Every Wish That We Put Into Motion.... (comments welcome!)

[Herding_Cats]

Actual training happened today. And next week "summer running club" starts for my oldest 2, and I'm hoping to just drag myself along with them (and hopefully DH as well if there isn't baseball practice interfering.) Anyhow, my kids got As in their classes at school, so they don't have to take their exams (other than in any honors/AP classes) which mean I had daytime babysitters today.

Accomplished: 3.04mi, 40:27, which averaged out to 13:19/mi which is way too fast, especially considering this is like my 5th run since January, I ran 30/30 intervals, and walked up most of the hills, and hello 161avg HR.

It's only about 70 out, very sunny, and I had the worst dry mouth by the end of this run. Just like last year, my watch is a little bit different on where it's saying the miles are. This happened last year when I restarted training after taking months off, and it's just weird. Anyway. Strava says something slightly different than my garmin, but there was definitely some slowing down in the last mile (13:13, 13:17, and then 13:29) since I turned the autolap off on my watch so I couldn't obsess over splits.


I feel.....nothing about this run. It wasn't a good run. It wasn't a bad run. It didn't feel hard (my HR zones would disagree with that.) It just was. That's kind of a strange feeling. I ordered skirts for costumes this morning, and it was the same.

I'm not excited about training, or even about the races right now. I know I can complete everything up to the marathon on not a lot of training on my part, but the full just has me like uuuuuuugh I better train. Hopefully a few weeks of regular exercise can re-start some of the energy I'm going to need. (And this is also contrasted by the fact that I've been thinking about seeing if my SIL wants to sign up for Chicago in 2024, which is NUTS because I don't even wanna train NOW.) I think SIL and I are going to try to do one of the beachbody programs "together" over the summer to have an accountability person with. She teaches 1st grade, so this week is pretty crazy for her, but after that we're going to try to pick one out.

 

[Herding_Cats]

SIL and I are going to try to do one of the beachbody programs "together" over the summer to have an accountability person with. She teaches 1st grade, so this week is pretty crazy for her, but after that we're going to try to pick one out.

Talked with SIL yesterday, and we decided on a program. We wanted something that was under an hour, and something that is not super long so we can complete it and be like WOO HOO, let's do another one! AND we decided to try something we've never done before. That brought us to: 4 Weeks of the Prep. And if we like it, we can follow up with 6 Weeks of the Work. This program bills itself as functional fitness, and a way to ramp up to more intensive programs. So it at least sounds like a good starting point.

SIL wants to do it as written which means 6 days a week and not stretched out where we only do workouts 3-4x a week. She's been working out, going to spin class, and running this winter/spring for Bayshore half, so she's in a much better place than I am to get started on this. RIP to my muscles this week. Thank goodness we just cleaned and refilled the hot tub because I'm going to need it.

Plan for the week of 6/12:
-complete week one of The Prep (rest day TBD)
-2 short runs (30-45min)
-1 longer run (45-60min)

 

[Herding_Cats]

On day 4 of this program and

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I knew I was out of lifting/working out shape, but WOW. Experience tells me it'll pretty much only get better from here, but WOW.

 

[The Expert]

On day 4 of this program and

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I knew I was out of lifting/working out shape, but WOW. Experience tells me it'll pretty much only get better from here, but WOW.

Yes but you are DOING THE THING! Good for you!

 

[SheHulk]

You can do it! Your future self will thank you.

 

[nancipants]

You go this! *insert motivational gif here*

 

[Herding_Cats]

Plan for the week of 6/12:
-complete week one of The Prep (rest day TBD)
-2 short runs (30-45min)
-1 longer run (45-60min)

achieved:
-4 of the 6 workouts (although one is a stretching type workout that I usually skip and use as an extra rest day)
-1 run

That's HUGE for me. I did something most of the days, and it really does feel good for my body AND my brain.

As stated in my previous post, HOLY LEGS. I was sore. So, so, so, sore. USING the handrail to pull myself up the stairs sore. I did the work out on Thursday and that helped the soreness for a few hours, but then it was back to bad.

