Sunday, September 8, 2019

That's More Like It...

With cooler temperatures come better runs. It's true that those tough hot summer miles do lead to better runs in the fall. I had a fast 5k this week and I'm going farther. That is more like it!

I was running so well this week that I reconsidered running the race I committed to DNSing--the Naperville Trails Half Marathon on Sunday. Reality kicked in when I woke up Friday morning in a world of hurt. Sore from my daily RA stiffness coupled with DOMS from CrossFit, it made me realize that I'm nowhere near half marathon ready. I was sad but not stupid. I could run a half, but at what price to my body? Committed to staying healthy, I listened to what my body was telling me and made good on my promise to DNS this one.



The week in review:
Sunday: Run 3.1 miles, Day 'O Fun aka Taste of Madison
Monday: rest
Tuesday: rest
Wednesday: 6.5 mile run, Yoga with Adriene
Thursday: strength training, bootcamp
Friday: rest
Saturday: 3.1 mile run

The weather this week has been fabulous. It's cool, in the 60s and 70s, which is pretty much ideal for running. On Sunday, it was still cloudy and steamy. With plans to head up to Madison, I got up and out the door early for a 3 mile shakeout run. I was surprised with the lightness in my legs after running 8 the day before. Wednesday's run felt amazing. I set out to run 6 and pushed it a bit further. I didn't want to quit but with work, I didn't want to exhaust myself either. This run felt good. Suddenly, I felt like a runner again.


On Saturday morning, I got up with the sun to get in a 5k before work. While I was drinking my coffee, I considered not going at all. Except that I had new shoes to try out! I got up off the couch, got myself dressed, laced up those new Brooks Adrenaline GTS 19s and headed out the door. My legs felt surprisingly light and I went with it. 3.1 miles done in 27:22. Even mile splits. That's more like it!


I didn't go to CrossFit on Monday for 2 reasons. We got home really late Sunday night from Madison and coupled with all the walking we did (according to my health app it was 4.6 miles), I was tired. The other reason is that I looked at the WOD "Becky" and nope, just wasn't feeling it. Sorry, not sorry. I took a rest day.

I went to bootcamp on Thursday and there were only 2 other people there. We did a 20 minute EMOM of hollow holds, DB snatches, plank holds, and OH squats. Then there was a 12 minute E2MOM of 150m sprint rows alternating with 100m sprint runs. I thought there was too much time between the rows and runs...until we did them. I needed every second of recovery. I was pretty proud to do the sprint runs in 21 seconds each time. The fun part was running against one of the other women who would not let me win. Did I mention she was much younger than me? And much taller?

We tied each time.

I had no idea what my 100m sprint time was worth. So I found a website, runhive.com, which lists age-graded equivalent performances. According to this chart, my 21 second sprint is equivalent to an 8:26 mile time. Huh. My 5k time? 28:24. Hmmm. Half marathon? 2:13. Ugh. I guess it doesn't really matter what it calculates to, right?

Right. I can see some of you laughing at me right now. You know me so well. But it felt so great to run all out like that! I do love to run fast.

Also on Thursday, I met with Coach Sammy Jo for strength training. We started a new strength cycle that she's plotted out to December with the goal to PR some of those lifts. She had me do deadlifts, 10 reps x 4. I love me some deadlifts and it was the perfect lift to kick off this new cycle. The rest of the work was all focused on hip and glute strengthening with single-leg step-ups alternating with hip bridges. And now my butt hurts...


As you read this, I'm running my consolation prize for DNSing my half...but you'll have to check out my Instagram to see what I'm talking about. It's funny how things work out. Sometimes the backup plan is the better outcome!

Yay to fall weather! It makes me feel like a runner again! /via @oldrunningmom #runchat #runner

How was your week? Are you enjoying cooler temperatures and better runs where you are? 

I'm linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Rundown.

30 comments :

  1. Awesome sauce! You were due for a good running week and you got it. I'm laughing about you keeping your sprinting partner in check, she had no idea who she was up against;-)

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  2. Yay for the speedy 5K!!! I'm thrilled to break 30 minutes these days.
    We've been in the upper 80's all week but I"m soaking it in!!!

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    1. I too am thrilled to break 30 minutes on a 5k. I know the day is coming soon when that will no longer happen!

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  3. Brilliant work! I know I will never break 30 minutes for a 5k (but I'm OK with that). Pleased you got better weather - we had pretty well perfect running weather yesterday and it does make a difference. I love how you kept that younger, taller woman on a tight rein in your sprints - go you!

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  4. So glad to read that you had a much better week out there. We are not quite into fall yet here. Can you send some cooler air my way? We had a nice 2 days but we are back in 90's this week again. I think it was smart that you bailed on the race today. Not worth it when you are feeling good to have a set back. So many races to do in the fall and winter when you are ready

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    1. We are warming back up to the 80s this week. Which is actually ok with me, since we're going to Wisconsin this weekend! It will probably be the last warm weekend for us.

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  5. I'm always wistful to see summer go but I'm all for our cooler temps for running. It's a whole different, faster animal! Glad you had a better week!

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  6. I'm so glad you enjoyed some good running weather! Sorry about the Half, but it looks like "plan B" worked out for the best!

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  7. I am loving this weather but bummed I cannot run. Hopefully soon. No one likes a DNS but sometimes we have to do it for various reasons. What other races are you signed up for this Fall?

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  8. Still warm and muggy here, was 73 at 4:30 AM for my recovery run. I'm ready for your weather (and your good feeling runs!).

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    1. It looks like summer is coming back this week. Whomp, whomp, there goes the good running...

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  9. This weather is my jam. I prefer fall to spring as I have fewer allergies.
    Yay on feeling like a runner.
    You're kicking ass

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    1. I sure felt like it this week! Let's see what happens now that the heat is returning.

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  10. That first cooler weather run feels like such a redemption...like ok yes, I really CAN run decently fast, it was just that summer heat that fooled me. Really glad for you with this happy post!

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  11. Oh I can't wait to check your instagram!! And I'm very proud of you for staying with the DNS for that half marathon. If we listen to our bodies we are usually rewarded :-) And I was laughing at you for the 'age graded' times you looked up. Yep, I would have done the same and felt the same - LOL!

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    1. Glad I didn't do the race--today I'm hurting and I only ran 6 yesterday!

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  12. Glad to read that you are feeling good running again! Those calculator websites never work well for me. For long runs like a marathon or a half, my times are always longer than predicted, but for short runs like 5ks or 10ks, my times are always shorter than predicted. Every runner is different!

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    1. True story! But it just gives me incentive to try harder to run faster!

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  13. So happy to see you having some good runs! I hope this streak continues for you!

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  14. The cooler weather feels so good - I'm admittedly dreading the warmer temperatures this week after getting a taste of it! You had a good week of running - awesome job on that speedy 3.1!

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  15. Woohoo on some speedy miles! My Garmin thinks I could run a marathon in 3:19. hahahahaha . Not sure what it's doing with my actual data, but clearly I am no where near that kind of pace!

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