We're all out there chasing our better selves (FredtheDuck chases on)

[FredtheDuck]

Tuesday Training Update (Week 4): Week Ending 10/22

This was the plan for the week:

T - 1 mile @ WU, 10x400 @ 10k w/ 30 sec RI, 1 mi @ CD
Th - 4 miles @ EB
F - 3 miles @ EB
Sa - 2 miles @ EA + Strides
Su - MCM 10k Race!

Typically, Tuesday is my EA day and Th is my speedwork day, but that was scrambled this week because of the MCM 10k scheduled for Sunday. I've covered my 10x400 workout from Tuesday elsewhere, so I'll recap briefly by saying that all of them were well under my (now former) 10k pace, and that prompted a conversation within this journal about maybe changing my approach to MCM 10k. Obviously I was happy with those results, and am grateful to everyone here who chimed in and encouraged me.

Thursday's EB was cut short because of GI stuff again. I don't think I even quite made three miles. I did see a GI specialist a few weeks back, and they prescribed an anti-spasm medication but admitted that they were kind of shooting in the dark. They ordered a bunch more tests, but I haven't had a chance to get to the lab. Hopefully we'll get this figured out. (also, sorry, I know this is a taboo topic so I try not to dwell on it, but I do talk about it because it is a challenge for me, and if others are facing something similar, I want them to be able to follow along while we try to fix it.)

Friday's 3 was on the treadmill, primarily because I thought it was going to be smart to force myself to go at the right pace so close to the race. Only obstacle was that I forgot that I was supposed to leave work in the middle of the day and work from home in the afternoon so that I could get our kiddo from daycare and get to the zoo in time for Boo at the Zoo. A game of scheduling chess ensued, and ultimately I got the run in, got a full day's work in, and got to the zoo on time.

Saturday's 2 was skipped. Our original plan was to take our kiddo to gymnastics in the morning, have lunch, get her down for her nap, and then all three go to the expo when she woke up. It was at National Harbor and we thought there might be stuff she'd enjoy. But she was kind of crabby most of the day and had a total meltdown at gymnastics (lesson learned: she's TERRIFIED of the foam pit, even if she's not in it but one of us is). It became clear that it was going to be more challenging than fun to bring her to the expo. My dad (who lives with us) had offered previously to watch her if we wanted to go without her, so we ended up taking him up on that and we went while she naps. I'm glad we went on our own because it was PACKED and it would have been super difficult to navigate with her stroller (or her running around), and it gave us more time to do things like a gait analysis with Brooks, for example. Anyways, but the time we got home from the expo, it was almost 5 and I still needed to go to the grocery store for the week and make dinner. When I realized I was running out of time, I decided that given the amount of walking I had already done that day, skipping a two mile slow run that would have been like 11 hours before the race by the time I got around to it seemed wise.

So that was my week. I had my first post-race run today. My legs are still pretty stiff. I wore my new Brooks shoes, though, and while they definitely need to be broken in (they're pretty stiff), I like them so far! If I continue to like them, I'll probably rotate out my Kinvaras, which aren't doing much to reduce inflammation in my plantar fascia, and switch off between the Brooks and my NB1400s.

 

[BikeFan]

And thanks for saying that about our training. It's been fun to kind of look at where I was in April vs today. There's still a lot of room for growth and development, but races like these are a tangible sign that I'm improving.

That's just the best part about running, at least to me - that shift in mindset from "Can I finish this?" to "How fast can I finish this?"! As much as you have improved, lots of great PRs still await you if you keep at it. You're going to be amazed at what you can do. Best of luck to you and hubby, and enjoy the journey!

 

[FredtheDuck]

That's just the best part about running, at least to me - that shift in mindset from "Can I finish this?" to "How fast can I finish this?"! As much as you have improved, lots of great PRs still await you if you keep at it. You're going to be amazed at what you can do. Best of luck to you and hubby, and enjoy the journey!

