Back in the saddle again...

OK, back on the horse today.  4.71 miles.  My legs felt less mushy but, thanks to my lack of brilliance and not stretching for several days, I was tight!  It's good to run.  Even when it doesn't feel amazing.  Off to work.  Maybe tomorrow will be a blissed out, floaty kind of day. 

My name is Paula and I'm a run/blogaholic

It's been 3 weeks since I last posted!  There have been ups and downs, been up mountain high (literally and figuratively) and down to the dregs of my energy level.  
Since I last checked in, I ran 63.2 miles over 2 weeks and decided to take this week off.  What you say?  a week off???  Me?  Yes.  
After reaching 27 miles including some serious hills the first week of Aug.,  I dropped back to 24.8 miles due to sore legs.  That did not help.  By week's end, I dragged myself through an 8 mile run with Julie W. who's in a Triathlon Aug 27th in Santa Barbara (Website):  http://www.santabarbaratriathlon.com/noHeader/Index.cfm. Check it out.  Go Julie!!!
I was so frustrated because I really believe I'm putting in the work consistently.  Instead of floating through that run, I was dragging by mile 4.   Julie was sailing along after a training brick the day before.  She's one tough lady! 
Apparently, I'm not.  My legs were just jelly and I felt defeated.  So, I started thinking...and resting. 
I'm sure there are several reasons for my lack of performance but I've narrowed it down to a few...

1. I'm too old and can't handle the mileage.  
2. I've started picking up my pace too much and it's burning up my legs.
3. I work too much.
4. I have a yet undiscovered rare disease that is rearing it's ugly head.
5. Aliens are sucking my energy at night.

I'm a horrible hypochondriac whenever I feel even a little off.  No worries on the disease... I think.  Of all the above potential problems it's probably #2...and a bit of 3.  The truth is building mileage is hard and it feels like it.  After putting in a few solid weeks, I realized I've been under-trained for many of the races I've done.  In a way it's a good thing.  There is still room for me to improve and with a little tweaking, build up that mileage.
So, have I slipped into Dabbler Territory?  No, I think not.  I'm feeling a bit more refreshed.   I may even cut this week off a little short and go running today.  On that note, toodles for now!

All the pretty numbers

 I realized today I've reached 6 months in blog land.  I'm 6 months older too.   I'm "in my 40's" at a whopping 41!  I've raced a few miles...13.1...26.2...7...Run 300+ miles up to the 3rd of June and about 159 since then. I've dropped about 8 pounds in the last year and the best number?  Went from size 8-10 down to a 6.  My goal remains the same...50K and beyond...

What do all the numbers mean? Aside from confirming I'm nerdy?  The numbers show progress.  Even though goal to complete the Chuckanut 50K hasn't changed, I've found my perspective changing lately.  My physical goals are becoming less important, more pliable.  I'm more consistent with but less ridged about schedules. 

In my post put up or shut up , I talked about a shorter term goal; trying to work up to a 50 mile run week.  I managed 24.8 miles last week, a little short of the 27 I was shooting for.  At another time in my life, I would have taken this one of 2 ways:  One would have been failure.  I would have looked at the missing 2.2 miles and felt as though I couldn't improve.  The other, possibly worse way would be to shrug it off and forget about it (aka, the Dabbler way).

Apparently I've grown a bit.  I reviewed my running log and learned a bit.  Instead of seeing the missed goal as a failure, I'm revising my schedule and trying for 27 again.  The 10% gain can wait and this week, I'll run a bit more on each run and reach the goal.  Is this a big change?  Not on the surface.  But down deep, I feel a little more confident and happy.  I guess my 40's aren't so bad.

Gadget Land Love

Report from gadget land.  My goal this week is 25 miles.  My gadget is telling me I have to run another 3.58 miles.  So be it.  I feel I could learn to hate Garmin but right now I'm a little in love.   I expect hate will come soon as I try to up mileage.   I do like the total calories burned.  That's a lot of yummy food...

Progress Summary Report (this week)
Count:    4 Activities
Distance:    21.42 mi
Time:    03:39:32 h:m:s
Elevation Gain:    1,630 ft
Avg Speed:    5.9 mph
Avg HR:    158 bpm
Calories:    2,030 C

Total miles 127.42

Birthday gadgets are nice!

Well, I realized I hadn't updated since receiving the coolest gadget ever!  Drum roll please....

