Week 2/17 HM Training - Run #4 15K

15K @1:49:04

Pace 7:17/km

Slightly faster than last week's LSD. :)

As of next week, my LSD increases to 16K and I will run this 'new' distance consistently for three weeks in a row before the next increase ...

Today's run proved to be a little eventful! Wallace and I were almost half way through our run when the sky rapidly darkened, loud thunder cracked through the sky, and distant lightning appeared. The heaven's then opened up and poured ... not rained, but literally poured. Part of me was relieved because I would rather run in rain than humidity; it was a welcome break from the stifling air. However, it was a little disconcerting to start seeing little chunks of hail appearing on the trail in front my running feet, and then every once in awhile feeling the ping! of a small hail hit my face or the top of my head. At one point, I was running with one eye closed and then had a laugh when I passed by a group of three runners, and they, too, were running with one eye closed - it was coming down that hard! But really, we had no choice. Where we were running, there was no cover except under trees and that would have been very dumb because of the lightning. It was either walk or run so we ran. When we finally reached a road overpass where several other runners and cyclists were congregated to stay dry and wait the storm out, we were already soaked and the storm was dissipating so we kept on going. Thankfully, the stifling humidity reappeared during the last few km.

Wallace was a superstar and I was extremely proud of him. Just the night before, he was a shivering mass of jello because of the Canada Day fireworks going off all over the neighbourhood in backyards, and from the city's large display downtown that could be heard clearly from our place. He reacts this way in thunderstorms, too, and if I had known the weather was going to turn as quickly as it did, I would not have taken him out with me. :( But it must have been the combination of hail, rain and running that distracted him because he a true trooper, keeping pace through these conditions. The only time he gave indication of being frightened was when he switched from running on my left side to my right - he has never done this before while running with me, but after a particularly loud crack of thunder from the sky on my left, he quickly ran behind me over to my other side. :)

I can honestly say the weather system distracted me from my run enough so that it didn't feel half as long as last week's run! I am truly liking the Garmin-free-ish runs I am running these days. Just having the display on distance is forcing me not to look at it and to do my best running a steady and consistent pace on my own. I am pleased with my splits from this run as they are very even-keeled ... I would like to see them faster but this is the whole point of my PR-based training program and I trust it. :)

No gym classes today - the ones I were interested in were scheduled while I was running and I don't have time today. I am playing it by ear to see if I am running 7K tomorrow to end my Week 2/17 or if I am going to take it as an extra day of rest for a change.

WEEK 1/17 HM Training - Run #5 LSD 15K

1:50:49

Pace 7:24/km

My first 15K run from start to finish without stopping to walk. Woo hoo! I should be feeling very pleased with it ...

... but I admit that I was a little disappointed to see my pace average upon downloading my watch. :( I knew that it would be slower, but I was hoping for it to be just shy of 7:00/km. I am running this distance again next Sunday so I'm crossing my fingers for a better time. :)

Today I mainly ran on the Thames Valley trail system, starting at the Children's Museum, east and then north along the river through Gibbons Park, through the university, around the loop at Richmond St. and back again, past the Children's Museum toward the sewage plant and back again. The trail was filled with people on this truly beautiful, sunny morning. There were a significant number of running groups out together - it almost felt odd to be a lone runner because there were so many! There were a lot of cyclists and walkers as well so it kept me on my toes navigating Wallace and myself around other dogs, little children, etc. Close to the end of my run, I watched as a large group wearing backpacks walked en-masse from a parking lot to the path, and then organize themselves into a marching formation. They were about 30 people strong and quite intimidating! Fortunately, this was right at my turning point so I made a U-turn in front of them, bypassing them altogether. :)

Although my run was steady and consistent, I had challenges with my conception of distance. Almost every time I checked my Garmin for distance, I was disappointed in how much further I had to go. :( My run today just felt super long and it dragged on. I felt this especially during the the last 5K so I am assuming that I just need to acclimatize myself to longer distances. I am running this same distance next week, and 16K will soon become a mainstay on my schedule so given some time, this, too, shall pass.

Rest day tomorrow. :)

Another Great Run - 15K !!

1:56:43

Pace 7:47 min/km

I have to say, I am liking the fact that all my posts lately are so positive! I needed a successful long run. Compared to last weekend's brutal 14K, today's run was a smash hit! :) :)

I allowed myself to sleep in a little later than intended, but today ate a bagel and some yogurt, and drank some hot coffee exactly one hour before heading out. I was feeling SO resistant to going for a run - I was literally forcing myself out the door. I felt heavy with breakfast and water and just was not in the mood - getting out the door is usually the most difficult part! :(

As usual, my first 3K were slower - 7:44, 7:52 & 7:57. My 4th K was my fastest - 7:25 - with my 11th K as my second fastest - 7:27. How cool is that? :) I only went over the 8 min pace once - 8:02 in my 14th K.

The effort I put into creating a 10:1 music playlist REALLY paid off. By freeing up my Garmin, I was able to keep an eye on my pace and slow myself down when I went under 7:00 min/km and speed up when I went over 8:00 min/km. The music was perfect except in some spots, which I will fix before my next long run next month (I have a race this coming weekend). Using the same slow, one minute song ("I'm a Lonely Little Petunia" by Imogen Heap) as my indicator worked brilliantly, but there were a few songs that I messed up to make 10 minutes so I need to fix this, and I need to move some of favourite energetic songs for later in the playlist for when I need them more. This, in addition to the cooler, humidity-free weather made a big impact on my running pace. I ran 15K faster than 14K last week! :) :)

My dog, Wallace, ran with me today and did VERY well! He can run the distance no problem.

There were quite a few runners out today, clearly doing their long run for the week. People were friendlier today for some reason so I say hello to and smiled often at multiple runners.

I did not run on Thursday because I was too stressed about the questions I needed to have ready for James, and I went to bed @ 2:00 a.m. Friday I left for Niagara Falls to see the family and did not arrive home until after 2:00 a.m. so I did not run Sunday. My hip flexors have been sore since my last run - not painful, but very very sensitive! I thought that maybe giving them an extra day or two would be wise. They did not bother me at all during this morning's run, but I am feeling them now! Again, they are more tender than painful so I think they will be fine. Icing them is recommended.