This week wasn't the greatest training week ever, but I got my runs in and that's the most important thing! On Monday, I ran with my
YakTrax on since there was some recent snowfall and the sidewalks weren't very clear. That, along with wearing my Pearl Izumi shoes, made the run harder (and slower) because my feet were substantially heavier than usual.
Tuesday's speed workout went well enough. It's always hard, but gets over quickly. My third 1600 was slightly slow, but I did have to navigate a little ice, so I forgave myself. :) Thursday's run was great because it was an easy two miles. Since we flew to Utah on Wednesday, I did my old two mile route that I ran a bunch last Christmastime just after I had started running. It was not an "easy" run a year ago. It's cool to see the progress!
Saturday's 18-miler was very hard. It started out well thanks to my father-in-law who mapped out a route for me and programmed it into my GPS watch. (He even drove the route before I ran it to make sure it would be good.) I had a little stop-and-go with some lights in the first couple miles, but then it was basically just clear running. My pace was slower than normal for me, but I didn't worry too much about it. My father-in-law met me at the halfway point to check on me and took some pictures (see above). I also drank some grape juice that Brian had sent with him. It was nice to have the support for a few miles!
Just before mile 12, I decided I needed to implement the run one mile, walk one minute idea because I just couldn't keep a "normal" pace. For some reason, my legs just weren't doing it. At mile 12, I was running along and passed some bikers and one of them said, "We know how far you've gone. Good job!" (I'd decided I must have passed them quite a bit earlier.) They had no idea I still had 6 miles to go!
Around mile 14 to 15, I stopped and walked while I ate some energy chews and drank some water. I walked for more than my usual minute and I thought for sure I'd be able to run an easy 5k after that to finish out my run. No such luck. My legs were struggling. I ran a mile and walked a minute. Then I thought, "Okay, 2 miles. So easy. I got this." Not so much. Less than a mile later, I had to stop again and walk. "Okay, 1 mile. I can run 1 mile." Nope! Half a mile later, I had to walk again. It was a crazy-hard run for some reason.
When I got home I did my normal regimen of drinking a cup of warm Airborne while I stretched. I wasn't feeling super well so I had some bread and water hoping the quick carbs would help. Then I decided to get in the shower and I just started feeling really sick. It was hard for me to stand up. I basically felt like I was going to pass out and sort of like I was going to throw up. I actually haven't felt that bad after any of my runs. Finally, after dinner, I started to feel more normal again. It was not very fun, to say the least!
We concluded that the elevation change (about 3,500 feet) was likely part of the problem. I think I may have been a little more dehydrated than normal, too. Obviously, I needed more nutrients since eating dinner made such a big difference. I'm sure it doesn't help that I've been eating more treats than normal, too! :)
Weekly Goals
Monday: 3 miles at 8:47 / mi
Tuesday: 3x1600 at 6:56 / mi (w/ 1x800 in between each)
Thursday: 2 miles at 8:47 / mi
Saturday: 18 miles at 8:47 / mi
Outcome
Monday: 3 miles at 8:56 / mi
Tuesday: 1x1600 at 6:42 / mi; 1x1600 at 6:53 / mi; 1x1600 at 7:03 / mi
Thursday: 2 miles at 8:05 / mi
Saturday: 18 miles at 9:35 / mi
Sydney was awake the whole 3-hour drive up to Idaho Falls and then fell asleep as soon as we got back in the car to go to the sand dunes for sledding.
My sister has the pictures of Brian and Wes on the sled, but here I am giving it a go!
I (mostly) avoided the weeds! Ta-da!
Wes and his cousin Lydia eating their ice cream bars. She is just 2 months older than he is, but quite a bit taller!
Great Grandpa Swensen, Lydia, Aunt Jennie, and Sydney.
Cute picture of Aunt Jennie with Sydney!
The kids with Great Grandpa and Great Grandma Swensen:
