In the groove

At the end of last week, I seem to have hit my stride again (literally). The hill workout, tempo and then the Saturday long run went very well (always love running in Alameda) - my legs have lost their early training sludge and seem to know what it is they should be doing. I'm blaming the following things for this:

a.) I have a kick ass running buddy who motivates me (Sarah!) and a very supportive fiance (Dan) who puts up with my crazy running schemes.

b.) I have other things going on that make running seem like a stress less joy!

c.) I am eating eating pasta again

d.) I am getting in better shape?

I know I'll have weeks when I'll reread this in disbelief, but for now, I'm just enjoying it.

That leads me to this week. I ran 8 miles in the rain today, down Lake Street, down to Baker Beach, up the hill to Golden Gate Bridge, down to Chrissy Field and back up Presidio. It's a loop I've done on the weekends but always added more by going over the Bridge. This time I did the loop without the bridge and added about another half mile or so when I could. It's very hilly in the middle and at the end but I like the terrain changes. Since it was raining, I had to be extra careful of cars and of slipping - I noticed that people really can't see you even if they are stopped at a stop sign and you've already been crossing. I almost got run over twice. After that I was extra careful.

Anyway, the rest of the week is pretty similar to last week (switch out the tempo for a steady state) except for a 17 miler this weekend. I think we'll hit 40 miles this week!

Running up five hills

I didn't really give a summary of how the first week of training went, but I would sum it up as good but tiring. This weekend I was pretty tuckered out, and then during the 8  miles on Monday and 6 on Tuesday I was also lumbering along. I think it's a combination of the increase in miles, and the fact that I'm trying to watch what I eat more than I normally would (getting married in July craziness). Yesterday my friend Rebecca convinced me to come over for some much needed pasta and wine and this morning I actually woke up with energy! I had a great hill workout and actually got to work at a decent time. Food is golden! I'm going to make sure I eat enough now that I'm really burning way more calories, especially with the long runs getting longer as the weeks go by. I've just always found it hard to lose weight while training but maybe this time will be different??!?


ps. Today was a 60 minute run with 5 hills.
   

Monday morning long runs are like a few glasses of wine

Is it weird that here I am at work on a Monday morning and I am relaxed? I ran 8 miles this morning and now nothing really seems to be worth stressing over. Perhaps I am just too tired, but I feel pretty good post 8 miles :)

I ran along Chrissy Field - they are doing some construction on the roadway so it's not super peaceful but it was pretty good. Sarah would have "enjoyed" the huge waves that were splashing over beneath the bridge. At one point, the wave soaked the road but luckily I was far away when that happened. I ran down there via Presidio thinking that since I didn't use my "hill" muscles this weekend, they'd be well rested. My legs were a bit heavy from the 13 mile run this weekend and my pace was slow, but all in all,  I think it went ok.

My other training this week includes a hill workout, tempo, about a 6 mile run and 15 this weekend with Sarah.

Hills again!

Today was my first hill workout of this training (4 hills during an hour run - 1 minute up the hill and 2  minute cool down) and boy did my legs have amnesia.  I did the same hill I normally do, but I seem to have forgotten what pace to do. The first 3 hill repeats I sluggishly completed, and for the fourth I thought that I would just pick a pace at the bottom of the hill and maintain it all the way through. This was easy at the bottom and at the middle but I had to push it at the end. I think I actually got up higher for that one minute than I have before so that will be my new trick. I am happy to have gotten three workouts down so far with only two left for the week. I haven't gotten any strength training workouts in - I'm hoping tonight and tomorrow I'll be inspired.

Another day, another 5 miles

I'm not sure why, but I don't even feel like I'm training for a marathon right now. I think I may have a touch of the January blues. The weather isn't too bad though so that's good. I ran to Golden Gate Park which is something I don't usually do during the week. I was afraid it would be pretty empty that early in the morning but it was jumping with cars, bikers and runners.

I felt a little more energized during the run and I thought a lot about the upcoming year and wedding planning. It's almost like I've been in hibernation mode for the last few weeks and I need to shake myself out of it.

I'm looking forward to running with Sarah this weekend for our 13 mile long run. She is feeling a lot better!

First Week of Avenue of the Giants Marathon Training!

Week one of Ave of the Giants Marathon training began this morning with a 6 mile run. It felt pretty normal since I've been running pretty regularly (if you forget the holidays). This week of training is about on par with what I've been doing, except for one more run day. After this week, it really ramps up. I'm looking forward to getting into better running shape and to long runs with Sarah. Speaking of my running buddy, Sarah has been taking care of her husband who had stomach flu, and this morning it really hit her. So she'll be taking this week off I hope! Send her healthy vibes.

Happy New Year!

After a very relaxing and low key New Year's Eve (and maybe too much wine), I am ready for 2010! Wishing all runners (and non runners) a Happy New Year!!!! Let's bring it!