training | Epicurious Runner

Life Update

19. January 2015 · 3 comments · Categories: life, training

Hello!

I would love to get back to a somewhat normal blogging schedule and I think that’s what will help me fall back into a routine as I’m trying to figure out my new normal.

It’s taking longer than expected for me to snap out of this funk I am in, but every single day I am working on it and really, that’s all I can ask for. Some days are better than others, but I like to think I’m making a bit of progress every week. Life gets in the way, especially when you’re sick and there’s nothing you can really do, but work on getting better and keep resetting yourself. All this time is going to pass anyway, so I try to keep pushing forward and not get discouraged when things don’t go perfectly.

(From one of my favorite places; Rehoboth Beach)

I’m struggling with finding a routine and with not being a lazy piece of shit. There’s a balance that I have yet to achieve. And it doesn’t help that I hate the cold and I barely want to leave my apartment in the winter.

Anyway, I like to think that I’m making some progress, but damn, it’s hard to change your routine when you’ve been working a full time Monday through Friday job for the last 8 years of your life and then suddenly you’re not!

I’m kind of “training” again. Abby graciously made me a training plan to help keep me accountable and it’s somewhat working. I haven’t been following it to a T, but I like to think I’m getting there and it’s certainly better than doing nothing. I’m trying not to be so hard on myself, but also reminding myself how good it feels to run and to push yourself. Finding balance.

As of right now, I’m only signed up for one race in the spring; a 10k on March 29th. I would like to actually race it, so I really need to get my butt in gear and work on many things in order to do that.

I also just turned 30 last week! It was probably one of the best birthdays I’ve had and I am so grateful for all of my friends who made it out to celebrate. Minus the bout of food poisoning Derek and I got from my birthday dinner, it was a fabulous week of celebrating.

Okay, is it Spring yet?

Any tips on finding a routine and actually sticking to it?

Fall Racing & DNS(ing)

08. October 2013 · 8 comments · Categories: HM Training, Injury, race, schedule, training · Tags: NYCM

This happened yesterday. Even though I had already accepted it and moved on, it definitely hurt to put the final nail in the coffin. I got nervous, sad, and unsure all of a sudden. All I had to do was push a button on the computer and it’s gone, no more New York City Marathon for me.

It sucks to think back when I initially got injured and how I thought I was kind of lucky because I wasn’t going to be missing any races or losing any money, I always thought it could be much worse, and granted it DEFINITELY could have been much worse. But, anyway, how wrong I was. I suppose it was for the better when I think about it. It allowed me to go through my injury period with hope and gratitude, rather than negativity.

Anyway, I’m not going to dwell on this, it’s done and over, I’ve officially cancelled my entry and I WILL be there next year.

What do I have lined up for the Fall? Sadly, not very much. I’m so used to racing so often, and not only all year long, but Fall is the prime racing season, so it makes me kind of sad to not have several races lined up. I’m definitely living vicariously through my friends who are racing the shit out of some marathons this Fall.

I keep considering signing up for one of the many half marathons in the area, but then I remind myself how out of shape I am. I mean, yes, I can cover the distance, but I much prefer to return to racing with some amount of confidence and speed under my belt.

In a little under 3 weeks, I am racing the

Poland Spring Marathon Kickoff (5M)

It will be mixed into a 9 mile training run, but I do plan on racing those 5 miles. I cannot wait to wear this beauty again!

I haven’t worn my singlet since VCM, which was 4 months ago at this point. I don’t think I’ve ever gone so long without racing before. I’m sure my bank account appreciates it 🙂 Err…minus losing $235 for NYCM.

As of right now, the 5 mile race and the Rehoboth Beach Half are all I’m signed up for. I’m considering the Race To Deliver, which is a 4 mile race put on by NYRR on November 24th. And I am also considering doing the Hot Chocolate 10k put on by NYCRuns on December 15th, the weekend after the Rehoboth Half. We shall see. 🙂

My focus right now is only run races that I plan on racing. Having this goal helps with saving money and learning to appreciate a race again. I love running races as part of training runs, but I’m not in that mindset right now. I want to race these races and start pushing myself again.

Anyone else running these races? What’s your Fall race season looking like? Are you signed up for several races?

Sunday Runday

26. August 2013 · 2 comments · Categories: life, running, training · Tags: Husband

Did a weekend just happen? I am exhausted, but feel a huge sense of relief! Derek and I ended up driving up to NH in the middle of the night on Friday, so that we could drop my car off at my parents house. He works night shift, but was able to get out early, so we left at 1am and arrived at my sister’s house at 5am. Derek drove and I stayed awake the whole time. Luckily, it was pretty great timing and I had all of the Hood To Coast tweets to keep me entertained.

Saturday was rough sleep for both of us, but we managed to stay up till 1:30am playing games and drinking beer with my sis and brother in law. We had a few errands to run, but Saturday was mostly a nice day of doing nothing.

Sunday was RUN DAY!

Derek is currently training for his first half marathon, the Rehoboth Beach Half on December 7th! And, he’s probably just as excited as I am about it. He’s really into it and has been killing it on his runs. He’s starting from scratch since he’s never run before, but I’m already so proud of him!

So, Sunday was our “long” run day. He had 2 miles on the schedule, and I had 4-5. We decided to just run on my old high school track because it’s literally 2 minutes from my sister’s house. Sadly the track was paved over recently so it’s not a “real” track anymore, but it still did the trick.

I had flashbacks of suffering through the mile here back in high school. I probably almost puked and died running a 12:xx mile back in those days. Although, thi s workout felt just as hard, it was a teensy bit faster. 🙂

I have a hard time not doing speedwork on a track. Sooo, I decided to scratch the 5 miles because we were tight on time as it was and figured I would try and do 4×800 and just see what happened.

I AM SO OUT OF SHAPE. <— That’s what happened.

I wasn’t expecting much, but damn, I couldn’t even do more than two 800s, so after the 2, I did 1×400 and then a cool down mile for a total of 3.8 miles of misery.

1 w/u mile: 10:47

2 x 800: 4:00, 4:12

1 x 400: 1:56

1.05 c/d: 10:57

I know it’s been a very long time since I did any kind of speedwork, but reality hits hard when trying to get back into shape. Why am I so slow 🙁

Derek had a fabulous 2 miles. He also took some great pictures of me running and don’t let the smile fool you, I was dying on the inside. To be fair…it was noon, the track was unshaded, and it was probably 80 degrees out. Let’s hope my next “speed” session goes a little better.