"What am I even doing with my life?" Comments Welcome!

[DopeyBadger]

I wanted to post about today's run while it's fresh in my mind. I have some takeaways that I really need to drill into myself.

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To start, yesterday's run was pretty uneventful. I will say that short runs *feel* more difficult sometimes, . It's absolutely a mental thing because my HR is low, but they are just so boring. I always look at my watch and grumble at the fact that I *still* have a mile left, etc., yet on longer runs those short miles feel like nothing.

Alright. Today's run. As a reminder, here are what my paces are supposed to be. I was to run 1 mile easy (15:24), 2 miles at M tempo (13:24), and 3 miles at HM tempo (12:51).

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Things started out on track. I purposefully tried to keep my warm up mile slow. My easy runs have been a little fast this whole training plans. I was successful and finished the mile at 12:25.

My 2 mile M tempo interval did not go quite as well. I finished the 2 miles at an average pace of 12:47. You'll notice that this is a couple seconds faster than my HM tempo. What's frustrating is that while running it, I did try to be cognizant of my pace, but attempted not to glance down at my watch all too much. I didn't want to hurt my breathing either. Clearly, not successful. Still, it was hard, but it went pretty well.

My 3 miles HM tempo interval is where things really went off the rails. I finished the 3 miles at an average pace of 12:22 - very close to 10k pace. The splits were:

• Mile 1: 12:20
• Mile 2: 12:29
• Mile 3: 12:15

I was able to finish, but not without a case of some pretty unpleasant side stitch again. It popped up at about mile 4.2 of the run (just after I started Mile 2 of the HM tempo interval). I was able to push through it. I took @JAMIESMITH 's advice, which did help a bit (thanks!). It's crazy to look at mile 2 and see that it was only 9 seconds slower than mile one. I started walking a portion of my run intervals for most of mile 2. This means that when i was running, I was running way too fast. I'm beginning to think running too fast during these runs is negatively affecting me. Not only is it making the runs harder than they should be, but they are also affecting my breathing and causing side stitch.

I'm not purposefully running faster than I should. I'm very frustrated by how poorly I am at pacing myself. I've been on a DB plan since last April and I STILL struggle with pacing. I seem to go a full "tempo" faster than I should be at all times, even when I *think* I'm going slower and actively try to slow down. I don't know how to get my mind and my body to figure it out, but something really needs to give or I'm going to keep getting side stitch or end up injuring myself.

Anywho, just about a month until Princess and I'm very excited! The trip is super chaotic (outside the races) at the moment because a very large friend group is going, but no one can seem to figure out what they are doing and have put me and a one other friend in charge of making plans. Yet, getting answers from anyone is like pulling teeth. Gah!

Looking forward, Sunday will be my longest run ever at 10 miles! Slowly working toward that half marathon!

Well you could look at it through one lens and see that you're going too fast based on what was originally scheduled. Doing HM Tempo for M Tempo and 10k for HM Tempo.

But look at it through a different lens. You just did about 5 miles of a hair above 10k pace in the middle of a training plan with additional miles the day prior. And I bet you didn't necessarily feel like it was an all out effort for those 5 miles, right? So maybe you are going a touch too fast, but maybe you've made the gains you're hoping for. Now with that being said, the warning is always that cardio gains outpace those of muscular gains. It usually comes at the 8-12 week mark in training. This is Week 11. So the danger of this time period is that you feel like you can (cardio), but your body isn't ready yet (muscular). So I think you're proving that once you get to race day you can, but at this moment in time try hard to keep pulling back. Clearly based on the easy days you can run slower. So maybe mentally think of HM Tempo workouts as M Tempo instead? Then it would equal HM Tempo (cause you're one notch too fast).

 

[StacyStrong]

Well you could look at it through one lens and see that you're going too fast based on what was originally scheduled. Doing HM Tempo for M Tempo and 10k for HM Tempo.

But look at it through a different lens. You just did about 5 miles of a hair above 10k pace in the middle of a training plan with additional miles the day prior. And I bet you didn't necessarily feel like it was an all out effort for those 5 miles, right? So maybe you are going a touch too fast, but maybe you've made the gains you're hoping for. Now with that being said, the warning is always that cardio gains outpace those of muscular gains. It usually comes at the 8-12 week mark in training. This is Week 11. So the danger of this time period is that you feel like you can (cardio), but your body isn't ready yet (muscular). So I think you're proving that once you get to race day you can, but at this moment in time try hard to keep pulling back. Clearly based on the easy days you can run slower. So maybe mentally think of HM Tempo workouts as M Tempo instead? Then it would equal HM Tempo (cause you're one notch too fast).

I much prefer this way of thinking of it! Gains! Still, I definitely don't want to push it too hard if my body (musculature) may not be ready yet. I think you mentioned this to me on my last training plan as well. Definitely a good reminder as it slipped my mind.

 

[StacyStrong]

I am here to close out the week! Yesterday's run got cut short. I was running really late that morning. I was spending the day at a friend's house. We were making several dozen homemade pierogi and I accidentally slept in. I made sure to get in as much mileage as I could before I had to shower and leave.

