For the past several months, on and off, I have had hip flexor pain and arch pain. The pain in my hip flexor is very mild. It went away for several weeks and then worked its way back in. So not fun. The foot pain is like a stabbing pull in my arch. It goes away if I stretch my foot. But it's not fun either.
After some field research (meaning I wore a new pair of shoes-my NB 5000 flats-- and, tada! The pain was gone!) I decided it was my shoes. I really had to try something new for everyday trainers.
Mizuno Wave Riders have been my trusty go to shoe for years. But I think I've outgrown them. On long runs my feet start fighting them at the end. I can't seem to get the lift and push that I want. On shorter faster runs, the acceleration is not there. When I wear my flats I feel like I'm flying. Where as with my Waver Riders, I feel like the driver of a stalled engine at a busy intersection. Come on! I just want to go! But there's no power behind the gas pedal.
I wore my Saucony Mirage 3's for a super short run this morning. I ordered them months ago, but haven't really worn them for running. I was too afraid to try something new during marathon training. But now, since I'm not really training for anything, I thought it was a good time to pull them out.
Today's run was just a slow run with my son, but I felt good. No sparring going on between my soles and my toes. I also have Kinvara's arriving in the mail today. I'm hoping one or both styles will be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Thursday, May 15, 2014
5k Time Trial #2
Guess I need to revise my training plan yet again cause I nailed my second time trial.
23:17.6 was my time for 3.12 miles. My goal was 23:59, so needless to say that I am pumped. I dropped 1:20 off my last trial and came in :40 seconds faster than my A goal. I guess that means I need to work harder and aim for higher goals.
My splits came in at 7:28, 7:39, 7:24, and :46 for the .1 (a 6:54 pace). Yesterday was a nice day, not cold, but in the low 60s and low humidity. Hopefully that doesn't disqualify my results as I've been training in 80 degree heat for the past few weeks.
Mile two is mostly uphill so the slower pace doesn't surprise me. I'll need to run some hills to cut off a few seconds from that stretch. I was so happy to see that my final mile was my fastest. It was a hard mile, but I pushed and was able to meet that goal as well. Last trial, my final mile was my slowest. I really want to work for a strong finish and I think I am getting there.
I wore my New Balance 5000. Maybe this gave me an edge? I don't know, but I felt so good out there. I really watched my breathing and made it match my pace. Especially during the last few tenths when I was really tired. I forced myself to breath harder, breathing one breath for every step--instead of one for every two (or one for every three) like I had been doing through out the rest of the race.
I've decided to aim for 22:59. The temperature has been much hotter lately (this week a cool front came in--that's why I decided to run my time trial early), so I don't think it will be as easy as this week's trial. Time to shave off the seconds! Slowly but surely, it will be done. 22:59 here I come!
23:17.6 was my time for 3.12 miles. My goal was 23:59, so needless to say that I am pumped. I dropped 1:20 off my last trial and came in :40 seconds faster than my A goal. I guess that means I need to work harder and aim for higher goals.
My splits came in at 7:28, 7:39, 7:24, and :46 for the .1 (a 6:54 pace). Yesterday was a nice day, not cold, but in the low 60s and low humidity. Hopefully that doesn't disqualify my results as I've been training in 80 degree heat for the past few weeks.
Mile two is mostly uphill so the slower pace doesn't surprise me. I'll need to run some hills to cut off a few seconds from that stretch. I was so happy to see that my final mile was my fastest. It was a hard mile, but I pushed and was able to meet that goal as well. Last trial, my final mile was my slowest. I really want to work for a strong finish and I think I am getting there.
I wore my New Balance 5000. Maybe this gave me an edge? I don't know, but I felt so good out there. I really watched my breathing and made it match my pace. Especially during the last few tenths when I was really tired. I forced myself to breath harder, breathing one breath for every step--instead of one for every two (or one for every three) like I had been doing through out the rest of the race.
I've decided to aim for 22:59. The temperature has been much hotter lately (this week a cool front came in--that's why I decided to run my time trial early), so I don't think it will be as easy as this week's trial. Time to shave off the seconds! Slowly but surely, it will be done. 22:59 here I come!
