to run or not to run

So I have a 'bad' back. I hate to say it like that so perhaps temperamental would be a better description. Regardless, I get back spasms. I occassionally take muslce relaxers. I get massaged often. So of course as soon as my physical therapist/masseuse hits the road to get married and honeymoon my back throws a fit. I tried walking. I tried stretching. I tried yoga. I tried a muscle relaxer. And finally I tried wine. Nada. After an uncomfortable (6.5/10) day night and day I took a nap and woke up feeling like I could exercise. I pledged to just get to the gym. Just walk on the treadmill and stretch if nothing else.

I get there. See that there's a HIIT 45 min class and walk in. What??? I wasn't sure I was going to be able to walk into the gym and all the sudden I'm doing non stop exercises for 45 min. Then I see myself (and I write it like this bc I don't know what in the world compelled me to do so) headed upstairs and jumping on a treadmill. What??? I ran 3 miles at a 10:54 pace. I guess the HIIT woke up my muscles? Not sure but was happy given the situation.

Onward and upward. 4 wks left.

Last Sat

Last Saturday was a cut back week with Team in Training. FIGURES! I decided to go with it. I'm running the half in a month not the whole and still have time to build esp since time will be what it is. I'd like to hit 2:15. That would make me happy. That's 10:20 pace. Not impossible. This Friday I will run 9. Next Thursday (I am away next wkd) 10 miles then 12 2 wkds before the race. 6-8 the week before and go from there. I will hit all my wkly runs from here on out. NO EXCUSES!

Saturday was hot. I didnt have enough salt and struggled. We ran 10:45 pace 6.5m. Felt hard but good. I worked my legs out a lot last week so was OK to feel tired esp given the heat.

NOthing else to report. I skipped my recovery run to walk miles and miles yesterday.

Still on South Beach, still wildly over it.

tempo run- 1st of the season

Terrible huh? but it was my first real tempo run of the season. And yes, I know my season is almost over, but so what. It happens!!!

I ran on the treadmill last night because I was jetlagged and it was very windy out. I am a wimp. But I do set the treadmill on a 2.0 incline so I'm not cheating all that much. Well I don't think I am.

I ran a warmup mile at 11-1030 pace and then 3 miles at 9-930 pace. More 9:13 pace than anything else. Then I ran the last 0.3m at 8:00 pace which is FAST. How are my legs supposed to move like that? I seriously dont think they can... although yes, I rememebr when I thoguht 10 min pace was fast and now I'm not thinking that way at all.

Was pretty proud of the run given the week I've had. I had hoped to be running 8 min tempo runs by now but hey, I have barely been training so that's what I get!

This wkd will be my longest run since before the NYC Marathon. I've run 8m a few times but never 10. Somehow sounds daunting. Which is funny given that in a few months I'll be back up around 18m on the weekends! YIKES!

crapola

ran a decent tempo run today. felt good.
have been a super slacker considering that the race is 5 weeks away. Seriously need to concentrate on running.

have another long run this Satuday. 10 miler. Ran 8 April 15th but we'll see. If I run 9 I'll be OK. I have another week where I can run 10-10.5. Then a short run the wkd of May 15th. Then one last long run the weekend of May 24th. Then a shorter one the weekend of the May 30... or should I try and do a longer one that weekend too? Not quite sure... Need to really evaluate since I havent trained right.

Originally I wanted to be able to run a 9 min mile pace the whole time. Now I'll be happy with 10.

Oh well.

ugh

This am I was greeted with a cloud of asphalt smoke in my apt. The parking lot next to my apt (sounds way more ghetto than the situation) was being repaved. I, meanwhile, had slept with the windows open. Bad combination. I had a migraine by 11 am and left the office to rest from 1 to almost 4. I went to the gym hoping to run at least 5m but managed only 3.25 before the pounding in my head was too intense even for me.

Restorative yoga will end my night. I hate when plans go awry!!

update

wow where does the time go?
I've been working out consistently 3,4,5x a week and running 3x a week (spinning 1x a week and weights/yoga 1-2x a week)

I'm back up to about 8 miles now which is a nice place to be at... feeling strong (except for today and I need to go run over 8m!! ack!) and feeling like I'm ready to be at the place where I am.

half marathon in san diego is 8 weeks away... goal time: 2:05 which is a 9:30 pace I really don't think I can do it... i think 2:15 is doable and 2:10 has potential. But I refuse to sell myself short. Dream high friends.

back in shape?

I wouldnt say I'm back in shape but I will admit that I'm started to feel normal again. I've been working out 5x a week for a week now. This week I am on track to replicate that.

Have a race SUnday. First race of the year! And in what feels like forever, I doubt I will PR given my PR on a 4 miler is 38:11 but we will see.