Running With RealDeal

Mile 1

is the most miserable mile.

3 miles in 46:37

When my runapp spoke at 0.5 mile and said my pace was 17:25/mile, I’ll admit I got a little depressed. I thought back to when I was averaging 11-12 min pace for longer distances and was just about to break the 10-minute pace for under 2 miles. Back-tracking can be heart-breaking.

So for the next 15-20 minutes I fought a lot of negative self-talk.

My lower back was killing me. The outside of the calves (both sides) were on fire every time the grade turned uphill. I’m a little worried about possible peroneal tendonitis. In the back of my mind is the promise to a friend to do a marathon in September. I’m back up to my highest weight in over 3 years.

At mile one, I sent a tweet: “Pushing through the pain”.

At 1.5 - where the trail basically ends - I turned around, thinking that I at least would get the distance, even if it was going to take longer.

Then, right around mile 2, as I was jogging on a bit of flat trail, I crested a hill and realized I took that hill without any pain. 

Oh yeah! Then I remembered that I experienced the same thing at last week’s race. Lots of pain during the first half (which was mostly uphill), then the legs started to loosen up and relax and I was able to run almost all of the second half.

So I did. I ran - and actually felt justified in use of the word “run” (vs. “jog”). 

I feel so dense for how long it’s taking me to learn things like:  maybe I need to warm up more? Walk/light jog for the first 15 or so minutes, then begin. Ok, body. I get it. I’ll learn. 

I’m looking forward to my next run when I can put a new strategy to the test.

(Sorry, Doug. Forgot to take pictures again. I’ll try to remember.)

*Thumbs up* for boring, too-long, all-text ramblings! ;)

Back-To-Normal Run

2.33 miles - 37:29

I’m not sure exactly why I waited 3 days to run again, but I felt ready. Struggled to get out of bed even though I got 7+ hours of sleep. not sure what’s up with that.

Still had to walk most of the uphill sections, but it wasn’t nearly as bad as Saturday.

It was warmer too…a balmy 28 degrees. I still wore my balaclava though - it makes breathing a lot easier.

Hmmm…I never take pictures. Should I?

Winter Series: Race 1

3.15 miles in 47:19

In order to kick my butt into gear, I ponied up the fee for the local winter series of 4 races. Once that money goes out, I absolutely HAVE to do it. And if I’m doing it, I have to get some training runs in so it’s not a horrible, painful experience.

I met up with another guy and carpooled to the start area which had limited parking. We got our bibs and went back to the car to warm up a bit more and make our final decisions about how many layers we were going to wear. It was 12 degrees.

But at least it was sunny with beautiful, blue skies!:

I forgot to snap a photo of the crowd at the start line like I usually do. Based on the results page, there were just under 600 runners that finished. Half did the long course (7 miles) and half (including me) did the short course:  3.15 miles. Just a tad longer than a typical 5k.

One thing I did notice at the start line: It seemed like I was the only one NOT wearing thermal tights!

I struggled BIG TIME during the first mile or so. The burning, tight pain in the muscles along the outside of my calves. It was nuthin’ but uphill climbing. In addition to the leg pain, my lower back was killin’ me. So, I walked quite a bit.

At the top, things got better. My legs had recovered thanks to my walk breaks, and the terrain leveled out and started going down again. I paused for a quick breather to get this snapshot:

It’s really hard to imagine road races after the awesomeness of single-track trails in beautiful country.

Downhill had the advantage of gravity aiding momentum, but I almost got carried away and went TOO fast a couple times. One of my half-mile splits was at a 2 min/mile pace faster than the rest! I was flying down those hills. After the slow, difficult first mile it just felt good to RUN.

Suffice to say, I was pleasantly pleased to finish with a 47:19. A week or so ago, I had set a goal in my mind of 48 minutes, but before crossing the start line, I was hoping to just make it in less than an hour.

Proof I was there:

Post race refreshment:

(Not pictured: guilt-free mini donuts)

It was cool seeing some small clouds start to crowd around the mountain.

But it was also cold. So I did my post-run stretching and got in the car and headed home. Tired. Sore. Happy.

Ouch!

1.38 miles in 24:36

This morning was rough. The pain I had in my calves on Monday was worse after I was about 11-12 minutes into my run. Not sure if it was the going uphill part, or trying to run as much consecutively without walking that did it.

I made the executive decision to cut short the 2.25-2.5 I was hoping for. After all, I need to save something for the 3.3 mile race I have on Saturday! *gulp* 

I just hope I’m not doing too much too soon as I get back into running. (All this after I just advised a friend about that to avoid injury! - doctors make the worst patients)

Take It Easy, Turbo

1.75 in 29:38

2 runs in 3 days? I’m on a roll! But I need to chill out…I can already feel that antsy “hurry up and get back to where I was” urge, but know that will lead to injury if I try to do too much too soon. I shouldn’t be improving my mile pace by a minute each time.

Still happy to be back in the saddle.

I’m Back

1.38 miles - 25:46 (cuz you gotta start somewhere)

Everyone does the whole “hiatus-in-progress-but-now-I’m-back-to-try-again” posts, so this feels cliché, but if only for my own sake I’m taking note of it for posterity.

My first run last night after about 10 weeks of ZERO physical activity. As I was getting ready to head out, I felt as nervous a boy asking a girl he likes out for the first time. Then I felt silly for feeling nervous. Then I scolded myself for over-analyzing my feelings. Then…I just went out and did my run.

Of course, by “run” I mean 70% walking/30% “jogging”, but whatevs…

The point is, it felt good. It felt like “me” again.

Between that and dropping $45 for the upcoming winter race series, I’m feeling motivated again and know I will be gradually clawing my way back to where I was.