Sunday, June 3, 2012
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
May 16th
(Vanessa) somewhere in conversation over the last week I agreed to a 15 mile run with nick this morning. And even worse, I agreed to get up at 4:45 to meet him at 5:30 for the longest run to date. I would have rather clawed my own eyes out than carry out this commitment this morning but I got up and after a final text to make sure this was really happening, I headed to RRR to what I was sure would be my death. Getting started was hard but the I felt pretty good mile 1-5 until we got to a part where we stopped and decided to hike through the desert to continue on. We had only been running for an hour but it was already pretty hot and nick pointed down horizon ridge as the route. looked like there was not one inch of shade and we would be running another 2.5 miles parallel to the freeway and facing the sun. I wanted nothing more than to go the other direction. My water bottle was empty and my playlist was way too short. With studying, I have not found the time to change it up like I usually do and there is just so many times one can listen to "boys speak in rhythm and girls just lie.. Dadadada". The problem with running at 7am is that if you are used to pooping at 7 am, then you've got some problems because you can't do both. Anyway, I was super grumpy today and I apologize. I took a nap and life seemed much more tolerable. After it's all done- 10 miles is still 10 miles- even though it wasn't the 15, we put miles in this week and hopefully we can make it count on race day.
(Nick) I was really looking forward to this run as our last run got cut short due to eating to close to run time and this was a new course and a new distance for us. It got hot really early on even tho we started really early. I was pretty bugged when V said she wanted to head back and not continue on up horizon ridge, but now that I know she had something trying to burst out of her rectum I can appreciate her putting in the distance she did. Ive never been this sore before. My right foot gets getting these burning ripping pain in it. My shins are really messed up. Still contemplating on whether or not to run one last time on Saturday or just rest up for the race. :/
(Nick) I was really looking forward to this run as our last run got cut short due to eating to close to run time and this was a new course and a new distance for us. It got hot really early on even tho we started really early. I was pretty bugged when V said she wanted to head back and not continue on up horizon ridge, but now that I know she had something trying to burst out of her rectum I can appreciate her putting in the distance she did. Ive never been this sore before. My right foot gets getting these burning ripping pain in it. My shins are really messed up. Still contemplating on whether or not to run one last time on Saturday or just rest up for the race. :/
Saturday, May 12, 2012
May 12th (LV 5K)
(Nick) This race was really a challenge. I started out way too fast and by the one mile marker I was spent, reduced to walking. Started up again to the 2 mile mark and saw V running up towards the turn around. At that point I figured any chance I had of a decent time was lost and I would have more fun running with V. So i ran backwards toward her, getting a lot of funny looks from the other racers in the process. We finished the last 1.5 together. It was really freaking hot out today. Just really felt dehydrated and out of shape. Have the worst allergies right now!
(Vanessa)- felt dehydrated before the start and that really freaked me out. I began questioning the point of running with 2000 people and no water down a black pavement. I seized those thoughts for 1.5 miles but shortly after running around the las Vegas sign I was so hot and tired and was relieved to see nick wanted to run the rest with me. It gave me the little motivation I needed to make it to the finish line and straight to the smart water. Nick was fascinated with the two Arizona runners that placed. Still waiting 4 days later for pictures to post. :/
(Vanessa)- felt dehydrated before the start and that really freaked me out. I began questioning the point of running with 2000 people and no water down a black pavement. I seized those thoughts for 1.5 miles but shortly after running around the las Vegas sign I was so hot and tired and was relieved to see nick wanted to run the rest with me. It gave me the little motivation I needed to make it to the finish line and straight to the smart water. Nick was fascinated with the two Arizona runners that placed. Still waiting 4 days later for pictures to post. :/
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
May 8th
(Nick) found out today that my Saturday run with RRRC is being cancelled due to the Las Vegas 5k that's taking place this Saturday. I told V this morning and she suggested we do it and went ahead and signed us up!!! :)
Monday, May 7, 2012
May 7th
(vanessa)- Wind was supposed to die down at 8:00pm and had plans to run anthem. At 8:01 it was still windy so nick headed out on his own and I went to the gym to get on the treadmill. I haven't been on a treadmill in several months and held a 8:30 pace for two miles and that is quite an improvement from where I used to be. I played around on the treadmill for a total of 4 miles. Definitely was not as entertaining as road running. talked to nick afterward to find out that the wind had stopped as soon as he started. Oooohh and I have a lingering pain I my shin from my last run and felt it on the treadmill. I've never had shin splints before but I'm pretty sure this is it. Felt it every time I stepped down.
