I'm going to try something new here.
I’m linking up with Holly at Hohoruns (http://hohoruns.blogspot.com) and Tricia at MississippiPiddlin‘ ( http://www.misssippipiddlin.com) for their weekly wrap up link.
According to Holly:
"You can summarize your whole week or just a small portion of it. It's up to you! Race recaps are also encouraged! {See rules} We hope you'll challenge yourself to come back later in the week and interact with morewomen. It's a wonderful way to make new friends! Don't forget to comment on all blogs you read and remember to support your hosts. "
I Hope the links work as I'm doing this all from my phone. My computer died and the replacement won't be in until Friday. Here's the weekly wrap up:
Some weeks just feel really off. I know I'm still trying to bounce back from 3 weeks of sickness so I'm trying to stay positive. Trying being the operative word. Last week my legs felt heavy, I felt tired and sluggish.
Monday- 45 minutes elliptical,core work to include:
4x20 pelvic tilts, bridges, crunches,Russian twists,prone alternating opposite arm/leg extension with 5 second hold, 3x15 roll outs and pikes off exercise, 3x 1 minute planks. Foam roll/ stretch.
Tuesday- 7 miles (2 miles with the dog- crazy cute pics to come once I have a computer again!, 5 miles around neighborhood)
Wednesday - 4 miles total including 2 miles with dog, 4x400 and 1 mile cool down. Core work same as Monday. Chiropractor visit + massage/ foam roll/ stretch.
Thursday- 4 miles easy around soccer fields.
Friday- rest, core work same as Wednesday.
Saturday- 5 miles including a local 5k
Sunday- active rest ( 3 miles)
As I mentioned, my body just felt off. My legs have been feeling really tired and heavy. I felt ok on Tuesday, but my attempt of speed work on Wednesday was laughable. I'm sure cookies for breakfast didn't help the situation at all but those 400's felt awful! I was planning to do 10-12 400's around my neighborhood as the regular planned track night was moved to a bridge run that I couldn't make. I stopped after 4. My legs just felt like they were moving in molasses and I was still about 8-10 seconds off my normal pace. I normally don't cut the workouts short unless It's absolutely necessary. In this case , it wasn't necessary I was just feeling like a slug and getting frustrated with myself. Thursdays run didn't help my mental aspect either. I was planning to do any easy 5 or 6 miles while my daughter was practicing but I only did 4. And those easy miles did NOT feel easy!!! Very frustrating. I had a sinking feeling I would feel the same way for Saturdays race. A couple months ago I had marked this race as my goal race to see 19xx on the clock. To add to the incentive there was going to be cash prizes to the top 3 overalls, which was new for this year. Since money usually brings a larger crowd and a faster field, I had already told myself I would be ok with an AG award. I had absolutely zero expectations for this race other than using it for a tempo run. I did tell myself that if I were out in a position to race ( ie chance for on overall or AG spot), then I would be competitive.
5k recap:
Since this race is held 15 minutes from my house, I slept in a little bit and got to the race about 30 minutes before it started. I get my race packet, see a few ppl from the Wednesday night track crew
and get in a little over a mile warm up. My legs still felt heavy. I shrug it off and make my way to the start. I immediately recognize 2 women who run in the 18's and another gal who has beaten me the last 2 years at this race. Well, so much making overall!! I get a brief pep talk from Kendal, he told me to just run my race, not anyone else's and focus on having a good run/ workout. Sounded like a good plan so that's what I did. Gun goes off and I take off in the lead pack. I keep the fast gals in my sights, trying not to start out too fast. As I'm trying to get in a groove, I pass a a few boys and a gal in front of me. Which puts me at 3rd female and 7th overall spot. 3 middle school boys are ahead of me. I know one of the runs in the 19/20 range so I was going to keep these kids within range. I still see the back of 2nd place female at the 1 mile mark. I see 6:42 on my watch.
Ugh. It sucks trying to regain fitness. I knew I didn't have a chance to see 19xx but I did have a chance at seeing 20xx and a chance for winning some $$. I had to keep pace.
Mile 2:
During this mile I try to close the gap on the middle schoolers ahead of me. I felt like I was going faster. I had a middle school boy try to pass me. I would keep up with him, surge ahead a bit and he would keep up.
I also knew there was another female somewhere behind me so I didn't have room to slow down if I wanted to keep that 3rd spot. Which I did think briefly about just jogging the rest of the way to the finish. My legs felt like led. But that's not how I roll. I already had a frustrating week of running. I needed the workout, I needed some turnover. How can I regain my speed if I don't get out of my comfort zone?
I see 6:50 for this mile. When I see that, I say a few choice words and pick the pace up. I refocus on the boys ahead of me, and when the middle school boy behind me catches up with me again I surge ahead and encourage him to stay with me. He does and we pace off each other until close to the finish, which happens to be an uphill finish. The last 0.2 take forever. What kept me on pace was
the thought of a gal being behind me and passing me at the line. I had to keep that 3rd place spot! I give a good kick at the line. Middleschool boy left me in his dust. That's ok though, he didn't want to get best by a girl.
I cross the line at 20:58. After I finish, I find the Middleschool kids and congratulate them all. Fist bumps for the kid who stayed with me the last half of the race.
: )
I'm glad I had someone to run with! I was A full minute and change slower than I wanted to see. Oh well. Even though I didn't have the time I wanted, I did have a good workout, and was able to keep
the 3rd place spot. The last mile was 6:45.
I do a mile cool down, find some friends and hang out until awards. I snag $50 and gift certificates to the local running store. I can't complain at all!!
My goal race is set for april. If Im going to see 19s this spring this
Is the time to do it before the crazy heat and humidity kick in full swing! The weather is already creeping in the 80s......
here's to healthy and injury free training ahead!
