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April 29, 2005
Warming UP
The temperature for Sunday is looking pretty good right now. I've been a little afraid that it was going to be too hot. Weather at race time (9 AM) is predicted to be 50 and party cloudy. Spokane warms up pretty quickly though so it'll likely be 60 by 9:40 AM.
My goal is still sub-41 despite not having done much speed work the past month. I'm just hoping to reap some benefit from my winter training. Just in case, I know where there is a beer stop at 5.2 miles should I fall too far off the pace.
James' Running week 1 of 1: 25 of about 25 miles
Fri: 5 miles AM, 4x200m with 2.5 up, 2 down
Thurs: 0 miles
Wed: 8 miles, Pizza Run
Tues: 0 miles
Mon: 12 miles, IPROnB Hard + Karlins
Posted by at 9:51 AM | Comments (1)
April 28, 2005
Falling further behind
Yesterday was a good run. I have a new name for it - The Pizza Run! This is the run I do when I don't really feel like running at all. I call my mom and tell her to order pizza. Then I run to her house, 4 miles, and of course the pizza is there waiting and better yet paid for :). Then I stuff myself with pizza, watch her cable tv for an hour (I only get one channel myself), then run back home with just enough time to get a few chores done before heading to bed. Side aches aside its motivating on those unmotivated days.
Since I have nothing better to keep track of in my running, I'm now officially keeping track of how far behind Alison I am (212.5 miles). Of course this won't last too long because either I'll start catching her and she'll get annoyed and stop telling us exactly how far she runs or I'll start falling behind and get annoyed and find something else to keep track of.
This week I'm doing a mini-taper though so I plan on falling back a bit because of that, then next week I'll have to do a little recovery, 12k road races hurt! So I'll probably be about 300 miles back by the time I actually start trying to chase her down.
They finally announced the elite field for the race this weekend. Looks like I'll have a tough time breaking into the top 30. Hopefully I'll make it into the top 40 again this year.
James' Running week 1 of 1: 20 of about 20 miles
Wed: 8 miles, Pizza Run
Tues: 0 miles
Mon: 12 miles, IPROnB Hard + Karlins
Posted by at 1:46 PM | Comments (5)
April 25, 2005
Just about out for the count
At the end of today's run I was pretty much out on my feet. I ran a hard, 7:00 pace for 8 miles. 76 degrees feels like 100 right now - cotton mouth, dehydration, dead legs.
I squeezed in my 12 miles though with a slow paced 4 mile loop after practice. Now I can begin a mini taper for my race on Sunday. I sent in my application for elite seeding. Hopefully they'll get it by Wednesday, the deadline. Either way I think I've regained enough confidence to shoot for a faster time than last year. Maybe not sub-40, but under 40:49.
Tomorrow we're away for another meet, I'll probably try to run a couple miles but not much more.
On another note I'm now only 197.5 miles behind Alison for ytd total. I think I can make that up in the next 8 months. Ok, so probably not, but as long as I don't have to do the cross training too I have a shot. ;)
James' Running week 1 of 1: 12 of about 12 miles
Mon: 12 miles, IPROnB Hard + Karlins
Posted by at 7:17 PM | Comments (3)
April 24, 2005
New Record and Lots o Sun
Yesterday's trip went just about perfect. A new record 2:21.48, a few miles for myself and lots of good races to watch.
Today's weather was even better. Almost too good at 75 degrees! I ran an easy 7:30 pace for 13 miles and stopped at home to rehydrate and get some calories before running another 4 miles to my mom's house for dinner.
James' Running week 10 of 10: 58 of about not really 70 miles
Sun: 17 miles pm, Infinite Loop+
Sat: 5.5 miles pm @ Pasco Invite
Fri: 5 miles am (Dad's loop), 4 miles pm (Brian's Loop)
Thurs: 7 miles am (Powerlines)
Wed: 6 miles am (extended switchbacks), 5 miles w/ 4x800 @ 2:40
Tues: 8.5 miles, Karlin's + IPR OnB
Mon: 0 miles, HS Track Meet
Posted by at 6:30 PM | Comments (1)
April 23, 2005
Pasco Bound
So I decided that since Monday was a zero day I would give myself through Monday to get to 70. I know a cheap ploy to not have to run 35 miles in 2 days, but well worth it.
