I haven’t been writing about training or life because I have been really depressed. Like cry all day, question your existence, avoid everyone depressed. The few times I sat down to write I either spilled out more than I wanted and lashed out at people in ways that I knew I would regret later. I don't mind telling you I’m in a really bad place, but I don’t really want to talk more about it.
Even now, I type and delete.
So we will just pick up here. I am trying to train for a few different things at the same time. Desert Solstice will be a big race for me. I will be using Jackrabbit Jubilee as a test run to see where I am at fitness wise. On the way to Desert Solstice, I will be racing Stagecoach 55K and have a goal for that race. In October I am racing the USATF Master’s 15K championships and I really want to do a lot better this year. Oh yeah, and I need to run a marathon to see where I am with that because starting next year I want to attempt to qualify for the marathon Olympic Trials. So I need to work on distance, climbing, short distance speed and marathon pacing.
Saturday:
I knew you were probably missing hearing about my period, so today was the perfect day to start writing again! I think I am finally get use to the heat. I still don't like it, but at least I am not sick to my stomach all day after running. Today was an easy day, but with climbing. The goal was to get out the door by 5am. I am usually awake by 4:30am and flip and flop trying to fall back asleep. Which never works and I crawl out of bed at 5am or so. I didn’t set an alarm because I knew I would wake up early. Except I didn’t! I slept until 6:15am. Why so tired? I am going to blame it on starting my period. I had thought about running with my friend Del today but she wasn’t starting until 7am. I didn't get out the door until after 7am. The best news about this was that it made it easy to run slow. I even used it as an excuse to hike whenever I felt like it.
I am committed to getting my yoga practice up and running again. For now the goal is 4 days a week. The problem is I practice yoga at home. The puppy thinks this a great time to attack me. When I tried to get Hank to go in his crate he made me chase him all over the house. When I finally got him in his crate my inside anger was boiling. I might be working on my flexibility, but I am not sure I am doing anything for my well-being. From now on Hank might need to be crated before I start yoga.
I should have been running High Lonesome 100 this weekend. I was feeling down about not being there yesterday. But in my attempt to me more positive, maybe I am not so sad. It rained from noon until at least early evening (maybe longer) at the race. All thing being equal, I would have started my period in the middle of the night with out a tampon because I thought my period was starting next week. Instead of being rained on I am here sweating to death and I started my period in the comfort of my own home with tampons at the ready. Glass half full!
Sunday:
I was meant to go to Flagstaff so it would be easier to get my long run done and hit the pace I need to hit. The heat in Phoenix is ridiculous. Say what you want about the benefits of heat training, but I am over it. On the days I need to run fast I end up feeling sick to m stomach all day. Great of you don’t want to eat I suppose, but I want to eat.
The kids are leaving with their dad for 2 weeks today. They will spend a week in Mexico and after go to Dallas for a week for a wedding. Because their dad was being difficult Norm and I ended up driving them to his house at 11:30pm. This meant we weren’t home until after midnight and I couldn’t fall back asleep. When I woke up at 6:30am I didn't even want to run, much less drive to Flagstaff and run. It was a miracle I made it out the door.
I needed to run 10 miles easy and then 10 miles trying to run marathon pace. I knew I would be off a bit, but the goal was to see how close I could get and how long I could hold it. This was basically a test run for me. As soon as I walked out the door it started raining, but it only lasted a few miles. I knew I had 10 miles to run easy so I just told myself to relax and enjoy it. Easier said than done. At Northern and Central I had the light to cross, but thank G-D for the wet streets. I could just tell from the sound of the wheels on the wet road that here was a car coming and it wasn’t slowing down. I stopped instead of crossing and sure enough this guy blows right threw the light and into the middle of the intersection. He proceeds to back up into the cross walk at a super slow speed. Dumb ass!
Not even a half-mile down the road I come to a stop sign intersection with a 4 way stop. I could see a car approaching, but I had time to cross. But I didn’t. I really don't know why I stopped I just had a feeling. Good job instincts! This guy blew right through the stop sign and never slowed down.
I never did speed up. I actually wanted to quit at 12 miles. Instead of making the turn for home I headed for the trail. I was hot and tired and I wasn’t doing so well with my math skills. I thought if I went to visitor’s center and back I would have 18 miles. It actually came out to 17 miles, but close enough.
I was off about 5 miles of weekly mileage goal and only 200 feet for my climbing goal. Not too bad for struggling with the heat and a lack of motivation.
