Thursday, April 28, 2011

adhering to the plan

Easier said than done.  Being type A personality has definitely helped me adhere to these training plans, and sometimes that's a problem.  Once I set my mind to doing something, it's hard to shut it down and take a break when the body needs one. 

Tuesday's scheduled run was a 10 mile run that included 3 x 1mile repeats (with 3" recovery).  Had to run on the Wa Duke trail and over to east campus which meant hills to contend with.  At the 5.5 mile I began the first mile "sprint" with slight inclines and managed a 7:30 pace.  Entering east campus meant more hills and varied terrain, so mile two was a 7:32 paced "sprint."  Third and final repeat was a happier one (knowing that it was the last), and finished in 7:24.  Then an easier 2+ mile jog back to the car.  Check off the day on the workout plan.

Wednesday was to be a 3 mile recovery run, but it was also the only other day I had a sitter this week.  With Thursday's run calling for a 6 mile run with 5 x 2 min hill repeats, I was thinking that I should get it in on Wed.  But, the legs felt tired and the knee was aching, so went with the recovery run.  By dinner time (in our house, that means 8:45pm), my husband kept asking why I seemed so cranky.  It's silly really, I'm a little on edge because I'm thinking of how I'm going to manage a tough run on Thursday without a sitter and how I'll feel like I failed if I don't get this run in.  It stresses me out.  There's a need to complete each run as scheduled because it's the only way I can say on marathon day that I am ready, I did exactly what I could to prepare.  Then there's reality and the fact that I'm a mom of three, that I chase an extremely busy 1 1/2 year old all day, that I drive like a taxi driver from 2:30-8pm every day, that I volunteer, and do the daily household things and sometimes I'm just plain exhausted (I'm not 20 anymore!).  But everyone has those challenges, so it comes down to how committed I am.  Thankfully, my wonderful husband (who knows how important this marathon is to me) volunteered to take the kids to school and stay home with the baby until I finished my run.  The stress completely left and we all had a wonderful evening. 

Thursday, 6 mile run at the Wa Duke (which means hill after hill), then 5 x 2 min. hill repeats on the longest hill of the trail.  The legs were feeling a bit heavy, but with the 83% humidity factor, who can blame them!  Still feeling a strange pulling sensation in my knee going up and down the hills, but it seemed to lesson after the first lap. 

Friday is a day off---ya hoo!

Saturday is a 5K race at 8am.  Debating whether I should do my long run after the race or save it for Sunday.  Schedule says a 14 mile run with 9 miles of it being at MP, so perhaps I'll just keep on running after the race and get it done. 

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