For instance, yesterday I woke up and drank a cup of coffee and checked my e-mail. Then I threw on my bike shorts and a sports bra and hopped right on the bike trainer. I didn't need to figure out where I was going or worry about cars or routes. I just wanted to get some quick cardio in.
watching Modern Family while cycling adds
a nice little laughter/abdominal workout
After just 45 minutes on the bike I hit the trails for a 3 mile recovery run. I always like to see how my legs are holding up after a long run like yesterday's 20. They felt great! I took it nice and slow which can be hard to do, but I forced myself to let guys pass me. Man, I hate that.
I made it up every hill along the way without ever having to walk. This is a great sign, especially for me, the hill hater.
My confidence is starting to grow. My training is finally coming together and I can see gains. When I started this training cycle I felt weak and pathetically slow. I had just been laid up in bed after donating my eggs and dealing with complications. I couldn't exercise for over 2 weeks! I felt like I had lost a great deal of fitness in this short time of being bed ridden and the prior weeks of easy, cautious workouts. I doubted my ability to run this race at all.
I almost dropped out. I can distinctly remember one day in which I felt so awful that I stopped mid-run on the side of the trail, sat on a log and cried. I was done. Ready to quit. Angela told me to just give it another week. This was the best advice. She didn't try to convince me to run the race because she knew that wouldn't work. Angela trusted that I would get over this hump and see the light at the end of the tunnel. So, I gave it another week and felt slightly better. I still considered dropping out but thought I'd give it one more week. Before I knew it, I forgot that dropping out was even an option. Now I feel great and I am thanking Angela and my friend AJ for advising me against quitting.
My goal for Chicago is to rock a 3:30. This is 5 (almost 6) minutes faster than Surf City. I believe I can do it. My training plan seems to believe I can run a 3:24, but I say that plan is whack. ;-) It will all come down to October 9th; how my body feels and the weather. My biggest concern is truly the weather. I'm from Chicago, I know how bipolar it can be.
hoping I feel as good as I did here, at Surf City
Angela ran Chicago in 2007 in which it was blazing hot and they stopped the race. People were being carted off to the hospital left and right and a few people even died. In 2009 she ran it again. This time it was in the 40s at the start and she wore a long sleeve the entire race. Clearly, the weather is unpredictable. I am praying to the running gods for cool weather. Please god, no crazy heat and no horrid humidity. I don't think I can perform in those conditions after my training here in mild San Diego. It's a blessing and a curse that I live in such a perfect climate.
Either way, I can only control my training and my attitude. The weather is out of my hands.
I am enjoying a cut back week right now. Saturday will involve sleeping in (wahoo!) and Sunday I will watch my friend Sarah run America's Finest City Half Marathon. I am hoping to join her for a few miles of it.
Any upcoming races for you?
What are your goals?
Posts
Hurray, Kate, so glad you've got your mojo back! I knew it would happen :-). And you can totally rock that 3:30. Have faith in yourself, your training and your natural talent. Plus Chicago has a great, fast course. World record course, baby!
ReplyDeleteSounds like your training is going great! I use a wind trainer for my bike in the winter (NY). Let me rephrase that...I set it up every winter and use it once or twice ;) I was just in San Diego for BlogHer and was jealous of the cyclists ... but the car traffic was a bit nuts.
ReplyDeleteI hear you on crazy Chicago weather. I ran the marathon in 2005. Started out in gloves and long sleeves and it ended in the high 60's / low 70's. Nearly perfect! I hope you have nearly perfect weather, too!
The trainer is great to have! What better way to catch up on a couple shows and get some miles in? I haven't gotten to bike out there yet (though I do love running Sunset Cliffs), but it seems like it might be a interesting!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear your confidence is growing - one of the biggest parts of the marathon is mental, after all. You're putting in the training - you're going to rock it! My boyfriend's family is from San Diego, so we visit semi-frequently.
I did Chicago last year and while they never called it off because of the heat there were many experienced runners who called it a day before the half way mark. So yes our weather well sucks. lol
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about the bike trainer! I don't use mine during the summer (but I also don't tend to get on the bike more than once a week) but I love it in the winter. It's weird because I was a novice (still am) at biking and last year I would crash into things and had no confidence. However, a winter on the bike trainer made me feel more comfortable and it was a terrific tool! I'm going to use it this winter to adjust to clipless pedals.
ReplyDeleteIt's the same reason I love the treadmill, although no one else seems to - I just want simple, I don't want to pick a route.
Girl. You've. SOOOO. Got. This.
ReplyDeleteIf your taking bets......I bet you'll be an easy 3:20.
You. Freaking. Rock.
3:30 is in the bag. You've got it. I'm glad your training is starting to come together, I just had these same thoughts today. The easy runs are feeling effortless and natural and during speed work and long runs I am feeling more comfortable and confident. I think that the 'give it one more week' is great advice for any difficult situation.
ReplyDeleteOh the weather, I'm hoping for a beautiful day as well. Ran 2007 and didn't finish and then ran last year and it was almost as dreadful. Fingers crossed for this day!
glad to hear you're feeling back to normal, i know how those slumps can go : / i can't believe chcago is only a couple months away!!! i don't know that i'm feeling totally ready yet, but i'm trying to stay positive. i'm crossing my fingers for good weather, too!
ReplyDeleteI'm happy you feel confident! Running is such a mental game, too. Well, most things in life are...and glad you've got your confidence back!
ReplyDeleteI'm so jealous that you feel so fabulous so quickly after the loooooooooong run!!
ReplyDeleteI have my very first half marathon at the end of October - Rock n Roll Los Angeles! My original goal was 2:30 - I've only been running about 6 months an I clomp. But since I dislocated my kneecap in April, my new goal is simply to cross the finish line without injury.
It is important so you will be able to avoid injury both in training and core workout. With the right training, you will also avoid some of the common errors which some athletes commit when in a race.
ReplyDelete