Sunday, January 27, 2013

HR Zone Training. You do? You don't?

Four weeks (long runs) into this marathon training.  I feel that it is time for a new blog.  Anyone who was around for my last marathon training knows how I struggled with finding motivation...and that was right at the beginning when it was 90* outside.  Now, it's a balmy 20-30* average and I have not skipped any of my long runs.  Yay!!  Mini-wins, right?  Not that I love the frigid air.  I don't.  It is miserable.  My asthma seems to be creeping back in on me with this "chill". 

My 9 mile run yesterday was, how shall I say this, not enjoyable.  I felt like a fat kid trying to get to the top of the hill.  I. could. not. breathe.  My chest and lungs hurt.  My brain was fighting me.  My knee was protesting, as well.  It was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad run.  Just last week I ran a faster 12 miles on my own and I was fine as froggy hair.  I think it was a combination of the cold air and running with others faster than me.  I push myself harder than I should.  I know that I'm not as fast but yet I fight so very hard to keep up.  Why?  We won't be running the race together...I know that.  They know that.  We all know that.

Soooo, here's my plan.  I want to start heart rate zone training.  Rather than feeling like my lungs and heart will burst at any minute, I will train my body to run in that zone where I can run forever.  I know that it will be frustrating at times and that I will majorly slow down at first buuuttt I hope that by the time Big Sur rolls around I will be fully capable of completing that marathon and completing it within a decent amount of time because I won't have killed myself at the start.

I, also, don't want to end up hating training.  I don't want to lose my motivation.  I have been doing ok so far and cannot put so much pressure on myself that I dread running.  I run because I feel free when I do it.  I don't do it to punish myself.  I can't let it get to that point again.

Therefore, I ask you, my readers, whomever you may be...what are your thoughts on zone training?  Have you tried it?  Did you like it?  Pros/cons? 

Run happy, my friends!

Monday, January 7, 2013

I'm Back!!

Not only did I make it through my first long run by myself, I enjoyed it!  I think I've found my run once again.  I had lost it somewhere over the summer/fall and was afraid that I would loathe training for Big Sur.  This race has been on my bucket list since I saw a picture of the Bixby Bridge in Runners World.
 
Yes, from first sight, you can see that it will be challenging.  But, if I minded a challenge, I wouldn't be me.  I cannot wait to run on this beautiful canvas!  And also to enjoy the other side of the country for a few days :)  

Back to my run,  I ended up having to run alone.  My partners-in-crime ran yesterday but I spent some time with the fam for my dad's birthday.  I was dreading not looking forward to this run.  I have not ran over 5 miles in months, literally.  8 miles was going to be miserable...but somewhere along the way, somewhere between mile 3 and mile 6 I fell in love with running again.  I had a great run and am pretty much looking forward to the next few months running with my great friends...

Until next time, here's a little picture I took during my run today.  A sunny day is my favorite!