Today I'm on the road headed to Pasco, Wa. I have only one runner in the meet, but hopefully she'll break the school record (800m) today and that's worth the trip.
James' Running week 10 of 10: 35.5 of about not really 70 miles
Sat:
Fri: 5 miles am (Dad's loop), 4 miles pm (Brian's Loop)
Thurs: 7 miles am (Powerlines)
Wed: 6 miles am (extended switchbacks), 5 miles pm 4x800 (2:40 pace)
Tues: 8.5 miles, Karlin's + IPR OnB
Mon: 0 miles, HS Track Meet
Posted by at 8:36 AM | Comments (0)
April 20, 2005
Just miles
James' Running week 10 of 10: 19.5 of about not really 70 miles
Wed: 6 miles am (extended switchbacks), 5 miles pm 4x800 (2:40 pace)
Tues: 8.5 miles, Karlin's + IPR OnB
Mon: 0 miles, HS Track Meet
Posted by at 6:52 PM | Comments (0)
April 19, 2005
No excuses this week!
So that's my theme for the week. Of course I already have a bunch of excuses, but I'm not going to let it bother me. This week I'm hitting 70 for sure - even if I have to do most of them on Sunday!
Bloomsday is only 11 days and 10 hours away and I have to at least get some confidence back. I think I finally decided to ask for elite seeding despite my poor training the past month. I should get it based on my two races that were before I started slacking and last year's results, but it just eats at me that I probably won't PR again this year. I have to explain that my PR is 39:45, set when I was 17 years old (1992). Since then I have run 40:49 in 2004, 42:35 in 2003, 51:30 in 2002 LOL, and 40:38 in 2001.
On a positive note, I finally made it down to buy new shoes. Final tally for old shoes 712 miles. Also, the weather here is just about perfect for the next week.
James' Running week 10 of 10: 8.5 of about not really 70 miles
Tues: 8.5 miles, Karlin's + IPR OnB
Mon: 0 miles, HS Track Meet
Posted by at 10:49 PM | Comments (3)
April 17, 2005
Another down week
James' Running week 9 of 10: 37 of about not really 70 miles
Sun: 2.5 miles am (Raff loop), 2.5 miles pm (GU Loop)
Sat: 2.5 miles, track meet 12 hours
Fri: 2.5 miles am (Fish), 14 miles pm (Indian Trail Rd +)
Thurs: 0 miles, ccr concert
Wed: 8 miles, sg to whittier
Tues: 0 miles
Mon: 5 miles, ipr onb
Posted by at 9:52 PM | Comments (1)
April 15, 2005
Injuries and finally a "real solid" run
Today was my first "real solid" run in a long time. Its been almost 3 weeks since I came down with some sort of mono-esque bug. Tonight I started out on what I thought would be an easy 8-10 miles. After three miles though I was feeling really good. Perhaps b/c I didn't run yesterday or maybe I'm finally over being sick. I don't really know and I don't much care. I ended up running for an hour and 46 minutes at under 7:30 pace. This combines with the 2.5 miles I ran this morning almost forgives me for not running yesterday. Tomorrow I'm sure I'll be pretty sore, but I'll get over it.
As for injuries from Audrey's comment. I'm not sure what to say...of course I don't want to jinx myself :) I have had a pretty good history with injuries though. This past year I've only had to deal with Plantar Fasciitis pain and some Patellar Tendinitis. I generally think I do a better than average job of nipping injuries in the bud so to speak. I will ice just about any pain and I of course own stock in any drug company that sells Ibuprophen.