Today was my longest run! It went fine, but the last two miles were a bit rough on the legs. They were starting to feel sore. Still getting used to these runs above 10k. Overall, a pretty good week.

I also made my tutu for the half today! I need to add a couple things to it, but it's done for the most part. I'm going as Cruella and will have black/white poms in my hair and red compression arm sleeves. Not sure what else (if anything) I will add.

 

[michigandergirl]

Love the tutu!!

 

[StacyStrong]

Thanks!!! I'm not a super creative person so I was really happy to learn how easy they are to make.

 

[StacyStrong]

Midweek update:

First 5 minute I-Pace run donezo. It was hard, but I completed it without any (significant) problems. The I Pace was a little fast, but my recovery portion was a little slower than I would have liked. It IS recovery though, so makes sense.

WU Goal: 1 mile @ 15:24
Actual: 1 mile @ 15:19

I Pace ended up being 2.3 miles @ 13:03 (including the RI). Splits were:
Mile 1: 12:34
Mile 2: 12:28
Last .3: 16:46 - (this was mostly a RI)

CD Goal 1 mile @ 15:24
Actual: 1.06 @ 15:05

 

[StacyStrong]

I ran Saturday blind and it ended up being too fast. I felt pretty good though and my HR actually ended up being slightly lower than Sunday's run.

This current week is my peak training week and I'm really not looking forward to it, honestly. I'm just feeling really worn down. I'm excited to start tapering...!

 

[DopeyBadger]

This current week is my peak training week and I'm really not looking forward to it, honestly. I'm just feeling really worn down. I'm excited to start tapering...!

Sounds like peak week to me! You can do this!

 

[disneygpa]

I'm just feeling really worn down. I'm excited to start tapering...!

Stay strong! This is exactly how I felt coming into my peak week of Dopey training.... You got this!!

 

[StacyStrong]

Sounds like peak week to me! You can do this!

I CAN do this, but....do I want to?! Haha, kidding!

Surprisingly, my HR on my run today was lower than it has EVER been. Almost too low which has me questioning if it was getting a good read - it doesn't matter either way (since I don't rely on HR data), but I was shocked when I looked after the run!

Stay strong! This is exactly how I felt coming into my peak week of Dopey training.... You got this!!

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one! I'm just mentally ready to be on vacation already.

 

[StacyStrong]

Today did not go at all as planned. I knew it was supposed to snow today, but I kept checking the weather periodically. It wasn't supposed to start snowing until around 4 so my plan was to log off work early so that I could get most of my run in before it started snowing. At that point, a little snow wouldn't hurt me, right? Wrong.

When I logged off, it was already snowing. Hard. Still, I laced up my shoes and went out there. That...did not go well. It wasn't slippery yet, but the snowflakes were big and fat and heavy. I couldn't see at all. My eyes were half closed for all of....0.5 miles. I had to call it quits. I simply could not run safely with how little visibility there was.

I didn't want to completely bail out on my run so I decided to go to the gym. UGH. Traffic was a NIGHTMARE and the roads were horrible. By the time I made it to the gym it was pretty late and I was starting to get hungry. Still, I ran.



Unfortunately, I did not get anywhere close to the mileage intended. I ended up adding another 1 mile easy and then about 1 mile at M Tempo and 1.3 miles at HM Tempo. Unfortunately, I was getting really hungry. I can tell the difference between "I need fuel" and "I need a meal." With all the hoopla trying to start running, it ended up being around dinner time. Hunger coupled with the fact that I still needed to go home, shower, eat, AND finish working for the day made me have to call it early. I just didn't have the time.

The mileage/pace above is based on a combo of the outdoor run and what the treadmill said (for what it's worth - I don't really trust it).

Very wordy post just to ask @DopeyBadger if I need to modify the plan at all. I missed 3 miles at HM Tempo. However, we are officially just over 2 weeks out. Tapering starts next week. In my mind, it's too late to make any changes to the plan and the missed 3 miles won't make too much of a difference, but since they were a "hard" 3 miles, I wanted to double check. I can modify if needed!

On one hand, I'm really frustrated I didn't get this full run in as planned as it was a peak week. On the other hand, I'm so happy I did everything I could to get it in. In the past, I would have looked outside and said "meh" and not even tried. This time, I tried to run outside and when that didn't work, I made the effort to go to the gym. Progress!

 

[Mumof4mice]

On the other hand, I'm so happy I did everything I could to get it in. In the past, I would have looked outside and said "meh" and not even tried. This time, I tried to run outside and when that didn't work, I made the effort to go to the gym. Progress!

Way to go, Stacy!

 

[DopeyBadger]

Congrats on the mental game!

I'd say let it go and move on. Plenty of work still left to be done the remainder of the week and you certainly don't want to increase the difficulty of this weekend's runs. But in the event your legs fresher than originally intended this weekend, just be sure to continue to pull back on the pacing and not dig a bigger deficit that intended. The race isn't this weekend, it's in two weeks.

