000 yards in the pool in the afternoon. Strange how swimming makes me so much hungrier than running. Of course, I was a genious and had Pho for lunch, so I had a swollen stomach with nothing in it but chicken broth, water and a miniscule amount of Gatorade in it. Wolfed down some delicious leftover stir-fry from last night when I got home; tremendous!
Depending on how I feel, I might give the shoes a light test-run tomorrow, but I'm leaning towards doing nothing until Tuesday. I should be fine with new shoes and a short run, but I don't want to create any long-term problems. I'll probably end up cycling and using the elliptical in lieu of running for a couple of days.
Tremendous run, was smooth for the longest time, and vented a little at the end because of some stressful stuff that's been going on. Went 1:06:33, which is a 7:25 clip. Wasn't really tired at the end (well immediately after I finished I was breathing hard, because I did a strider to close), but definitely will need to control my pace a little more over the long term. Really fun run though for one day.
Shoes felt great as well! No left knee pain... I guess stability is what I was looking for! Thinking I'm going to do a 5k up in Mt. Vernon next Saturday... we'll how I'm feelin'.
Decent. Felt pretty stiff. Did the loop down to Green Lake, around the outside, a half mile further, and back. Averaged a 7:50 pace, though that slowed to a snail's crawl at the end. I'm still having a hard time pushing myself a little too much on these aerobic runs, and I think that yesterday's tough run took something out of me, as I felt pretty "bleh" most of the time. Less stiffness than yesterday, though, even if I still felt pretty stiff overall!
Felt much better than yesterday, though I'm still adjusting to the shoes. Went out a little fast (as is unfortunately becoming my MO), and got stuck at a couple of lights I usually get through, giving me some unanticipated rest. Can't complain too much! Same loop as ever, down to the lake, around twice and back. Dryer weather is definitely making the ground pretty hard, which is unfortunate as well. Wish we could get a constant slight drizzle, not totally dry/pouring rain. 7:40 pace overall.
Also, I'm thinking of doing a 5k in a week on the 16th in Mount Vernon, just to test how running a faster pace feels. No real expectations, though I'm hoping I'll be able to break 20 by a comfortable clip.
Basic run to Green Lake, around and back, with a slight twist. There's a serious running girl who I see probably 2/3 of the time I do Green Lake runs who goes in the opposite direction, who absolutely trucks it, and almost, without fail, runs the full 3.2 miles in the time I run 3.0, which isn't a terrible deal as I'm going aerobic. But of the dozens of times I've crossed paths with her, she's never actually passed me, because I'm usually going in the opposite direction.
However, this time, I had to run and turn around to hit 7 miles, and as I saw her today, it looked to be an embarrassing day, as it was timed perfectly for me to get passed in my last .2 miles on the lake path. As I made my turn I saw her charging from behind, and couldn't help myself, lifting my aerobic pace to something of a mad dash for a quarter mile. And my foe was thus vanquished (ie I saved myself embarrassment).
Hah, anyways, other than the quarter mile, I stuck to the aerobic pace pretty well. Probably a little fast again, but I'm getting better. 7.01 in 53:55, 7:41 pace.
Well, I can see why a long run is an essential part of training... I was toast at the end of this run, not necessarily heart rate or anything, but just the fact that it was the longest run I've had since the half marathon in November. Timewise, it was almost the same length. Felt great after running it, and now, about an hour after finishing, I can feel it cardio-wise a little (ie I'm exhausted), but there's no leg pain. We'll see how I feel tomorrow, as leg pain kinda sneaks up on me. Funny thing, I saw my dad randomly walking across the street on the home stretch on the 3rd lap. I guess he was walking home from work for exercise, good for him!
Really, really angry; while walking down the stairs in preparation for my run tonight, I missed a step, and came dangerously close to breaking my ankle. I'm out until at least tomorrow, probably Tuesday. Can't get a single solid week of training in to save my life.
Not much to say. Did 80 minutes on the Dreadmill; don't trust its accuracy. It said I did 10.8 miles, but I know it overshoots. Had it at 1.0 incline, 8.0-8.3 speed (depending on how I felt at any given time).
Something is seriously wrong. My legs felt like they fell apart. I get home and my right ankle is swollen, and shins on both tight, etc. I need to take a week off, which is terrible... BQ at Newport is pretty much out the window, after the last month of terrible training, but I need to put everything in perspective. This is a hard sport, and a process; I can aim for intermediary goals and get much faster in the long run without ruining myself in the short term.
First effort at cross-training, which I'm going to do for at least a week. Went back to my torture device of choice for the last five years: the ergometer (rowing machine). Did 60 minutes at a relatively easy pace, went 15642 meters, ~1:55 clip. Not bad, wasn't really tired at the end at all, unfortunately, just sore, as I haven't used some of these muscles in awhile. Going to try some P90x plyometrics as well tonight. I'm over the little mental hissyfit I had yesterday... I need to be thankful for what I have and take the long view with everything.
Went from church to school and after a few hours brushing up on the classes of the week, hit the rec center for a little distraction. An even 5,000 yards at the pool, making the most of my rest from running. Main set was a double peaked pyramid up to 300 yards (ie 25,50, 75, etc. up to 2x300), with 10 seconds rest for everything 200 yds and shorter, and 15 seconds rest for everything longer. Surprised myself with how good I felt, though the last 250 yards total I felt like I was swimming in place. Felt awesome, re-energized me for round two of studying.
About to do an ab circuit, and then time to hammer down and get 3 contracts assignments out of the way... it's a new year and it's going to be great in all ways!
Irregular updates at this point, but that's alright. Did some erging yesterday, and some swimming and weights today. Actually really happy about how everything's going... the screwed up ankle was a good thing mentally for me, as I've been a mess in the head, and a little time off from training is an opportunity to set everything straight.
Went for a run to test the ankle, felt great throughout, but this morning it was swelling a bit again. Frustrating, but I'm doing enough long cardio that my still-developing aerobic system is benefiting, despite not doing what I most want to do (ie running). Probably 3-4 days away from resuming training... seems to get further away each time, but I know if I try run now it'll get worse. Bah.
Still alive, but not feeling comfortable with the ankle yet. Maybe tomorrow. Rediscovering the rowing machine has gone well... though its almost scary how much muscle I've built changing just that (I haven't weights) in a week. Well, the narcissist in me can at least enjoy that for the moment!
Positive vibes on everything else though, feel great about life. This year has seen me with a better attitude towards the important things, and that's far more important than being able to run (though I'm still bummed about that!).