(Nick) You know you have a great running partner when you show up to run and they have a stash of cough drops in their car just for you, as well as a stockpile of water! Finally got around to doing my favorite course at night and it sure didn't disappoint! My body felt like crap from the beating I took Thursday night and Saturday morning, my left calf feels like its been in tetany for two days now and my right hip keeps getting these shooting pains out of no where, even when I'm just sitting down. The wind has been blowing all day and it showed that it would die down from 8-10, still was a little windy at 8 but I took to the streets anyway excited for a night version of anthem. Started out slow as my body just wanted a nice pace to stretch itself out. My gps feedback has been off since Thursday and no feedback encouraged a nice steady pace. I got to the beginning uphill and started to pick it up a little. It feels kinda pointless to run by myself and not have my breathing a little labored. I enjoyed the first two miles immensely, the hills are really fun for me. The downhill of Hampton was awful, every single step just tore my poor calves to pieces, I couldn't wait for it to finally end. However there was a great lightning show in the distance which distracted me from the pain somewhat. Once I hit the 5 mile mark where the course opens up to a view of Seven Hills I caught myself considering slowing down and walking the rest. The same thing happened on saturday around the 6 mile mark. Preventing those kind of thoughts from reappearing is a must! I pushed on through and ended up completing anthem for the first time in under an hour. I felt really strong at the end and you can see from the gps that I was in the 6:30 range. These last three runs have been wonderful! I've really seen some nice progression and my body hurts enough to let me know it hasn't been easy. Some things I want to work on before race day:
Nutrition- its always a problem for me and something that will always be a work in progress, but I do plan on doing some serious carb loading the week before the race.
Water- it was such a must during Six Tunnels, and tonight I felt the dehydration in my lungs and it was such a struggle to get the water down while breathing so hard. I felt like an idiot, splashing it all over my face and barely getting any in my system, running while drinking needs to be addressed. I also planned on consuming some energy gels during this next race and if I can't get water down how am I supposed to eat? Practice on both of those!
Music- my running playlist, derived from my Pandora is pretty much played out. I ran to a new song tonight and still have Ellie Goulding keeping me going but need some new stuff for the race!
(Nick) You know you have a great running partner when you show up to run and they have a stash of cough drops in their car just for you, as well as a stockpile of water! Finally got around to doing my favorite course at night and it sure didn't disappoint! My body felt like crap from the beating I took Thursday night and Saturday morning, my left calf feels like its been in tetany for two days now and my right hip keeps getting these shooting pains out of no where, even when I'm just sitting down. The wind has been blowing all day and it showed that it would die down from 8-10, still was a little windy at 8 but I took to the streets anyway excited for a night version of anthem. Started out slow as my body just wanted a nice pace to stretch itself out. My gps feedback has been off since Thursday and no feedback encouraged a nice steady pace. I got to the beginning uphill and started to pick it up a little. It feels kinda pointless to run by myself and not have my breathing a little labored. I enjoyed the first two miles immensely, the hills are really fun for me. The downhill of Hampton was awful, every single step just tore my poor calves to pieces, I couldn't wait for it to finally end. However there was a great lightning show in the distance which distracted me from the pain somewhat. Once I hit the 5 mile mark where the course opens up to a view of Seven Hills I caught myself considering slowing down and walking the rest. The same thing happened on saturday around the 6 mile mark. Preventing those kind of thoughts from reappearing is a must! I pushed on through and ended up completing anthem for the first time in under an hour. I felt really strong at the end and you can see from the gps that I was in the 6:30 range. These last three runs have been wonderful! I've really seen some nice progression and my body hurts enough to let me know it hasn't been easy. Some things I want to work on before race day:
Nutrition- its always a problem for me and something that will always be a work in progress, but I do plan on doing some serious carb loading the week before the race.
Water- it was such a must during Six Tunnels, and tonight I felt the dehydration in my lungs and it was such a struggle to get the water down while breathing so hard. I felt like an idiot, splashing it all over my face and barely getting any in my system, running while drinking needs to be addressed. I also planned on consuming some energy gels during this next race and if I can't get water down how am I supposed to eat? Practice on both of those!
Music- my running playlist, derived from my Pandora is pretty much played out. I ran to a new song tonight and still have Ellie Goulding keeping me going but need some new stuff for the race!
Saturday, May 5, 2012
May 5th
(Nick) My alarm went off at 5:45 and I really didn't want to get out of bed. I looked outside and it looked windy and that made getting out of bed even harder. But with with only a couple weeks of training left I figured I better make the best of my time and dragged myself out of bed and into the car and headed towards RRRC.
