Hello y’all. I’m back. While I’m feeling much, much better than I did yesterday, I have to say that I’m nearly prostrate from this heat.
Dear Mother Nature, please stop messing around with us. Thank you.
Anyway, the heat has curtailed my activities quite a bit. While the cold weather doesn’t make me want to hibernate, heat does. I’d much rather run when it’s 20 degrees outside than when it’s 90 or, worse, around 100.
Consequently, I haven’t exercised very much this week, which is making me unhappy. Yes, I could go to the gym and hit the treadmill, but treadmills are so Village of Yawn.
Honestly, I think it’s been too hot to go to the pool this week, but my kids disagree and I guess I’ll be schlepping them over there this afternoon. And contrary to my usual custom of reading and relaxing pool-side, I’ll probably be wrestling myself into my new swim suit and getting into the water in an attempt to keep my brain from melting.
So even though it’s too hot to think about running, much less getting out there to do it, let’s talk about it anyway, shall we?
I am now officially signed up for the women’s 4-miler in September — the same one that was my first official race last year. Unlike last year, when I barely was able to run four miles, this year, I am ready. No, I am more than ready. In fact, this past Sunday, I ran six miles. Oh yes I did.
And, I felt good, although I had some heel pain after the run that led me to look at my running log, whereupon I discovered that I was way overdue to replace my sneakers, which I did on Monday. (I ran again on Tuesday — only 2.25 miles — my new kicks were fine.)
The run itself was a mix of hills and flat stretches. Here, let me show you the route profile:
(Local peeps, that’s Locust Avenue to Market Street, Market to the river, the trail along the river, and back again.)
As you can see, the first part of the run is mostly downhill. I was able to run three miles without any walking. At the halfway mark, I stopped for a short water break and to stretch. Then I ran back about another mile, before stopping for a short break to make a phone call. (No, I wasn’t calling Pete to beg him to bring the car and come get me.) Then I ran again until the 4.5 mile mark, which is, as you can see above, where the uphills started to get painful. I walked for about 30 seconds, then ran again. At 5.25 miles, I again encountered a really painful hill, so I walked up that. (This is one of those hills that I hate. It’s short, but so steep that even when I walk it, I wish I was clipped in with another climber.)
The final stretch home was tiring, but I got a burst of energy and was able to run all the way. Like I said before, I was limping a little the rest of the day, but that appears to be because my sneakers were shot.
Six miles. Y’all, I can’t believe I did that. That’s the longest I’ve run since I’ve been injured. And, last fall, when I ran the 10K (6.2 miles), I had only attempted that distance twice before and every time I’d done it, I’d walked parts of it. After the 10K, I had two longer runs of 6.75 miles and 8.54 miles, then went onto the injured reserve list and have not attempted those distances since then.
Knowing that I can run six miles, I am definitely planning to run that 10K again in late October. Provided that I stay healthy and injury-free, I know I can do it, because I have already. My short-term running plan is stick with three runs a week — one short run (2-3 miles), one medium run (3.5-4.5 miles), and one long run (6 miles, no more) until September. After the 4-miler in September, if I’m feeling good, I’ll bump up the distances by no more than a mile and stay there for at least a month.
After that, who knows? My sister-in-law mentioned a 15K (9.3 miles) in December that has piqued my interest. And there’s always the elusive half marathon, although I’m no longer foolish enough to contemplate the mountainous half and am instead considering a flat ocean-side half next March.
But, I’m not going to plan too far out. While it’s fun to fantasize about longer races when I’m running, I learned last fall that it’s possible to push too hard, so I’m going to just run and not look too far into the future. If I can run the 10K in October, then I’ll think about the 15K in December. If I can run the15K, then I’ll look ahead to next spring.
Okay, on that note, I need to end this. It’s almost noon and if I’m going to take the kidlets to the pool at 2:00, I’ll need to start wrestling myself into my bathing suit soon.
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I’m impressed! You’ve made amazing progress. Keep those shoes in shape; you know from experience how important a running shoe can be.
It’s 120 here in Burlington ON. Only 19 degrees above my never ending fever. Have fun at the pool.
Go Jen! Could I put in a request for some pictures of your route? I’m curious as to what your run looks like.
It’s getting warmer here, the fog has peeled back, but we’ll only be low 90′s today. I’ve been letting Tony Horton & his P90X kick my ass after work. I hate that guy, but I love how I feel afterwards.
Uphill at the end ofthe race? That is tough!
Hope you enjoy the pool time and that the heal dims soon.
Awesome job, Jen! You should be proud
Have you tried out any of the classes at your gym? They are far from boring, and I find that since they test me in different ways, they really help build up my endurance.
Way to go, Jen! Your training plan looks awesome, and very sensible!
When fall rolls around, I hope you’ll consider training for the Cville 10 Miler in the spring. Best race ever! And I’d also recommend the Park to Park half marathon (usually about a month after the 10 miler), if you’re looking for a really nice half. Rural and rolling, not to hilly, outstanding volunteer support.
I am feeling no shame about taking some time off from running in this heat!! Have faith, this is, statistically speaking, the hottest week of the year.
Your detailed progress and aspirations are excellent reading Jen. I see a difference in your outlook for future runs, and I applaud you girl. Very good also not to plan bigger, too far ahead, because then you set yourself up for disappointment (potential!) if an injury does come along again. Best to keep the short term goals front and center, and concentrate on those, as your writing certainly seems to be telling us! Brava!
I too had to rethink my shoes that I bought, what maybe 4 months ago? Some pricey Asics, I was thinking that they were okay for my 3x/week walking schedule, but I was developing left hip pain (related to menopause? who knows) so I bought 30.00 shoe inserts, thought that solved the prob, but the hip pain continued to come and go, so last night I bought a new pair of shoes. Some Nikes that were half the price of my Asics, and seemed comfy out of the box. took them on the road this morning for my hour long walk, and I am waiting to see if my hip will release. I sure hope so. My current schedule is Mondays and Fridays, an hour on the elliptical machine, and Tues-Wed-Thurs, walking my hour on the road. I need the 5 days/week thing to keep me motivated and going.
Huzzah!
It’s hot enough here that our pool water is 94 degrees. It’s almost not worth getting in –you’re hardly cooler than you were outside the pool! I wonder if public pools have some way to cool their water down?
The image of you running along, then stopping to make a phone call, and then starting up again, makes me chuckle! Must’ve been an important phone call
I agree on the hot part. And also – use your own quote and squeeze yourself into that suit and go have fun at the pool. You know you want to. : )
Conga-rats on the running. Once again I am battling the never ending beast of “I hate running and would much rather be playing hockey/volleyball/any team sport but this me-&-my-brain-running thing.” At least I have Heros to keep me company while I swear and slack off…
Whoo-Hoo! Way-to-GO!!!
Yeah, you should replace your running shoes every six months, if you’re running regularly otherwise you don’t have the support your feet and ankles need. At least, that’s what I’ve been told.
Jen, Congrats on getting your six miles under your belt again! What method are you using to track when to replace your shoes – milage or length of time since last replaced? All the best,
Tiffany
Yay! Awesome progress. Your training plan sounds pretty good too. Plus, it’s cool to see the elevation. I think you are MORE than ready to do the 4 miles!
I might try that elevation with my 10k to see what it looks like, now you have me curious.
I decided to 10k for my long runs for the next few weeks and not try to push it further. Like you, I want to get comfortable with it before I start to add miles. I’m planning a ten mile race entry in September. It’s a small local race but it still has all the flashy stuff like chipped times and goodie bags. I’m actually looking forward to it!