Training log 01/05-01/11

This week was challenging on so many levels. It was the first week back at work after a few days off, and I felt a bit overwhelmed and disorganized. Add to that major sleep deprivation due to my son's difficulties to adjust to sleeping in a "big boy bed", and the fact that I had a cold with 3 days of fever and you can see that things have been a bit challenging for me. But, in spite of all of these, I did manage to rock all the workouts!


Monday - speed


Goal: run 1 mile slow, and 4 800 meters in 3.38 each (6:56 pace), with 2 min rest interval, 1 mile slow; T = 5 miles

Actual: repeats: 1 (downhill): 3:19; 2(uphill): 3:21; 3 (downhill): 3:18; 4 (uphill): 3:18


Overall felt very good, never out of breath, a bit winded but could have gone faster. Can I say that I absolutely love speed work? I feel like I am flying, and that once I get used to a pace, it does not seem hard, it seems doable. I had a glow the entire evening after this run...could have been the fever, though:)


Tuesday - swim


The usual 1.5 miles swim, with 8 50 meters kick drills. Loved it, loved it, loved it - well, except when all of a sudden this kid jumped in my lane and we were about to crash into each other and his mom started yelling at ME (?) while the lifeguard was... yawning....I am so greatful noone got hurt! After the swim Petru and I hung out in the gym and played in the "bouncy house", fun!


Wednesday -bike


15 miles indoor biking along with NPR's "Wait, wait don't tell me" and the latest issue of "Runner's World". Per the FIRST program I biked very fast with low resistance. No glow, very little sweat, quite a bit of boredom, but major soreness the next day..I guess I did something right! I am going to continue biking, as a friend of mine is giving me his indoor bike since he decidedly is not the "indoor (bike) type".


Thursday - tempo run


Goal: 1 mile slow, 5 miles @ 8:35, 1 mile slow
Actual: did the 5 milers @ 8:15 with 2.5 uphill and 2.5 downhill.


I was very close to skipping this work out. I felt so sick. But, I had no chest or throat symptoms, and I remembered how much better I felt on Monday after the run, so I went for it.


Conditions were horrible, with patches of ice and hardened snow. It was also dark because I stayed at work longer than expected. The r -un was more of a sk - un. I wanted to be done so badly that I went faster than I was supposed to.


**A bit of groin/pelvic pain gone by the next day


Friday -REST
This was actually easy, because of the accumulated sleep deprivation (this week I got max 5 hours each night, with max 3 hours of continuous sleep) and I actualy took a nap during the time I normally work out. Felt awsome thereafter and managed to stay up till 1am with friends playing Alhambra. Unfortunately, I lost both games:)


Saturday -Long run - 16 miles.


Normally I like to run in the early morning, but one of the Sues had a prior commitment, and so we ended up running at noon. I struggled all morning with what to eat, how much. I ended up eating 2 bowls of oatmeal, one clementine and a slice of turkey. Not enough, because, in spite of eating one gel and a few jelly beans, I felt lightheaded at mile 6, and very hungry during the last 5 miles. Plus, I ran out of water, too. We ran at a good pace, 9:09, faster than the 9:20 recommended by the FIRST program. We ran from Arlington to Alewife, than 2 loops around Fresh Pond, back to Arlington Heights and one more mile toward Lexington. Plus, I had an extra mile from and to home (I did walk the .5 mile home). I felt fine cardiovascularly, and I had no pain. The lightheadedness was a bit scary, but it is something that I often experience in long races so I have to look into drinking Gatorade and eating more calories for these long runs.


Back at home I had some eggs and toast, and the lightheadedness turned into nausea, which lasted up to dinner, in spite of my eating a bowl of cereal and one energy bar. Back to normal after dinner.


Sunday: 1.5 mile swim

What I've learned

1. Long runs will be challenging because I need to figure out nutrition and hydration, and how to prevent lightheadedness. The other 2 runs are still very easy to me.

2. I am looking forward to all workouts. ALL. I love the variety.

3. The Sues and I plotted some of the fundraising that we will do together. More on that later.

4. I love this marathon training and am so fortunate to have such a supportive husband and family. My son checks the weather daily and tells me if it is "too icy to run, you will fall, mommy!"