You are so kind! To be honest, I still kind of have the fear of "Can I finish this?" And I think that was an interesting aspect of MCM 10k. I obviously know that I can run 6.2 miles, but I was still worried about crashing if I went too hard. I did a lot of reminding myself that I've run greater than that distance often enough now that putting in some extra effort at what is now a shorter LR was doable. But I still kind of have that fear of failure. What I will say is that for the 5k distance, I am not afraid of not finishing. Even if I go hard. And that's a new level of confidence. (Watch me fail at Candy Cane City now because I jinxed myself...) So maybe next year, I'll feel that kind of confidence with the 10k, and so on and so forth.

All of that said, it's been fun to see how far I've come. I'm not ready to put a big goals list together like some of the really impressive ones I've seen here in the past couple of weeks (looking at you, @DopeyBadger and @roxymama). I feel like I still don't have enough data about myself when it comes to running to put something like that together. So the sub-30 5k makes sense because I think I'm close now. After that? Who knows? But that's part of the fun of this journey... each thing I do makes me wonder if I might have a shot at something else if I put in the work. So, I really am out there chasing my better self, as are we all.

 

[roxymama]

You are so kind! To be honest, I still kind of have the fear of "Can I finish this?" And I think that was an interesting aspect of MCM 10k. I obviously know that I can run 6.2 miles, but I was still worried about crashing if I went too hard. I did a lot of reminding myself that I've run greater than that distance often enough now that putting in some extra effort at what is now a shorter LR was doable. But I still kind of have that fear of failure. What I will say is that for the 5k distance, I am not afraid of not finishing. Even if I go hard. And that's a new level of confidence. (Watch me fail at Candy Cane City now because I jinxed myself...) So maybe next year, I'll feel that kind of confidence with the 10k, and so on and so forth.

All of that said, it's been fun to see how far I've come. I'm not ready to put a big goals list together like some of the really impressive ones I've seen here in the past couple of weeks (looking at you, @DopeyBadger and @roxymama). I feel like I still don't have enough data about myself when it comes to running to put something like that together. So the sub-30 5k makes sense because I think I'm close now. After that? Who knows? But that's part of the fun of this journey... each thing I do makes me wonder if I might have a shot at something else if I put in the work. So, I really am out there chasing my better self, as are we all.

Lists are fun. They reveal to yourself what you'd really like if everything went right. Like when I make outlandish christmas lists to myself when I get catalogs at Christmas. I don't really expect to get everything and certainly not right this minute, but sometimes I realize I wanted something I wasn't letting myself think I could want. And then you kind of weed out what are important goals for right now.
Kind of like trip planning for Disneyworld. I mean one day I'm gonna stay at the Poly...because it keeps popping up in my minds list of "wouldn't that be nice" but just not this year.
So maybe make yourself an outlandish list - you don't have to share it...I just did because "proving things" to my running buddies is one of the buttons that can push me (right @DopeyBadger )
And maybe it will reveal something you really really want. And then take your time or do it now...depending on the thing

And I certainly still do not feel confident about the marathon. I feel confident that i'll enter the lottery and find a way to run it. Actually doing it...that's gonna take a lot of confidence building. But I put it on the list...sooooo

 

[Sleepless Knight]

You are so kind! To be honest, I still kind of have the fear of "Can I finish this?" And I think that was an interesting aspect of MCM 10k. I obviously know that I can run 6.2 miles, but I was still worried about crashing if I went too hard. I did a lot of reminding myself that I've run greater than that distance often enough now that putting in some extra effort at what is now a shorter LR was doable. But I still kind of have that fear of failure. What I will say is that for the 5k distance, I am not afraid of not finishing. Even if I go hard. And that's a new level of confidence. (Watch me fail at Candy Cane City now because I jinxed myself...) So maybe next year, I'll feel that kind of confidence with the 10k, and so on and so forth.

All of that said, it's been fun to see how far I've come. I'm not ready to put a big goals list together like some of the really impressive ones I've seen here in the past couple of weeks (looking at you, @DopeyBadger and @roxymama). I feel like I still don't have enough data about myself when it comes to running to put something like that together. So the sub-30 5k makes sense because I think I'm close now. After that? Who knows? But that's part of the fun of this journey... each thing I do makes me wonder if I might have a shot at something else if I put in the work. So, I really am out there chasing my better self, as are we all.