Got there at 6:20 and Brent was the only one there so far. He mentioned today was gonna be rough, Jason, Jeff and Colin were coming today. The three of them all placed within the top 25 for the las Vegas 5k last year.
Started out great feeling really strong, even set the pace for much of the first half. Somewhere around the 6 mile mark I noticed I was getting tired. Jason mentioned that I was doing really well today and that boosted my confidence up and I was able to hold on a little longer than usual. Brent and Jeff dropped out around 7 and for the first time ever I was in the lead pack. Held on for 8.85 before I had to stop and slow it down for the remainder. Had a good time and feel really good after this run.
(Vanessa)- ran at dusk. It's my favorite part of the day, also when I seem to have the most energy. Today it paid off- as I finally beat my 5k. Felt pretty good. This course leaves me about 2 miles from my house at the end of my 5k course and usually that kills me but tonight i still had the energy to do a little speed work on the way home.
Got there at 6:20 and Brent was the only one there so far. He mentioned today was gonna be rough, Jason, Jeff and Colin were coming today. The three of them all placed within the top 25 for the las Vegas 5k last year.
Started out great feeling really strong, even set the pace for much of the first half. Somewhere around the 6 mile mark I noticed I was getting tired. Jason mentioned that I was doing really well today and that boosted my confidence up and I was able to hold on a little longer than usual. Brent and Jeff dropped out around 7 and for the first time ever I was in the lead pack. Held on for 8.85 before I had to stop and slow it down for the remainder. Had a good time and feel really good after this run.
(Vanessa)- ran at dusk. It's my favorite part of the day, also when I seem to have the most energy. Today it paid off- as I finally beat my 5k. Felt pretty good. This course leaves me about 2 miles from my house at the end of my 5k course and usually that kills me but tonight i still had the energy to do a little speed work on the way home.
Friday, May 4, 2012
May 3rd
25 Days till Race Day!
Tonight was an unexpected run. Haven't run since the 11 miles V and I did on Monday. I was feeling really stiff tonight at work and decided that I needed to get back out and run a little to loosen things up. I hadn't hydrated at all (full coffee diet) but didn't consider it a factor as I just wanted to go a few miles at a slow pace to loosen things up a bit.
I went home and loaded my old killers playlist that I used to run to a couple years ago, got in the car and drove to the summerlin 5k course. I turned off voice feedback on my gps so I wouldn't be tempted at all to push it. I started out nice and slow and felt wonderful listening to some old stuff I hadn't heard in a long time while enjoying the cool darkness of summerlin at midnight. After I passed the hardest part of the course (the beginning uphill) I noticed that I felt really strong and decided to try and push it just enough that my breathing wasn't too labored. I noticed that my pace felt pretty quick, much like it did the last couple weeks while running at boulder, and thought that this might be my chance to break my 5k. I just kept pushing, had no idea what kind of pace I was on with me starting so slow but I just kept going. I knew the course was almost exactly a 5k and pulled my phone out to see that it was right at the 3.11 mark. I ended my workout and Ellie Goulding alerted me that I had broken my 5k record! :)
Shaved off exactly 30 seconds on one of the hardest 5k courses we train on. I feel really great after this run, sucks that V wasn't around to share it with me.
Tonight was an unexpected run. Haven't run since the 11 miles V and I did on Monday. I was feeling really stiff tonight at work and decided that I needed to get back out and run a little to loosen things up. I hadn't hydrated at all (full coffee diet) but didn't consider it a factor as I just wanted to go a few miles at a slow pace to loosen things up a bit.
I went home and loaded my old killers playlist that I used to run to a couple years ago, got in the car and drove to the summerlin 5k course. I turned off voice feedback on my gps so I wouldn't be tempted at all to push it. I started out nice and slow and felt wonderful listening to some old stuff I hadn't heard in a long time while enjoying the cool darkness of summerlin at midnight. After I passed the hardest part of the course (the beginning uphill) I noticed that I felt really strong and decided to try and push it just enough that my breathing wasn't too labored. I noticed that my pace felt pretty quick, much like it did the last couple weeks while running at boulder, and thought that this might be my chance to break my 5k. I just kept pushing, had no idea what kind of pace I was on with me starting so slow but I just kept going. I knew the course was almost exactly a 5k and pulled my phone out to see that it was right at the 3.11 mark. I ended my workout and Ellie Goulding alerted me that I had broken my 5k record! :)
Shaved off exactly 30 seconds on one of the hardest 5k courses we train on. I feel really great after this run, sucks that V wasn't around to share it with me.
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