3-22-14 Missing Runs

So I missed today's run. I will be pushing it back to Monday after I get out of class. The I will hit the Murdock Trail for 13 miles. But it doesn't change that pang of regret from missing a scheduled work out. I don't know what happened today, but I have been asleep most of the day. And mentally I am a mess. Which says to me that running would help, but I just can't will myself to get out and do it. IT SUCKS! So I took some medication that is supposed to help, but the drawback after I take I am not supposed to run, because it increases blood pressure and heart rate. This medication is as needed and was prescribed after three weeks of depression. Running is so therapeutic, and I wish I could always experience that post run feeling. I hope this post wasn't depressing, but it's a peak inside of what happens to me periodically.

Thanks for reading.

-Riley

How do you feel when you miss a workout?

What stops you from getting out at times?

3-20-14 On your left

I am not sure if I have talked about it over the past few weeks, but I have been battling a severe bout of depression. Running has helped to relieve the low and speed work surprisingly has helped the most. After I do it, I feel a little more normal. I missed my 5 mile run this week that wasn't speed work and I regret it. I was supposed to wake up early yesterday to do it, but had some homework to do.

The run was great, I didn't want to got at a faster pace for 8 minutes, but I did, and after the first time, I needed a second. I noticed by the end of the second 8 minutes my form had completely disappeared. I used all I had, and didn't fuel properly before I ran. A bow of cereal just wasn't enough. But after I ran I had a burrito, which was fantastic (even though it cam from a convenience store).

Ok, my title is On your left, yesterday I watched the first 11 minutes of Captain American: The Winter Soldier. In the beginning it has Captain America running laps around the reflecting pool in from of the Washington Monument. Every time he passes this other runner he says, "On your left." The other runner gets a little miffed and starts saying the last lap the Captain America does, No don't say it. Then he passes saying, "On your left." I laughed because I know how it feels to have that faster runner pass you, and what it feels like to pass someone. So it struck home to me and I thought someone else out there may appreciate it.

Time for homework, thanks for reading.

-Riley

3-18-14 A Great Run & 1 month until SLC Half!

To start off, I have been using the wrong name for my trainer. Her name is Lisa Menninger (not messinger). She's awesome. She has helped me to start running with better form and also challenges me some great work outs. She's going to help me through my spring and fall races, and shave time. I did 4 great miles, all under 13 min miles. Last year at this time I was sitting around not doing running and being overwhelmed.

The miles today I challenged myself to beat a 13 min mile. After Saturday I firmly believe that I can maintain a 12:20 for at least a 10k, if not more. I have yet to set my goal for my next half marathon, but it's going to be AWESOME! When I went into the run I realized I was going too fast for my usual pace, but I was breathing without wheezing, or losing my breath. When I got to mile 4, it was a big moment, because I accepted the challenge to run faster for that mile when I wasn't required to. I did what an article in Runner's World suggested and did 10-20 second bursts every few minutes to keep my pace up. I was running a sub 12 min mile without losing my breath. So now I am going to work at going faster when I do my long runs but making sure I am keeping at a pace where I'm not losing my breath.

This week I have three days of running in a row since I didn't make it out yesterday. I will be heading out tomorrow morning for an easy 5, I will keep all the miles sub 13 at least because I need to get my body to accept that my new pace is faster than what I have previously done, or accepted as my speed. Then on Thursday it's speed training, then Saturday a 13 mile long run where I am meeting up with the Ragnar team for the first part of the long run.

I went into a new running store that will be opening in the next couple of months today. I look forward to going there once they open. Why you may ask, because it's a big comfortable store. I like that. I will still get most of my gear and nutrition at the Runner's Corner, because they have been great to work with, and have encouraged me from the first day I walked in and said I decided to run a marathon. They have put up with my never ending questions and given there personal opinions. They also directed me to different places to run.

I have 10 more minutes until I start my homework, so thanks for reading!

-Riley

Questions:
When was your last great run?

How fast were you when you started running?