Meet.....My Forerunner® 110 of course purchased from Steve and Genevie's shop.  http://www.fairhavenrunners.com/
Yes I got a Garmin for my birthday!  So excited and thank you Brian! 
Now to bore you with the ridiculous amount of info it downloads...


http://connect.garmin.com/features



     
Here's just some of the data from today's run. 

Whatcom Falls-Woburn Loop
Tue, Jul 13, 2010 10:01 AM (00:50:48)
Whatcom FallsMon, Jul 12, 2010 10:36 AM (00:30:30)

Map ...haven't figured out how to post the map but it's very cool.  :)
Satellite
Terrain
5000 ft1 km
Activity Type:  Running
Event Type:  Training
Time:  00:50:48
Distance:  5.00 mi
Elevation Gain:  315 ft
Calories:  367 C

Timing
Time:    00:50:48
Moving Time:    00:49:26
Elapsed Time:    00:50:48
Avg Pace:    10:09 min/mi
Avg Moving Pace:    09:52 min/mi  This is the one I'll focus on  :)
Best Pace:    07:09 min/mi



Elevation
Elevation Gain:    315 ft
Elevation Loss:    328 ft
Min Elevation:    84 ft
Max Elevation:    399 ft

Heart Rate
Avg HR:    155 bpm
Max HR:    176 bpm


So, if you do some simple math you'll see I am slower than I thought.  Argh the curse of technology.  I felt like I was running a 9 minute mile, looked at the gadget and realized I was closer to 10!  Picking up the pace really didn't hurt that much and I ended up running at around 9:30 for most of the run.  There's 2 sets of stairs, one with over 100 steps in it for this loop so I'll give myself a break.  Overall, it's great to have the instant feedback!  Definitely the best gadget ever.

Miles this week 8
Total miles 114

Birthday Weekend

My Birthday just passed...I'm 31 (for the 10th time)
I had a lovely time running the Chuckanut Footrace on Saturday morning.  http://www.gbrc.net/chuckanut_footrace.php 
It's 7 miles one way to Larrabee State Park.  There's music, food and buses at the end of the Interurban trail to enjoy.  I ran 1:03:05 for an updated PR.  My goal was 58:08...I was in the ballpark but went out too fast and pooped out.  It was fun to get out there anyway!

Saturday night, I ventured out on the town with friends to celebrate my birthday eve.  Dinner at Boundary Bay followed by some laughs at a few local establishments that may have served alcohol.  My thanks to my friends who made the evening lovely!






Sunday morning I woke to a lovely birthday filled with well wishes and fun presents. 

Also, my orchid bloomed for the 1st time!

Spain was nice enough to win the World Cup...Ole ole ole ole...ole ole ole ole!  My friends Donna and Vincent hosted a lovely party for the event.
I then tried to pick up my car which had lived downtown for the night...no luck for this girl.  Here's a pic of the guy who towed my car..... on my birthday.

He was very nice despite the $280!!! for towing my car.  But Brian got a fun t-shirt!

Managed to get over the sticker shock of Brian's fancy t-shirt... Watched a movie to recover my lovely day then went out for dinner with Steve and Genevie down at the harbor!

Lovely way to finish my weekend.   Thanks to all my lovely friends and to Brian for making all of the last 11 birthdays wonderful!
Miles this week 15
Total miles 106

Strawberry hills...

It's common knowledge that hills are good for you.  It's good to incorporate the extra work at least once a week.  Yesterday, I tried to keep up with a human goat named Leah.  We ran up to Fragrance Lake.  Curses, it's a killer to hike and running is a little...painful.
I managed to keep up with Leah on the way up...at least I kept her in eyesight.  My extra-small feet did manage the downhills, my favorite part of the run, a little faster than Leah.  I think it's a leg turnover deal.  My feet are very short...see?

I refer to my feet as Barney Rubble feet as all my toes are similar lengths.  It's a cross I have to bare...yet, I don't fall over.  (Brian always says I should fall over because my feet are so short). 
So, it's much easier for me to pick them up quickly.  I'm hoping there will be more downhill races staged in Bellingham.  I'm sure to be the winner.

For the rest of the day we went to Sakuma Market Stand and picked berries.
http://www.sakumamarket.com/

 Of course, we had to sample the delicious ice cream...I had a strawberry milkshake and Leah sampled the raspberry one.   What's with the word RASPberry.  It's a mystery...
Today, I was a bit sore...took the day off in preparation for Saturday's Chuckanut Footrace...a 7 miler on the interurban...such a great course.  And...it's my birthday weekend.  I plan on turning 31 for the 10th time.  :)
Total miles this week 5.5
Total miles  96.5