I think if we properly understand fear, it can help us improve. Or perhaps respect is a better word than fear. If we fear failure and essentially curl up into a ball and never try, then we have guaranteed that we will fail. Whereas if we respect the task in front of us and prepare for it, then we are better able to respond to that fear with faith. The fear of failure motivates us to prepare. And even as we take on a new challenge, be it distance, time, speed, etc., we can go in with confidence. I love your comment about a new level of confidence. For my first Light Side Challenge, I knew it would be difficult, but I also learned so much about training, consistency, recovery, and actual experience in races that I comprehended how the training plan would lead to success. Having that new level of confidence helps us build on and tackle the next challenge.

 

[FredtheDuck]

I want to (and will) respond more to a couple of posts above that serve as good food for thought. But for now, we interrupt this program to say that we bought a treadmill! Glad to have a solid way to fit runs in during bad weather or hectic scheduling, both of which have been challenging for both of us in recent weeks.

 

[Anisum]

I want to (and will) respond more to a couple of posts above that serve as good food for thought. But for now, we interrupt this program to say that we bought a treadmill! Glad to have a solid way to fit runs in during bad weather or hectic scheduling, both of which have been challenging for both of us in recent weeks.

Congratulations!

 

[FredtheDuck]

Tuesday Training Update (Week 5): Week Ending 10/29

This was the plan for the week:

T - 3 miles @ EA + Strides
Th - 3 miles @ EB
F - 4 miles @ EB
Sa - 5 miles @ LR

Only a couple of things to report this week. I did all of my runs in my new Brooks to break them in, and so far, I'm a fan. I also started listening (at the recommendation of a few people in the Running Thread) to Connecting with Walt. I thought of @roxymama during the first episode because I swear there was like 35 minutes of the hosts talking about their backgrounds and how much they love this or that. I'm all for that, but maybe pepper it in throughout the relevant topic, rather than frontloading it before you even get to the meat of the show. Anywhoooo...

Oh. I did end up not doing my Thursday run. My kiddo had a nightmare around midnight and my lovely husband, who was watching the World Series, did some kind of jump or stomp in our living room that set her "learning" table off, and somehow that loud noise brought her out of her dream at the worst possible time and she woke up TERRIFIED. We could NOT get her back in to her own bed, she'd just sob and writhe and bolt out of it. We were up with her for a couple of hours, to no avail. So, for the first time in her almost two years, she slept in our bed. Which meant she slept, but I did not. I think I got cumulatively three hours of sleep that night, tops. And getting up at five was going to wake both her and @MoanasPapa up, which sounded like a bad life choice given the circumstances. I'm swamped at work, so I knew no running was going to happen during the day. So oh well. The good news is that she was over her new-found phobia of the bed by the next night. Now if only we could get her over her new found terror of the bath, which she used to love.

Thursday I figured "eh, I'll just do three. I'm short on time, and I skipped my three yesterday." But then I got out and it was so lovely (and chilly) and I felt pretty good, so I did a little over my scheduled four. My five miler on Saturday was only tough in terms of scheduling, but it got done.

This week, it's back to normal, with an EA, a speed workout, and EB, and an 8 mile long run. My inlaws are in town and will be happy to watch their granddaughter while we run, which means we'll get to run together. Just a question of when we'll have time (Saturday or Sunday). Then, I have three races three weeks in a row (although I'm only actually racing one of them).

We should find out today when the treadmill will be delivered! Super excited for that.

 

[FredtheDuck]

Congratulations!

Thank you! Funny how much I've come to value the treadmill, given that I really hated treadmill runs earlier this year. Running is less optional to me now (put another way: I am less likely to look for any excuse to get out of running and more likely to regret missing runs), so I think the treadmill will be another way for me to get runs in when weather, stomach problems, or tough scheduling could derail a run. @MoanasPapa has been hit hard by scheduling conflicts lately, so it will also be a big help to him, especially since he doesn't mind running at night. Our daughter has a play area in the basement where the treadmill will be, so they can just go down and play/run while I make dinner. Win for everyone.