 

[StacyStrong]

Way to go, Stacy!

Thanks! I followed it up with a treadmill run today too. I really really hate the treadmill, but this is the worst weather of the season for us so far! I'm new to running still and haven't mastered the 'couple inches of snow' runs yet.

 

[StacyStrong]

Congrats on the mental game!

I'd say let it go and move on. Plenty of work still left to be done the remainder of the week and you certainly don't want to increase the difficulty of this weekend's runs. But in the event your legs fresher than originally intended this weekend, just be sure to continue to pull back on the pacing and not dig a bigger deficit that intended. The race isn't this weekend, it's in two weeks.

Thanks, Billy. I'll keep that in mind and be sure to keep it nice and easy this weekend.

 

[StacyStrong]

Peak week turned into a decidedly not-peak week. Sigh. I mostly blame the weather, but at the end of the day, I should have started my run right when I woke up to avoid it. I ended my run on the treadmill early. I'm sure I could have done more but I hate hate treadmill runs. I'll blame myself here. Ah well.

Princess is SO soon and I can't wait.

Side rant - Planning a large family disney trip is SOOOO frustrating, especially with people who don't do disney often. They are so wishy washy on what they want to do.

 

[StacyStrong]

I leave for Princess in just barely over a week. I am very excited, but also geeez it's been a mess getting everyone organized.

There are....12 people total on this trip? I think. 8 of us are running.

Of the people running, one is coming back from a knee injury and hasn't been able to train since Hot Chocolate in November. Another got pregnant after registration. The two of them should be walking a majority of the races. The pregnant one is a doctor, so she's got her doctor's approval . Another person we will be with is an A corral racer, so she will be doing her own thing.

I think my current plan is to "race" the 10k by myself. Then, for the half, I'll take it pretty easy and it'll be more of a "fun run" so that I can run parts of it with different members of the group - most likely it'll just be me and my cousin for the most part based on the varying fitness levels/injuries of the group. I also plan on stopping for some characters during the half. I didn't stop for characters during the Star Wars 10k. I was in the last corral and so worried about finishing my first race. Since I'm "racing" the 10k, I won't stop for characters either. With the 10k the day before and starting in a earlier corral, stopping during the half seems like a good opportunity.

This will be my first half. I've put in MOST of the training as written so I absolutely need/want to find another half to run so that I can really see what I can do.

 

[Kazrak]

I think my current plan is to "race" the 10k by myself. Then, for the half, I'll take it pretty easy and it'll be more of a "fun run" so that I can run parts of it with different members of the group - most likely it'll just be me and my cousin for the most part based on the varying fitness levels/injuries of the group. I also plan on stopping for some characters during the half. I didn't stop for characters during the Star Wars 10k. I was in the last corral and so worried about finishing my first race. Since I'm "racing" the 10k, I won't stop for characters either. With the 10k the day before and starting in a earlier corral, stopping during the half seems like a good opportunity.

From my experience with the Star Wars 10k/Half last year, that worked pretty well for me. (However, it wasn't my first half, and I was starting in corral E so I knew I had a lot of buffer.) I ran the 10k reasonably quickly, then did a lot of pictures during the half. Every picture that I had wanted during the 10k was also there for the half, plus more.

 

[StacyStrong]

Let's talk about all the ways this last week or two has gone completely off the rails. I have the worst luck.

I have been having abdominal pain on and off for over a week. Eventually I called my doctor because the pain was starting to worry me. After talking it over with him, he wanted me to go to the ER because what I described sounded like an issue with my gallbladder. I asked if I could go to an urgent care instead and I got a very quick "no."

I felt really ridiculous going because the pain kept coming and going and wasn't THAT bad. Welp, I went anyway. Spent my Friday at the hospital. I had a battery of blood work done and ultrasounds on my upper abdomen. Turns out, nothing abnormal was shown on any of the tests. The pain is still faint and comes and goes. The ER doc wants me to see a GI specialist because I guess it could be a digestive issue or something that won't appear on the tests they ran. A non-emergency though.

Of course, ever since the hospital I've been coughing and my nose has been leaking like a faucet. I still have several days before the races so I'm not particularly worried (it's already getting better), but I SWEAR my body KNOWS when a vacation or race is coming up and just decides to revolt.

It's safe to say that I'm taking it extra careful and haven't ran since Tuesday - super super annoying, but I'd rather go into the race healthy, rested and with a slight loss in fitness than ill, injured, or with an exploding abdomen.

I'm irritated, but it is what it is and I still think I'll have a great trip and Challenge experience.

 

[michigandergirl]

I had my gallbladder out about 10 years ago. I had similar episodes to what you are describing. Did you have any foods or meals high in fat on that day? My episodes started when we would occasionally go out for a fatty meal. I thought I was feeling bad because it wasn't a healthy meal, but in hindsight, it was just that I couldn't digest the fat properly. It got so bad, I couldn't even eat peanut butter or avocados without throwing up. So anyways, whatever the problem is, I hope you can get some answers from the GI.