Sunday, July 19, 2009

Back in the swing of training

I know in my last post, I moaned of motivation, and I am still struggling with it, but I know what I have to do, and I will do it.

I had a nice week mileage wise, to get back into the training mode. I checked my stats from last year at this time, and I had just finished up with a weekly total of 28.1 miles. This year, I was at 26.9, and that was without my Thursday run, so I feel much more confident after finding 2008's results.

Last week was super busy with my son's baseball, and I was still able to get my running in. I was even fortunate enough to get my trail run in with the group on Saturday, before his game. They hooked me up with a nice run, and even shortened it a bit, to get me out of there with enough time to shower before leaving for the game.

Now before today's last game, I got up early and did a nice 10 mile out and back run.
As I was checking my past history last nite, I was shocked to find out that my longest run, since running the Long Branch 1/2 marathon, on May 3rd, was a 9-1/2 miler back in May! I knew I had slacked, but no run of 10+ miles since the 1st weekend in May... that's shocking.

Well, today, I wanted to stay in the 8:45-9:15 range, that's where I want to be at for my long runs. I stayed in that range, and even managed to run my last mile, as my best. It was a struggle during the mid miles. When I got into the 5-8 mile range, I could feel the heaviness in my legs. The lungs felt good, but not the legs! I'm sure it'll be a bit before that goes away.

One new thing I added to my run, was a Nathan Quick draw Elite handheld

I got that last week, and this was the 1st time I had a chance to use it. I had only run with a water bottle, so having something like this felt weird. One thing I learned was I need to make sure my fluids are cold. My water got warm after a few miles.

This Saturday, I found a cool run that I am looking forward to running. I missed out on it the last few years, but the stars have aligned for me to run it this year.

www.sandblastbeachrun.net

It's a 2 or 4 mile run, on the beach in Wildwood! I have pre registered for the 4 miler, and am looking forward to my 1st beach race!

Nice thing about being downashore next weekend, is I get to do my Sunday 12 mile run at the beach. I'm planning on a running an out and back to Cape May.

10 miles 1:28:39

  1. 8:38
  2. 9:00
  3. 8:52
  4. 8:53
  5. 9:04
  6. 9:05
  7. 9:03
  8. 8:53
  9. 8:45
  10. 8:19

8 comments:

Progman2000 said...

Nice Handheld - i have been using the amphipods but I am ready for a change and have been eyeing this one or maybe the Ultimate Direction one.

I have committed to myself to work on my training schedule today for AP and the fall. I have been all over the place just counting miles and need to square something away.

sneakersister said...

I know that struggle with motivation well. That is exactly how I felt when the doc gave me the go-ahead to start running again after my sfx. You would think I would have been chomping at the bit but I wasn't. It took me a while to find it. You'll get there. Sometimes it's just a matter of forcing it until it becomes more easy. Maybe that 4 mile beach race will help. That sounds HARD!!!

I use the Nathan Quidraw Plus and love it. I'll have to give the Elite a try. The Nathan site says you don't have to hold it, that it just attaches to your hand. Is this true? If so, I'll definitely get one. I always fill my water bottles and leave them in the fridge overnight because you're right, your hand warms the liquids.

Nice long run.

Denise said...

I have an Nathan hand held and love it. In our bag for 20in24 they gave Nathan water bottles. Thought that was a great goodie cause it fits in my hand held thingy.

Vava said...

That run is earily similar to the 16km (roughly 10 miles I think) that I ran on Friday evening. Same pacing, similar feeling in the legs. Nice going!

sRod said...

I have a very similar Nathan bottle. I love it--I can't run without it. The swishing takes a couple of runs to get used to, but is worth it (I swear it doubles as weight training). As for the temperature, I don't know how you can control that. I think any cold liquid will get warm fast when it's in your hands.

Glaven Q. Heisenberg said...

Man, i'b be happy with those times running five miles!

Running on the actual beach, in the sand? For FOUR miles?

Man, sounds like a slogfest.

Good luck, brother!

joyRuN said...

Very nice handheld! I've been thinking of getting one.

Sandblast Run looks good, except I should be boozing it up for Night in Venice at the same time :)

Unknown said...

Nice even splits for the run. Even picked it up at the end.