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January 14, 2008
January Jitters
It's so cold and windy in Chicago right now! I have been doing a good amount of running over the past few dreary weeks, but I have been spinning my wheels with a mix of indoor/outdoor running. Sometimes I do both - yesterday I ran 3.3 miles outside with my 4 year-old dog, Ajax, and 3.2 inside on the treadmill.
I recently took Ajax to the Vet, and he told me that my dog - MY CHILD! - needed to lose about 6 pounds. I was floored . . . I felt like I had failed as a parent, and I found myself getting immediately defensive: I protested, "But he loves his meal times . . . he is in fantastic shape! He can run 3 miles @ 6:30 pace!" Ajax is a Vizsla - a good sporting/hunting breed that is meant to run in a field all day. He loves to run, but he also loves cuddling and sleeping in. Adult males generally peak at 65 pounds; Ajax is a solid 55, but last year he was 49-50, and the Vet thinks he is more of a smaller build than a larger build. Hence, the reprimand regarding his weight. I will post a recent picture of Mr. Ajax - I think he looks fierce and fabulous just the way that he is! Still, the Vet's observation has motivated me to whip the little bugger into shape - my goal is to get him up to 10 miles by the Spring. Our "long" run is up to 3.5 miles :)
Aside from running with my alleged overweight dog, I have been running fairly consistently, but minus the usual intensity. My past few weeks have been 65, 60, 52, 58. Considering the fact that I am typically a low mileage runner, these are solid weeks for me. I've had some good workouts (including a 3x2 mile workout: 12:20, 11:55, 12:13) and some really, really, really bad workouts (including this weekend's bombed tempo run!). It's time, though, to fall back into a consistent routine that includes my usual Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday workout days and a long run on Sundays. Mondays off and Wednesdays and Fridays easy . . . I thrive under this routine.
I am doing a half marathon in a little over 4 weeks, but after posting some extremely embarrassing workouts of late, I am not making any time predictions. Originally, I wanted to be around 1:21:45, but I don't see that happening at all anymore . . . perhaps in the Spring!
Classes started today. I am teaching a Tuesday/Thursday schedule this time around, but I am also working full time in the First-Year Writing Program office. It should be interesting to combine my teaching schedule with an administrative position. I have to put the finishing touches on my syllabus today :) I am totally procrastinating (which seems to be a theme with me).
Tomorrow's workout is 3 x 1 mile, .5 mile, .5 mile. with 30 seconds rest in between each rep. H. wants me to hit 6:00, 2:55, 2:50 - YIKES! If I can swing those splits, it will fuel my tank with some much needed confidence.
Posted by bridget at January 14, 2008 3:02 PM
Comments
Haha. You're poor chubby pup! If it's any consolation I have an obese cat :)
I bet you're in better shape than you think! Joe Positive just wrote about not feeling all great on about 1/2 her usual mileage and I know I'm feeling kind of blah on even less than that these past few weeks. There really has to be something about this transition period that leads us to believe we're horribly out of shape, or even just feeling crusty. (Or it might just be me that feels horribly out of shape! :)
Anyway, I think you have that workout in the bag if you want it. I am also suspicious of your claim that a 1:21:45 is out of your league. It can't hurt to believe it's possible! I do, and I can't wait to see how things go!
Posted by: Salty at January 15, 2008 8:21 AM
Yeah, add me to the blah boat Salty mentioned. Although my mileage also stinks so I probably am closer to the truly out of shape camp.
Definitely post a pick of Ajax. I love vizlas. I used to have a weimaraner. They are closely related. Great dogs.
Good to hear from you again!! I can attest is has been very cold around here (I am in southern WI)! It is going to be crazy cold this weekend.
Good luck on that upcoming half. I bet you'll be smokin' fast.
Posted by: mindi at January 17, 2008 6:25 AM
That workout is pretty mostrous. How'd it go? I assume the thinking is if you can hit those paces w/ the 30 rest, you'll be set for a 1:20-1:21 half? It would seem that way...
Posted by: joseph wood at January 18, 2008 11:04 AM