 

[FredtheDuck]

@DopeyBadger (I know Monday is a busy question day for you so don't worry about this yet - doesn't apply to this week): I was just thinking of the three runs three weeks in a row. Do I need to make any changes to the training plan to accommodate the new race on 11/12? I assume I would not be doing the 9-miler set for 11/11, but any other changes?

 

[roxymama]

Thank you for agreeing about the 35 min intros!!! I wish they'd just get to the point on podcasts!

So feeling for you about the "kid got sleep but I didn't". Omg can I relate. This reminds me to tell mine that she's 100% sleeping in her own bed on vacation!

You got a treadmill! Ok patiently waiting to hear if it changes your life....waits...

 

[ZellyB]

I can't handle listening to Connecting with Walt. *don't judge me* It's just too slow paced for me and I get bored.

I remember those days of having a little one in bed with me. I'm so glad she was able to go back to her bed the next night.

YAY for the treadmill purchase. Hope you love having it.

 

[FredtheDuck]

You got a treadmill! Ok patiently waiting to hear if it changes your life....waits...

I know, right? We got a really good deal on a nice Precor. I'm excited because we both have Precors at work and like their decks, and this one has a decline feature, too, which means I won't lose the benefit of the hills in my neighborhood when I'm stuck indoors! They're calling with the delivery date today, so hopefully we'll hear that it won't be long.

*don't judge me* It's just too slow paced for me and I get bored.

No judgement here. I'm only on the second episode, so the jury is still out.

I'm so glad she was able to go back to her bed the next night.

Thanks, ME TOO. We were kind of prepared to have to let her cry it out (which we luckily didn't really have to do with sleep training), but she went right to bed the next night. She's a smart and stubborn kid, so I felt like I needed to set boundaries (mostly with her very obliging dad, who is wrapped around her toddler finger) pretty fast to avoid it becoming a habit. No judgement for those who like cosleeping, it just isn't for us. She sleeps like a banshee and we have large dogs that are on and off the bed all night (and have been since before she was born).

 

[run.minnie.miles]

Yay for the treadmill! I hope you love it!

As for the podcasts, I also loathe such long intros, especially when I’m listening to a podcast because of its guest... like I don’t care about you and subscribing to and rating your podcast, dear podcast host, I’m just here for your guest! Get to it!
I like Connecting with Walt, but I can’t run with it. Too slow. I listen to it on my commute, when I’m already bored. Some episodes are definitely better/more interesting than others.

 

[DopeyBadger]

@DopeyBadger (I know Monday is a busy question day for you so don't worry about this yet - doesn't apply to this week): I was just thinking of the three runs three weeks in a row. Do I need to make any changes to the training plan to accommodate the new race on 11/12? I assume I would not be doing the 9-miler set for 11/11, but any other changes?

From memory, the 11/12 race is to be taken at "A" pace. Thus, drop the 9 mile LR to 3 miles EB. For Thursday (11/9), drop the workout to 5x400 instead. Those would be the only changes.

 

[FredtheDuck]

From memory, the 11/12 race is to be taken at "A" pace. Thus, drop the 9 mile LR to 3 miles EB. For Thursday (11/9), drop the workout to 5x400 instead. Those would be the only changes.

Sorry, I definitely could have been more specific. Yes, 11/12 is a 5k sub-30 attempt. These changes sound good - thanks!

 

[FredtheDuck]

So maybe make yourself an outlandish list - you don't have to share it...I just did because "proving things" to my running buddies is one of the buttons that can push me (right @DopeyBadger )
And maybe it will reveal something you really really want. And then take your time or do it now...depending on the thing

Aaaah, and this is where the confidence will come in. The idea of an outlandish list is a little scary to me, because I worry that I'll never attain X goal or earn/buy/experience Y thing, and then what if I get deflated? What if I decide that I've plateaued and I stop? I've been pretty happy with running so far because I know I've got room for improvement (and a lot of it!), but I tend to be more practical in my goals. A good example is the sub-30 5k goal. I said after MCM10k that I'd shoot for it in 2018. Coach Badger was the one who said "Pssst. Try it in 2017. You're close." So I went from having a nice, comfortable year to dawdle with that goal to setting up an impromptu attempt in a couple of weeks. I'm excited about it and glad to have the push, to be sure!

