Monday: I put 30 minutes in on the trainer in the basement, and did an ab workout in the afternoon. Fairly low key day until partying it up to bring in the new year!
Tuesday: I was hungover for the majority of the day, but still managed to get out for 4 1/2 miles.
Wednesday: Put in an hour on the trainer in the basement. Swam in the evening and quit early because I was drained. Did an ab workout after resting for a little bit, which tore my lower back apart in a bad way. This was a rough day all in all.
Thursday: Took the day off due to the lower back pains and generally feeling like I'm overtrained from my sharp increase in training.
Friday: Drove back to UK. Did an ab workout in the evening, being careful not to agitate my back again.
Saturday: Ran 5 1/2 miles, my longest distance since the Chicago Marathon! Also went out to buy my clipless pedals & cycling shoes.
Sunday: Ran 4 1/3 miles, then biked 10 miles later in the day. I somehow managed not to fall with my new pedals, but I know its still going to happen!
Total run: 14.42 miles
Total bike: 39.82 miles
Total swim: 0.5 miles (hey, at least its something, right?)
--------------------------------------------------
Not a bad week, although it was a reminder what a sharp increase in training and a poor diet will do to me. These last few days I've been eating really good to make sure I stay healthy, which has me feeling like a million bucks! After running a significant distance two days back to back, I'm really feeling like this hip injury is history! Watch out 2008!
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Running, Biking, and Wind, Oh My!
Today has been a pretty busy day, considering the semester doesn't start until Wednesday!
I woke up around 9 and got out for a run. The weather was pretty nice, around 50 degrees, so I ran in shorts for the first time in a while! I know to some of you, that sounds down-right chilly, but let us non-Floridians enjoy it!
This run was at least a little slower than yesterday, but as you can tell by the splits I stopped paying attention to pace for at least a little while:
7:34
7:23
6:52
7:22
2:30 (0.35 miles)
Average pace: 7:17
My hip felt fine throughout the whole run, maybe I'll even be able to forget about it soon? I've ran almost 10 miles in the past two days, which is a first in a long time!
After lunch and a little bit of reading, I got out on the bike; my first ride with clipless pedals! And surprisingly (magically, miraculously, luckily, ...) I didn't fall, not even once! I started the ride by riding around the parking lot practicing starts and stops over and over until I felt confident enough to get out on the roads. I had a few close calls while practicing, but I managed to keep myself, and my bike, upright.
I'm already loving the clipless pedals. Climbing hills is a breeze since I can generate a lot more power going up. Although its using different muscles, so I wore myself out really quick, then turned into the wind, and the last part of the ride was pretty rough. Over time, though, I'll build up those new muscles and learn not to wear myself out in the first couple miles; thats when the real benefit will come!
Bike stats:
Miles: 9.82
Time: 34:52
Avg Speed: 16.9 MPH
I woke up around 9 and got out for a run. The weather was pretty nice, around 50 degrees, so I ran in shorts for the first time in a while! I know to some of you, that sounds down-right chilly, but let us non-Floridians enjoy it!
This run was at least a little slower than yesterday, but as you can tell by the splits I stopped paying attention to pace for at least a little while:
7:34
7:23
6:52
7:22
2:30 (0.35 miles)
Average pace: 7:17
My hip felt fine throughout the whole run, maybe I'll even be able to forget about it soon? I've ran almost 10 miles in the past two days, which is a first in a long time!
After lunch and a little bit of reading, I got out on the bike; my first ride with clipless pedals! And surprisingly (magically, miraculously, luckily, ...) I didn't fall, not even once! I started the ride by riding around the parking lot practicing starts and stops over and over until I felt confident enough to get out on the roads. I had a few close calls while practicing, but I managed to keep myself, and my bike, upright.
I'm already loving the clipless pedals. Climbing hills is a breeze since I can generate a lot more power going up. Although its using different muscles, so I wore myself out really quick, then turned into the wind, and the last part of the ride was pretty rough. Over time, though, I'll build up those new muscles and learn not to wear myself out in the first couple miles; thats when the real benefit will come!
Bike stats:
Miles: 9.82
Time: 34:52
Avg Speed: 16.9 MPH
Saturday, January 5, 2008
"Easy" Five
I woke up this morning around 9am ready to run. My legs felt fresh after a few days completely off, it was raining, and I was just feeling it. So I went out for what was to be a nice easy 5 1/2 miles; my longest run since October 7th.
