Happy Fit Runner Girl

Megan@marathondiaries is doing an awesome @Garmin 405 Giveaway- Enter here!

happiness is feeling more into the groove today and looking forward to a run after work.

but I am. I’m not sure if it’s my blood sugar, or if I’m tired or if it’s that I’d rather be any place than at work right now but I feel out of sorts today. I’m sure it’s only temporary. It doesn’t help that work is not so intriguing right now and a little mundane. It could be that I’m getting a little nervous about the half marathon I have coming up. I only have 6 weeks left to train and I haven’t done much running in the past 2 weeks. I’m also kind of bummed that my hubby will be in Kentucky during that time. I have come to really enjoy having him watch me or more recently be there to run the races with me. It’s just been so awesome to have him along for the ride in our new adventures of running and getting healthy together. I really didn’t think I needed or wanted to share my races with anyone but it has been much better than I imagined. Anyway I thought it might help to get some endorphins going by hitting up my Body Blast class after work but last minute kiddo watching (my niece and nephew) has gotten in the way of that. I’m not sure I was up for it anyway. On a positive note it’s a new week and here’s the training plan for the week: 

4/25 - Rest
4/26 - 4 miles
4/27 - Cross training
4/28 - 3 miles
4/29 - rest
4/30 - 10 miles (yikes)
5/1 - 3 miles EZ

Not sure I will get the 10 miler in on Saturday as Robb and I are looking to check out/run/walk the course for the trail run we have in two weeks. I also have a birthday lunch for my sister and cousin tentatively planned for that day too. So it might have to wait till Sunday. So my first run of the week (tomorrow) will be my version of Galloway’s run walk run method. I still need to read more about it but I think I am going to plan on running for 3 minutes and walking for 1. I just really need to make the time to get out there and run even if I’m not fully informed yet on all the specifics of his plan. I have come to realize that to make the most of this training journey that walking will be part of it and that’s okay. I have been feeling some pain post run especially on the long runs and think this change in training will help. The idea is to enjoy it and finish injury free.

I’ve been listening to the Extra Mile podcast - Galloway Edition on www.runningpodcasts.org and the more I actually hear about this training method and portions of the book I’ve read, the more I am liking it. I’ve been struggling with runs over 3-4 miles and feeling a bit of post run pain. I have been resistant to this type of training as walking seems like you’ve given up somehow, that you don’t have what it takes to run the whole distance. So it’s time to get over that nonsense and just run-walk-run my way to a half marathon - injury free.

So far the podcast has 2 episodes under its belt. It looks like the episodes are 2-3 weeks apart to coincide with the training plan/galloway book for a half or full marathon 30 week program. It’s been really informative and the podcast host has interviews with Jeff Galloway himself to discuss the plan.

I found an app for my Droid for an interval timer and I will be trying this out tomorrow for my long run of 8 miles if all goes well. I have more to read about the Galloway trianing method, but I’m going to see how I do and feel most of all. 

Almost time to leave work and do some chores on my “rest day”.

Fighting a cold I fear! So I’ll be taking it easy till my 10K on Sunday. I was hoping to get a run in and even hitting up a spin class tomorrow but I feel my body needs rest. If I do anything before Sunday you’ll see it here but in the time being time for some C-Boost Fruit smoothie from Bolthouse Farms. It might be too late but it tastes good nonetheless. Stay well and healthy!

My longest run so far. I tell you it was hard but I feel good when I am done. My little toes on my right foot starting giving me trouble around mile 4. I might have to figure out a way to keep them from moving, otherwise on even longer runs I am going to get some nasty blisters. I am also thinking I am going to look at a Nathan hydration vest. I brought a water and a GU… Expresso Love…which is very good by the way, but it made me super thirsty. So I need more water and a place for more energy gels or snacks. I’m not sure about the belts with water bottles. I’ve used Camelbaks before when hiking and I find them easier to use. So I am going to see where I might buy one! So I’m plugging along and just trying to enjoy the music and the surroundings but I passed by two memorials along my route. I’m not sure of the circumstances for those, but I do know of another place along that very road where a runner was killed, so I am mindful to keep an eye on others and to be as safe as possible. So I’m thankful to be home and happy with my run. Time for a shower and a nice dinner! Tomorrow a body blast class! I’m looking forward to that. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!

The Kiwanis 5k this morning is a nice low key event in the heart of Camarillo. Here’s how it went: I was struggling the first mile or so but I started to feel better and kept plugging away. I didn’t see any mile markers so I was feeling a little anxious about that but I was somewhat familiar with the course and the general area and new by my own time about how far I had gone. So I kept moving along. Finally I saw a 2 mile marker on the ground in chalk and I was relieved. I thought one more mile. I can do this. Then I turned down the final street towards the finish and it was a little bit of a downhill which was a nice change from all the flat parts. I thought I might make up a little time but the downhill was short-lived and the street longer than I remembered. At this point I thought my heart was going to beat out of my chest, but I knew the finish was just a little ways away. I rounded the corner and I see the clock and it reads 32:00 and I cross at about 32:15. A new PR for a 5k. It felt really good! Even now at the end of the day I don’t feel sore at all. So tomorrow a nice slow long run. I need to get in about 7 miles or 8 would be even better. Happy running all!