Turn Around*

Just recently I started to have the Achilles pain that I had last fall. My hamstring has been off and on tight through out most of this past year but I think I'm managing that a little better (defintely could do more, but you know... lazy). THe Achilles is frustrating because it actually hurts and I can't quite determine how to fix it. I did swtich to a newer pair of shoes so I hope that helps. I was wearing some sneakers at work and I wonder if, somehow, that is an issue (last time I think the shoes I wore played a big role in this issue). I find it surprising that sneakers would do more harm that heel or flats, but then again, how is anyhting surprising these days? I'll play around with that part a bit and see what's up. Meanwhile, I'm now back to the debate of ir I take a little time off the road to adjust and stick to the bike a bit. Tomorrow I'm hoping to do my normal 7 or so and may see how it feels but that's something to consider over the next few days. *Bright Eyes.

Training Week June 21st - June 27th

Sunday, June 21st: Since I had a string of harder workouts and a long day yesterday, I decided to take today as no long run but get some miles and an easy ride. I went out when it was already too warm I think (this New England Summer!) so had some regrets, but got a 3.32 in. I jumped on the Peloton for a low impact which seemed fine. Monday, June 22nd: As the new usual, rest day although with work so... you know. Tuesday, June 23rd: It started hot and ended hot and I don't mean that in a sexy way. I am not sure if my Garmin is off but average heart rate was 172 with a pace of 8:33 (the FitBit has a been rate so I'm thinking somewhere in between). I didn't feel like I was working as hard as the Garmin says I was although the humidity was 85% on my weather app and 98%(!!) on Strava so maybe I was working hard. Wednesday, June 24th: I knew going into today getting a workout would require focus. I stayed too late at work but came home pretty much right on time (once the dog was handled) to skip into a 20 minute live ride. It was hard and I wasn't prepared (I also road with one friend and one "friend" who always beat me so it is a little discouraging). I can't tell if I'm worn out mentally and physically (while still able to push through) or just still don't know how to bike well. Probably both. I added on a very fun 15 minute low impact, though, that I literally belted out during the songs. I love those rides. Thursday, June 25th: I shifted around my planned speed work and just did a 4 miles-ish run after work. The humidity broke so that was nice and I'm playing with the Garmin to try and find a heart rate that makes sense so I can work on my work effort. Friday, June 26th: I did a HIIT run with Becs on Peloton and, unlike at OT where I do what the coach says, I did not walk when she said walk, mostly because I'm on busy streets and worry and wonder what people would think (such a silly thing). I felt okay - I think I prefer tempo runs to HIIT because of the benefit for running I feel it gives me, but I probably should keep mixing it up if I do speed especially without OT. When I picked it up, it appears I averaged about 6:50 for the interval so not too bad (and maybe an OT goal one day...) Saturday, June 27th: I did a 45 minute are ride. The arms were brutal, the biking was hard but I kept it on the lower workout side. I definitely had moments of feeling overwhelmed and need to try and work on that and, in some ways, figure out what I want out of the biking with my other training. I think the spinning still takes a lot out of me so it wears me down and can start to hurt my running. But... here's the questions... is that a problem or can I continue to shift my focus? There was a great end to this ride though that pumped me up which I needed.

Training Week June 14th - June 20th

Sunday, June 14th: As seems to be pretty familiar, I wasn't sure how I would feel with the long run. But, overall, it went well. I finally broke out of the 8 miles and went to 9 as there is a small part of me wondering if I'll do Eastern States virtually in which I'll need to add a mile up to that race. I'm still not sure if I'm there but we shall see how the summer keeps progressing. Also, as a balance for not having a set hard workout day, I did add a short Peloton to the end for negative splits. Felt harder than it has in the past, but that's okay and I handled it pretty well I think. So far, as of writing this, the positivity has carried over into the evening. 

 Monday, June 15th: Rest day although with work rest is relative. 

 Tuesday, June 16th: I got a morning run in which was good given that the humidity was already 88% but the temp was cooler so it went fine. The issue with the early morning run is that once work is over... what then? I used to do the early AM runs because I'd then have the typical heck-busy work days so when I got home, after 5pm, I could just relax. But now, when I'm already home, having nothing really to do is like... well now what? SO, long way of saying, I may adjust the running here and there. 

