Hills and Speedwork in the same workout.

I sat in my kitchen for 10 minutes trying to get myself to go run. I finally did. I had a lot of stress and other issues bubbling around in my brain. I finally went outside and stretched out to run. I had planned all week to do either 5 or 7.5 today, and here I was, struggling to even put my shoes on. As I stretched, I decided I would do a hill workout and just go from there. As I ran, I decided I would do hills and speed - why not? At just over a mile in to my regular route is an overpass. I ran over that, back over that, and then back again. I hit mile two at about the top of the 3rd crest. I was fairly happy with how fast I was able to climb the hills, and then speed up on the way down. I began my walking recovery at about 2.4 miles and after my first bout of that - I decided to do start the speedwork. I hit mile 3 just as I was to start the climb on the overpass again and for the last time. I walked the flat and then "sprinted" the downhill. I don't know whether to call what I was doing "fartleks" or if they weren't more accurately "strides". In any event, I was enjoying myself, except for the wind. It was a cold wind, and a bit of a bear when it was a headwind.

In any event, I ended up with splits of 9:11, 9:15, 9:49, 10:51, and 3:52. My overall pace was slower than I wanted, but I suppose that is due to the far too much walking I did in mile 4 - and the headwind. On a good note, there was a 669 calorie burn. Maybe tomorrow I'll get in a long run in preparation for the Siberian. I hope I can get it done with no rain

Finally! A run!

When I strapped on my shoes, my original intention was a 4 mile run. A couple of delays, including my daughter telling me she wanted to go along and we had a change of plans.

Even though it was about 60, I felt cold - especially in my hands. There was a strong wind - but I am not smart enough to know to what effect it had on my performance. I just knew I needed to get moving. Some athletes have "rest days". I apparently had a "rest week".

I ended up running 2 miles relatively hard, which meant I had nothing in the tank for the 3rd mile. Lack of training is really showing. Splits were 8:32 and 8:37. In the 3rd mile, I walked and then I ran hard. I don't know if you call them sprints, strides, or fartleks. The more I read, the less I seem to know the answer to that question. I primarily went from pole to pole as my sprint distance, except near the end when I cut the walking. Buster went with me again, and since it was as dark as it was, I don't know when or where he cut the course, but he blazed past me in the last 100 yards to kick my tail. My lungs seemed scorched afterwards for a couple of hours. I had no hip or other pain, but my legs felt heavy at the end of mile 2.

After the drive to work this morning, my hip was stiff and sore. It seems to have worked itself out now though.

I hope to run 4 tonight. Always hinges on supper, the kids, and just how darn tired I am.

Oh, I threw the picture in as an experiment. I haven't added pictures before, but would like to do more of that.

Saturday fun

So yesterday I had thoughts of running four or five miles. I ended up going a little shorter than originally planned. I went just over 3. You see, at mile 1 I looked behind me and Buster (my aging pound puppy) was slowly following. He used to sprint and bound ahead of me. He is 11 or so years old now and I noticed the slowdown about April/May of this year. Even last winter he was ahead of me. I ended up doing a warm up mile, then a normal exertion mile. On the 3rd mile I did some interval type speed work at 90 seconds. Overall fairly happy with the run. After the run I wanted a little more exercise and had a bit of time before getting the kids from the birthday party so I did a quick bike ride. (2 miles) In the evening we lit a fire to roast hotdogs and make smores. I couldn't find enough good wood around here so I bought some. Holy cow, never again will I do that.

It is now noon and Beth hasn't gotten back home yet. I don't know if I will get a run in today or not. I was hoping to do my own mini duathlon for "10/10". If I was in better shape I'd run 10 miles - but I don't have that kind of time! I am hoping to run 2, bike 10 and then run 2. My nutrition hasn't been the best of late so I need to work harder if I am going to get to 190 by Christmas.

Sunday, October 3

It was a great morning for a run. Did a one mile warm up, then 1 mile of speed work, then 1 mile of recovery. Would have been faster except Buster (my dog) decided to have a chat with the neighbor's dog. All was well, but I couldn't just let him stand there and circle. He most certainly would have lost. At least I burned 452 calories!