I did a long run this afternoon. I'm running a half marathon in less than two weeks and I hadn't been out running in a really long time. I've been training almost every day on my bike trainer, which has been great. I wake up early in the mornings and do 30-45 minutes, depending on when I actually make it down to the basement. I have to be sure to get into the shower on time so I can get the kids ready for school. I've put off running outside (I don't have a treadmill) because I was concerned it was a little dangerous. I'm not the most graceful person in the world, and we had quite a nice layer of slippery snow on the roads most of the winter. I didn't want to risk the very good chance that I would misstep and injure myself in some way. So, I just regularly trained on my safe trainer (unless I lost my balance and fell off, which is entirely possible in my case) and hoped that I would pick up where I left off, when it came to running.
The previous longest run I did here (since moving in September) was 5 1/2 miles, I think. So, to do nine miles (I mentioned I was running nine miles right??) I felt like that was a bit of a jump from my previous long run, but considering the half marathon is less than a month away (eek!), and I've been doing 90 minutes on my trainer on the weekends, and I usually do 10 minute miles when I run, which would put me on track, and I also felt like I needed to do it to put my mind at ease. These long runs aren't just difficult physically, they're hard for me mentally. That's a long time to be running. Especially now that I moved away from my running partner. Jessica M. and I used to have great indepth, personal chats during our long runs. I had my handy dandy Zune to give me tunes, and it worked just fine for that. It didn't quite help with the hills though, or the wind and blowing snow.
There aren't many hills where I used to run in Wisconsin, so I'm not quite used to the hills they have here. It really altered my pace and breathing and the "zone" I usually like to achieve when I'm doing a long run. So, that was a bummer. But, I did it. I was so tempted to turn around early, because my pace was behind what it usually is (thanks hills...) but I knew I would be disappointed in myself, and I would have second thoughts about weather I could do the half marathon next month. So, I looked at that ominous hill in front of me and took it on. Then, the snow started.
It was beautiful. Big, beautiful flakes, but lots of wind was driving it in my face and my eyes, I had to keep my head down, which was difficult since the drivers were unwilling to move over or even slow down as they passed me...thanks a bunch! I guess they've never been in my shoes, running in rocky, sandy soil with snow flakes pelting my eyes while people whiz by at 60 mph. Yeah, not so fun to have to break my pace to stop to let the crazy drivers pass by. Oh well, I shouldn't be complaining, I could be much worse off. A post on that will come soon.
So, I ran a little over 9 miles in 1 hour 47 minutes. My goal for the half would be to do better than my other times which was 2 hours 22 minutes for my first race (run in 30 degree temps and blowing snow the whole time, not fun!) and I don't remember my second time exactly, but it was something like 2 1/2 hours. I didn't train the second time, I'd just started running again and my friend and I were very ambitious. But, we did it! And, I lost a toenail in the process. Fun stuff!
After running, I had to come home and make a big dinner. I had planned it, but didn't get any prep done before my run. I made roast chicken (yes, I'm vegan and I still cook meat...gross!) mashed potatoes, stuffing (my husband's favorite food) and roasted brussel sprouts (probably my favorite veggie). I was going to make chickpea cutlets and mushroom gravy for me, but didn't have time. I was so sad! I love those chickpea cutlets and that gravy is so lucious and delicious. I guess I'll be making them tomorrow!
Since I got dinner started so late, we didn't eat until after 6:30!!! We usually eat between 5 and 5:30, so this was very late. Then, I dropped some butter on the bottom of my oven and it burned and made the house so nice and smokey. sigh But, everyone loved dinner, so that's what matters.
Alright, it's late and time for bed. Have a good night everyone.
The previous longest run I did here (since moving in September) was 5 1/2 miles, I think. So, to do nine miles (I mentioned I was running nine miles right??) I felt like that was a bit of a jump from my previous long run, but considering the half marathon is less than a month away (eek!), and I've been doing 90 minutes on my trainer on the weekends, and I usually do 10 minute miles when I run, which would put me on track, and I also felt like I needed to do it to put my mind at ease. These long runs aren't just difficult physically, they're hard for me mentally. That's a long time to be running. Especially now that I moved away from my running partner. Jessica M. and I used to have great indepth, personal chats during our long runs. I had my handy dandy Zune to give me tunes, and it worked just fine for that. It didn't quite help with the hills though, or the wind and blowing snow.
There aren't many hills where I used to run in Wisconsin, so I'm not quite used to the hills they have here. It really altered my pace and breathing and the "zone" I usually like to achieve when I'm doing a long run. So, that was a bummer. But, I did it. I was so tempted to turn around early, because my pace was behind what it usually is (thanks hills...) but I knew I would be disappointed in myself, and I would have second thoughts about weather I could do the half marathon next month. So, I looked at that ominous hill in front of me and took it on. Then, the snow started.
It was beautiful. Big, beautiful flakes, but lots of wind was driving it in my face and my eyes, I had to keep my head down, which was difficult since the drivers were unwilling to move over or even slow down as they passed me...thanks a bunch! I guess they've never been in my shoes, running in rocky, sandy soil with snow flakes pelting my eyes while people whiz by at 60 mph. Yeah, not so fun to have to break my pace to stop to let the crazy drivers pass by. Oh well, I shouldn't be complaining, I could be much worse off. A post on that will come soon.
So, I ran a little over 9 miles in 1 hour 47 minutes. My goal for the half would be to do better than my other times which was 2 hours 22 minutes for my first race (run in 30 degree temps and blowing snow the whole time, not fun!) and I don't remember my second time exactly, but it was something like 2 1/2 hours. I didn't train the second time, I'd just started running again and my friend and I were very ambitious. But, we did it! And, I lost a toenail in the process. Fun stuff!
After running, I had to come home and make a big dinner. I had planned it, but didn't get any prep done before my run. I made roast chicken (yes, I'm vegan and I still cook meat...gross!) mashed potatoes, stuffing (my husband's favorite food) and roasted brussel sprouts (probably my favorite veggie). I was going to make chickpea cutlets and mushroom gravy for me, but didn't have time. I was so sad! I love those chickpea cutlets and that gravy is so lucious and delicious. I guess I'll be making them tomorrow!
Since I got dinner started so late, we didn't eat until after 6:30!!! We usually eat between 5 and 5:30, so this was very late. Then, I dropped some butter on the bottom of my oven and it burned and made the house so nice and smokey. sigh But, everyone loved dinner, so that's what matters.
Alright, it's late and time for bed. Have a good night everyone.
You can do it!! I enjoyed reading this entry. Are you loving your bike trainer? I find that the time passes quicker while on the trainer than on the treadmill.
ReplyDeleteI'm still debating on what to do about the half-marathon on April 16th! I've been doing some 3-4 mile runs here and there, and my heel feels good, but I'm afraid I'm going to screw something up if I jump to 10-13 miles in a few short weeks. I probably could do it if I maintain 11 min/miles, but I feel sort of sheepish. How many days per week are you running currently?
YAY Christine!! You have so much more passion for running than I do. I like to sit and think about running, then sigh and say, "that would be nice". But we just acquired a treadmill, so maybe I'll start running again when my ankle heals. We'll see.....!
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