Weekly Workouts, July 8-14, 2013

Workouts this week:

Tuesday – 2 x 1200 (2 min RI) and 4 x 800 (2 min RI)

I updated my running plan based on the book “Run Less Run Faster”.  This one ends the week of 9/22 and then I start training for Goofy Challenge.  And I also have a training plan for it.

I know speed workouts are supposed to be hard but how hard?  In the past I was doing them at 8:20 but it was just too difficult that I found myself taking breaks..a lot.  With that many breaks it just defeats the purpose of speed workouts.  So now my speed workouts will be more manageable but yet difficult for me and with time I will get that sub 2 half marathon!

These week’s workouts were the same as last week.  And I felt great (better than last week) when I was done.  I raised the incline to 1% and ran them in 9:01 (1200s) and 8:45 (800s).

Thursday – 1 mile easy, 2 miles @ 9:52, 1 mile easy, 2 miles @ 9:52,  1 mile easy
Done.  I was sweating up a storm when I was done.

Saturday – 10 miles
I met my friend, PA, for another long run along the lakefront.  We decided to meet at 6 am but he overslept and we did not start till close to 7.  I was annoyed but then realized that it happens (it could happen one day to me).  So I used the extra time to stretch and use the bathroom.

I used Aquaphor in the areas that I normally chafe and it worked!  However, because it was a hot day and I was sweating a lot, I also chafed in other areas that I normally do not and that left me very unhappy.

Sunday – Yoga
Another 1.5 hours of hot yoga.  I think I am getting the hang of it.  But my right leg/hamstring/hip is still very, very tight and some poses are just too difficult for me.  I know I need to stretch more so that I can do these.  Pretty cool huh?

Total miles ran this week is 24.5.

Three Things Thursday, July 11, 2013

1.  I am finally using my Lock Laces and let me tell you that I LOVE them!  Never again do I have to tie my laces again.  I remember I had a pair of Yankz but for some reason I did not like them so I either threw them away or gave them to a friend.  I hope it was the latter.  And because of the Yankz experience I hesitated to try the Lock Laces but am so glad I did.  They come in different colors so you can match them according to your shoes color.  

2.  Yes I am Disney crazy so I signed up for the TinkerBell Half Marathon in January.

3.  Lately I’ve been hearing so much about Aquaphor as an anti-chafing cream.  I’ve been using BodyGlide for as long as I can remember but I still chafe.  There is nothing worse than taking a shower and screaming in pain as the water hits that raw area.  I found a small Aquaphor tube in my dresser and will try it out and see if it is as good as people are saying.

Just Keep Running!

Weekly Workouts, July 1-7, 2013

Workouts this week:

Tuesday – 2 x 1200 (2 min RI) and 4 x 800 (2 min RI)
Tired. Not feeling it so I only ran 3.65 miles. I am losing my mojo to run intervals. Maybe I’ll take a break from them. Or maybe it was one of those days. But then again I’ve been having too many one of those days.

Thursday – 3 miles easy, 3 miles @ short tempo, 1 mile easy.
I ran 4.06 miles at the Community Bank of Elmhurst 4 on the 4th race.  It was a great race and you can read the recap here.

Saturday – 9 miles at HMP, 10 minutes walking
I met up with PA again at 7am on 31st street. We decided to alternate our meeting location because we live on opposite sides of this world. 🙂 It was already too hot at 7am. He had to run 11 miles and at first I was fine with it but then told him to go ahead without me and that he could meet up with me on the way back. I was no longer planning to run 11 miles. I finished my run and he came along about 15 minutes later. Next week we are meeting at 6am. His plan is 12 miles and mine is 10. We’ll see how it goes.

Sunday
Went back to Bikram Yoga Chicago for 1.5 hours of hot yoga. Today was the first time going on a Sunday. I found parking in front of the studio and there were no more than 20 people in the class. I don’t know if it is like that on Sundays or maybe people were away because of the holiday. The instructor was nice and friendly. He assisted me several times with some of the poses. I really need to go there more often. Some of those people are really flexible and have no trouble with the poses.

Total miles ran this week is 17.21.

Community Bank of Elmhurst 4 on the 4th

On Thursday, July 4th, I ran a 4 miler.  The last time I did this was in November 2008.  Let me just say that it is now one of my favorite races. 

The race started at 7:15 but being a morning person I was up at 5:30.  I had coffee and a Clif Bar.  I was not sure how long it would take me to get to the race so I left a little after 6am.  I got there at 6:30.  I found parking and went to pick up my bib.  On the way I found another runner, DL, whom I met at another race last year.  Packet pick up was a breeze and then I waited for the race to start.

Community Bank of Elmhurst 4 on the 4th

And off we went.  It was a nice course.  We ran through residences and part of downtown Elmhurst. By then it was warm but nothing out of control.  The first water stop was around mile 1.5.  I grabbed two cups and walked as I drank them.  I have not mastered the skill of running while drinking water. There was another stop before mile 3 but this time there was also watermelon so I grabbed a piece.  It was delicious!

The last mile was great!  I kept a good pace till almost close to the finish line.  Since it was uphill I just took a quick break for about 5 seconds and carried on.  My finish time was 41:19 and yes it was a PR!!  I am so excited and happy about it.  Now I want to do a 5K and see how I do.

Here are my splits:
Miles 1 through 2 – 9:39, 10:29
Miles 3 through 4 – 10:42, 9:57

I got so many compliments on my socks.

The shirt was nice.

Community Bank of Elmhurst 4 on the 4th

Three Things Thursday, July 4, 2013

1.  As you probably noticed on the header and website address, I purchased my own domain.  It is easier to remember and identifies more with me.  So make sure to save this page as one of your favorites: www.seezenaidarun.com   It is still a work in progress so if you have comments/suggestions, please let me know.

2. Happy Independence Day!  On this day 35 years ago I came to this country with my mother and siblings.  It was the beginning of a new life and a new home for me.  I am proud to be Mexican but I am also very proud to be an American (I became a U.S. citizen after my 18th birthday).  This country has given me so many opportunities.  My father brought us here to have a better life and indeed we have. Well, it may not be perfect but it is still a good life.

3.  I ran my first non-half marathon race today.  Well, not really since I’ve been running since 2005 but lately running only half marathons so you know what I mean.  I don’t know why I never ran this race but now I will make sure to do this every year.  The race I did today is the Community Bank of Elmhurst 4 on the 4th.  Not only was it a fun race but I also got a PR.  My last one was in November 2008 with a finish time of 44:28.  Today I finished in 41:19 (per my Garmin). Now I am motivated to run a 5K and see how I do.