Tempo Run #9 and Finding My Go

I have no idea what I did or how I did it, but I found the go last night during my tempo run. It showed up completely by surprise too. The warm up was more difficult than I would have liked it to be, and within the first mile, my heart rate went up to 88% of my max at tempo. It felt like getting 2.5 miles out would be the most I could do, so I just started to adjust my thinking. I knew the pace was a bit fast, but I kept repeating to myself the remaining laps on a track that I had to complete. For whatever reason, thinking I have 7 laps to go is far less intimidating than knowing I have 1.75 miles remaining.

When I had completed 1.5 miles at tempo, I noticed my heart rate had dropped down to 85%, and it felt like I was actually hanging out down at 83%. That was when this thought came to mind: Maybe I can go another mile at this pace? Maybe I can do 4 miles? I know that I can do more than 3 … and that’s when I knew that I had found my go.

Crossing the third mile, my heart rate had climbed up to 91%, but it fell back to 88% when I had only a quarter of a mile remaining. The only thing I did differently this time around was consuming about half of the SuperPump half an hour before the run, and the rest about 10 minutes before the run. Maybe the element of time released magic was what gave me the go?

Tonight - Power with Debbie. I know not to plan on running or doing anything else tonight ...

Tempo Run #8 & Power

Done and done.

I was a bit ambitious and started last night's tempo run at 7.3 MPH, but a bit after a third of a mile into the work out at that pace, I knew I wouldn't be able to hang in for three full miles. So I reduced my speed to 7.2 MPH, which is basically about right given that my speed work is at 7.4 MPH and I do cross past 90% during the third set of speed at that pace. The impact of just a tiny tenth of a mile per hour or 13 seconds per mile faster is simply amazing.



After the tempo run, I peeled myself off the treadmill and proceeded to Power with the cutest fitness instructor I have ever had the pleasure to work with. I was hopeless in his class, even sat down on the bench during one of the breaks in between sets, but I still stuck it out for the entire hour. The extra fatigue on the legs is what makes them shapelier ... right? He was worth every minute of the pain though.

I just need to figure out a way to pull myself together before going to his class. Seriously, I looked like a train wreck with puffy out of control hair. Life will be so much easier when the sucker finally grows out. If it's one thing I've learned in the 26 years of my existence is that long hair is easy points on the hot chick score card.

For extra credit, I managed to wake up about twenty minutes after my alarm went off this morning, which was set at 4:45 AM. I got started on my run a bit later than I normally do, at 5:20, and it was just a miserable morning. It was hotter than normal and incredibly humid with overcast skies. I was actually cramping up a bit and the run itself was just not enjoyable. I only covered about 2.5 miles, but today was suppose to be my day off, so I'm not feeling bad about it. The main reason for the early morning run is because I have an appointment with my nutritionist tonight. I know that a twenty minute run first thing in the morning probably isn't going to do much for me in terms of my body composition, but I think it may have some sort of impact on my numbers tonight. I hope it does, at least.

Merciless Power Session

Good Lord that was painful. I really wanted to go for a run last night, but I was far too tired and my arms wanted nothing more than to fall off my body.

It's amazing the things that can happen when you modify a count or deny even just three seconds worth of a break. Debbie - if you ever come across this site ... KNOW that you slaughtered my biceps last night. SLAUGHTERED.

Because I couldn't make last night's run, I intended on grabbing a few miles this morning. That really didn't happen. I woke up at 7:20 this morning, which is about 10 minutes before I need to leave for work. Needless to say, I'm not looking too pretty today.

So tonight I have a tempo run and I may go to another Power class. Because I am in fact, a bit crazed.

Week in Review

Monday 7/16

Power
Cycling
I'm having a hard time in crossing past the mid 80's in the profiles when standing. It's actually easier to test my heart rate in a seated climb, than standing. Although we are supposedly in 3rd, it feels more like a standing run on the M3 bikes.

Tuesday 7/17

Speed Session
I completely punked out on this one. I ran two sets of one milers at 7.4 MPH. I covered a total of four miles, but I was hoping to get at least three sets in.

Thursday 7/19

I took a serving of a pre-work out supplement that was incredibly effective. I felt like a car spinning out of control - all sorts of kinetic energy unleashed, and I was having a hard time controlling my mind. It was the most intense work out I have ever had, but it was a little scary at the same time.

Tempo Run












Power


This week was a bit of a slow restart, but hopefully, this coming week will be better. I tried to go out for a distance run today, but it had failed miserably despite two attempts at covering some semblance of distance. The first try resulted in a pace that was slightly faster than 12 minutes per mile, and I had to turn around after two miles. Nothing felt right, and I really needed to pee. So after using the bathroom, I ditched my water belt (I think hearing the water swishing around my mid section made me think I needed to go more so than I actually did), and tried again. The pace was a bit faster, around 10:45 per mile during the first mile, but by the time I crossed over into the second mile, the special go, go, go feeling just wasn't there.

I am feeling a little discouraged and distressed. I'm tempted to give it up, and just live like a typical person without any real athletic commitments. I know that's not the sort of person that I am, but being this emotional wreck just isn't working out for me.

Week in Review

It feels like I've been taking a bit of a breather this week. After the unintended quick 10.5 miles followed by another 10 miles that was actually suppose to be 16 miles, I haven't been able to come back mentally. My diet has been random, mostly healthy, but random.

Tuesday
4 miles at 5 AM

Wednesday
Power

Thursday
5 mile Tempo Run
2.6 miles @ 7.3 MPH just under 90% max
Power

Friday
4 miles at 5 AM

Saturday
Power

Well the week has past, and a new week is coming. This coming week SHOULD be better. I have a few new tricks up my sleeve, including Cytolean and a possible new drink supplement that can help power my work outs. I hope to cover 18 miles on Sunday. I have a twenty mile PAVED route planned, and I'm fully intend on taking it slow and steady. Wish me luck.

Bump It Up ... Just a Little

I added just under five pounds of weight for the leg exercises for the Power class on Monday, and increased the speed for the tempo run last night. I was surprised that I was able to handle the additions, but I suffered through both.

More Power to come tonight ...