The run started and I clocked off the first mile in 7:24, and I decided that was acceptably easy so I stopped paying attention to my Garmin. Then what? Well, here's the splits:
7:24
7:08
7:06
6:52
6:53
3:38 (thats 7:11 pace for 0.51 miles)
Going quick felt amazing and surprisingly effortless. My legs feel the quicker pace a little bit tonight, but not my hip! Its feeling good as new!
After my run I went out to the bike shop to get the death traps for my feet. By that, of course, I mean the clipless pedals for my bike:
The new pedals
The contraption on my shoe that attaches to the pedal
Supposedly, these new gadgets are going to make me able to bike significantly faster. However, they're also going to cause me to fall on my face at some point. I've been practicing getting out of the pedals all night, but I know I'm probably going to topple over when I stop tomorrow! Don't worry, I'll be posting picture of my inevitable injuries!
The run started and I clocked off the first mile in 7:24, and I decided that was acceptably easy so I stopped paying attention to my Garmin. Then what? Well, here's the splits:
7:24
7:08
7:06
6:52
6:53
3:38 (thats 7:11 pace for 0.51 miles)
Going quick felt amazing and surprisingly effortless. My legs feel the quicker pace a little bit tonight, but not my hip! Its feeling good as new!
After my run I went out to the bike shop to get the death traps for my feet. By that, of course, I mean the clipless pedals for my bike:
The new pedals
The contraption on my shoe that attaches to the pedalSupposedly, these new gadgets are going to make me able to bike significantly faster. However, they're also going to cause me to fall on my face at some point. I've been practicing getting out of the pedals all night, but I know I'm probably going to topple over when I stop tomorrow! Don't worry, I'll be posting picture of my inevitable injuries!
Friday, January 4, 2008
Sweet Home Kentucky
I made it back to Kentucky in one piece.
Nothing too eventful about the trip, except a gas station that was out of gas. I went to fill up and the gas literally dripped into my tank. After five minutes I had one dollar worth of gas! I noticed lines were actually forming at all the pumps, so I'm assuming that was the case at all the pumps.
Since I was traveling all day, no running or biking happened at all. The plan is to do an ab workout tonight before I hit the sheets, so then I can at least count today worth something!
Tomorrow, though, I'm planning to get out and run 5 miles; the laziness has to come to an end! Also, I'm going to go drop a bunch of money at the bike shop. I'm giving into the suggestion every serious cyclist gives me, and I'm going to get clipless pedals. Supposedly they make pretty much anybody 10% faster just by using them, since you're also pulling up instead of just pushing down.
The only problem is that its really going to increase the chance of me falling on my face. And not only that, when I do fall on my face, I'm going to be going 10% faster when I do it! Don't worry, I'll be sure to post pictures when the inevitable fall eventually happens. Ultimately, though, if I want to be serious about biking I need to get clipless pedals. And in my opinion at least, its better to start developing the technique and muscles for it sooner than later.
In unrelated news, my appetite is still in overdrive from my 2-a-day workouts earlier this week, and I just consumed an entire pizza.
Okay, so I lied a little, I left the burnt crust!
Nic - The prospect of a pacer is making me lean more towards Racine already, even if its not a guarantee!
Nancy - You know, I almost forgot about the bug that was going around my house. I bet you're right, the old immune system was using all my energy to keep it at bay! So far, no symptoms at all other than being tired and I'm away from all the sickies now!
Nothing too eventful about the trip, except a gas station that was out of gas. I went to fill up and the gas literally dripped into my tank. After five minutes I had one dollar worth of gas! I noticed lines were actually forming at all the pumps, so I'm assuming that was the case at all the pumps.
Since I was traveling all day, no running or biking happened at all. The plan is to do an ab workout tonight before I hit the sheets, so then I can at least count today worth something!
Tomorrow, though, I'm planning to get out and run 5 miles; the laziness has to come to an end! Also, I'm going to go drop a bunch of money at the bike shop. I'm giving into the suggestion every serious cyclist gives me, and I'm going to get clipless pedals. Supposedly they make pretty much anybody 10% faster just by using them, since you're also pulling up instead of just pushing down.
The only problem is that its really going to increase the chance of me falling on my face. And not only that, when I do fall on my face, I'm going to be going 10% faster when I do it! Don't worry, I'll be sure to post pictures when the inevitable fall eventually happens. Ultimately, though, if I want to be serious about biking I need to get clipless pedals. And in my opinion at least, its better to start developing the technique and muscles for it sooner than later.
