Saturday, May 8, 2010

Week 4 done! 4 more weeks 'til Dam to Dam

Well, week 4 is done and it's 4 more weeks until Dam to Dam 20K! I didn't get my strength training done this week, but I got 2 more miles than planned done. NEXT WEEK - BIG GOAL.... get strength training done.... 2 days! I REALLY need to make this a priority!

I feel great about how my running is going. I want to get back to doing some speed work to try to improve my speed a little bit. I'd like to do that one day a week. I have a good plan for speed work on the treadmill.

I wasn't real happy with the new shoes I got a while back. They just didn't feel right. I got a new pair yesterday and my feet feel "at home" now. It's amazing what a difference the right pair of shoe makes!

I haven't been sticking EXACTLY to my plan as I set it out... but realize that it's really more of a guide... it doesn't have to be exactly as I have it laid out.

Well, this post has been kind of random and not real cohesive, but these are my thoughts as I finish week 4!

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Fair weathered runner!

I am an admitted fair weather runner. I like it best around 65 degrees with just a slight breeze. I DON'T like running in heat or wind, and REALLY don't like running in heat AND wind. So, when I was driving back to Ames from work this afternoon struggling to keep my truck on the road in 83 degree weather, I was VERY tempted to skip my run today. I almost had it justified... I could make it up later in the week. However, I decided I needed to suck it up and just get out there and DO IT. So, I changed clothes, slathered on the sunscreen, filled my camelback with water and headed out. Just before the end of mile 3 I thought, I am gonnna have to stop and walk a little bit. But, I got to mile 3 and kept plugging away. I slowed down a little bit, but kept going for 2 more miles. I admit that I felt great when I got done for accomplishing what I didn't think I could do. There's just something about pushing yourself beyond your limits that makes you feel great.

On another note.... there's just something about a "thumbs-up" from a fellow runner to help keep you motivated as you're running.

Monday, May 3, 2010

Strength training struggles

Well, week 4 started off great. I ran 2 miles tonight, at a faster pace than my normal. I am admittedly more of a slow jogger than a "runner" (although people say even if you're jogging you are a runner) But, I digress... I ran 2 miles tonight at a 12 minute mile pace. When I did the half marathon last summer my average pace was 12 1/2 minutes which was faster than my normal. I would really like to maintain that pace at Dam to Dam and the marathon. But, I would rather jog at a slow pace and jog the entire thing without having to stop to walk.

On another note, I haven't been to the gym in a long time and am struggling at getting my strength training done. Since I switched to my day job I am having a harder time getting motivated to go to the gym. For one thing, it is much more crowded at 4 in the afternoon than at 9 or 10 in the morning. And, another thing, the weather has been SO nice I haven't wanted to go inside to the gym. I need to get 2 days of strength training in a week. It seems several mornings I wake up at 3 a.m. and have a hard time getting back to sleep. So, I'm considering going to the gym before work a couple days a week, or maybe one day a week and then going on Saturday mornings for my other day of strength training. I know it is important to get this in so my goal this week is to make sure I get my strength training done!