This week in running: week 3

I knew that week 3 of half marathon training would be a challenge because I'd be traveling (for two of the three runs). I'm not great about running while traveling. Plus I really like my training group, so missing two days with them didn't sound all that fabulous (but a vacation did).

Tuesday

This run started off great. My running buddy and I were moving along at a great pace, and things felt right ... except for the fact that we felt like something was about to go wrong. We were right.

The wind that pushed us along in the first half of our run fought against us during the second half. This wind was the remnants of Hurricane Isaac, so it was rather beastly. And rude. Stupid wind kept pushing us off the path.

The water is pretty, but it added to the wind problem.

All of the fighting against the wind caused a few walk breaks, but really, I'm still pretty happy with the run considering the conditions. We finished in 1:02.  

Distance: 5 miles

Thursday  

This run is brought to you by the great state of Texas. My boyfriend is doing contract work in Ft. Worth, so I went to visit for a few days before we both headed to Kansas to visit family. 

He was working all day Thursday, so I had the day to myself and could decide when I wanted to run. I decided to sleep most of the morning away, so morning was out (as was running outside ... it's toasty in Texas). 

I hit up the treadmill for an early afternoon run, and it was extremely miserable. I'm not sure what was up, but I felt horrible (and nauseous when I was done). All I can say is that I did it; I ran for the 45 minutes on the schedule. That's the only positive.

Distance: 3.6 miles

Sunday

This was going to be my triumphant run in the third state this week. Notice: going to be. Sadly, it didn't happen.

Due to allergies (and asthma) and family activities, I did not run on Sunday. We had a jam-packed family day, and I wouldn't have traded any of it for running (as much as I love running).

I flew back to Florida on Monday, and I thought I'd run on Monday night. No dice. I was exhausted (and still wheezing from allergies). 

Distance: 0 miles (should be 5 miles)

I need help. Do I make up the run at this point? Or do I just skip it? If I have time on Friday, should I squeeze in some extra miles? Do you make up missed runs? I'm usually good about it, but I feel like I let this one go too long.

This week in running: week 2

I just completed my second week of half marathon training, and I’m feeling OK about it. I’m not completely happy with how things are going right now, but I do know that they’ll eventually come together.

Tuesday

Due to really, really scary lightning, I didn’t attend training group. If there is one thing I’m really scared of, it’s lightning. I hate that stuff. So, I made the call not to go.

I guess a few people still showed up and they were finally able to run around the block twice (in the rain) and learn some stretches. I’m not sad I missed that. Instead, I hit up the craptastic gym for a treadmill run.

I ran for 45 minutes because I guessed that’s what we would have done at training group. As usual, it was super hot. I thought it was hot running outside at 6:30 p.m. (and it is), but I think it is worse in the gym (aside from no big, scary sun … yes, I’m scared of the sun, too).
 

Distance: 3.75 miles

Thursday

This was a fabulous running day. It was just one of those days where running felt right. I love these days!

Our group ran for 55 minutes, and it all rocked. It’s still ridiculously hot, so my “speed” is not spectacular, but is it ever? Seriously, I know I can run faster, and I know I will … eventually.

Distance: 4.4 miles

Sunday

I was not happy that our coaches decided to meet at 7 a.m. instead of 7:30 a.m. Thirty minutes is an extremely huge difference on an early weekend morning to a non-morning person. I whined and pleaded (yes, really) to change it back to 7:30 a.m. to no avail. So, I showed up at 7 a.m., not a minute earlier.

This was our first distance run. Our goal: run 5 miles.

Not too long into the run, I knew things weren’t going well. I just didn’t feel like I had the energy to run. My legs felt like lead, and each step took way too much effort.

I started taking short walk breaks before I even hit a mile. It was that bad. I kept thinking I’d feel better, but no luck. I run-walked this whole distance. I felt terrible.

To avoid a problem like last training cycle, I’m trying to be more careful with what I’m eating. I think I didn’t eat enough or eat enough of the right things. Gah! This running nutrition thing can be really complicated. 

Distance: 5 miles

How was your running week? Did you have a run that rocked? Did you run on the treadmill? Was it hot? Do you have running nutrition figured out? If so, please fill me in!