Oh My Aching Abs

I do not know where the time goes.  I was going to write about my training on a weekly basis and as I sit here looking at the calendar I realize that last week came and went.  Where did it go?  Can you get time back if you've no recollection of it at all? 

In summary for last week - I had 37 miles on the calendar and ended up cutting my 20 down to 10.  Though, there was so much snow on the ground it felt like 20!

This week is all new for me.  I've started training with a coach.  Her approach is much different than mine and it is taking some getting used to.  What do you mean I can't do 20 milers yet?  My heart about stopped when I heard that.  But, she is the professional and trains some great ultra runners so probably knows a little more about this ultra stuff than me.  When I ask "why?" there's always a logical reason.  And I ask why a lot!

What's new?  Hmmmm...speed work, running more days, running less miles, paying attention to heart rate, tracking calories and nutrition, and CORE work!

Last night I did some speed work followed by a 20 minute time trial.  My last two 5k's were run at about a 7:30 pace.  It's been a while since I've paid any attention to speed and it's amazing how quickly that can be lost.  I am kind of embarrassed to even document this but I will because the next time it will be much better.  20 minutes - 2.31 miles = 8:39 pace.  WHAT?  I want a re-do!  That's over a minute per mile slower than I was expecting!  I am not out to win races and a nice easy pace is one of the things I love about ultra running.  But, I will work on building some speed for these shorter distances and PR a 5k and 10k this year.

Calorie tracking - what an eye opener!  I wondered how I could be an ultra runner and not lose any weight.  Let me tell you...it's called M&M Peanuts.  I think I could have easily been consuming 500 calories of the sweet goodness on a daily basis.  Every time I walked past the front desk at work I'd grab a handful.  I will not ruin it for those of you who love M&M's - but I will be limiting myself to 10 pieces per day instead of 10 hands full.  I am really excited about this part of the training.  If I can go into the 100 with 15 less pounds to carry I'll be a happy camper.          

And lastly, my aching abs!  I did my first ab/core workout this week and it hurts to sit up straight.  But I like the pain - I think it means I did it right and there are some muscles building up under my protective "winter layer".  Quite excited about that. 

Happy Friday!

 

   

Three of my favorite things this week...

Training week 2 was a huge success!  Forty-seven miles on the training plan - forty-seven miles run.  Not a moment of hesitation or procrastination.  I was extremely happy with the week and look forward to keeping this momentum going.

I feel the success this week was attributed to the following three things: 

1. Starting the week off right with the EPIC Tuesday run.  The temperatures were mild, the company was amazing as always, and the run just felt great.  It's extrememly encouraging to feel like..."I can do that again"...after a run. 
2. The snow!  I had a 6 mile run on Thursday that I didn't get to until the kids were tucked in bed.  I ran the first 4 on the treadmill and then headed outside with the pup for the final 2.  It had snowed all day and Henry and I had a great time creating two miles of footprints in the fresh powder.  The moon and lights reflecting off the snow made it so bright and magical!



Henry admiring our footprints in the snow

3. Frosty 50 & the Treter's.  What an amazing day at VA!  The trails were beautiful and snow covered, hilly, and tough!  The people - WOW!  I love ultra runners!  50+ people standing outside in the freezing cold...running some long tough miles...water bottles freezing...wet feet...climbing hills in the snow...telling stories which made the miles fly by (thank you Brandi :)...all as happy as could be encouraging one another along throughout the day.  Then there were the volunteers (saints!).  These extraordinary people marked the course...taxied the crazy running crowd to and from our cars...cooked us chili, soup, hot dogs, etc...kept the fire going for us...took our pictures...entered our times...lent a helping hand where ever one was needed.  THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!  And the Treter's.  I stuck with Matt and Tif throughout the 50k.  At first I had to leave by 2:00 but then was able to get a time extention.  When I hit 25 miles my legs were tired and I said I was just going to run the last 6 on the treadmill at home.  Tif encouraged me to go out for the LAST loop and I was so glad I did!  It really felt great to put the Woodal around my neck after completing the full 50k.  It was also nice to get home and not have 6 miles hanging over my head...if that were the case this blog post might be about a week two fail instead of this huge success story.  So, if you ever have  the opportunity to push someone along and help them accomplish their goal, do it!  Thank you Tif for the nudge:-)    

It is almost time for EPIC Tuesday once again...excited to kick off another successful week of training.

   

Beautiful trails...



Snow covered trees...perfect day....

My running buds for the day...Matt & Tif

Week 1 - Motivation Needed!

The first official week of my training plan started last Tueday.  I had 40 miles to do and completed 15.  What the heck went wrong and what I am going to do about it moving forward?

I really like kicking off my weeks with the EPIC Tuesday 10 miler.  It always feels good to get that done and sets the tone for the remainder of the week.  Last Tuesday I was sitting at work and my right arm and the right side of my face went numb.  "Hmmmmm, this doesn't seem right" I thought, so I called my doctor to make an appointment.  The doctors office tells me to go the ER and threw lots of scarry words at me that you just don't want to hear.  Words like - stroke, blood clot, seizure.  Crap - I am too young - I am somewhat fit - feel mostly healthy - and have kids to take care of.  Anyhow, I take their advice, head to the ER after work, and they poke me, hook me up to a bunch of machines, take almost all of my blood, test, test, test.  Diagnosis...no stroke, no blood clot, I was not going to die on Tuesday.  So, I will follow up with my doctor and continue to try and find out why this is happening.  But, I will not do it on a Tuesday!  On Tuesdays I will run.

I have also decided to get a coach to help hold me accountable to a training plan.  I can justify any excuse to myself...but what "acceptable" reason can I give to my coach?  I didn't run that 6 miles because there was a new episode of Jersey Shore on MTV.  Yeah right!  I spoke with her today and I'm very excited to have that resource at my fingertips.

The last thing I am going to do, as much as I hate it, is replace my Garmin.  Since I began this ultra life I have ridded myself of that nasty nagging piece of equipment.  But, I think it'll be motivating to see my progress, to track my miles, and helpful for my coach to see this information.  At least until I line up at the starting line of the KM100.  I will not obsess over pace.  I will just use it as a mileage log.

That's all for now...looking forward to a better week 2.