The other things that I do to stay healthy might be extra time on form drills, better form and quicker leg turn-over leads to less injuries. And I stay away from contact sports as much as possible. Most of my injuries in the past have come from playing pick-up basketball, soccer, snowboarding, etc. I have replaced most of these with things like shooting hoops, snowshoeing, xc skiing, biking, swiming, lawn bowling, whatever as long as it doesn't involve face plants!
With all that said I knock on wood and conclude that I'm really just lucky and sincerely hope that everyone has similar luck with their training.
James' Running week 9 of 10: 29.5 of about not really 70 miles
Fri: 2.5 miles am (Fish), 14 miles pm (Indian Trail Rd +)
Thurs: 0 miles, ccr concert
Wed: 8 miles, sg to whittier
Tues: 0 miles
Mon: 5 miles, ipr onb
PS - I still haven't gotten new shoes but I will definately get them this weekend. Today's run, mostly on pavement, really confirmed that they are truly well past their prime.
Posted by at 8:44 PM | Comments (1)
April 13, 2005
Snowing during the track meet
Yesterday I didn't get a chance to run at the teams track meet. This was mainly due to the weather. How bad was it you ask? Well to start with I'm actually sore from shivering for so long. Also, the periods of rain/hail/snow were not very pleasant. Although I was somewhat happy that I didn't have to strip down and race in those conditions.
Today I finally rallied after practice to put in a solid hour of running. I still haven't got new shoes, but tomorrow I'm really going to try to get down to the store.
James' Running week 9 of 10: 13 of about not really 70 miles
Wed: 8 miles, sg to whittier
Tues: 0 miles
Mon: 5 miles, ipr onb
Posted by at 7:22 PM | Comments (1)
April 10, 2005
oops!
Holy shoes! I finally got around to adding up the mileage on my shoes b/c I've been figuring that its time to get some new ones and my knees have been telling me so as well.
688 miles!
Oops, I normally only get about 500 miles per pair. 600 is like a miracle. 688 is just absurd, I don't know what I've been thinking. Hopefully I can work in a trip to the shoe store tomorrow afternoon.
PS - I also figured that I'm at 799 miles for the year to date.
Posted by at 10:14 PM | Comments (3)
Almost
Today I thought for about 30 minutes that I was finally back to normal. I ran the first two miles at 7:10 pace and it actually felt easy. The next two miles were not marked but I felt good thru about 30 minutes. The next 50 did not go as well. I think though that this was the result of too many magaritas mixed with tacos from last night.
I'm happy that I might finally be back on track running wise, but still frustrated that its been four weeks since I last felt good running and that I lost some crucial training time. Now with only 3 weeks until Bloomsday I have no idea of how fast my goal time should be. Last year I was 40:49 and my best is 39:45. I think I should be ahead of last year but I'm not sure I can get the PR.
At least my training will start feeling good again and Bloomsday is not really my ultimate goal. So hopefully I'll continue to have some quality training leading into the summer.
James' Running week 8 of 10: 57 of about not really 70 miles
Sun: 11 miles, Camelot from SG
Sat: 5 miles, 12x400m with 80 sec R
Fri: 3 miles AM, 9 miles PM
Thurs: AM - 5 miles, 8x600m on the track
Wed: AM - 3 miles on track, PM - 8 miles IPR OnB
Tues: 6 miles, 1400-1050-700-350 at marathon pace (6:40)
Mon: 7 miles, Heartbreak/Anklebreak, Course Loop, Sherwood
Posted by at 8:21 PM | Comments (0)
April 9, 2005
Closing in on 55
400m repeats on the track with 80 seconds Recovery
Today's splits: 68,70,70,72,68,72,68,72,68,75,62,70
James' Running week 8 of 10: 46 of about not really 70 miles
Sat: 5 miles, 12x400m with 80 sec R
Fri: 3 miles AM, 9 miles PM
Thurs: AM - 5 miles, 8x600m on the track
Wed: AM - 3 miles on track, PM - 8 miles IPR OnB
Tues: 6 miles, 1400-1050-700-350 at marathon pace (6:40)
Mon: 7 miles, Heartbreak/Anklebreak, Course Loop, Sherwood
Posted by at 6:34 PM | Comments (0)
April 7, 2005
Miles of Trials
I'm finally able to get out the door and run. It doesn't feel very good yet, but today was at least some confirmation that I haven't lost all my conditioning in the past month. I'm still sleeping 10-12 hours a day, but I finally have time to do it so my waking hours are much more laid back.