Even now, I type and delete.
So we will just pick up here. I am trying to train for a few different things at the same time. Desert Solstice will be a big race for me. I will be using Jackrabbit Jubilee as a test run to see where I am at fitness wise. On the way to Desert Solstice, I will be racing Stagecoach 55K and have a goal for that race. In October I am racing the USATF Master’s 15K championships and I really want to do a lot better this year. Oh yeah, and I need to run a marathon to see where I am with that because starting next year I want to attempt to qualify for the marathon Olympic Trials. So I need to work on distance, climbing, short distance speed and marathon pacing.
Saturday:
I knew you were probably missing hearing about my period, so today was the perfect day to start writing again! I think I am finally get use to the heat. I still don't like it, but at least I am not sick to my stomach all day after running. Today was an easy day, but with climbing. The goal was to get out the door by 5am. I am usually awake by 4:30am and flip and flop trying to fall back asleep. Which never works and I crawl out of bed at 5am or so. I didn’t set an alarm because I knew I would wake up early. Except I didn’t! I slept until 6:15am. Why so tired? I am going to blame it on starting my period. I had thought about running with my friend Del today but she wasn’t starting until 7am. I didn't get out the door until after 7am. The best news about this was that it made it easy to run slow. I even used it as an excuse to hike whenever I felt like it.
I am committed to getting my yoga practice up and running again. For now the goal is 4 days a week. The problem is I practice yoga at home. The puppy thinks this a great time to attack me. When I tried to get Hank to go in his crate he made me chase him all over the house. When I finally got him in his crate my inside anger was boiling. I might be working on my flexibility, but I am not sure I am doing anything for my well-being. From now on Hank might need to be crated before I start yoga.
I should have been running High Lonesome 100 this weekend. I was feeling down about not being there yesterday. But in my attempt to me more positive, maybe I am not so sad. It rained from noon until at least early evening (maybe longer) at the race. All thing being equal, I would have started my period in the middle of the night with out a tampon because I thought my period was starting next week. Instead of being rained on I am here sweating to death and I started my period in the comfort of my own home with tampons at the ready. Glass half full!
Sunday:
I was meant to go to Flagstaff so it would be easier to get my long run done and hit the pace I need to hit. The heat in Phoenix is ridiculous. Say what you want about the benefits of heat training, but I am over it. On the days I need to run fast I end up feeling sick to m stomach all day. Great of you don’t want to eat I suppose, but I want to eat.
The kids are leaving with their dad for 2 weeks today. They will spend a week in Mexico and after go to Dallas for a week for a wedding. Because their dad was being difficult Norm and I ended up driving them to his house at 11:30pm. This meant we weren’t home until after midnight and I couldn’t fall back asleep. When I woke up at 6:30am I didn't even want to run, much less drive to Flagstaff and run. It was a miracle I made it out the door.
I needed to run 10 miles easy and then 10 miles trying to run marathon pace. I knew I would be off a bit, but the goal was to see how close I could get and how long I could hold it. This was basically a test run for me. As soon as I walked out the door it started raining, but it only lasted a few miles. I knew I had 10 miles to run easy so I just told myself to relax and enjoy it. Easier said than done. At Northern and Central I had the light to cross, but thank G-D for the wet streets. I could just tell from the sound of the wheels on the wet road that here was a car coming and it wasn’t slowing down. I stopped instead of crossing and sure enough this guy blows right threw the light and into the middle of the intersection. He proceeds to back up into the cross walk at a super slow speed. Dumb ass!
Not even a half-mile down the road I come to a stop sign intersection with a 4 way stop. I could see a car approaching, but I had time to cross. But I didn’t. I really don't know why I stopped I just had a feeling. Good job instincts! This guy blew right through the stop sign and never slowed down.
I never did speed up. I actually wanted to quit at 12 miles. Instead of making the turn for home I headed for the trail. I was hot and tired and I wasn’t doing so well with my math skills. I thought if I went to visitor’s center and back I would have 18 miles. It actually came out to 17 miles, but close enough.
I was off about 5 miles of weekly mileage goal and only 200 feet for my climbing goal. Not too bad for struggling with the heat and a lack of motivation.
Oiselle shorts are not just comfy, but apparently also very yummy. Repeat after me "I love the puppy, I love the puppy, I love the puppy."
Hank will decide when I will and when I will not do yoga. He also previously chewed a whole in this mat when I went to the bathroom. See puppy mantra above.
