Speed Trials

If Goldilocks taught me anything, if given the option of one, two, or three runs a week, the middle option should be “just right”. But that’s really not the case.

See, if I only manage one run a week, then at least there’s a sense of accomplishment because I made it out there at all. If I run three times a week, then I stay loose and limber and my muscles are used to the exertion.

But if I only manage 2 runs a week, I get the worst of both worlds: there’s no sense of accomplishment because technically I’ve fallen short of my 3-run goal, and both runs are pretty brutal because there’s so much time lapsed between them.

So yeah, this week hasn’t been stellar. In fact, it looks a lot like last week’s training, which is fitting since my sleep has been just as lacking and the weather just as poor.

This morning’s 7k run was on sidewalks and paths that were basically sheets of ice. I ran it nice and slow (average pace of 5:55) and finished it in 41:23.  Halfway through the run I stepped on some ice that gave way to a freezing cold puddle underneath, and it instantly soaked my foot. And before I could correct my footing, the other foot landed in the same puddle. After that I didn’t even attempt to avoid the puddles along the path. My feet were so cold and wet by the time I got home, but it felt SO nice peeling off my socks and warming my feetsies on the rad!

A few people have asked if I wear anything special to run in icy conditions, and the answer is no. I just wear my regular ol’ runners, but I am terrified of falling (and re-injuring my knee) so I make sure to really shorten my stride during the winter months. My feet always land directly underneath me, so I remain pretty stable.

I’m going to make this short and sweet… Kinda like my training plan this week. Derp.

I don’t know, maybe it’s the cold weather and icy conditions, maybe it’s the fact that Nico had more night feedings (4/night) than usual, maybe I just needed a break, but I bailed on my mid-week run, and I didn’t do much in the way of cross or strength training this week. Though I ran 5k on Tues and we have gone on some outings as a family unit, so it’s not like I’ve been sitting on the couch doing nothing… Okay, I did a bit of that too..

So because I flaked on exercise during the week, I couldn’t very well ignore my long run this morning. I dutifully woke up, put on some gear (including my new Run for It Tights from Lululemon) and headed out the door. The run started off a little bit tough; I was a bit rusty after all. I had some tightness in my legs, but after the first km I was warmed up and the next three seemed to go by quite effortlessly. But then the last 2km dragged on and on and on. I kept looking down at my watch hoping I’d put more distance behind me, and I was always surprised at how little progress I’d made. Finally I got home and overshot my house a bit to round out the last km. I was SO HAPPY it was over. Here are my km splits:

1 – 5:54
2 – 5:44
3 – 5:48
4 – 5:53
5 – 6:10 <– Ooof
6 – 5:51

I ran it 2min faster than last week’s 6km, so I’m happy for that. I still don’t know what my time goal will be for the race on Feb 19, but I’ll take a look at my past runs and come up with a loose goal this week.

Oh yeah, one final thing: notice how I’ve done zero strength training yet. Well, lifting, carrying and babywearing a 16lbs boy is taking a toll on my lower back. It’s sore probably 70% of the time now, so I have to get smart and start working out those muscles. Cos you know, that boy’s only going to get bigger!

I’m feeling a lot better today than I did on Tuesday. And thanks to Crystal for her lovely comment on my last post – I guess I must remember that we’re all trying our best!!

This morning was truly idyllic – I was enjoying my morning coffee with Angelo, we were reading the paper while Nico nursed and slept in my lap. For a brief moment I was completely at peace with everything – no nagging anxiety about dishes or dustbunnies, no needless worrying about diapers or lack of sleep. It was just lovely to hang out as a family (yes, Enzo was there too). And then I looked out the window…

It was very sunny out, but the kind of winter sun where you just KNOW it’s frigid out there!! Across the street I could see a neighbour scrapping her car of ice, and she was NOT making any headway. “I really should go for a run” escaped my lips, and immediately the stress of adhering to my training plan crept back into my neck. After all, I didn’t go for my 5k run yesterday because of the snowstorm, but today’s conditions are no better since there’s a dusting of snow over VERY icy roads.

I looked down at my beautiful sleeping boy, and I decided it was now or never. He was napping, Angelo was home, I could lace up my shoes and be back in 30min.

