Consistent Improvement

Not such a great week as far as mileage goes but I'm getting in some great cross-training which I figure can't hurt.   Did some tough ab work and also worked out my calves - haven't actually targeted my calves before so it was interesting to see what I could do.  I was working out with a trainer so you KNOW I was working hard.....he's brutal!  :-)

1 hr of step class, 2 miles on the mill and then some ab work.  Since I'm mostly running inside right now I've decided to keep my mileage to 7 m or less - I'll run longer once the weather and the roads get better; bit of a wimp when it comes to weather.  However, this should be fine for now since I've never run a race before and will be starting off with 5k's in the spring.  Think I'll work on getting my speed up a bit and seeing if I can get under an 8 min. mile.

Fought for every mile today - I looked down after what I thought had to have been a mile and it was only .4, that's when I knew it was going to be a rough run!  However, I was disciplined and did what I intended to do and then some ab work.  Glad I did it now!

3 easy miles and then some light weight lifting; miles seemed to go quick today!

3 easy miles and then some great cross-training on calves, tri-ceps and abs.  It's extremely cold out right now, I can't wait to get off the treadmill and on the road!

With this run I learned just how much of a crutch my MP3 player is - I had no music tonight and man oh man was it a tough run.  I had to pull out every mind trick I could come up with.  There is just something about being able to hear the faster breathing and feet pounding that makes the run seem harder.  Made me think I was working harder than I really was.  After the run I also did some strength training and ab work.  Got home and made sure to charge up that MP3 player!

Three miles and then step class - good hour and 1 1/2 of cardio.

5 miles at varying speeds, tried to do normal speed for half mile and then up the speed for the next half mile.  Felt good at the end - followed up the run with ab work.

3 miles followed up by 1 hr of strength training.

I did 3 miles in 26.43 seconds; not a PR but definitely a good time for me - I've been struggling to be better than 27 minutes lately...after that I did some strength and core training.  Very pleased with my workout!

Crappy run tonight - not a bad time it just didn't feel good.  Felt like I just couldn't get into that smooth groove, I was lurching along.  My legs did feel tired rigtht from the start - during last night's run I did interval training; I guess I'd better start doing that more diligently!!!  After the run I did some strength training and core workouts. 

Only 1 mile tonight and not even all at the same time.  .5 before step class and .5 after.  Step was tough tonight, legs felt heavy about half way through and when I hit the treadmill afterwards it was just not happening.  I was struggling at what is typically an easy pace for me.  So, in light of my lurching run last night, I decided that my body was telling me to take a break.  Friday is a rest day - here's hoping for a good, solid long run on Saturday!

I thought my legs were really tired when I set out but then I realized they were just tight - I felt great!  Then at one mile a side stitch started and kept coming back.   At 2.5 I stopped and did some arm strength training and then started running again.  That did the trick - the next 3 miles were fast and smooth.  Gotta figure out what to do about those side stitches though - what a pain!

3.0 easy miles at 8.36 pace and then some strength training.  Run felt good today.

3.5 miles on the mill; dealt with the side stitch issue again on the first mile so I stopped and did arm strength training and then went back to the treadmill for 2.5.  I think I'll just start doing arm strength and then running.  Seems to work well and help me avoid those side stitches.  Also did some core work and leg strength training.

3 miles at 8.29 pace.  Followed up with strength training and stretching.  I need to get faster!!!  Although, considering where I started just last July I'm really not doing to bad.  It's important to remind myself that last summer I was running a 10 min mile.....so, I guess I should practice what I preach to others: look at how far you've come, not how far you have to go.  CHEESY!!!  :-)

I found a good quote by Peter Maher and have it posted at work to help pump me up for my runs at night: "Running is a big question mark that's there each and every day.  It asks you, 'Are you going to be a wimp or are you going to be strong today?'"

3.25 miles and then an hour of step class - he was tough on us tonight as there were no 'newbies' in class. I don't think I've ever done step at that speed before!  Definitely kept the heart rate in the 85%-90% range almost the whole time.  Whew!

5.5 miles plus strength training.  Quick workout as I had things to do!

No running tonight as the gym is closed and I'm a wimp about running in cold weather.  Broke out the Billy Blanks tapes - no laughing!  Sweating is sweating!  :-)

Injury #2: lower hamstring - I think.  Pain in the back of the leg, just behind and above my knee.  Not debilitating but definitely there.  I was supposed to do 4 miles but cut it to 3 because it was just getting worse even though I was taking it easy.  Elliptical training might be the way to go Tues night, I'll have to see how it's doing.  Injuring myself before I even get to run a race is a poor way to start off my running hobby!  Oy.