Holy Busy.

"last post - July 23" -- Yikes!

I have, actually run since July 23. I did some 5ks last week, and 7 km last weekend -- but I'm sad to say that since last Thursday I lost my life balance and running fell to the wayside (isn't that always the way?)

But I DID have a fun weekend -- I went Tubing in the Elora Gorge, which is always fun, and the perfect summer activity. It also required a decent amount of climbing and hiking - so that counts as cross-training I suppose. Attended a friend's birthday party Saturday night, which entailed staying up until 4am --- so needless to say my long run on Saturday was TOTALLY neglected due to a monster hangover. But there was alot of laughing at this party - so perhaps that counts as cardio?

Haha - who am I kidding? I need to get my running shoes on and get out on the road. Tonight I'm going to try to muster up the energy for 5k in the evening hopefully it is glorious, and wonderful, and all that jazz.

My Learn-to-Run clinic at RR starts this Friday. I'm a little worried that the time-commitment required will mean that my whole work-life balance will end up out of whack again (which inevitably makes me not run, and gain weight). That said - I'm optimistic that it'll all work out. If anything it's an incentive to wake up on Sundays to get those long runs in.

My plan for handling coaching and my own training is basically scheduled to the 9's. Wednesday & Fridays aren't usually running days for me anyways --- so I'm going to count my time with the LTR's as cross-training. Tuesday & Thursday are my short-run training days (usually 3-4 miles), and Sundays -- well, Sundays are supposed to be my LSD day, but I'm also supposed to show up to be there to lead my clinic. We'll see, there is an agreement in place to trade off with one of the clinic leaders so that I can get my long runs in --- but we'll see how it goes over the next couple of months.

Whoh. When I look at it on paper I get a little bit of anxiety. It's important to me that running not take OVER my life - and that's alot of scheduled activity. I'd REALLY like to do the Toronto Half again this year, but we'll see.... I'm going to wait until end of August to make that decision. If it ends up being too much then tant pis.

Week 1 of Half Training.

1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.11...1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.11...

That's what I keep repeating to myself when it gets hard out there.

Have been running - on a 4/5 day per week schedule. Did a 7k LSD last week (as if 7km is actually long, but it was definately slow) - and it went okay. I even hit that elusive feeling where your feet just do it, and your body doesn't protest, and for a few brief, wonderful moments - you just go on autopilot and think of other things.

I have officially begun week 1 of half training. My schedule's sorted for the Toronto Half, though I may change my mind and do Scotia - we'll see.

My hamstrings are tight, and I gained a pile of fat over the past few months - so it's going to be a long road. I'm hoping this season's training will actually inspire me to move on to train through the winter. We'll see though.

Race was slow, a full minute longer per km than my normal pace - which is a little excessive.

That said, I do have some hope - I had some problems with my left foot going numb at about the 3rd km, and had to walk until the 4th km when it dissapated. It's a symptom that was present early this year when I took a break from running (hoping the problem would solve itself), but alas, it's still there. But, the fact that I put 5 minutes on my normal 5k time, with still walking 20-30% of the race, meant that I was actually RUNNING faster than I normally would have. For the first 2k I maintained a solid 6 MPK, so that is great, because that's a pace I'd like to learn to maintain for longer distances.


So my personal notes:
I need to do something about my foot. I can't keep having it go numb, because it sucks. The medic at the race suggested buying gel pads for my shoes.

I need to work on my cardio, big time. Biking to work on a regular basis would probably help this - if I could find a way to get out there.

I need to be more consistent in training - should consider coaching the clinic.

Must make & follow a schedule for the Toronto half.

I'm well aware this is a silly idea.

So we all know, when I don't update - chances are I'm not RUNNING either.

Got back out today for a lazy 4.5 km this morning. I'm not even sure it could be considered a jog considering it was 2/3 running, and about 1/3 walking.

So the Nissan race is this weekend. This occured to me, um, last week. I'm an idiot.

So 16km is hard on the best of days...and yet I find myself sort of curious to see what will happen....

So come on kids, let's play a game of RUN RUN RUN, until you literally cannot run anymore (more appropriately known as "Let's watch Amanda hurt herself!").

My plan:
another 3 miles tomorrow morning & yoga tomorrow night. Saturday morning I'll get up early and follow the 9mile route I've already laid myself out - just to see how long it will take me. I'm going to take it easy on Saturday... but my rule is that if I can take it easy and go the distance in under 2 1/2 hours - I'll go out on Sunday. If not, tant pis, I'll take my t-shirt and cheer on Sonia.

Last year when I was running the half my 10-mile time was about 90 minutes. I figure an extra hour to factor in the 5 km of WALKING I'll be doing on the course will make it happen.

That all said and done, I do NOT want to come in last (regardless of how aware I am of what bad shape I'm in), and I'm not even sure I WANT to wear the timing chip. It'll be on an ankle cuff - which in itself grosses me out a little (can we say bacterial nightmare?!?!), but more importantly, I don't want those results on the internet mocking me!

So bottom line, IF I go out on Sunday morning - it'll mostly just be for me to kick my own ass and feel bad about my lack of training. I think I'm going to run Toronto Half again this year, and I don't want to feel like such a lazy-ass at ANOTHER race...