 Wednesday, June 17th: Just some early morning Ricky Martin Peloton on this Wednesday. 

 Thursday, June 18th: For some reason and early morning speed work seemed like a good idea. I did it, although I definitely had moments where I was like "nope" but still tried to push. The high humidity didn't help and the creeping temp. I have to say that I do not miss longer speed work. Friday, June 19th: I tried to get a shout out in my Peloton class for my 100th ride. It did not happen, but that's okay. HIIT ridge completed with limited regret. 

 Saturday, June 20th: I had signed up for the Vaness T. Marcotte 5K before COVID and it went virtual so I figure why not keep with it. It started later than good for weather so it was a balmy 80 degrees with 64% humidity (felt much much worse). I went out too fast for both my training and weather and hit a huge wall which ended my time with a 24:17 (7:47) and feeling much worse for wear. I definitely had a hard go with this race two years in a row and hope to one day actually do well at it and be smart. I also want to find another 5K to try out this summer.

The Screams All Sound the Same

I'm pretty sure I've used this song before and maybe that part of it, but I don't care to look back. I am trying to continue to look forward as a matter of fact. This world is upside down and it has been stressful for everyone and I am not immune to that. I have had more anxiety and stress triggers these past months than ever (expect maybe when competitively roller skating?) It's insane, scary, stressful and so many other feelings. I try to keep on top of my anxiety and stress, but some times it just comes at you and evening ducking doesn't seem to help. I did a ride, though, where the instructor said: "here we save ourselves." I've been doing that or trying, but I know I just have to keep at it. And I don't think it needs to be taken as "I am an island and I have no one to support me" because I do (even if they are not always what I need exactly). But I took it as, you can ask for help, you can get help, but you still need to save yourself at the end of this all. So that's what I'm trying to remain myself and will continue to remain myself. The other thing I shall keep focus on is what is stressing me out? Yes, there is the underlying "what if I get sick or someone else sick?" But what is it really? Do I think I'm sick... probably not. Could I get sick, yes definitely. But I'm in a house, with a family, with a job (although that is certainly it's own stressor). I am as safe as we can be (or I try to be) and I am not trapped at the end of the day. I just need to keep remanding myself of these things and stay focused if not positive.

Training Week June 7th - June 13th

Sunday, June 7th: I did my combo podcast and Peloton run. I like the ending fast because I'm not doing that set hard run day so I feel like maybe this is a good balance with the biking. I'm not sure and, really, there's no race in sight to test so it is what it is. I wasn't sure how far to go and, unlike last week, I didn't have quite the pep in my step that I wanted so I ended it and didn't really feel like doing more. Monday, June 8th: Mondays as a rest day is a good idea. Between work and the gearing up for the week (and a crappy sleep) I was glad there was nothing I planned to do so no guilt. Tuesday, June 9th: I did my early morning (kind of early I should say) 4 miles that felt pretty good. It was nice weather and no sun plus I crashed at like... 9:15 last night so felt much better. It is amazing what sleep can do. Wednesday, June 10th: I wasn't 100% sure how today would go and if I'd want to get a workout in, but I came home and pretty much stuck to it getting in a 30 minute Peloton. I think it helped that I was home alone so I could just cruise and focus on it. I hope to continue to get more used to the days in so that, like before, I am able to just jump into the workout regardless (or maybe because of) the day. Thursday, June 11th: I made it out early again and tried to focus on the heart rate for the run. In a weird way (perhaps the watch) when I run a bit faster my heart rate is better managed than when I try to run slower as a means to keep it down. I know some of that is probably terrain based or wind base so the ease may come with that and thus my body is working less, but I'm going to try and keep an eye on it especially as it gets warmer and more humid. Friday, June 12th: Again, I missed a speed-focused workout and knew something longer and harder would not fly (perhaps I need to consider that I don't need to do a set speed workout or moving it up in the week - things to ponder). But I did put on a Peloton workout that had three sets of short intervals so that helped me get the heart rate up (or so I thought... didn't translate into the Garmin...) and hit a quicker run for the week. Saturday, June 13th: A little hung over, although I've been battling some anxiety this week as well, but I did a Peloton workout. I didn't feel totally in it, but it was okay. I think I wanted something more from the class in terms of motivation but that's okay. Not everything can be what you want it to be.

