This week marks the first full week of my “streak” challenge. I just got new shoes that make my legs feel incredible! (Most of the aches and complaints likely stem from those really old shoes.)
Monday, 70 minutes, 7.67 miles (1.49 miles walking)
I ended up on the treadmill (thanks to a ridiculous amount of rain) for the first time in just over two months. Talk about an odd feeling. Running on the treadmill definitely takes a different type of endurance than I have worked on building lately. After the first 30 minutes I walked a couple times at next two 10 minute marks just to break it up. Fitness wise I felt fine but probably will not return to extensive treadmill running unless I can absolutely help it.
Tuesday, Fit You Seek. Run You Must 10k, 6.39 miles (no walk because of downpour)
I wondered if the rain would force me to the treadmill, again. It poured pretty much every minute in the morning, thus no morning walk. I wanted to run outside and kept checking the weather. Gradually a window opened up where the thunderstorms became scattered and an outside run became possible. By the time I started it sprinkled a little but I was determined to run outside so I did. I felt really strong the whole time. The rain tapered off after the first mile but came back to drench me in the last half mile. I loved it.
Wednesday, Wizard Run 5k, 3.14, strength training (no walk because of morning downpour)
I had planned on running first thing in the morning when I normally walk. However, the morning saw enough rain to cause significant flooding in many areas of my city. I wondered how I would get in a run to maintain my streak much less the full 3.1 for the virtual race. Thankfully, around noon the rain let up a little so I took my lunch break and dashed out for the run. I felt absolutely fantastic. My legs felt fresh and strong. (How?) Since the rest of the afternoon contained plenty more rain, I see distinct advantages to working from home, at least in this circumstance.
After Mom finished work, she came over and we knocked out a couple rounds of the strength training routine that Ellis created for us. Wow. I can definitely feel the work and loved the burn. Hopefully I will also have a little DOMS in the morning and some stronger muscles for those hills.
Thursday, 70 minutes, 7.98 miles (3.60 miles walking)
The rain took the slightly cooler temperatures with it when it left. Greedy.
I started my run in my old shoes because I had walked to the grocery store to pick something up for Dad and walk it over to his house. When I checked my phone and saw that Mom had texted me that she was on her way from church. I needed to get back to the house a little faster. Yeah, my legs do not like the old shoes. They felt so much better when I got back to the house and switched out the shoes.
The rest of the run went fairly well. I felt great and pretty strong throughout and even kept my heart rate under 180 while heading back up the lovely inclines near my house.
Friday, 70 minutes, 7.77 miles (1.26 miles walking)
Towards the end of the work day I looked out the window and saw what looked like an oncoming storm and not the Doctor variety. What? Yup. More rain. Thankfully this storm moved quickly so Mom and I started running about five that evening. I felt good throughout the run and after breaking off from Mom at the 50 minute mark decided to try a new route which would conclude with running up “Deadman’s Hill.” Yes, I am insane. Plus, I made it up the hill! I felt like death warmed over at the top but I made it all the way up without stopping.
Saturday, long run, 12.52 miles
This run felt a lot harder than I expected. Around mile 4 I checked my Garmin and unexpectedly saw my heart rate reached above 180. By this point I had already started sweating profusely which likely played into the higher heart rate. (Mom joked that at points she thought rain had started but it was just my sweat.) I ended up taking walk breaks at each mile to keep my heart rate under control and made it through. I’m not sure why I struggled so much. Perhaps running in the late afternoon/early evenings on Fridays but in the morning on Saturdays doesn’t allow my legs enough time to rest and recover. We shall see. I got in the miles though!
Sunday, just a mile, 1.43 miles
I headed out for just a mile today, just to keep my streak going. Legs felt a bit tired. The temps had already reached 80+. Ran a lot slower than I usually do. Still loved it.