Just when I thought I was improving on this blog thing, I mess it up and wait over a month for a new post. Oops! Last month was all about me joining the EFAST run team, which to date I am no longer a part of L. When I first started running with them I thought I was taking a step backwards in my running. Running because more difficult than it was when I first started. My legs were always heavy and tired. My race times were declining, and then suddenly, just like that, everything stopped hurting, my legs felt light as light as air, and I became faster. I am not able to continue with the team because I just started a medical assisting class that is tailored for working professionals. This basically means, the time I used to go running after work, is now the time I spend in class. So, it didn’t make any sense to keep paying for something I wouldn’t be able to do.

My mileage in June was very low. With all of the stiff leg muscles I had going on, I found it hard to complete scheduled runs, and I took more days off than I normally would. This was probably my worst running month in terms of how I felt and mileage in a long time.

 I ran 2 races in June; I plan on doing race recaps for both of them, because in my mind, they both taught me great lessons that would be too long for just one post. In short, the 5k I did on the 29^th, I ended up running a 2^nd loop when we were only supposed to run it once and I dropped out of the 10k I had planned for the 14^th and switched to the 5k.

 

Total Miles: 70.1mi

Peak weekly mileage: 6/16/14-6/22/14 (28.4mi)

Longest Run: 8.3mi

Average Pace: 9:57min/mi

Races: 2

Walk, Jog, Run for Prevention – 6/14 – 26:43

Reno 5000 Race #2 6/29: 31:50 (accidently ran more of the course than I should have, total distance was 3.67mi)

Lesson(s) learned

• Sometimes you have to break your body down completely, and get yourself out of a rut to see true improvement.
• Trust your instincts and pre-course running when it comes to following a race course.
• My body is capable of more than I think it is.

 

Plans for July:

I am running the Reno 10miler in August (the race I DNF last year) and that is my main focus. I just want to be strong and ready for that race. It is going to be very hard juggling full time work, school and running but as long as I prioritize, I know I can do it.

 

Upcoming July Races: 1

Firecracker Mile 7/4 – 6:37 PR!

 

This month I joined a running team (EnduranceFAST) that includes 2 runs per week (I opted for the 1x per week option) and a personalized training plan. It has been a tough month for me in terms of training. My running intensity has gone up since joining the team. We have a speed workout every Monday, and I have progression runs and hill intervals sprinkled in on the other days. This has made for very tired legs for almost every run. They also have me running a lot by time rather than distance. This method is supposed to promote quality over quantity. I have to admit, I am losing a little confidence in my running ability. I used to be able to run at a very easy pace at 10min/mi, but sometimes this month I was struggling to keep my pace under 11min/mi. I spoke with my coach about it, and he has adjusted my schedule to include a base mileage day rather than more intervals. I also don't believe I was recovering correctly. I noticed on the days where I ate immediately after (usually some sort of protien), my legs felt a lot better the next day. I am excited to see if this intesnsity increase will show on race day.

 

Total Miles: 91.0

Peak weekly mileage: 4/28-5/4 (30.9mi)
Longest Run: 10.5mi
Average Pace: 9:44min/mi
Races: 2
Mom’s on the Run 10k 5/11/2014 (53:48) PR!
Biggest Little 5k 5/17/2014 (25:48)

Lesson(s) learned:

• I’m not the “speedster” (McMillian term) that I thought I was. As it turns out, its takes me a while to recover from a speed workout.
• I need to recover correctly after a hard workout to have a better quality workout the next day.

Plans for June:

My main goal is just to stay healthy. I originally said in May that I wanted to increase my weekly mileage, but because I increased my intensity drastically, I don’t want to risk increasing mileage and getting hurt. I have to remember my run teams mantra “quality over quantity”.

Upcoming June Races: 2

Walk, Jog, Run for Prevention 10k - 6/14

Reno 5000 Series Race #2 5k – 6/29

How did your training go in May?

What are your plans for June?

 

I thought it would be a good idea to start a monthly training post where I can reflect on what I’ve done, lessons I can apply to future training, and what I hope to accomplish for the coming month. April was a low month for me as far as mileage goes. I ran my first half marathon and with the taper week, race week and the recovery week, I lost a lot of running time.

I have been trying to focus on running my easy runs easy lately, and I did well at that this month. I just started adding speed work back into my training after an almost year hiatus. Unlike most runners I have met, I am a speed junkie! I love running fast, so I am looking forward to the speed sessions coming up.

Total Miles: 83.6

Peak weekly mileage: 4/21-4/27 (27.4mi)

Longest Run: 13.1mi

Average Pace: 9:43/mi (including races, without races my guess would be about 10:05/mi)

Races: 2

Downtown River Run Half Marathon 4/13/2014 (1:59:48) Automatic PR!

Race to End Domestic Violence 4/19/2014 (26:16)

Lessons learned:

• Racing less than a week after my first half marathon was probably not the best idea. Legs felt great and recovered all week…until I started running.
• For next half marathon, I can run the first half a little less conservatively.
• Hydration really does affect performance.

Plans for May:

This month I just hope to keep increasing my weekly mileage. I am following a new training plan to help me increase safely. I also hope to run more hills this month. I am used to running on flat roads, but I have a hilly race in June that I need to be prepared for. I have one race that I am signed up for in May, the Mom’s on the Run 10k. I have previously only ran one 10k, and I would like to see if I have improved, but I am not putting too much pressure on this race.