And I certainly still do not feel confident about the marathon. I feel confident that i'll enter the lottery and find a way to run it. Actually doing it...that's gonna take a lot of confidence building. But I put it on the list...sooooo

And you will do it. You've shown an incredible amount of tenacity and willingness to learn and push your boundaries. You've been an inspiration to me, and I'm excited to see how you tackle this next big goal!

Whereas if we respect the task in front of us and prepare for it, then we are better able to respond to that fear with faith.

This is really true for me, and I thought you put it really well. Interestingly, for my first half, I'm not sure that I had faith that I could finish and finish under the time. But I had faith that I had worked hard to give myself a good shot, and that I would go out there that day and do my very best. Either I'd get the goal or I'd learn from it. And in that sense, I have faith in myself - because even if something goes wrong or I fail, there's something to be learned from the attempt.

The fear of failure motivates us to prepare.

Hear, hear. I'm the type that wants to really give things my best effort. I'm also an analytical, planning sort. So being mentally (and physically) prepared makes things less intimidating, for sure.

but I also learned so much about training, consistency, recovery, and actual experience in races that I comprehended how the training plan would lead to success. Having that new level of confidence helps us build on and tackle the next challenge.

I was actually thinking along these lines this morning. I've run a half now. I know that, barring unforeseen circumstance, I can finish a half. I can build on my experience with training, with that race, and with subsequent work that I am doing now and will put in in the future to tackle my next half with less of an uncertain "Ok, I'm going to go out and do my best and hope that I finish" and more of a "Ok, I will finish this. How? What am I trying to accomplish? Is there a real goal and a real strategy to employ during this race to meet that goal?" And that'll be a new level for me. That's kind of where I am with 5ks now. I'll do it. What do I want from it and how will I get there? New line of thinking, and a marked departure from "Enjoy a nice jog and finish."

I like Connecting with Walt, but I can’t run with it. Too slow.

I listened to another episode during my run this morning and I can definitely see why you and @ZellyB think so. For me, I'm listening to it during slower-paced runs and in the dark, so I can kind of let my brain chew on the imagery in the story, and that's a nice distraction from the run. Now, I have a speed workout on Thursday. I will be finding something else to listen to for that : )

 

[FredtheDuck]

Today was one of those days where I had to really fight brain to get out and do my run. I have another cold (thanks, daycare germs), something wonky is going on with my right ankle, and my kid had another nightmare in the middle of the night. She went back to sleep in her own bed (yay!), but I had a horrible time getting back to sleep myself. Her nightmare was at 12:30 and at 3:30, I was still awake. Makes the 5AM alarm look cruel. It was stupid, too, because I wasn't even thinking of anything pressing or troublesome. I was thinking of something I want to make someone for Christmas.

But I knew that my day was shaping up to be too busy to sneak the run in somewhere else, so I either did it right then or skipped it, and I didn't want to skip another one. I also felt like maybe getting up and running would provide more energy/alertness than coffee would, given the loss of sleep. Going ended up being the right call (of course), and I felt better when I got home in terms of energy level, and my ankle is ok (still sore, but it felt fine on the run). Plus I got up, got out, and did something for me. It ended up being more valuable than the extra hour of poor-quality sleep that would have been the alternative.

Nothing earth shattering here, to be sure. But just kind of another moment of realizing my evolution as I get more into running.

In other non-news, there's a Halloween parade and party at my daughter's daycare today, and I was able to work out my schedule so that I could attend. I expect tons of cuteness to ensue. Some of the parents also dress up to take their kids trick-or-treating, and I briefly considered putting on some running clothes, an old bib, and my two medals and calling myself an award-winning runner, a la @DopeyBadger's Wheel of Fortune story.

 

[ZellyB]

I so hear you on fighting your brain to get out for a run. I also did NOT want to go run this morning, but like you, got myself out there and felt better for having done it. It's those mornings that really make the difference in your training and, like you said, really sets the tone for your day in a great way. It's ultimately almost always better than another hour of sleep. Almost always.

 

[Dopeyintraining]

From memory, the 11/12 race is to be taken at "A" pace.

My brain right now......