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
5k Time Trial #1
Every third week or so, I've added 5k time trials to my schedule. I love a 5k because its an good distance to push yourself. Recovery time is very, very short, so I can do one without messing up my training schedule.
24:36 was my final time. 7:55 average pace. I am happy with it. It is a 36 second improvement over my last time trial a few weeks ago. Unfortunately I let myself slow too much between 2 and 2.5 miles. I was aiming for negative splits, but that didn't happen. 7:51, 7:52. 8:00, and :52 (7:33 pace) for the .1.
I like the first two numbers, I kept a pretty even pace, but I let myself go that third mile. At least I managed to kick it in to the finish. I expected to be fighting burning in my legs, but actually it was burning in my lungs that made mile 3 a killer. I rarely start breathing hard--even during my track workouts. I guess that means I need to push it harder more often. I don't know. How does one make their breathing more efficient?
My next goal is a 23:59 5k. It will be extra hard to make with the rising temps, but I think I can do it.
24:36 was my final time. 7:55 average pace. I am happy with it. It is a 36 second improvement over my last time trial a few weeks ago. Unfortunately I let myself slow too much between 2 and 2.5 miles. I was aiming for negative splits, but that didn't happen. 7:51, 7:52. 8:00, and :52 (7:33 pace) for the .1.
I like the first two numbers, I kept a pretty even pace, but I let myself go that third mile. At least I managed to kick it in to the finish. I expected to be fighting burning in my legs, but actually it was burning in my lungs that made mile 3 a killer. I rarely start breathing hard--even during my track workouts. I guess that means I need to push it harder more often. I don't know. How does one make their breathing more efficient?
My next goal is a 23:59 5k. It will be extra hard to make with the rising temps, but I think I can do it.
Run Less, Run Faster Week 3
Monday was a 6 miler, 4 miles at mid tempo pace, sandwiched between easy 1 milers. Paces fell at 8:37, 8:44, 8:36, 8:25. I found it hard to go slower. It was a very nice day and I think that helped.
Speed workout. 2x1600 and 1x800 with 400m recovery intervals. Finished strong. I met all my times. My final 1600 was at 7:36. It was supposed to be at 7:55. Nice weather helps. I don't know if I should slow myself down, but I think if I can give it more and complete the workout with room to do more, then I should.
Friday was 8 miles at Long Tempo pace (8:56). It was a HOT morning. 80 degrees and 100 percent humidity at 5 am. We took it a little easy on the pace, though we felt like we were pushing it. My average pace was 9:12. I think the pace was alright considering the extreme early morning temps. Gotta get used to it though! Soon this heat will not go away!
For cross-training, I rode my bike and did a little yoga. I have also done a few easy miles with my son.
Still liking this program.
Speed workout. 2x1600 and 1x800 with 400m recovery intervals. Finished strong. I met all my times. My final 1600 was at 7:36. It was supposed to be at 7:55. Nice weather helps. I don't know if I should slow myself down, but I think if I can give it more and complete the workout with room to do more, then I should.
Friday was 8 miles at Long Tempo pace (8:56). It was a HOT morning. 80 degrees and 100 percent humidity at 5 am. We took it a little easy on the pace, though we felt like we were pushing it. My average pace was 9:12. I think the pace was alright considering the extreme early morning temps. Gotta get used to it though! Soon this heat will not go away!
For cross-training, I rode my bike and did a little yoga. I have also done a few easy miles with my son.
Still liking this program.
Friday, April 18, 2014
Run Less Run Faster, week 1-2 Review
First off, I always want to say Run Less, Run Longer. It makes no sense. Except it does, because the weekly milage is about the same as other plans 10k plans, just you do it in fewer days.
Week One--
Tempo--4 m at 8:26, Right on. RPE of 6
Speed--8X400m at 1:52, plus mile warm-up and cool-down. I was right on or just under most intervals. It was a hard workout, but felt good.
Tempo 2--6@8:53, plus hills. We did this workout up the only hills that exist in my neighborhood. This made it a lot harder than it should've been. Splits were like, 940, 930, 850, 828, 813, 830. So kind of all over the place.
