Twin cities runner

Ran outside for the first time this year, but not by choice.  My rental complex only has one treadmill and it was being used when I got there at 8 PM.  I decided to go home for 15 minutes and come back...he was still on there.  I waited for 5 minutes and almost said it wasn't my night to run.  But I thought of this site and knew I had to run if I really want to qualify.  I stepped outside and it was a little chilly, but I started going and made a short run for the night, keeping up with my 6x week running.  It has at least 5 months since I've ran outside, and I've forgotten how enjoyable it is, even when its cold.  I heard the gentle waves on the shore when running by the edge of the lake by my place, even though I couldn't see them.  I smelled campfire and it brought me back to fond memories and good times.  The run was short, but it was far enough that night to keep me motivated.  And I was fairly cold because I live in Minnesota and it was in the 40s, which actually was a really nice night up here at this time.  But I wouldn't have made that run without this blog, so thanks to everyone on here for motivating me, even if you didn't know you did.

I decided from my experience last night that getting off the treadmill was the best thing to do for training. Found a route by using www.mapmyrun.com so I could setup a 5 mile run outside and step up my training a little bit.  I've decided to run right when I get home from school so I can run in the sun and not put it off too late and give me more excuses for not running at all.  Beautiful day, but it still was kind of cold at around 50 degrees.

Setup a new route online because the last one I set up I ended up running in a ditch for half a mile. This route ended up a little longer, and seemed alot harder than the last run.  Maybe it was  a harder route, or maybe I was just worn from the last run...who knows?  But I finished and felt good.

It was only about 40 out today and so I decided to keep it indoors.  The wife's stepdad and friends came down for the BB tournaments, so I had to respect their time and cut the run a little shorter than I had hoped, but I still got it in.

Again on the treadmill, I'll try to be more specific on my speeds when I'm on the treadmill.

My legs were really hurting today. I could feel my right Achilles was really tight, so I didn't want to risk injury so early into training so I decided to take it real easy.

Back on the treadmill, it was a little cool today.  

Ran after class right from the school.  

Some of the best weather in March history in MN.  Temp of 74 so I had to take advantage of running outside and going a little further than usual.  I set up a new route. This was a tough run because I was feeling the burn immediately and it never really went away.  Went without a shirt and the sweat was really getting in my eyes, so I might have to wear wrist bands if I ever do that again.

Ran the same route as I did yesterday.  I don't think the weather could have been more perfect: upper 60s with overcast and a gentle breeze. It started out rough again, but with about  1 1/2 to go I really got a second wind and ran a great pace and finished strong.  I think this is my first evidence that my training is starting to pay off.  I really struggled with this same run yesterday the whole time.  I ate some Pita chips about half an hour before I ran, so I wonder if the carbs didn't give me more energy that I needed to finish or if its coincidence, maybe the weather or a combination of things.  I also did make a quick stop at home for a swig of water as it is half way thru the route so that may have helped my pace in the end as well.  About the last mile (right after I picked up the pace) I did get a shooting pain down the top of my left big toe with every strike. Luckily my shoelace came undone and the pain wasn't as bad, otherwise I would have had to stop.  I guess I learned a lesson to not tie my shoes too tight.

Went for my first intentionally short run today to prepare for my long run tomorrow, which is what I've read for advice on how to train...but I don't know if its right.  Even with good intentions, I still felt guilty afterward because of how far I ran. 

My first "long run", even though by most marathon runner standards its really not.  But it is for me right now and I'm proud to say that it felt like I had a good pace and finished strong.  I'm really starting to see the dividends of my training and its really exciting.  Now I need to start timing myself to set goals of how fast I can run certain distances.  An obvious short-term goal would be to run a half-marathon in under 1:35.  Just want to again thank everyone on here, even though nobody will probably read this.  This site has really helped keep me motivated.

Got a little side tracked tonight. Studying for tests and then there was the Final 4 Championship game which I had to watch, so I ended up on the treadmill but only had 35 minutes to run before the stupid place closed.

Cold and rainy today, so back on the treadmill for second day in a row.  Initially I started on the treadmill and struggled to adjust to running outside.  Now after running outside I'm really struggling back on the treadmill.?? O well, I still got my 6 miles, and I decided to go a little further to get that 10K distance.  I did the last 2 miles at 8.5 mph, but I forgot to look at the total time after the run.  But I was happy to do 2 miles at faster than qualifying pace.

The worst day of my training so far, and what a horrible day it was.  It looked beautiful outside my window, sunny and clear.  After spending about an hour on the computer I went straight to running wearing only a T shirt and not checking the weather.  I had set my iPod by the door to time myself for a 10K.  It was cool when in my driveway, but then I got to the main road and the wind was killer.  It was bearable running south, but I struggled to warm up.  My right achilles at the heel felt like there was being squeezed hard every time I landed on my  right foot, just bearable enough to not stop.  Finally I hit my mark and turned around and bam! The wind was much worse than I had realized from the North, cutting to the bone.  Half a mile before I even got home I had decided to quit halfway thru my 10K.  I hate quitting, but I couldn't help it.  I was beaten, spent.  I felt weak, my right heal hurt, my ears hurt, and I had lost all ambition. I barely made it back to my door without walking.  28 minutes!  Wow, probably the slowest I've ever ran that far.

