Let's Train
Yesterday evening I ran an easy 5.5 miles. After a day and a half of resting, stretching, and icing, my left hamstring felt pretty good, but the right one was still tight. I put the heating pad on each side just before heading out for an easy run. My main point was to see how my legs would feel while running. I didn't want to miss Sunday's long run. After less than a tenth of a mile, I could tell that the hammies would be fine, but my right calf was starting to tighten up. I figured I was subconsciously overcompensating for my hamstring and putting more stress on the calf. Whatever. It was only tight and didn't hurt, so I tried to ignore it and just keep up a steady, easy pace. After a mile and a half or so, I felt fine. No pain, no tightness, just a relaxing run along the bay. I was ready for Sunday.
Today (Sunday), I ran my long run with no leg problems. I ran 18.5 miles, with an average pace of 7:45/mile, including running all miles at sub 8:00/mile pace with the last five miles at 7:20 pace or faster. I continue to have problems with having to stop and use the bathroom. I had to make a quick stop at mile 3 and then a longer stop at mile 7. The second stop was made even longer because I stopped at my house, and my wife came home while I was using the facilities. When I got out, she started talking to me. After a few minutes, I finally said that I had to go to finish my run. She said that she thought I was done. Anyway, the second stop was probably a 15 minute break. Not ideal, I know, but I'm still pleased with the run. I was concerned about making the 7:20 pace for the last five miles. The first 2.5 of these miles was into a pretty stiff wind. I probably should have went more by effort into the wind and made up the difference during the last 2.5 miles, but I used my Garmin to maintain the 7:20 pace. When I rounded the point and started for home, the wind shifted to my back, and I was running closer to 7:10 for the finishing miles.
Today I am starting my twelve week race specific training for the Grapestomp Half Marathon. I'm excited about this training cycle. I created a training schedule, which is pretty ambitious for me, especially the speed work. I've made my own training plans before, but this time I'm pushing the envelope a bit. The reason for the jump is that I created the plan after reading this on Zeke's blog. I don't know how this training will come out for me, but it is time for me to take the next step. I've been running long enough to where if I want to see anymore discernible gains, I need to increase my training. Accumulated mileage and the same speed work isn't going to get me much faster than I am now, especially considering that I'm 41.
One last thought. Why is it that the spellcheck on Blogger doesn't recognize the word blog? I guess it's probably an off-the-shelf software that is more headache than it's worth to change.
Today (Sunday), I ran my long run with no leg problems. I ran 18.5 miles, with an average pace of 7:45/mile, including running all miles at sub 8:00/mile pace with the last five miles at 7:20 pace or faster. I continue to have problems with having to stop and use the bathroom. I had to make a quick stop at mile 3 and then a longer stop at mile 7. The second stop was made even longer because I stopped at my house, and my wife came home while I was using the facilities. When I got out, she started talking to me. After a few minutes, I finally said that I had to go to finish my run. She said that she thought I was done. Anyway, the second stop was probably a 15 minute break. Not ideal, I know, but I'm still pleased with the run. I was concerned about making the 7:20 pace for the last five miles. The first 2.5 of these miles was into a pretty stiff wind. I probably should have went more by effort into the wind and made up the difference during the last 2.5 miles, but I used my Garmin to maintain the 7:20 pace. When I rounded the point and started for home, the wind shifted to my back, and I was running closer to 7:10 for the finishing miles.
Today I am starting my twelve week race specific training for the Grapestomp Half Marathon. I'm excited about this training cycle. I created a training schedule, which is pretty ambitious for me, especially the speed work. I've made my own training plans before, but this time I'm pushing the envelope a bit. The reason for the jump is that I created the plan after reading this on Zeke's blog. I don't know how this training will come out for me, but it is time for me to take the next step. I've been running long enough to where if I want to see anymore discernible gains, I need to increase my training. Accumulated mileage and the same speed work isn't going to get me much faster than I am now, especially considering that I'm 41.
One last thought. Why is it that the spellcheck on Blogger doesn't recognize the word blog? I guess it's probably an off-the-shelf software that is more headache than it's worth to change.
posted by Bart at 11:30 PM
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