Saddle Blazer Half Marathon Training Day 15
Hello, everyone!
I am back to tell you about another day of training. I went out for my run later than usual, about 11:15 because I was waiting for it to warm up. Boy am I glad I did. The weather was really pleasant, about 45 degrees when I hit the trails. I was still pretty sore from my 4 miles yesterday and lifting the day before that. I am not used to that many days of consecutive training, but an aspiring ultrarunner needs to learn how to run on tired legs.
I drove to my favorite trail running spot in Austin and was thrilled to be met with a mostly empty parking lot. I like that Austin is full of active people but I don't like being almost taken out by mountain bikes or being chased by dogs. I was a little annoyed/frightened by a man that approached me after I had set my strava and was headed toward the trail. His English wasn't the best, but I heard him out. From what I could gather, he lost his dog and some other park goers had stolen it. He wanted to know if I knew anything about this. He seemed pretty distraught, but I was wary. We all know how Buffalo Bill lured his prey in Silence of the Lambs...a sob story or request for help are sometimes not that at all. I am also very aware of my smaller size. 120lbs makes me easier to fight and carry away than my previous 184. I was glad for my pepper spray in my pocket but I ended up not needing it. The man was just said and was hoping I knew something.
I know that some readers might think I am one of those paranoid women who think all men are rapist predators. I don't. But I have been scared and cornered before and I don't like not knowing if I will be able to escape a situation. I know that most people are good, but I should be prepared to encounter someone who isn't. Think of it this way, if I am wrong in assuming someone is a threat, then the result is that I may seem aloof, bitchy, or paranoid. If am wrong in assuming that someone is nice, then the result is that I could end up dead. That's just how it is and I will take bitchy over dead any day of the week.
Anywho...despite the shaky start, I picked up speed and felt pretty good in the technical part of my favorite path. I set some new PRs even on certain segments according to strava. I didn't feel pain in my hipjoint, which has been an issue the past few days. I started to feel winded and tired halfway through my three miles, but I tried to keep pushing it. Frankly, I felt pretty fast which was why I was a little bummed to discover my average speed was a 12 min mile. My splits were pretty uneven, likely due to stopping to talk to Lost Dog Man. I ran my average speed 10min mile for the last mile, so that is comforting.
My takeaway is that I simply don't run on the trails enough. I want to aim for at least one run per week at the park. I need to work on speed in the technical bits. My split for technical part was atrocious. Otherwise I am proud of myself for running three days in a row.
Finally, I managed to make it to the gym to do Day A of Bret Contreras' Strong Curves "Bootyful Beginnings". My booty is still not full or be-a-utiful but hey, the "point" is to strengthen my posterior chain to make me a better runner. Having a bangin' behind will be a bonus if it does happen.
I almost didn't make it. I argued with myself that maybe I could go tomorrow morning, but then I would be sacrificing what I had planned to be full rest day. I ate dinner and started watching the Eddie Hall Strongman documentary and when he started describing his dedication to training I began to think. I asked myself if staying home on the couch was moving me closer to or further from my goal. I answered myself that it was moving me further so I laced up my shoes and got in my car.
All my movements were strong and I made progress except for on the dumbbell bench press. I tried to do 3x9x40lbs up from 3x8x40lbs last time. I failed my last rep on my last set, but it's still moving forward I suppose. The Romanian deadlifts were killer, but I'm happy with the intensity I brought to that exercise. All in all it was a good full day of training.
I am back to tell you about another day of training. I went out for my run later than usual, about 11:15 because I was waiting for it to warm up. Boy am I glad I did. The weather was really pleasant, about 45 degrees when I hit the trails. I was still pretty sore from my 4 miles yesterday and lifting the day before that. I am not used to that many days of consecutive training, but an aspiring ultrarunner needs to learn how to run on tired legs.
I drove to my favorite trail running spot in Austin and was thrilled to be met with a mostly empty parking lot. I like that Austin is full of active people but I don't like being almost taken out by mountain bikes or being chased by dogs. I was a little annoyed/frightened by a man that approached me after I had set my strava and was headed toward the trail. His English wasn't the best, but I heard him out. From what I could gather, he lost his dog and some other park goers had stolen it. He wanted to know if I knew anything about this. He seemed pretty distraught, but I was wary. We all know how Buffalo Bill lured his prey in Silence of the Lambs...a sob story or request for help are sometimes not that at all. I am also very aware of my smaller size. 120lbs makes me easier to fight and carry away than my previous 184. I was glad for my pepper spray in my pocket but I ended up not needing it. The man was just said and was hoping I knew something.
I know that some readers might think I am one of those paranoid women who think all men are rapist predators. I don't. But I have been scared and cornered before and I don't like not knowing if I will be able to escape a situation. I know that most people are good, but I should be prepared to encounter someone who isn't. Think of it this way, if I am wrong in assuming someone is a threat, then the result is that I may seem aloof, bitchy, or paranoid. If am wrong in assuming that someone is nice, then the result is that I could end up dead. That's just how it is and I will take bitchy over dead any day of the week.
Anywho...despite the shaky start, I picked up speed and felt pretty good in the technical part of my favorite path. I set some new PRs even on certain segments according to strava. I didn't feel pain in my hipjoint, which has been an issue the past few days. I started to feel winded and tired halfway through my three miles, but I tried to keep pushing it. Frankly, I felt pretty fast which was why I was a little bummed to discover my average speed was a 12 min mile. My splits were pretty uneven, likely due to stopping to talk to Lost Dog Man. I ran my average speed 10min mile for the last mile, so that is comforting.
My takeaway is that I simply don't run on the trails enough. I want to aim for at least one run per week at the park. I need to work on speed in the technical bits. My split for technical part was atrocious. Otherwise I am proud of myself for running three days in a row.
Finally, I managed to make it to the gym to do Day A of Bret Contreras' Strong Curves "Bootyful Beginnings". My booty is still not full or be-a-utiful but hey, the "point" is to strengthen my posterior chain to make me a better runner. Having a bangin' behind will be a bonus if it does happen.
I almost didn't make it. I argued with myself that maybe I could go tomorrow morning, but then I would be sacrificing what I had planned to be full rest day. I ate dinner and started watching the Eddie Hall Strongman documentary and when he started describing his dedication to training I began to think. I asked myself if staying home on the couch was moving me closer to or further from my goal. I answered myself that it was moving me further so I laced up my shoes and got in my car.
All my movements were strong and I made progress except for on the dumbbell bench press. I tried to do 3x9x40lbs up from 3x8x40lbs last time. I failed my last rep on my last set, but it's still moving forward I suppose. The Romanian deadlifts were killer, but I'm happy with the intensity I brought to that exercise. All in all it was a good full day of training.
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