Looks as though my blog is becoming just a training log, eh? Oh well. It’s better than not blogging at all, right?

As my mileage is building back up, I’ve been feeling pretty good. I’m really trying to listen to my body, as apparently this hamstring thing is just one of those nagging injuries that never really goes away, so I want to keep it in check while getting myself back in shape. That means being less of a slave to my training plan than I ever have been before — it used to be that no matter how I felt or what was happening in my life, if the plan said to run 8 miles, I ran 8 miles, dang it. I’m working hard to break that mindset, stay healthy, and organize my training around my life, rather than vice-versa.

Here’s how it’s gone the last two weeks:

Week 7: February 19-25

Monday: This was a wicked-cold week., and it felt worse since Colorado’s had such a mild winter. We had a high of something like 13 degrees on Monday, and I needed to lift in addition to running. We also had snow on the ground, and I knew that if I ran in the cold and got all wet and gross, I would just get in my nice, warm car and drive home for a nice, warm shower. So I hit the treadmill for 8 miles of “hill” intervals, then lifted.

Tuesday: My PT doesn’t want me running more than 5 miles on the treadmill, and I found out why: the ol’ hammy was pretty sore on Tuesday. I listened to it  (praise me, please), and did a made-up-by-me spin bike session for 40 minutes, then did some core work.

Wednesday: I couldn’t take any more indoor stuff, so even though it was still cold and icy, I bundled up and headed out for 8.3. I was an ice cube when I got home, but ice cubing is better than indooring.

Thursday: Rest day.

Friday: Again, it was super cold, and again, I needed to lift some weights, so again, I hit the treadmill. Capped it at 5 like not-an-idiot.

Saturday: We had a Skirt Sports Ambassador meet-up, which are always super fun. We ran along the Boulder Creek Path (I think? Goose Creek Path? Something Creek Path). There was nobody my pace, so I jogged along with a few different groups and sometimes alone for 6 miles. Then, we had an oatmeal bar and tried not to buy all the things. Even though we’re supposed to take lots of pictures and spread the love at these things, I’m the actual worst and only took two pictures, neither of which turned out. Just imagine a lot of women having a good time, okay?

Sunday: Finally, the weather turned, and Sunday was in the 40s: perfect for 10 miles with 3 at goal pace. Last time I did this workout, my splits were way off. This time was much better: the goal pace miles were 6:55, 6:53, 6:55. I don’t think that “just under 7” is my goal pace for Horsetooth, because of the hills, but it is for the Skirt Sports 13er in June, so that’s what I’m basing training paces on.

Week 7 Total Mileage: 37.3

Week 8: February 26-March 4

Monday: 3.6-mile recovery run, nice and slow, followed by a bunch of stretching and foam rolling.

Tuesday: 7 miles easy, then strength training. If last week was brutally cold and snow, this week more than made up for it. I was in capris and a T-shirt and got too hot.

Wednesday: Tempo intervals: 3-mile warm-up, 3×1-mile at tempo with 90 seconds rest, 3(ish)-mile cool down. I did the tempo part on hills because I guess tempo intervals don’t suck enough already? Either way, it was a beautiful day and a good, solid run.

Thursday: Yoga to stretch out yesterday’s hard workout

Friday: It was 65 degrees. I  told myself to stay at work and get some things done, but… it was 65 degrees. So I ran 8 glorious miles, then strength trained. I regret nothing.

Saturday: Another downright amazing day of weather. I hoped to run some trails in the foothills, but after last week’s snow and this week’s sun, all the trail reports said they were a muddy mess. Instead, I ran 14 miles on the Poudre Trail (a paved bike path that connects Greeley to Fort Collins). My legs were a bit tired from Friday’s workout, so I took it easy,  especially at the beginning, and just enjoyed soaking up the sun.

Sunday: My training plan said 4 miles, but my body (especially Mr. Hammy) was tired and a little sore after yesterday’s long run, so I rested. See that? I may actually be getting wiser in my old age.

Week 8 Total Mileage: 41.6.

These last two weeks felt good. I feel like I’m slowly returning to myself, and that’s a really, really good feeling.

 

I ask the same questions every time. Tell me something new.