Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Slow Times at Ridgemont High

My first week back to marathon training didn’t exactly kick off on the foot my training plan intended. I completed my speed work and the easy 5+, but totally skipped the 6.5 tempo, my Saturday 14 and the Sunday five. Life, it turns out, goes on.

At least I have good excuses for two of the three. I skipped the tempo out of sheer laziness and weather-wimpitude. The idea of running anything tempo in 90+ degrees just wasn’t happening for me. Naps were more my speed.

But I did get out! I met Monica, Salty, CJ and co. on Saturday morning for ~6.5 miles on the NC trails. While the sun and heat were blazing that day, we were pretty sheltered by trees and even took the big ol’ NC hill that normally wipes me out. Because it was only a 1+ hour run, I didn’t carry water with me, but was grateful for a mid-point water stop. Surprisingly, though, I wasn’t parched despite the weather. Wippee on that!

Sunday was all house, all day. We painted the tragically colored kitchen to something much prettier, and I spent most of the day getting scorched in the sun while pulling out all things living, dead and intrusive in my garden. It was a workout! This weekend is front-yard landscaping. And I intend on actually completing my runs as scheduled.

Just like I intended last week.

The weather shouldn’t provide too many excuses for me now. I headed out right after work yesterday for what should have been speed day. Instead of 800s, I ran seven miles around my neighborhood and up and down Lakeshore at about 10:00/mile. It started as my speed warm-up, but kept extending. Slower and slower and slower.

While it wasn’t too hot or muggy on Tuesday, it was warm enough to slow my already garden-aching legs. I just didn’t have any kick. I was happy to get our and run, nevertheless, and at least get some good miles under my feet. Maybe today will be the day for speed.

So far, last week’s mileage (15.5 miles) has only a slight edge on this week (7 miles). Now, if I can only get over 40 miles… that’s when I’m allowing myself dessert. It’s the new plan.

5 comments:

The Salty One said...

Oh, if I would have known what you were SUPPOSED to be doing! Haha. Don't sweat it. The weekend was crazy hot making it very difficult to do what you had planned to do. No biggee. I might actually be able to do your speed workouts with you depending on the temperature of the day and what the workout is. I'll let you know more about that if I survive the race tonight :)

In any event, if you're up for this Saturday again I'm totally game! Just let me know.

Tracy said...

I've gotten a tad lazy with the training and I have fully pampered myself with health club training. Air, cold water, tv, and something to keep me right on pace which is good for me. I did nine miles this week and was able to hop in the pool and swim for cool down. it was nice.

Dana said...

I WISHED I had been more of a wimp w/ my Monday 4miler in the 100 degree heat! Or at the very least WALKED some of it. Anyway you played it smart(not wimpy) by not running in this blazing heat.

triguyjt said...

monday afternoon..what idiot runs in the afternoon on a 90 plus day....ohh..that idiot would be me...
but at least i broke it up 25 mins to a cool gym...lift..and then 25 back to the brides pilates studio...
50 straight minutes, i would have been like an un watered perennial in the garden...
wilt, j.t. wilt

miss petite america said...

oh dessert. it's a sweet reward. if only i could be as disciplined as you about not rewarding myself for achieving nothing!