Speed Work #4 and the Pursuit of Balance

I do believe I am out of my little funk. I had a great work out last night, though breathing is proving to be somewhat tasking these days. I choose to do my speed and tempo sessions on the treadmill, but I don't feel comfortable spitting into a tissue when the machines next to me are occupied. I even rarely spit when I'm running outside, so my indoor inhibitions are even greater.*


I originally wanted to head home right after I was done, and try to persuade H into running a couple of miles with me. I was a little anxious to do something active outside considering a lot of the summer seemed to have slipped right by me. Instead, we decided to meet up at the local bar for a beer and a quick dinner. I was hoping to land a spot at the tiki bar, but it was probably the humidity factor that made H drop anchor at the bar stool directly in front of the Mets game. I didn't mind too much - having a close up few of David Wright made up for it.

Although I was a little smelly and looking incredibly not cute sitting at the bar in my post work out state (short hair with curling tendencies that was cut for a straight style after a sweaty work out is not exactly a fabulous look), we definitely needed the little mid-week jaunt. I was concerned that my return to my training would consume my conscious hours, so I wouldn't have any time to share with H. Well, last night, the bar acted as a balance. If it should happen again, I'm definitely getting a quick rinse and real clothes to change into after the gym.

The only negative aspect of the jaunt is the stromboli we had for dinner, which is not a prescribed item on my meal plan. So, to balance THAT out, I got up early this morning for a quick four mile run. It felt great. Harder than it was before, but it still felt pretty damn good.

Tonight, another Power session and either a light evening run outside, or I hop back on the treadmill. It depends on the weather and my mood I guess. We shall see.

* For the non-runners in the world who deign to read my humble blog - spitting is about as normal as breathing and sweating when you're running. Gross, but true.

Star Power Mario with Gaspari

Last night's work out involved some severe ass kicking. I'm taking the pre-work out supplement called SuperPump by Gaspari, and it feels like being Star Power Mario with fireball capabilities in Super Mario Brothers I. During the Power session, I cranked out the following wieghts

Squats = 55 lbs
Chest, Clean & Press and Back= 38 lbs
Triceps and Biceps = 22 lbs (I think I can probably go up to 27 lbs)
Lunges = 49 lbs
Shoulders = 22 lbs

After the Power session, I went in for a cycling class that included a few hills, two sets of isolations, and one series of interval sprints. By the time I got home, it felt like I had hit up a goomba just as my Star Power was fading, and I had shrunk down to little Mario.

I killed 900 calories and I think I lost a quarter of an inch in circumference. At least, it feels like I lost a quarter of an inch in circumference.

Tonight, speed work on the treadmill. I'm hoping that I can get that done super quick, so I can head home and squeeze in a relaxing run. It's a beautiful day, and I don't want to miss the chance to enjoy days like these.

Running Tonight

I skipped the gym last night because I worked late at the office, and I was headachey and frazzled by the time I got in the car. So I will be doing some speed work tonight.

I'm starting to panic ... I only have two more Sundays before my marathon ... which means I only have one super long run before race day.

Okay, so I'm not starting to panic ... I have been in a panic since I noticed this situation ... which was this past Sunday ... when I missed my long run ... because of work. Well, actually it was the weather, but I so would have had a better chance at doing it if I didn't come into the office at all.

******

With a $13 coupon from Espirit, I figured I would stop by during my lunch hour and pick up a sweater or two. I have almost nothing by way of tops because I gave away virtually every single sweater I had from last year (I got a bit smaller since then). So I walk in, and I completely expected to find absolutely nothing I would want. I was greated by the sales girl who pleasantly indicated that almost every turtleneck sweater in the store was on sale. Needless to say ... I found a few things.

I think it was the most expensive lunch hour ... during the work week ... I had ... this year.

******

I am so not a fan of speed work.

1 mile warm up
3 sets of one milers @ 8:04 minutes-ish per mile (7.4 mph) and one set of one mile (the last set) @ 8 minutes per mile (7.5 mph)
4 sets of half mile recovery jogs in between sets (jog = 10 minutes per mile / 6 mph)
1 mile cool down

During the speed portion of the work out, my heart rate was between 87% and 88% the maximum. I threw in every trick I had (breathe through the nose and exhale deeply through the mouth every fourth exhalation, relaxing the shoulders, listening to music, watching the TV, positive imagery ... and finally ... tapping the digital screen cause THAT might bring the heart rate down) and nothing worked. Finally, I accepted that there was going to be a total of four painful fits ... 8 minutes at a time, and just did the work out.

Oh the PAIN. When I was done, a couple of my friends who were still hanging around even asked what I was up to and commented that it looked like I was really involved ... as in I looked like hell with two stubby legs flying on a treadmill and my face looking all sorts of unhappy.

Whatever ... its done. And I am happy to report that it was the last speed work out I have scheduled before the ... *gulp* ... marathon.