Smell of Yesterday*

The more things change, the more they stay the same. It's hard to believe in some ways that it's been over four months, entering five months, since everything changed. I still remember going out to dinner on March 13th and claiming, like so many, "it'll be like the flu" and things will pass. 

And then restaurants closed and stores, then my work, and then everything stopped it seemed. 

For me, I was both lucky enough and, perhaps, unlucky in some way, to have a job that not only stayed open but had to stay open. My husband was the same. It kept the focus off of many things but it also made it harder because I was trying to function in a totally different reality. It still is that way, but the world (or at least my state) has been in the process of re-opening for weeks now and we are at a point where we will remain until treatment or a vaccine per our Governor. So, I guess, unless we have to shut down more, this is it for now. This is our new world for the foreseeable. 

 It's not necessarily a bad world, but it isn't easy. For us, it is easier than for so many. We are lucky and, I hope, remain so. I hope our parents and siblings remain healthy and we see each other soon in 2021 and hug it all out. I hope, like so many, this is the beginning of the end but in a good way not in the tragic way that wording usually means. 

It is still hard. 

It is still exhausting. 

And, while the world changed, I tried to keep some things close like running and working out. I haven't done my best at it, but I think I've done enough. I've tried to remain healthy and tried to remain positive even when the negative swarmed and continues to swarm. I hope that these weeks continue to hold steady (maybe improve although I do doubt that for us but maybe elsewhere in the country). I hope that the fall is not the diaster everything believes it will be although I am not well-versed enough in that to even grasp what is in store. I hope that I can continue to find peace in running even when it's not there is any other place, and sometimes, not even while on the road. Some times the start, middle and end of my run is still filled with anxiety and stress, but, I suppose, at least it is there and I can do it. At least it is something in these times. 

*Oh, I can't tell you a story 

There's nothing more to say 

We'll just move on like the others 

Who smell of yesterday 

And so lead us off somewhere 

Not where we fought and died 

'Cause we'll be catching the wind before nobody is alive

Training Week July 12th-July 18th

Sunday, July 12th: As mentioned at the end of last week, I'm dubbing this a week off of running for various reasons. So I did a Peloton ride and will figure out the schedule for the rest of the week a bit later. It's back the the normal bru-ha-ha this week so we shall see how it goes and how I feel and so much more.  

Monday, June 13th: I'm keeping with Monday as a rest day so did that and returned to the full work week without any bells on. 

Tuesday, June 14th: I have some new Peloton instructors I'm focusing on these next few weeks so I did a Fun Run. It went well in terms of the overall pace for not being an interval or HIIT class (8:15 for four miles) but the class so okay. She was fun but the music wasn't may favorite always.  

Wednesday, June 15th: I did an interval and arms Peloton that was so-so. It wasn't super hard and I didn't super push and I was having a rough end of the so just keeping moving until this was done. Much of this week will be just push through and get back on a track and back to how it once was and will continue to be. 

Thursday, June 16th: This was a very pleasant run. My feet moved easily, my pace felt steady, everything just seemed to work. It was one of those runs that I didn't want to end, but knew that I needed to have it end or else I risked ruining it. I appreciate these runs more than I think I once did and I hope I continued to do so. 

Friday, June 17th: It was a little of a rough start; tired legs and tired everything, but by a mile it started to click and I went about half a mile more than I planned and everything seems to wake up and feel fine by yhe mid of the run. Saturday, June 18th: Usually I try to do a longer ride on Saturdays but I didn't really feel like it so went for the 30 minute. I did manage a PR by just a few points which was pretty cool and, though it was a lot of work, it wasn't like a was entirely spent so I can see the growth that I may have at my fingertips.

Training Week July 5th-July 11th

Sunday, July 5th: Pretty sure this was a bad idea of a long run. I slept like poop and knew from the moment I was up and got ready this was going to be a struggle. Turns out I was 100% right. I actually managed to keep the splits good and heart rate manageable but I did need to stop in the shade a few times. Plus I wanted to get to 8 and realized that was dumb and stopped at 7.54. I wish it had felt better because I wanted a run where it didn't seem like work and this felt like work nearly every step, but that's how it can go sometimes. Monday, July 6th: So begins my vacation week so since I know we are traveling tomorrow I did a low impact. The rest of the week it going to be off grid and so off workout as well. Tuesday, July 7th: Travel dat and set-up tent day. Small 3ish mile hike once settled. Wednesday, July 8th: We were supposed to bike but the road wasn't what was expected so just a small walk again. Thursday, July 9th: This was supposed to be the summit of the Moutain. I failed and my husband was kind. Friday, July 10th: To make up for the lack of a bike ride, road with the husband back on familiar roads. 20 miles which went relatively well. I expect it gets easier...? Saturday, July 11th: I did not get out early enough to run so I did a Peloton and then decided I will just dub this a week of no running. Let rest and regroup (on all of 2020?).

Training Week June 28th-July 4th

Sunday, June 28th: It increased 10 degrees form when I started this run and ended it. I find myself wavering between 7-9 miles and so I've gone back down to 7 this week. There's really no good training reason to go beyond that for me, personally, so I'm okay with seeing an hour long run in there once a week. It was okay aside from the heat but as my Strava post questions: how did I do marathon training in this? Monday, June 29th: Rest, rest with work. Tuesday, June 30th: So weather is going to be an issue this week. I waited but the chance of lightning kept increasing and eventually I jumped on the bike, during which the storm came through so I'm okay with that decision. It means my running miles will be down this week, I bet, but can't win them all. Wednesday, July 1st: And stormy again so back on the bike. This was a really good ride and a PR which is awesome. I think it helped that I hven't run in a few days so my spin legs were fresher. I also think that I don't always go as hard as I can which is fine since I'm not a spinner by nature. Thursday, July 2nd: Finally able to get out and run. I enjoy that a cramp decided to join me for a while. I kept at it and it went away so that's good. It was a good run and one that I felt happy about and focused AND it came after a long day of work. I am not looking forward to the return of the normal work and running/work out balance, but perhaps it's something that I've needed this whole time. Friday, July 3rd: I got out and did an Interval run plus some to get to five. The whole pace of the run was 7:55 so that's pretty sweet. It was cooler even though the humidty which is typical this time of the year. Saturday, July 4th: The Peloton I decided on today was so-so. It was fun seeing all the instructors but it felt disjointed and I didn't get the impact you can have on these rides. But that's okay and it went well enough.

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.