In unrelated news, my appetite is still in overdrive from my 2-a-day workouts earlier this week, and I just consumed an entire pizza.
Okay, so I lied a little, I left the burnt crust!Nancy - You know, I almost forgot about the bug that was going around my house. I bet you're right, the old immune system was using all my energy to keep it at bay! So far, no symptoms at all other than being tired and I'm away from all the sickies now!
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Unscheduled Rest Day
This morning I woke up at 9am with every intent of getting some errands taking care of, running, and heading back to Kentucky. Well, I was pooped. Again.
I got up for a little bit, packed for 30 minutes or so, then went back to bed until 11:30. I'm calling this over training from my really sharp increase in working on this past week or so, and decided just to take today completely off. I still got my errands and packing done, but working out definitely didn't happen at all.
Tomorrow I'm heading back to Kentucky, no matter what. I gotta get back there so I can get my stuff in order before this next semester starts.
I've been looking at my tentative race schedule for 2008, too. I want to do a few half marathons, few sprint triathlons, one marathon, and a half ironman if things all go my way. As always, some spontaneous 5k's will probably appear as long as I stay injury free. Here's the races I'm considering.
02/09/08 - 9 on the 9th - Theres no way I can pass this one up!
04/06/08 - Spirit of St. Louis Half Marathon - Some friends are wanting to run this one, so I'm thinking about heading there to see old friends and tear up the pavement.
04/19/08 - River to River Relay - This was the most fun race I did last year, so I gotta do it again. 8 runners, 80 miles, going mostly non-stop from sunrise to sunset. Its a great way to meet great runners.
05/04/08 - Flying Pig Half Marathon - Everybody is telling me great things about this half marathon. Also, they have a "Pump N' Run" event that looks fun; check it out!
07/20/08 - Spirit of Racine Half Ironman - If I do a half IM, I want it to be late in the summer so I have time to train, but I don't want it to interfere with school. I also want time to do specific training for Chicago. This race just meets those requirements and is fairly close to where I live.
08/10/08 - Greater Cleveland Half Ironman - Same as above, mostly mentioning them due to their logistics.
10/12/08 - Chicago Marathon - I have a bone to pick with this race. I got jipped time-wise last year, and I'm going back to show what I'm made of. Who's with me?!
I'm sure some other races will come up, and some of these will fade away, but I gotta start somewhere and have something to work towards!
Who's ready for a great '08?
I got up for a little bit, packed for 30 minutes or so, then went back to bed until 11:30. I'm calling this over training from my really sharp increase in working on this past week or so, and decided just to take today completely off. I still got my errands and packing done, but working out definitely didn't happen at all.
Tomorrow I'm heading back to Kentucky, no matter what. I gotta get back there so I can get my stuff in order before this next semester starts.
I've been looking at my tentative race schedule for 2008, too. I want to do a few half marathons, few sprint triathlons, one marathon, and a half ironman if things all go my way. As always, some spontaneous 5k's will probably appear as long as I stay injury free. Here's the races I'm considering.
02/09/08 - 9 on the 9th - Theres no way I can pass this one up!
04/06/08 - Spirit of St. Louis Half Marathon - Some friends are wanting to run this one, so I'm thinking about heading there to see old friends and tear up the pavement.
04/19/08 - River to River Relay - This was the most fun race I did last year, so I gotta do it again. 8 runners, 80 miles, going mostly non-stop from sunrise to sunset. Its a great way to meet great runners.
05/04/08 - Flying Pig Half Marathon - Everybody is telling me great things about this half marathon. Also, they have a "Pump N' Run" event that looks fun; check it out!
07/20/08 - Spirit of Racine Half Ironman - If I do a half IM, I want it to be late in the summer so I have time to train, but I don't want it to interfere with school. I also want time to do specific training for Chicago. This race just meets those requirements and is fairly close to where I live.
08/10/08 - Greater Cleveland Half Ironman - Same as above, mostly mentioning them due to their logistics.
10/12/08 - Chicago Marathon - I have a bone to pick with this race. I got jipped time-wise last year, and I'm going back to show what I'm made of. Who's with me?!
I'm sure some other races will come up, and some of these will fade away, but I gotta start somewhere and have something to work towards!
Who's ready for a great '08?
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
I'm Pooped
Tired. Spent. Worn out. Dead. Too pooped to participate!
I think it has been my diet these past few days, or maybe I'm just increasing my volume a little too quickly. But no matter what it is, I'm drained.