The high that I had felt as little as 4 days ago running the furthest I have ever ran was all but gone and replaced by frustration over how I seem to be regressing away from my goals. It took me over an hour to figure out a positive to this situation:  I just was taught first hand that being preparation is a key part of training. I didn't warm up for my run, physically or mentally.  I didn't check the weather, which resulted in terrible clothing choice. I can't take qualifying for Boston so nonchalantly, I'm just not that good.

I've decided to take the day off, simply because I'm not sure if running today will help me.  I need to recover from yesterday physically and mentally.  I'm trying to get my right heel back to 100%. I've looked at other plans where they give two days off a week, so I'm trying not to fell guilty.  Hopefully this is the break I needed in training to get me going again.

Same route I did on Wednesday.  I took yesterday off, but still on my regular weekly plan of  a short run on Friday, with a long one on Saturday.  Timing it for the 2nd time and plan on beating my awful first time (28 min) by 5 minutes.  I've stretched and focused to run. It's a perfect day to run and I start out strong.  Midway I get a little tired and stiff. The pain that was once in my right heel seemed to move up to the bottom of my calf.  I struggle with my breath back up the hill to my place, but still maintain a good pace.  I get home and 26 minutes! I can't believe this, and I'm starting to wonder if my online mapped out run really isn't a little farther than what I think it is. I can only hope.  

Couldn't quite push myself to go the full 8 miles, but I was struggling most of this run.  I really have a hard time deciding if I need to push myself more on these runs, or just listen to my body which is telling me it may get hurt if I run any longer.  I just don't have the experience to know that.  Maybe its all guessing anyway.  So I went with the safe pick today b/c I had a bad week in general, and I really don't want to take a chance of missing all of next week and really setting back my training.  

Woke up feeling like I'm coming down with something.  Less than an hour later I'm feeling full blown sick - I'll leave out the details. But after catching my daily show Jeopardy at 4:30, I got really nauseous and, sorry for the graphic details, threw up in the bathroom multiple times.  After that I've been feeling much better, but knew it was best to definitely sit today out. I managed to eat some Ramen for supper.  I feel about 80% right now before bed, but hopefully 100% tomorrow morning and able to continue my training. I will feel completely worthless if I don't run 3 straight days, so I'm praying I will be able to.

I went for a run today, but it was just a short one because I still didn't quite feel 100% after being sick.

I'm posting this late so I forgot how far I ran, whoops.  I'll just call it 3 because thats usually my minimum.

Took the day off, last day of finals so I had to celebrate. Didn't really do anything special, just didn't run.

My short run the day before my long run.

I was going to go for at least 8, but I got off to a late start and my wife and I had plans with some people so I had to cut it short by a couple miles.  I made up for it by running it extremely hard.  This is the hardest I've ran in training, and I almost didn't make it to the end without walking.  I really pushed myself, and it felt like a great accomplishment after I was done....something I haven't felt since my first long run.  I don't know if my distances and times are exact, but I'm almost positive I ran it in Qualifying pace.  So that was good to know I can make it that far, now only 20 miles left at that pace!

I decided to explore a trail in the park on my run, and ended up all over in the woods, but I did find a kind of a secret frolf course! So that was worth it.  I just ended my run at a short distance for the day.

A gorgeous 74 degree day with a little wind, if I didn't want to run today I should just quit now.  This may have been my favorite run of training.  Yards are looking green and beautiful, the lakes are looking calm and peaceful.  I went slow, but I never really struggled at all the whole time, which was a great feeling.  No leg pain, no lung troubles.  Truly the first time these weren't a factor at some point in my runs. 

On a related topic, my shoes are over 4 years old, and I'm looking online and wow is it itimidating to buy new shoes!  Runners really seem to be particular about their shoes, with cushion and shoes meant for overpronators.  But apparently shoes can have a big effect on how you run and feel, so I should definitely look into a new pair.  I really don't' know what I'm looking for, and don't know where to go to even figure it out.  I think I'll just take a chance on some I like after I try them on.

Went to the 2nd highest point in Phoenix (Squaw Peak) thinking I was gonna have a very difficult run, instead found out that it was pretty much impossible to run.  It was a hike, with a few spurts of running.  But what a view of the city at the peak. 

Flew back to Grand Forks from Phoenix today, then drove 5 hours back to Minneapolis.  Pretty much had no chance to run.

My first run back from vacation, and I wasn't quite settled in yet, so I took it short and easy today.