Funny The Way It Is

Don't pass out or anything, but  it's a real blog post about running!


I'm starting to get my mojo back. Perhaps it was the crummy weather we've had since June. I was sort of going through the motions, but not really feeling anything towards running, good or bad. It was just kind of meh. Even my non running workouts were meh. A few days with sunshine and it changes everything. Today I got out to run a little later than I wanted to, but I still got out there. The sun was out and I spent most of the run going into the wind, which kept me from burning out. I also ran a different route than normal. Instead of running my usual Mission Bay Park route north, I ran more southwest, towards the South Shores parking lot, the same area where the last SDRNR marathon/half marathon finished. I also put in three laps around the parking lot just so I wouldn't have to navigate around the hoards of day camp kids visiting Mission Bay Park. I was really sweaty when I was done. Even though this was an "easy" run, it wasn't exactly an easy ride. My body was feeling the DOMS from my Wednesday workout at RU. I also have a mild case of shin splints brought on by wearing heels. Aren't I special? It seems I have more running related boo-boos caused by non running activities.

Hubs wants to go to Disneyland this weekend. It's not my idea of the happiest place on earth at the moment. The next couple of weeks people are fitting in the last of their summer vacations, and Disneyland is going to be packed.  I'd rather go during a less busy time.  I would much rather be relaxing on a tropical beach* (Ixtapa, perhaps?) drinking an ice cold beverage with umbrellas in it, and that would be my happiest place on earth.

Thanks to those who voted for my nephew.  It seems like a silly contest, but it could land him a job.  If anything, his name is getting out there.   If you haven't voted ("liked" it) yet , there's still time.  Voting ends August 31, 2010.  In case you've missed it, you can check it out here.

PEACE

*We can no longer drink on most of our San Diego beaches and parks due to a booze ban. The actions of a few drunk idiots blew it for the rest of us.

Hovering

I went outside with my camera for this:

and ended up with these:

Lumpy doing what he does best... Hiding out where he thinks is a safe place away from kids and dogs.

Busted by Logan. Logan was poking at Lumpy with her paw, kind of making sure Lumpy was OK...

Logan is still making sure the situation is OK. Lumpy, in true Lumpy fashion, is meowing in protest but refusing to move.

Hovering

...and more hovering.

In running news:
I did a 5 mile tempo run on the gym treadmill yesterday. I haven't really managed a real tempo run in ages, even though I've made a few sad attempts. I managed to ease into 8:40 to 8:50 pace, and then in the low 9s. Since I was at the gym, I had to break up the run in a three miler and a two miler, just so the treadmill wouldn't shut off on me. It was that second round where my average pace was more in the mid 9s. It was OK, and I realize I have my work cut out for me if I want to become faster. DOMS will be a part of my vocabulary during this rebuilding phase. I. AM. SORE.

I'll be volunteering at aid station #1 for the AFC Half Marathon on Sunday. I'll try and wave to you as you speed by, provided you are running. There's a bunch of you! That's probably the aid station that most people will run past because they're still feeling fresh... maybe.

Tuesday's song:
Let The Children Play - Santana

PEACE

I Get Around

Activity: Run
Date: 07/16/09 11:42 AM
Distance: 3.41 miles
Time: 0:34:13
Speed: 6.0 mph
Pace: 10' 03 min/mile
Calories: 327



Today I decided to change things up and did an out and back run at Mission Beach. I had to laugh a bit at the elevation graph because I usually have no choice but to run hills where I live. Here's how flat it was:



OK, so there's a little blip. That was just going up a slight incline towards the pier where I turned around. Knowing I would be at the beach, I brought some swim wear, a towel, sunscreen and my camera.



I'm still trying to figure out the self portrait thing. (Penny, how do you always take such cute self portrait pictures? Do I need to bring my dog along?) It's an odd angle, but, for whatever it's worth, that's me at the beach. Yes, I did go in the water, and it felt wonderful, especially on my tired legs.

I need to run at the beach during the week more often.

I had my session at RU yesterday. Even with DOMS it was more of the same. I was spent when I was done, but it was good. Eventually I'll have the body to go with the workouts. I'm still working on the fluff.

Tuesday's song:
Generous Return - Bruce Myers

PEACE

Generous Return

I


HAVE


DOMS


*ouch*

My usual PT is back from vacation and was feeling extra generous on Monday. He gave me three sets of my workout instead of the usual two, plus he upped some of the weights. Even the PT assistant was surprised with the extra set. I pounded it out, but I was quite drenched and quite exhausted when I was done.

Today's run looked like this:

Activity: Run
Date: 07/14/09 10:07 AM
Distance: 2.18 miles
Time: 0:25:42
Speed: 5.1 mph
Pace: 11' 47 min/mile
Calories: 212

Let's call this a recovery run, shall we?

Instead of going to the gym for HIIT*, I did a recovery run in the neighborhood instead. I really wanted to go out longer because my mind needs it, but since I'm so sore I just took it really easy. No powering up those hills. There was no need to. I couldn't have powered up those hills if I tried.

For those of you who asked, this is a part of Tidelands Park, Cornado, CA. This is where the track club sometimes meets for long runs. Take notice of the sidewalk on the lower right side of the photo. I didn't have any good pictures of my own of Tidelands Park. I found this one doing a google search, but if you really want to, you can check here for more information and pictures about Coronado.

Here's me running on that sidewalk I mentioned. It was the 5k on the 4th of July, 2009...

Saturday's song:
Any Road - George Harrison

PEACE


*High Intensity Interval Training

Good Day

Today's workout was high reps/low weights UBW circuits and abs to failure. Yoga stretches finished the workout.

All's I have to say about today is "calf DOMS."

Four run events down now for my goal of one event each month for this year. Now I have to come up with something for May. There's the Union Tribune 8K Race for Literacy on May 6 that I'm considering. There's also a kids event the day before. It would be fun to enter DGS in the 3 and under race. We'll see. My brother is pushing for me to join him for the Bay To Breakers 12K event in San Francisco on May 20. I'm not sure about that one because it's during my taper for the San Diego Rock N Roll Marathon, which is heavy on my mind at the moment. I have up to the day of the race (for B2B) to decide if I want to run it, but I would need to figure in air fare. Decisions, decisions.

Dori (She Do Run Run) had asked me about the hills between miles 7 and 10 of the SDRNR Marathon. This is what the elevation chart shows:

It look scarier on this elevation chart than it actually is, well, at least for me, since I live in a neighborhood with killer hills... The incline seemed gradual. I know some people thought it was tough. Personally, it was the little ramps that went over roads between miles 19 and 24, because I was super tired by then, and I was amongst the walking wounded... I hope to make it to the end, running the whole way, not walking, even if it is slow run. I still have work to do.

Peace

Shock To The System

I woke up today thinking it was Friday... Rats! It's not. I also woke up with an upset stomach and I'm kind of waiting around for it to settle, or do what ever it's going to do. I'm not sure if it's a stomach flu or something I ate at dinner last night. Running is not an option at the moment.


I also had a realatively clean meal last night, out with my dad, skipped dessert.

My quads and hammies feel pretty good from yesterday's workout -- strangely, it's my calves that are sore, but it could be DOMS from the run in my neighborhood on Tuesday and taking on hills.

Peace