How did your training go in April?

What is a runner? And, is it possible that I am a runner?

It’s a question I have asked myself numerous times over the past year. Really, what is a runner? Is a runner someone who runs 70+ miles per week? Someone who runs nothing shorter than a marathon race? Is a runner someone who has all of the latest running apparel/shoes and gadgets?

My previous definition of a runner was all of the above. I thought a runner was super-fast, ran super-far, and has been running for a…super…amount of years. Come to think of it, I thought anyone who even ran at all was a runner, with the exception of me. It wasn’t until January of this year, when one of my co-workers was talking about running to another co-worker and said, “Lynsey’s a runner” that I even contemplated myself as a runner. I promptly corrected my obviously misinformed co-worker, that I was not in fact a runner. “But, you run don’t you?”  She retorted. “Well…yeah, but I’m not a real runner.” And with a shrug of her shoulders and a roll of her eyes, the topic of my status as a runner was over.

What didn’t she understand? I am by no means fast. I could never get away with running in a sports bra and shorts (or skorts). I’ve never even run a half marathon, let alone a marathon. Sure I ran, but that doesn’t make me a runner…does it?

Well according to my good friends over at Merriam-Webster:
Runner
noun \ˈrə-nər\
One who runs.

Huh? One who runs? That’s it? Where’s the part of the definition that includes sponsorships, and 6 minute miles? A runner can’t simply just be one who runs, right? Wrong! I have come discover that it is that simple. A runner is one who runs. It’s funny, I’ve always said I’m not a “real” runner, but if I  wasn’t a real runner, than what was I? A fake runner? To all of those that think like I previously thought, I really want to put this out there, that it doesn’t matter how fast, far, or how much you run. It doesn’t matter if you’re 8 or 80 years old, what size pants you wear, or how long you have been running for. If you run, you’re a runner! I think as humans, we are our own worst enemies and we downplay ourselves. Either because we are just trying to seem humble or because we truly can’t fathom that we are good enough to hold the prestigious title. One of my New Year’s resolutions was to be fearless when it comes to running, and part of that I believe is getting over the silly notion that I am not a runner. So, I am a runner! It’s in my blog name and it is something I am proud to say. I hope all of you will join me and “Say it loud…I’m a runner and proud!”

What is a runner to you?
Have you ever had trouble saying you were a runner?
If so, why?

Warning: This is a post where I will be down on myself and over analyze.

Life Running is not fair!!! I started running regularly almost a year ago (my runniversary is on Feb 5th). Here are some quick facts by the numbers: It took me 

1. 2 months to run a sub 30 min 5k
2. 4 months to reach my goal of a sub 9:00/mi pace for a 5k
3. 6 months to work up to running 12 miles straight
4. 8 months to run a sub 26 min 5k

So, it seems like a long journey to accomplish some of those feats. After all of that, it took 2 weeks and 2 days to loose it all. My last run (before the hiatus) was a 6 mile run on 12/21/2013. My hubby and me went to Seattle for Christmas to visit his sister and I forgot my running gear. My nephew gave me the gift of his sickness while we were there, so I have been sidelined since we've gotten home. My first run of the year was on January 6th.

Monday - 3 miles easy

Tuesday - 5x400m; 1 mile backwards running; 5x10sec 8.5mph 12% incline

Wednesday - 3 mile easy

The problem with the schedule so far, is those 3 miles "easy", were anything but. Before my short hiatus, running a 9:30/mi was easy and relaxed. However, Monday and Wednesday, it felt like I was running race pace. I was breathing harder than a smoker climbing 100 flights of stairs at 10,000ft elevation.

Yeah, that's about right!

I don't know if I can blame my bronchitis for this, or just the fact that I have lost a lot of my fitness in the last 2 weeks. According to an article by Jeff Gaudette titled "Losing Running Fitness" he says that:

"Research shows you shouldn't be too worried about losing significant fitness if your break from running is less than two weeks. You’ll lose some conditioning in your aerobic system and muscles, but pre-inactivity fitness will return quickly. Again, this assumes that you have built a healthy and consistent base of training of 4-6 months prior to taking time off. "

So, less than 2 weeks, does that mean because I took an additional 2 days off I'm in worse shape. I may be over analyzing, but I sure hope what I have worked so hard for, comes back. With days like today and Monday, I have no idea how I was ever able to run 3 8:07min miles 3 times in a row for a 5k. It seems impossible.

Ok enough of the negative. It's a new year and hopefully a new me. I only have one New Years Resolution this year. I participated in Run Chat this past Sunday and they asked us to finish the line "2014 is going to be:________" I had no idea what to put, but then Cori wrote:

 "2014 is going to be my year, my year to be fearless." 

I could n't said it more perfectly. So my one New Years Resolution, is to be fearless. Last year all I ran all my races with fear. Fear of failing, fear of taking off too fast and then dying in the end, fear of not finishing, etc. This year, I wont sweat the small stuff. I will run for the joy of running, and race for the joy of racing. I am nowhere near an elite runner, so I need to stop expecting to be one, and be happy with my times. I will strive to be my best, but I wont be held back by my fear of failing. Quoting the movie a Cinderella Story, "never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game". Amen to that!

What are your New Years Resolutions?

Have you ever taken time off running?

If so was it hard to get started again?