Friday, March 04, 2011

Has it really been over a week?

Friday, March 04, 2011  at 1:33 PM
Wow, I promise I haven't been slacking off on the training even though the blogging has been a little weak.  It's been a whole week since my last report.  And really, that's what this is...YOU keeping ME accountable to keep training!  It's too bad that I don't even have pictures to share with you.  I guess words will have to do.

Last Sunday, February 27, Nick and I started out on our 8 mile run.  He hadn't run all week, so we thought it might be a little rough.  I gave us a "goal" of 9:30/miles with the understanding that if we didn't make that, it was ok.  I always have to have a goal to shoot for.  Otherwise, I feel like I'm wasting my time!  Well, we got to mile 4, and Nick's IT Bands starting hurting pretty badly.  Now I don't have trouble with my IT Bands, but a lot of runners that I know do, so I did a little research just to understand where they are and why it is so difficult to stretch them.  Here's a picture for your own education if you don't already know what they look like and where they are located (Iliotibial Band).  With him hurting pretty badly, we walked for 30 seconds and then ran a bit more.  After a couple more stops, we decided that I would split off at our turn, and he would walk to where my road would join his.  My route added an extra mile or so.  We ended up meeting at the other end and then finished the 8 miles.  With the walking, our time had dropped to 9:54/miles, so while I was by myself, I cranked up the pace to bring the total run back down to 9:29/miles.  I thought that was ok for the run since we had a couple stops along the way.

Monday, Wednesday and today, I spent some time riding the bike on my trainer.  I love riding so much, and I can't wait till the weather is a bit better so I can get out on the roads.  This summer is going to rock!

On Tuesday, Jennifer and I did 4.5 miles in some neighborhoods around the school.  It was really nice to run with her.  She's such a cool chic, and I'm one lucky guy to be married to her!!!  She pushed herself, and we ended up running at 10:55/miles.  By the way, her goal for the Holy Half is to run it under 2 1/2 hours.  That means she has to do it under 11:27's.  I'm proud of her, and I know she'll do it without any trouble!

Yesterday, Jenn and I did a track workout.  We went to the local high school's track for the first time and realized that it is a really nice track.  I don't know what it is made of, but it sort of feels like you are running on a trampoline.  The surface is super absorbant and "bouncy."  We did 8x400's.  My goal was to be able to keep my speed throughout the whole workout within 30 seconds.  The first 400 was running at 6:19's.  Well, they all went really well, and the last one was at 6:45's, so that means that I met my goal!  Hoorah!  These track workouts seem to really help my speed on the long runs.

Sunday, Jenn and I will be running 9 miles.  It sounded like Nick is going to pass on this long run, so that means I'm running by myself.  It'll be really nice to just do my pace and push myself.  This year, one of my goals is to learn how to suffer.  I want to be able to have the mental toughness to push through anything...pain, itches, boredom, laziness, more miles.  I try to push myself mentally in everything I do, and I fell like it's paying off.  I guess we'll see how 9 miles by myself feels!

6 comments:

Matty O

I was told that the IT Bands are such a nuisance since it does not cross over any joints in your body. So you cannot directly stretch it.

It is really difficult to deal with. You are in shape and want to perform in your workouts and you physically can't from the pain. Sucks.

Nice job getting the workouts in!

kessia reyne

Oh, the IT band! I had some trouble with that myself. My PT was giving me directions on stretching it and I had to have her show me about 5 times before I could really get it! It's a tricky one. I hope Nick is up and running (literally) soon.

In the meantime, go, Smitty, go!!!

Ironman By Thirty

Great job to both of you! Isn't it so much fun to run with the Mrs.? My runs with my wife are some of the most fun runs I have done.

Good luck to both of you on your long run this weekend!

tri like mary

Your running sounds like it's really coming along well! Can't wait to see how you do at the half in April! Keep it up!

Unknown

Ugh... I've suffered from IT problems. It's a super big pain! :(

Sounds like your running is really coming along. Great job to all of you!

Amber

Dang Good for both of you. Keep it up!

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