I've been training for my first half marathon of 2013, which is coming up this Sunday in Carlsbad. I use a training app from Runner's World called "Smart coach" which tells me which days to run, how far, and how fast.
Getting back into running after training and doing the 3 Day last November hasn't been easy. I felt like I lost my "base" of running fitness. The first few weeks were brutal, but I stuck it out. After a month (late December), I started to feel pretty good again. I was no where near as fast as I was last Spring, but at least a run didn't feel like torture! For the past month, I've been doing about 30 miles per week, with my longest run being 11+ miles. By all measures, I am ready for 13.1 miles on Sunday. I know I won't set a personal record (PR), but I should be able to at least be competitive with my times from last year. If I could maintain a 10 minute mile, I would be thrilled, but I think 10:30 is more realistic.
But this week I feel like lead! The training app had me run 4 miles Tuesday and Wednesday, then a tempo run of 5 miles today. Tuesday's run was great. While I wasn't really trying to run fast, I did. (Which made up for a bad run on Sunday that I have legitimate excuses for: it was hotter than normal; I had eaten lunch just an hour before; and it was a hilly route). But yesterday's run was tough. Then today at the gym, I barely hung on for the 3 miles at a tempo pace. When I finished, I was beet red and annoyed at myself. What the heck? The trainer is telling me to run an easy 4 tomorrow and rest on Saturday. I think I'm going to rest tomorrow instead, although it will be hard not to run because I have a new Garmin to try out.
I've been getting plenty of sleep and eating very well this week. Actually, better than most weeks. I've been drinking more water. I would have expected to be feeling on top of the world instead of dragging myself through workouts. I should be wanting to run MORE because I feel so strong, not less. What's up with that? I was hoping to end this race training feeling like I could kick some serious bootie.
The point of this post isn't the nitty gritty of my training, though.
It's the mental skirmish that has started because of it. You see, I just can't have a bad day or two. My mind instantly goes to....am I having bad workouts because I'm sick? Could I be fighting one of the myriad of viruses that is going around right now? Olivier did comment about feeling a little "off" this morning. Or even worse....has cancer has come back? Is my body using its energy to fight evil mutating cells?? I have enough energy to get through my day otherwise. But what if....what if....what if....
I hate the what ifs.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
2012 by the numbers
I really enjoy my Garmin GPS watch. Not only does it give me my pace and distance information, I am able to upload it to Garmin's website and track my workouts and progress. You can really "geek out" on some of the data you can get.
In short, I covered a total of 1,631.09 miles! (It took 350 hours, 15 minutes, and 15 seconds....over 2 weeks, lol!)
For data geeks like me, here is how Garmin breaks it down:
Running
Walking
Biking
Swimming
In short, I covered a total of 1,631.09 miles! (It took 350 hours, 15 minutes, and 15 seconds....over 2 weeks, lol!)
For data geeks like me, here is how Garmin breaks it down:
Running
| Count: | 158 Activities |
| Distance: | 834.99 mi |
| Time: | 148:48:23 h:m:s |
| Elevation Gain: | 45,602 ft |
| Avg Speed: | 5.6 mph |
| Avg HR: | 153 bpm |
| Avg Run Cadence: | -- |
| Avg Bike Cadence: | -- |
| Calories: | 54,968 C |
| Avg Distance: | 5.32 mi |
Walking
| Count: | 77 Activities |
| Distance: | 478.06 mi |
| Time: | 148:39:47 h:m:s |
| Elevation Gain: | 60,078 ft |
| Avg Speed: | 3.2 mph |
| Avg HR: | 99 bpm |
| Avg Run Cadence: | -- |
| Avg Bike Cadence: | 0 rpm |
| Calories: | 28,081 C |
| Avg Distance: | 6.21 mi |
Biking
| Count: | 19 Activities |
| Distance: | 289.33 mi |
| Time: | 29:42:05 h:m:s |
| Elevation Gain: | 19,111 ft |
| Avg Speed: | 10.2 mph |
| Avg HR: | 119 bpm |
| Avg Run Cadence: | -- |
| Avg Bike Cadence: | -- |
| Calories: | 11,084 C |
| Avg Distance: | 17.02 mi |
Swimming
| Count: | 25 Activities |
| Distance: | 28.71 mi |
| Time: | 23:05:00 h:m:s |
| Elevation Gain: | -- |
| Avg Speed: | 1.2 mph |
| Avg HR: | -- |
| Avg Run Cadence: | -- |
| Avg Bike Cadence: | -- |
| Calories: | -- |
| Avg Distance: | 1.15 mi |
For Christmas, Eric gave me a Garmin "upgrade," which I haven't cashed in yet. I've pretty much decided on which model I want-one that will track swimming better, I just haven't made the purchase yet. I can only IMAGINE how much data I'll have for 2013!!
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