Today's workout was 8x600m. I decent step up from 8x400m that the team did last week. It was good for them though and I'm sure will pay off in late May. I was actually able to do it with them too, which is a switch!
My splits were ~ 1:55, 1:55, 1:53, 1:53, 1:53, 1:51, 1:51, 1:46. That's 3 miles of 5 minute mile pace running so I'm pretty happy with that. Also, I'm at 29 miles for the week with three days to go. I think I decided that 55 is a good number to shoot for so I'm going to take this afternoon off and double tomorrow (easy 4/easy 7), more speed on Saturday (6), then a easy 9 on Sunday. I really should be doing more, but it would be crazy to jump up too much, plus my cold is still fighting to make a come back and that's the last thing I want right now. Only like 24 days until Bloomsday!
James' Running week 8 of 10: 29 of about not really 70 miles
Thurs: AM - 5 miles, 8x600m on the track
Wed: AM - 3 miles on track, PM - 8 miles IPR OnB
Tues: 6 miles, 1400-1050-700-350 at marathon pace (6:40)
Mon: 7 miles, Heartbreak/Anklebreak, Course Loop, Sherwood
Posted by at 1:18 PM | Comments (1)
April 5, 2005
The rest of the story
Before my page goes blank, I'm finally going to update.
Last week's cold, combined with the stress relief of finishing up my student teaching, combined with the beginning of spring break sent me into a spiral that can only be equated to severe mono! Even today I was barely able to stand without being light headed. I pretty much felt like I was on a sugar low all day even though I shouldn't have been and I've been getting like 12-14 hours of sleep a day for the past 4 days. In any case last week was a total bust. Darn embarrasing even. Its not like I had time to run anyhow, but I wish I could have mustered up a few more miles during the weekend. Unfortunately the weekend was when the cold reached its peak! Friday night I slept from 6 pm til 9 am, barely stood through practice and then slept from 12-3 and then finally went to bed again at 9 pm and didn't wake up til 9 am. All together that's 30 hours of sleep in 38!
Today despite my light headedness I was able to at least run somewhat hard (sub 6:30 pace). And I've equaled my running output for last week in only the first two days of this week.
James' Running week 8 of 10: 13 of about not really 70 miles
Tues: 6 miles, 1400-1050-700-350 at marathon pace
Mon: 7 miles, Heartbreak/Anklebreak, Course Loop, Sherwood
James' Running week 7 of 10: 13.5 of about not really 70 miles
Sun: 5 miles, Fairwood Loop
Sat: 0 miles
Fri: 0 miles
Thurs: 0 miles
Wed: 3.5 miles
Tues: 5 miles, 6x800m
Mon: 0 miles
Posted by at 8:54 PM | Comments (1)
April 1, 2005
Ok, next week for reals...
In addition to the normal ridiculous daily schedule this week I also added to my evenings with parent conferences, night class, evening seminar, and basketball. Not to mention I have been suffering mightily from a cold. In any case the week is almost over, I'm hoping to get close to 40 this week. Who know's how much conditioning I've lost in the last 4 weeks? Thankfully next week is spring break for me, so I'll be able to run without having to lose sleep to do it.
I'm not too sure how many miles to run. I think 70 is a good goal, but with only 45 per week the past 4 weeks it might be too much. In any case I'll be happy to sleep in past 5 am and have time to sit and watch the river run by.
James' Running week 7 of 10: 36.5 of about not really 70 miles
Thurs: 0 miles
Wed: 3.5 miles
Tues: 5 miles, 6x800m
Mon: 0 miles
Posted by at 1:00 PM | Comments (1)