The good news is, I think I'm over it, and as long as I don't get unrealistic about what weights I should be using, that level of soreness shouldn't be a problem any longer. WOO HOO! As a side note, I'm used to the the "instructors" (Autumn/Tony/Joel) doing a lot more explaining of the moves and form cues during the workouts. Amoila assumes that you already know how to do this stuff and there's a lot less of it, which I don't mind, but also find interesting since this is supposed to be an introductory program.

Plan for this week (because so far I'm only scheduled for wednesday, friday, and maybe one day on the weekend) is to skip the rest day on Wednesday to get "back" on track with the workouts. And run at least 3x (2 shorter, 1 longer.) I'm currently lobbying DH to go to summer running with the kids tonight so the temptation to just tinker around in the garden/yard for awhile and then watch TV isn't available.

 

[Herding_Cats]

Ok checking in because I know I need to be at a certain point by mid-September to be able to do the Dopey training appropriately and safely (and making plans for myself is a coping strategy.)


The rest of this month and the first week of July: Finish my current lifting program, and get in 3 runs/week (about 2-2.5hrs)

2nd week in July-mid September: Higdon Novice 1 HM plan

Sept 25-January: repeat (maybe a small remix with some possible light speedwork depending on how crazy our schedule is) DopeyBadger plan #615 that I used last year.

Comparing 2022 to 2023: In 2022 I did a HM training block (Higdon novice 1 with a HM race in mid-September), had a recovery week, and jumped into my DB plan. If I repeat this pattern (mostly) this year I will only 2 weeks "behind" schedule (which I am chopping off the end of the Higdon plan) if I wait to complete my lifting program before starting the HM plan. That means I'll get through week 10 (plus a few days.) Moving from my current 3 days/week (plus all of the current lifting) to what is basically 4 days/week (plus some cross training) in the Higdon plan means adding on about 30min of running per week. That seems doable as it would be a 20% increase in time. Although, yes, I will admit that my running has NOT been consistent even with me trying to manage 3 days/week, but I have definitely been plenty active with other things. My new meds are helping me not completely bottom out on mood/motivation every month. And starting the Higdon plan with <3hrs/week seems doable even with how inconsistent I have been. I feel like I need some amount of pressure to do this HM plan since I don't/won't have a race for it, and making sure I'm set up for my Dopey plan seems like it might work. Maybe a time trial?

Looking at transitioning between plans, the "end" of the Hidgon plan would take me from 5.5hrs/week and then be followed up by the first week of #615 with 4hrs (and then 5.5hrs the next week since my long run is every other week) at the "start" of the Dopey plan. So that seems OK too. Shockingly smooth even.

I would have 4 consecutive built-in "off days" between the plans when we head to Disney for DD's birthday and MNNSHP and I doubt I'll get any running in.

Burnout is a potential factor, but I was able to successfully complete this last year, and there's something to be said for familiarity. Would it be nice to have an actual race in there somewhere? Yes. But I honestly don't have any idea where I could fit on in at a point that makes sense for the training plans AND works with our schedule.

 

[The Expert]

Sounds like it's going to work out just fine! Sometimes doing the actual math is a good thing.

when we head to Disney for DD's birthday and MNNSHP

WHEN is this?? We'll be there mid-October and are doing an MNSSHP, likely the 19th.

 

[Herding_Cats]

WHEN is this?? We'll be there mid-October and are doing an MNSSHP, likely the 19th.

2nd to last week in September, so no overlap unfortunately. We are going to try to get her over to Ft Wilderness for a pony ride too.

Also, big win on being able to recycle a race costume for the party since they’re all for warm weather and easy to add layers if it’s colder.

 

[Herding_Cats]

When it’s still in the 80s at 9pm, you make sure you leave your kids’ inflatable water slide thing up so you can sit in the pool after your run. Felt sooooooo good and cold (but not too cold.)