Run on 3-15-14, long run with mid range speed work

Yesterday was my long run, I was busy with getting this for Ragnar figured out, as well as spending some time gaming (I should have been doing homework). So I didn't get home until around 9, when I started work on some things for church today. It was a lot of being busy yesterday.
But here I am to report on my run. I did 7 miles (in my Torins) and made it through doing what I was suppose to, 4 miles slower, then 3 miles faster than the 4. I think I can keep up my 12+ min pace for longer than three miles. Which has me excited. I was only huffing and puffing when I increased my pace to 11:30 mile, or faster. Both mile 1 and 4 were under 14 minutes, I stopped to take some photos on mile 4, and was getting to the start of the trail for mile 1.

It's nice getting faster, the fartlek's and other speed drills have been very helpful. I owe a lot to Lisa Messinger for helping out with everything so far.

So I ran on the Murdock Canal Trail yesterday. It was nice to another trail besides the couple I have been running. This one will also be great for future speed work, it's fairly flat. I will be heading out tomorrow morning to get one of my mid range runs in before I head off for school. I will do an easy 5 miles.

For Ragnar I will be doing leg 5. Which has something akin to a trail run for the first set of miles, helping me to accomplish the goal of doing a trail run this year. I'l keep everyone posted as it comes closer.

I have decided on my second half marathon for the spring, I will be doing the Alpine Classic Half. If anyone wants to join me, you are more than welcome to come. It's fairly inexpensive for a half marathon ($55). So I will have races April, May, and June. Then I am going to focus on cross training and more speed work over the rest of the summer, then October, and November for my last races of the year.

I need to get back to making dinner, thanks for reading.

-Riley

3-13-14 Speed Work... Speed Work... Speed Work!

Today I did speed work. My run was ho hum until I started my speed work. At mile 2 it started, I picked up pace to just under a 10 minute mile. I continued it for half a mile, slowed down to my 13:30ish pace, then after a half mile boosted back up to my faster pace again. I did that a total of three times. Holy, that third half mile I thought I would be able to maintain the hard breathing pace pace, but I was winded. It was tough.

Weight wise (if you didn't see my Facebook post) I have lost 40 lbs. since I started running last may. 20 of that has been since January. After my marathon I put back on 10 lbs. and went back to 306 lbs. I am now down to 286 lbs. My goal for the next three months is another 20 lbs. If I keep to my training and watching my caloric intake, and change what I eat a bit more, I should be able to do it easily. My goal weight is currently 240 lbs. But when I get there I will evaluate if I want to lose more.

When I first started I was wearing a size 44 pants, XXL t-shirts, and 3XL button up shirts (that I couldn't do the top button on. I am now wearing a size 38 for my pants, and an XL in t-shirts and button up shirts. I am still unable to do the top button on my shirt but that's because I have a big neck, holding up a fat head.

Races for the year. I will be paying for Ragnar this week (and will be looking at the various routes this Saturday). Salt Lake City Half marathon is already paid for. I am looking at doing the Vigor Big Cottonwood Half or The Alpine Half. They fall in the right spot to recover from the SLC Half, and will allow me recover time for Ragnar. Then I will not be doing any runs during the hot time of the year and just train for the two fall races I will be doing, the Provo Halloween Half or and the Thankful 13 at thanksgiving point. I may volunteer at a race during the summer.

Well I have homework to do still, thanks for reading.

-Riley

3-12-14 When a short run becomes long

Today I made it to the gym for a few miles, and really struggled to get them in. They just seemed to drag out forever! I wish I could have done it all yesterday. Tomorrow I have speed drills in the morning, it will be nice. I need to get to work on some drawing, thanks for taking a minute to read this little post.

-Riley

3-10-14 Running with my Wife

I got back from my run just over 4 hours ago. It was a real eye opener for me. I had the chance to run again with my wife (who is amazing) and got to experience running like it was when I had only been doing it for a little while. She is in better shape than I was when I first started, and will be better than me at running if she decides to keep at it. But it was nice to get a peak at where I have been, and compare it to where I am now. I have come a long way in 10 months. My last mile on my splits is the one I did with my wife. I also did part of mile 4 with her,, otherwise I would have run too hard and exhausted myself before my run tomorrow.

Now that I have determined I can run in my Altra's again, I will be starting up my rotation with my shoes again. So I will do all of my runs in my Altra's this week (which should put me close to 180 miles on them at the end of the week). I really like the zero drop platform for a shoe. I don't experience the heel dragging at all which is nice. I also like how light they are. That's the biggest difference between my shoes.

I think I will leave this post as it is, thanks for reading.
-Riley