Week Two--
Tempo--1 wu, 2 fast, 1 easy, 2 fast, 1 easy This week was kind of crazy. My husband was out of town, so I had to get creative with my running buddy. We did a child swap for this run. When I went it was 75 and 100 percent humidity. Not cool. I managed to make all my paces (tempo miles at 8:26) but it was hard and I was hot. I peed my pants. No lie. I guess now I won't have to worry about peeing during a marathon. Been there. Done that. Practiced in training.
Tempo 2--7 @856, finished with 7 @848. This run felt easy. I was so relaxed. Maybe that had something to do with the 55 degree temperature and nice cool breeze.
Speed--5x800 at 3:49. I was a bit off. I couldn't get my splits right. I wanted to either go a few seconds slower or faster. Last split was 339 and I still had more in the tank. Could've kicked out few more. Maybe it was my new NB WRC5000? Ran a total of 5 miles, plus my daily strength activities.
I'm starting to be able to feel my paces better. I really have to learn how to relax when things get hard. This plan certainly makes things feel hard on every run. That's good. I like pushing myself to the limit.
Week One--
Tempo--4 m at 8:26, Right on. RPE of 6
Speed--8X400m at 1:52, plus mile warm-up and cool-down. I was right on or just under most intervals. It was a hard workout, but felt good.
Tempo 2--6@8:53, plus hills. We did this workout up the only hills that exist in my neighborhood. This made it a lot harder than it should've been. Splits were like, 940, 930, 850, 828, 813, 830. So kind of all over the place.
Week Two--
Tempo--1 wu, 2 fast, 1 easy, 2 fast, 1 easy This week was kind of crazy. My husband was out of town, so I had to get creative with my running buddy. We did a child swap for this run. When I went it was 75 and 100 percent humidity. Not cool. I managed to make all my paces (tempo miles at 8:26) but it was hard and I was hot. I peed my pants. No lie. I guess now I won't have to worry about peeing during a marathon. Been there. Done that. Practiced in training.
Tempo 2--7 @856, finished with 7 @848. This run felt easy. I was so relaxed. Maybe that had something to do with the 55 degree temperature and nice cool breeze.
Speed--5x800 at 3:49. I was a bit off. I couldn't get my splits right. I wanted to either go a few seconds slower or faster. Last split was 339 and I still had more in the tank. Could've kicked out few more. Maybe it was my new NB WRC5000? Ran a total of 5 miles, plus my daily strength activities.
I'm starting to be able to feel my paces better. I really have to learn how to relax when things get hard. This plan certainly makes things feel hard on every run. That's good. I like pushing myself to the limit.
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Lunch: Flautas and guacamole
This is one of my go to favorites when I have a bit of leftover chicken. Warm corn tortillas. Shred leftover chicken for filling. Roll tortillas and paint with a little vegetable oil. Sprinkle with salt. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes. Serve with guacamole...mines homemade...and shredded lettuce. Enjoy!
For the record, I did offer some to my three year old. However, she "Hates them" and instead is eating Cheetos dipped in yogurt.
Review New Balance 5000
A few weeks ago I picked up these babies for $50 on Amazon (regularly about $100). It seemed like a good deal so I went for it.
These shoes are spike-less flats. The New Balance website says these shoes are great for track and road racing up to 10K.
I wore them to the track for the first time today. They seemed a little narrow, and I already have average to narrow width feet, but I figured that was because I wasn't used to tighter fitting shoes. My second thought was these were nothing like the flats I wore in high school. Two decades does change things a bit.
I could really feel the traction and I liked it. I ran a total of 5 miles, including 800m repeats. The ride was smooth and comfortable. My last 800 felt just as good on my feet as my first. I did have a bit of a hotspot on the bottom of my big toe that I noticed when I got home, but no blister.
Overall, I found these to be great shoes. The uppers are thin and the laces seem thin, but I suppose that all saves on weight. The soles are quite comfortable and felt surprisingly soft for how thing and light they are. Good shoes for their purpose. While I don't intend to buy new racing flats, I'm tempted to now so I can have something to compare these to. Don't tell my husband. He won't like that I've found a new thing to spend our money on! :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)