The run was neither easy nor challenging – I was working to keep a good pace, but the effort wasn’t herculean.  And all at once I felt that same peace as I had over breakfast. And for the first time in 4 months, I felt good being completely alone. Sure I thought about my baby while on the run, but I certainly enjoyed the scenery and the solitude, too.

And hey, despite icy conditions and strong winds, I managed a 5k in under 30min. Added bonus: Nico was still asleep by the time I got home!

I actually reached this week’s goal and ran THREE times since last Sunday!! Hooray!

Getting back into running is tough, and getting back into it in the middle of winter is even more trying. I had to come up with all kinds of silly incentives to get out there and run.

Like today, I really didn’t want to go out running, but I promised myself that if I did, I would “reward” myself by cashing in my Lululemon gift certificate on Monday. It sort of worked, but it still took me a super long time to actually get out there. Seriously, I decided to go for a run at 1:00pm, but after nursing Nico, putting him on the potty, getting changed and going potty myself, getting him in his snowsuit, settling him into the stroller, and walking to the nearest plowed bike path, it was after 2:00pm before I actually started my run. Crazy.

Today’s run was considered my “long” run. At 5k, it doesn’t seem super long, but I haven’t run more than 3k at a time since I gave birth almost four months ago. I know that it’s important to either increase distance OR speed (and not both at the same time), so my plan was to keep my pace at around 6min/k. I really can’t sustain anything faster than that…

The Rideau Canal bike paths are plowed all winter! Good to know!

The weather was brisk and sunny, perfect winter running, which made the first half of the run really pleasant. I started at Dow’s Lake, and ran 2.5k. There were some NCC workers prepping the ice on the canal for Winterlude, so I stopped briefly to snap a photo, and then turned around to head back to my starting point.

The second half of the run was MUCH tougher. The sun was in my eyes, and the headwind was strong. Whereas I was able to just guide the stroller going out, I actually had to push it forward on the way back. I was huffing and puffing – even though my pace was slower than the first half, my exertion was much greater. I was really happy when I made it back to Dow’s Lake.

5k in 32:01 min. average pace of 6:24min/km.

I’ve been using Garmin Connect to download all my race info, and for the most part I like it. Here’s a snapshot of this week’s runs…

Remember a couple of weeks ago about my total inability to decide on a training watch?? I was torn between keeping my Suunto T3c and adding the foot pod, or going with the Garmin Forerunner 110 that my mom bought me for my birthday.

I just couldn’t decide which option would be best for me. I even went to MEC to talk to the salesclerk and get their opinion, but sadly, the guy who served me was unwilling to share which HE thought was best. He was great at listing out the pros and cons of each watch, but wouldn’t give me his personal take on which one he thought was better. So I was back to where I started.

I can’t believe it’s taken me an entire MONTH (my birthday was on November 28) to finally decide, but here it is:

The winner in the end is the Garmin. Not that it blows the Suunto away or anything. The Suunto has treated me really well these past couple of years, and I think that’s why it’s so hard to let it go. But in the end the GPS swayed me. With the Garmin I’ll be able to track not only my runs, but also bike rides, and swims or canoe excursions on the lake. And I like the idea of having just one piece of equipment instead of two. I don’t know how well the foot pod would handle regular wear and tear, and I don’t want to regret giving up the Garmin if in the end I’m not satisfied with the Suunto foot pod.

(btw, I still love my Suunto so much that I’m going to continue using it as my watch. I just can’t give it up cold turkey!)

So anyway, yesterday I pretty much had to force myself to go for a run. Despite battling this persistent cold, I knew I had to get out there. The weather was mild, and there was a snowfall warning for later on that evening, so it was a now-or-never situation. I was not motivated to run, but the thought of using a new gadget sure did help.

Until I opened the Garmin and realized it needed to be charged.  What a run fail!

So I strapped on my trusty Suunto and went out on one final run with it. I had no expectations for this run. I just needed to move one foot in front of the other. I ended up running a familiar route, that ends with a long slow incline. It was tough, but I did feel better after the run. I ran about 3k in 18:00. And at the end of it, I looked like this:

That’s a sweaty forehead AND a wicked toque mark. Gotta love winter running!!