Weekly Training Update: August 20, 2010

Oh boy, it's the weekly training update and it's behind by 4 days!  I know my running partner, Tara, from 2 Saturday's ago from A New Ending is anxious what I might say about her so I guess I should attempt to recall my week leading up to the Ragnar Relay. 

So we left off last Friday when I hoped to get in a run but the weather just didn't cooperate.  I wanted to get in a long run Saturday so I decided it was OK. 

Saturday Tara came around 6 a.m. and off we went.  I almost can't believe I did 9 miles and it felt great!  New shoes, haven't run in 2 days, haven't run hills in a week, but the extreme humidity and heat was gone hurray!  The miles just seemed to fly by! I think I'm going to start enjoying running and chatting with friends now! :)

I had a few issues with this run but mostly successes.  First of all, I had to readjust my shoes a few times.  They were new so I had to break them in but mostly it was either they were too loose or too tight.  Eventually I got it right and it went just fine.   I am also running slowly still which is frustrating but I am hopeful still.  There are days I feel like I am just not going to ever be a "real" runner but I won't give up. 


The best part was running with a friend.  I can't believe how fast the miles went by as we were talking!  It would just seem like the Garmin beeped a 1 mile lap time then there would be another.  That was sooo cool!  I will definitely look for Saturday long run partners regularly.   I suppose there is always my mp3 player to keep me company but I will do anything to run with a friend! Thank you Tara!

Sunday I took as a rest day and Monday I had a great 3 mile run especially up hills.  I managed a 6:18 min/mile best pace in a short burst!  Why can't I just keep it up?  At least 9 or 10 minute miles which I can do for short periods of time but I can't average it. I keep saying, "it'll come, it'll come" but when?  I suppose that's a reason to keep blogging.  To see where I've been and how far I've come.  

Tuesday I hit the road early and got in a nice 6 mile run.  I was so excited! It was the first time I've actually "ran". I was able to move my legs, long stride and kick up my heels like a real runner for miles. :) And it felt so good! Maybe I can finally pick up my pace. It was 57 degrees when I left the house as well, such a nice morning for a run. I averaged 11:53 min/mile for 6 miles!

Tuesday was a Yoga night.  My yoga teacher is our Ragnar team leader and she took it easy today.   More focus on stretching, core work and relaxation. The rest of the week I was heading into a taper week.  It was a good end to a great few months of Ragnar Relay training.  

Wednesday and Thursday I took it easy, fighting myself not to run.  I wanted to sooo badly but I held off.  Thursday night we decorated our vans for Ragnar and then another more relaxed yoga night.  

Friday the Ragnar Relay finally began!  At 7 a.m. in the morning we were off!  Whew, without dailymile or facebook I would never have been able to recall a weeks worth of training.  It has been a long week, I have so much to catch up on.  Stay tuned for the Race report.  ;)