Training Week May 24th - May 30th

Sunday, May 24th: I went out with a Peloton 60 minute run and it was a lot of fun. The time flew by listening to the music and the one-sided conversation. The pick-ups also felt good and made the whole run faster. It was nice weather and I didn't feel like I was overheating. It think the company on the run helps pas the time and make the mental game of running a bit easier as well. Monday, May 25th: I reverted back to having this as my rest day. I think it makes more sense for my physically and it would be better to try and pack on a run Friday after work or nothing than too many harder days in a row (especially since Friday is not restful). I did a 5 minute meditation to keep my Peloton streak up. Tuesday, May 26th: I am attempting to run in the mornings again because my mornings aren't quiet as early as they once were. I managed to do today and one thing I will say is that when I am not awake it is hard to move. My first mile was super slow, but then I managed to get into normal paces. Ideally I'll be able to keep this up so that my evenings are more open I just have to focus on going to be at a reasonable time so that I don't find myself exhausting myself. I'll also be curious how speed workouts will go, but with the Peloton stuff I hope I won't really notice and just run what they tell me to run. Wednesday, May 27th: A good little arms and interval ride in the AM. So far that's two days in a row that I managed to get up and going which is pretty good so far. It helps that I can just sit in my own grossness for a bit before showering since I don't really need to be anywhere right at a set time. Thursday, May 28th: Husband and I took the day to do a hike in Wachusetts. It was nice although it is really hard to disconnect from the work world and I did a pretty poor job. Granted so did everyone else who was supposed to be at least trying to recognize that I took a personal day. This WFH shindig is starting to weigh heavy. The issue I did have with the hike was 1) people at the top took out the enjoyment of being there and 2) I was hoping to successfully hit my run goal which I won't do with this being a run day. Friday, May 29th: Despite the work day being something less than ideal and more than busy, I put on my shoes and did a Peloton 30 minutes run, even ramping up the speed some. I knew that I would need something to distract me while running and keep me focused and this worked. I hope that I'll keep up the post work (or maybe even pre work) stuff as we go in more often. Saturday, May 30th: I wanted something to keep me motivated and Alex Toussaint is usually a pretty good bet. I even got a PR (barely but count it). Two 45 minutes bike rides will allow me to reach my mileage goal so that's good to know.

Training Week May 31st - June 6th

Sunday, May 31st: I broke my run into two parts: half with NPR and half with Matty Maggiacomo. It was a pretty good run and the second half with the Peloton app went faster and I felt like I could have ran more, but held it to the 8ish I planned. I hope to increase the mileage a little bit but I'm still not hitting my 20-21 per week and am looking to keep uninjured and happy with running so I'll have a little grace with this. Monday, June 1st: Holy moly, June 1st. It is a rest day so I just did some yoga in the slowly becoming new gym area in the basement. Tuesday, June 2nd: I got my butt up and did 4.13 miles this AM and felt good. I enjoy the AM running and it is nice that I don't have to wake up insanely early to get a run in right now (remember 5am OT - how and why the F was that a thing?!?). I also headed back towards Lake Ave which I haven't set foot in (literally I mean) since March. It was the same as I expected it would be. Wednesday, June 3rd: I am still trying to do the AM shift but, wow, something to consider is I am not good on a empty stomach. I think I can push my way through a run because it is familiar and, most of the time, not the same hard work as the spinning, but this class killed me. I literally went to like a 20 resistance at one point and was like do I stop? I stayed in the ride but it was a pitiful output. I did bookmark it to try again one day soon here. Thursday, June 4th: I wanted to get out after the long work day and did just over a 5K. I felt good, better than I expected after working which I think is one, it being busy but having help there and two, getting a little more used to being back at that. Friday, June 5th: A weird day for work and, for some reason, I decided to try and do some of a speed workout and ran a little over 5 miles. I HAD wanted to do something that was clearly more of a speed work out (HIIT or tempo) but figured I may not have the energy for that. This felt pretty good and hard, but not super hard. Saturday, June 6th: A SUPER sweaty 30 minute ride. The class itself was so-so actually but I worked in it (almost PR) and it was warm enough that I felt like I went swimming so there's that. I felt a little bit better about the bike after the disaster on Wednesday.