 

[nancipants]

When it’s still in the 80s at 9pm, you make sure you leave your kids’ inflatable water slide thing up so you can sit in the pool after your run. Felt sooooooo good and cold (but not too cold.)

The other night after my run I jumped into the pool. But the water wasn't cold enough thanks to our solar heaters. At least the water felt good on my muscles.

 

[Naomeri]

When it’s still in the 80s at 9pm, you make sure you leave your kids’ inflatable water slide thing up so you can sit in the pool after your run. Felt sooooooo good and cold (but not too cold.)

Now I want an inflatable pool

 

[Herding_Cats]

Ever had a run where you were like "I'm just going to keep going and see what happens"? I'm sure you have. I did that last night, and even though it was "only" an hour run, and I had to pull back on my intervals, knowing that I *can* go out and run for that long and still feel fine is a big metal boost. Our AQI has been from about 100-170, and I'm definitely ready for something other than a north wind for a few days. I cannot imagine what runners in the more affected areas are feeling.

 

[GollyGadget]

Wooo! Don't sell yourself short. An hour is a long time to be running. Great job getting out there and seeing how it'd go!

 

[Herding_Cats]

Quick update before I have to go make all of the pies.

Work has been crazy. Ramping up for the 4th plus being a little bit short-handed at the restaurant means that I'm not getting very many days off. I'm actually not sure who I'm even working with today. Does standing all day count as time-on-feet? It's also been super hot, and I've been taking my rD cooling towel in with me because my body just doesn't like the heat this year. Ugh. I'm thinking that maybe I'll spring for one of those inside tracker blood tests at some points because of how different everything from my heat tolerance to my metabolism has gotten over the last couple of years. I've also abandoned the weight training (again) because I'm just working too much right now to fit that in with everything else. And the running is enjoyable again (YAY!), so I'm going to do that.

Training:
6/22--basic 3mi/40min run. Lots of time spent in zone 4 for the HR. Trying to decide which ratio I should be using for my intervals right now.

6/26--summer run club 3mi with DS3. 45/30 intervals. He talked the.entire.time. AQI was trash for running in.

6/28--the aforementioned "long" run of 4.5mi, 1:03 (Yes, welcome to my self-deprecating humor. I promise that I'm not beating myself up over my paces and distances.) I'm not sure where the extra half mile came from, but I'll take it. The AQI was higher than I realized and I paid HARD for this the next morning with a massive headache.

And then I've worked every single day, and will work every day this week. I have taken to coming home and napping HARD because a 95 degree workspace for 8 hours is exhausting.

7/2--napped and then went for a run after it was out of the 80s in the evening. Intended to only run for 30min, but decided midway through that I would just do 3mi. And then decided that I wanted to see if I could run the last mile faster than my first mile (which I always overrun unless I really pay attention.) 30/30 intervals instead of 45/30, to see if I can start working on running a little bit harder during the run portion without blowing up my HR zones. According to my Garmin, it worked AND I was faster, but I'm not sure how accurate the wrist monitor actually is for that many pace changes. Went out at 13:17 pace, followed up with 13:34, and got back home in 12:36. Coming back has several uphills but is actually a net downhill, so it feels terrible but is usually faster. 12:36 off of 30/30s is promising, but now it's back to slower runs because I definitely do not need to get injured.

 

[Herding_Cats]

Thought during my run tonight: would it be a terrible idea to try to PR the marathon during dopey?

I mean. We mostly walked the 5 and 10k last year. I took my time with the half. My marathon PR is like 6:09 or something like that. But I have been right around the 7hr mark for both of my MW marathons, and over 27mi for both so

Probably a terrible idea for this coming weekend. Maybe in the future when I’m not coming off a 5mo break?

 

[nancipants]

(do it)

 

[Herding_Cats]

(do it)

There’s also the factor of castle pics, character pics, and a possible roller coaster ride to confound things.

I want it all.

 

[GollyGadget]

There’s also the factor of castle pics, character pics, and a possible roller coaster ride to confound things.

I want it all.

I’m not running Dopey but still have this same conundrum for the marathon.