This morning I woke up and jumped on the bike trainer for an hour; we'll call it 20 miles because the effort was good. Then I spent most the day being a bum. I had a pizza for lunch and my mom made cheeseburgers for dinner, so I had crap in the tank when I went for my swim tonight.
The game plan was to swim a mile, but after half that I was completely drained. My form was falling apart, each lap was sending my heart rate up to 170+, and my arms were dead. Rather than toughing through it I decided to call it a night and come back another day. Since I'm still trying to get my technique down, swimming half a mile with poor technique would have only done more harm than good. On the bright side, though, I'm glad it isn't injury holding me back this time!
Then I had a super-fun adventure trying to get my registration sticker on my license plate. I followed the directions, but apparently the glue doesn't stick when its around absolute zero outside. So I decided to try out super gluing it to my license plate, and so far so good. Although now I have super glue all over my fingers, and I'm probably going to spend the rest of the night trying to peel it (and my skin) off my hands!
I think it has been my diet these past few days, or maybe I'm just increasing my volume a little too quickly. But no matter what it is, I'm drained.
This morning I woke up and jumped on the bike trainer for an hour; we'll call it 20 miles because the effort was good. Then I spent most the day being a bum. I had a pizza for lunch and my mom made cheeseburgers for dinner, so I had crap in the tank when I went for my swim tonight.
The game plan was to swim a mile, but after half that I was completely drained. My form was falling apart, each lap was sending my heart rate up to 170+, and my arms were dead. Rather than toughing through it I decided to call it a night and come back another day. Since I'm still trying to get my technique down, swimming half a mile with poor technique would have only done more harm than good. On the bright side, though, I'm glad it isn't injury holding me back this time!
Then I had a super-fun adventure trying to get my registration sticker on my license plate. I followed the directions, but apparently the glue doesn't stick when its around absolute zero outside. So I decided to try out super gluing it to my license plate, and so far so good. Although now I have super glue all over my fingers, and I'm probably going to spend the rest of the night trying to peel it (and my skin) off my hands!
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Happy New Year!
I hope everybody had a fun and safe New Years last night; I know I did!
After I got home this afternoon, on National Hangover Day, I made an attempt at a five mile run; but couldn't quite make it all the way since it was a little colder outside than I thought. I made it about 4 1/2 miles, but the last bit just wasn't happening. I was having similar issues to Steve a few weeks ago, which was nothing I wanted to mess with anymore!
Once I finished I took care of things to make sure there WASN'T any frostbite down there; and luckily it looks like I made it through unscathed! Maybe I could have made it that last half mile without losing anything, but thats one risk I wasn't wanting to take; maybe if I had another layer or two on.
The run really took a lot out of me. Running with a hangover always drains every last bit of energy out of me for the rest of the day, so I'm not surprised. Since the run I've spent the day being a lazy bum watching movies, and its been everything it sounds like it would be.
In my adventures of watching massive amounts of TV, I have a new favorite commercial from Nike:
Nic - I'll think about doing Flying Pig, its not too far from where I live. Its mostly friends who are fairly new to running trying to talk me into doing a race with them, rather than the reputation of the event. Maybe I could do both, who knows?
Nancy - If you want to give my training log a shot, send me an email and I'll get it to ya! My email is TheRelentlessRunner at gmail dot com.
After I got home this afternoon, on National Hangover Day, I made an attempt at a five mile run; but couldn't quite make it all the way since it was a little colder outside than I thought. I made it about 4 1/2 miles, but the last bit just wasn't happening. I was having similar issues to Steve a few weeks ago, which was nothing I wanted to mess with anymore!
Once I finished I took care of things to make sure there WASN'T any frostbite down there; and luckily it looks like I made it through unscathed! Maybe I could have made it that last half mile without losing anything, but thats one risk I wasn't wanting to take; maybe if I had another layer or two on.
The run really took a lot out of me. Running with a hangover always drains every last bit of energy out of me for the rest of the day, so I'm not surprised. Since the run I've spent the day being a lazy bum watching movies, and its been everything it sounds like it would be.
In my adventures of watching massive amounts of TV, I have a new favorite commercial from Nike:
Nic - I'll think about doing Flying Pig, its not too far from where I live. Its mostly friends who are fairly new to running trying to talk me into doing a race with them, rather than the reputation of the event. Maybe I could do both, who knows?
Nancy - If you want to give my training log a shot, send me an email and I'll get it to ya! My email is TheRelentlessRunner at gmail dot com.
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