Week Six - Sticking With It

This week seemed a little easier - not the runs themselves, but getting out there and starting the runs was easier.  It's helping with just 3 runs a week.  I'm not so tired, plus it's simply easier to schedule only three runs. And, I don't feel as sore after each run.  My knee definitely is better with this new "less is more" type of program.

I also started the strength training program.  It is an 8-week program for runners, then there are maintenance plans to choose from once the 8 weeks are up.  I am surprised at how much strength I've lost in the past six months or so.  It's definitely a program I need!

This is me after today's 12-mile run.  It was hot and I am tired.  My friend, Laura, joined me on 5 or 6 miles of the run, and that made the time go quicker.  Something happens on long (and especially hot) runs - my mind doesn't work as well.  In the past (before I had a Garmin), I was known to run extra miles on a long run, since I seemed to lose the ability to accurately calculate my distance.  I knew how far it was between different points, and I would forget or run one twice.  The Garmin has pretty much fixed that (except sometimes I forget how long a specific loop is and end up with a little extra, since I'm too far from home).  But the long runs still affect me.  For example, this morning I was running in my subdivision, close to my house.  I needed another 1/2 mile so I decided to go past my street (it's a cul-de-sac) and run the next street.  It's a street I run or walk on every day.  Well, I was partially up the street and suddenly NONE of the houses looked familiar.  I thought maybe I had taken a wrong turn, but I knew I hadn't.  I rationalized that it was just my brain getting overwhelmed as it does on long runs, realized that even though the houses didn't look familiar I was really on the correct street, and did the proper loop back to my house.  Then when I got home, I called my Pomeranian Sasha - his  name is Tucker, and Sasha is a female dog we had a few decades ago. 

So, if today's blog rambles more than usual, I'll blame it on the long run.  I'm eating and hydrating now, so I think I'm better :)

The bottom line is - this new program is working better for me.  I have all the runs and now the strength training sessions scheduled on my calendar, with some built in flexibility.  Having it on my calendar makes it easier for me to plan, and to tell myself I need to do it!   I'd like to add some yoga or cross training; once this training plan has gone well for a few weeks I will put something on my calendar. 

No Excuses  / Gotta run

Week Five - Getting Better

I started the first week of my "new" training program.  I didn't get all the strength training and cross training as planned, but this week was a new start!  I researched on what kinds of strength training is better for runners, and I ended up with two new books.  I skimmed them both, and have a plan set for this week.  So, with that I feel accomplished.

It's been several months since I've run a longish (10+ miles) run, and today I was able to finish 10.1 as scheduled (technically 10 was on the schedule, but oh well).  I had to take a few walk breaks and loop back home for a bio break, but I finished, I feel OK, and, most importantly, my knee feels better than last week.  Goal one accomplished (being able to run without additional knee pain).

In addition to a new training plan, I've also changed some other things during my runs.  When using headphones, I used to listen to music exclusively, and I still do that on some runs.  However, one of my sons introduced me to podcasts (thanks Christopher).  I find these particularly helpful on longer runs. These help me keep my mind engaged, and I feel like I am working on both mind and body.  The only issue is that occasionally I feel the need to stop and make some notes about a particular subject, book, or speaker!  One I particularly enjoy is freakonomics.  Another is NPR Hidden Brain.  These podcasts have given me some interesting ideas, and I often end up researching and reading books/articles by some of the people contributing / profiled in these podcasts.

I'm still struggling with motivation.  Putting the scheduled runs on my calendar, and having a goal to update this blog weekly both help with that.  The next step is to schedule strength workouts.  I sometimes think there is some sort of underlying depression creeping in, but the best way to combat that, for me at least, is exercise and reachable goals (marathon in September).  I've also scheduled a physical to make sure there are no underlying health issues.  I'm learning some other techniques and motivators as I listen to those aforementioned podcasts!

Now it's time to schedule that strength training!

No Excuses  / Gotta run

Week Four - Time for Re-evaluation

I completed week four of my marathon training.  This week has not been the best.  My knee (yes - "that" knee that kept me out of running for about three years), started hurting much more.  It is also making a clicking sound, like it did those years ago when I first had the knee issues.  I don't know if it is the volume of running, the fact I may have twisted it while mowing the lawn, not enough down time in between runs, or some combination that is causing the issues.

I decided the best thing to do, if I want to continue to train and to run, is to cut back the number of days I run.  I searched for and found a program that is geared toward senior runners, and at 58 I certainly qualify as a senior runner!  There are only three runs per week, but they are very specific runs.  The rest of the days are a combination of cross training and strength work.  Due to the fact my marathon is about 14 weeks away and this is technically a 24-week program, I had to make some modifications.

I took two days off before today's longish run.  I did some stretching and strength training specific to areas that are know to help with knee issues.  Today I was able to run 8.5 miles, and my knee is not clicking and feels only moderately sore.  I know it will never be pain-free, but I was cleared to run several years ago with the caveat that even though running won't cause it any more damage, it is going to hurt at times.

I started the week discouraged, and I have ended it on a high note.  I feel much better after today's run than I expected.  It's been a while since I've gone over 6 miles.  And I feel this new program will give me a little more freedom - I can get the mid-week run in during an evening or an early morning, depending on the weather and what's going on in life.  The other two runs are on days I have off (for now at least), so I think I will actually get more sleep with this program!  Even though I love to run and would run every day if I could, I can still get outside and walk, bicycle, hike, etc. and keep my knee from being too much of an issue.

No Excuses  / Gotta run

Week Three - and so it continues

I have finished week three of my training, and I missed one day.  I had TWO alarms set.  I accidentally turned off the first alarm.  I woke up about 1/2 hour before I was supposed to start work (luckily for me it was one of my "work from home" days).  That second alarm I set - well I set it to p.m. instead of a.m.  It's early in my training so missing one day isn't much of an issue. I ran an extra mile on Saturday and about an extra 1/2 mile on Sunday, just because it was nice outside.

This could be a tough week.  I'm going to attempt to work four 10-hours days.  It will be great to have Friday off - I can sleep in a little bit perhaps, and it's an additional day I can run outside.  It will be difficult getting used to the long days though.  I may be tired by the end of a day, especially since by the time I finish work, I will have been up for about 13 hours on the days I start with a run.  I have a few more weeks of Monday's off, so I can sleep in (until 4:30), and my plan never has a run on Wednesday, so it won't be too bad I suppose :)

I didn't get a good start on that nutrition yet.  This week it's a definite - with the long days, I will have to take food with me to eat.  I hope I have good things to report back next week.

I'd love to run outside every day, but evenings are just too busy, and a morning run makes my day much better.  I feel it inoculates me from the stresses of life (work, family, etc.), and helps me filter out what is and what is not important.  It's the best way to start the day!  I don't feel safe running outside as early as I must on the days I work.   I used to run with my dog, but his hips are too bad now for that.

If anyone is reading this, thanks!  If not, as I've repeatedly said, this is a good way for me to keep myself honest with my training, keeps me on track, etc.  I'll use it to post any issues I have as the tougher parts of the training begin!

No Excuses!