Behind on blogs and posting---I have been getting through my backlogged reader but not commenting a whole lot---sorry guys. I even got tagged by AJH at Age Group Rocks, I’ll be posting the tag tomorrow.
Anyway, before I tell you about my weekend of workouts, I gotta pause and shout out a HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my awesome running buddy Amy. Happy Birthday---hope you had a great trail run and bloody mary’s this morning!
Last week, I didn’t run as much, in fact my running has been lack luster lately, more on this in a minute but I did have a great bike ride and awesome swim.
Saturday, I went to the swim workout with my new tri club and found out they were going to do the second half of the workout as a swim meet. I haven’t dove off blocks or competed in any swim events (besides two tri swims) since high school! I signed up for pretty much every event they were going to be holding (which meant I was probably going to be doing a couple back to back). After a good warm up we started the “meet.” My goal was to not come in last in any of my heats---success! I won my heat of the 200 free, came in second in the 50 free (surprising since I did the 200 free and 50 free back-to-back). I was mid-pack in the backstroke (both the 100 and 200) and mid-pack in the 100 IM. I can't believe I did a whole 25 of fly without wanting to die. I usually just do one arm fly. I did two breast events, 100 and 50—these were my weakest events, second to last in both. Not that surprising since breast is my weakest stroke.
After swimming, I felt great! The sun was shining so I got on my bike for a ride. Mr. Pi, me and two other friends headed out on the Springwater Trail. It was a gorgeous day albeit a little cold and a LOT windy. One of our friends was on a mountain bike so we kept the pace easy on the way out, not to mention there was a headwind! On the way back our friend told us to just go on and he’d catch up. Definitely hit a negative spilt. First half avg 11.5 MPH, second half avg 16 MPH, total 25.5 miles/12.5 MPH. I’ll take it! Best thing about this ride, I felt like I could keep going and going and going. I’m loving that 25 miles is no biggy anymore. Wish I had taken pictures---sorry guys I suck.
Sunday was our long run. The group met out at the Banks-Vernonia Trail and again we were treated to beautiful sunny skies. However, like I said, I just haven’t been feeling my runs. It’s almost like my endurance has gotten worse not better. Every time I run I feel labored, tired and my legs feel so heavy! WTF?!?! I decided not to push it and turned out at 4 miles with Sarah. We had a leisurely run back to the parking lot followed by a riveting game of Apples to Apples with the other shorter distance runners. Amy, Mr. Pi and Jenn pulled in the long numbers for the week and all finished strong. I’m not going to stress out about running but I am somewhat annoyed about how I’ve been feeling. It’s like I’ve lost my motivation for running. I’ve also been really intimidated by hills, which is unfortunate because I work and live near hills. Hmmmm, how to get out of the slump!?!?
One idea to get out of the slump is to do a course preview. After reading all of Danica’s awesome posts on the LA Marathon, I was thinking of doing a course preview of my half marathon coming up in April. My best friend Kristen (who is taking the California Bar exam as I type) is coming up for this race and Penny was considering flying up too. I’ve run the race before so I kinda already know the course but I thought it’d be fun to show it off for Kristen (and anyone else considering running it). I definitely need something!
Another idea is to try to run at least one mile farther every month this year. I set the bar pretty low with January mileage 75.78 miles. This might be a fun and motivating goal.
Other ideas for getting out of a running slump...send them my way pretty please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stats for last week:
Running: 16.8 miles--pathetic really
Biking: 32 miles (25.5 outside in the glorious sunshine)
Swimming: 3950 yards (an approximation, since I'm not sure how many yards I actually swam during the swim meet)
Weights: 30 minute circuit at home, no weights class
12 comments:
I've been there. Slumps suck and are heard to get out of. I think you have a good idea of following Danica and doing a preview run. Something exciting like that! You need something fun to do on a run so you look forward to it and enjoy it for what it is and not worry about pace, etc. Hope you get out of it soon!
I'm sure it will turn around soon! You've been having such good biking & swimming days, and I think it's hard to be ON for all three sports at once! :)
Thank for the birthday wishes. I had a great morning run + brunch & bloody marys.
Sometimes when I'm in a slump, I take a week off and do something completely different. Maybe that would help.
It sounds like swimming and biking are going well. Don't shoot yourself over the running. Would new routes help for running? Find a route/path/trail you have wanted to try and go for it. Go with a friend you never get to see.
Awesome job on the swim meet- how fun! I would have been last in everything! haha. Great job on the ride too- so glad you got to get out and enjoy the sunshine. :)
With all these great rides and swims, don't worry about the running! It'll come around. Maybe it would help to look back a mere 2-3 weeks ago when you had some awesome runs and remind yourself how strong you are. Also, until you get your mojo back, maybe ditch the watch and just get out and enjoy the scenery?
Hope to see you soon! Texting you back now about those workouts you mentioned. :)
You've been doing well with keeping active in general - I don't think your running fitness will be dropping as much as you fear :)
When I get in a running slump, I find that running a new route seems to help. New scenery can make a big difference, and after a week or two adding in a new place, your old route will have changed a little bit and become more interesting.
Trying to hit a monthly mileage goal was really motivating for me too. You could try to hit a number for running/biking (with 3 miles bike = 1 mile run or so) to keep both going strong!
I agree with Jen - you've been working out plenty and so don't worry too much about your running. it'll be back.
in the meantime, ring the changes! run somewhere else, listen to something new, run without your watch - just shake it up.
We've all been there; keep a positive attitude and things will turn around. You're doing an awesome job on the swimming and biking, you'll get the running mojo back soon. Your body could also be telling you it's a little tired and needs some rest.
Keep smiling!
I am looking forward to the course preview! That is such a cute idea.
Okay, I don't want to hear about your lack of running because I more than 75 miles behind you. You are out there - that is great. They aren't always the best runs but you are making the effort - that is all that matters.
The swim meet sounds fun! I wonder if I can even still dive off a block.
See you in 6 weeks!
I think your doing awesome Alisa! I'd love to say I ran 16.8 miles in a week. It may be hard to take advice from someone so out of shape but something that helps me is when its tough in the work out to get through a rough spot imagine yourself looking how you'd ideally want and realizing your run makes you closer to that...also just lots of positive talk and realizing how good you'll feel after.....also this is probably harder for longer runs I'm just working on getting my 5k but something also is just saying hey it's only 30 tough minutes of my day I can do this and it will be worth it...slumps come to me too when I'm not working on a goal with it or I'm pushing myself too hard or too little, You've been doing so much though I think it's normal too...it's fun to do physical things also that are funner (like a nice hike, ice skating, rollerbladding, kayaking etc) or taking a break sometimes?? Those are just my thoughts...don't negative talk yourself at all though and after the workout tell yourself good job! 4 miles of running is awesome it can be hard on the joints so sometimes its healthy not to over workout something if it's hurting......well those are all my thoughts. I think your doing awesome.
Hey, just found this blog.
I'm up in Seattle and have truly enjoyed our mild winter and being able to run outdoors. I did a blog post on motivation....check it out:
http://www.runwithjill.com/2010/02/04/marathon-training-staying-motivated/
Looking forward to following your blog.
jill
http://www.runwithjill.com
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