4 days in
Hey Party People!
Hope you had a fantastic 4th of July, and that your dog or cat didn't run away because of the fireworks! (News is on in the background as I write this, and that is one of the stories coming up, poor puppies looked so sad and scared!) I was unfortunately/fortunately home during the fireworks last night as I had to be awake beyond early for work, so I saw how my fur-baby reacts to fireworks. Bart (my cat) reacted more like it was a thunderstorm, trying to 'hide" when it got really loud, other than that, he was just kind of like, "what's going on???"
So, as this entry is titled, I am a whooping 4 days into my latest training cycle for the 2017 Twin Cities Ultra Loony Challenge. So far, I am feeling good, but can already feel the difference in the intensity in this new program vs. what I have done in the past. Sunday, I started my training with a 7 mile tempo run, essentially a tempo run is where you hold a steady, fast-ish pace rather than running by feel where you might let yourself back off if you are starting to feel tired. Monday, I had a recovery run broken up with striders, this workout reminded me of the 50/50's we did in cross country when I was in high school. I had forgotten how much I like those little speed burst to break up a slow recovery pace. It's normal to look forward to 'sprinting' for an undetermined distance at undetermined intervals, for 7 miles, right? I mean, who wouldn't love that?!
Yesterday, the 4th of July, I had the honor of being a pace group leader for the 8th annual Twin Cities In Motion, Red, White & Boom half marathon. I had the task of helping those wanting to finish the 13.1 miles in 1:50. I was a bit nervous about this, not because I thought I couldn't run that time, but because I don't always run even mile splits. I figured it out and got my group across the line in time, actually the bulk of them finished ahead of me, so I guess I did my job. Some very gracious runners thanked me for my efforts and let me know I really did help them. This was so nice to hear, again because I do get nervous that I will mess up someones race, however, maybe I do not need to be so concerned about it.
Today would have brought me hill repeats. I was so looking forward to this challenge, however summer-like weather is upon us here in Minneapolis, and I opted for the treadmill vs slogging through a poor quality workout outside. It is always tricky to bring an outdoor workout like that to the treadmill, but I think I did alright, kept the pace and incline honest. My trick to get a real hill feel is the keep gradually upping the incline. Felt like a baby fawn when I left the gym, so perhaps I successfully brought the outdoor workout indoors.
I wish I could tell you all about these really profound thoughts I have when I run, but I am usually letting my mind wander to where it will go. It's one of the only times I am good at letting thoughts drift through my mind as they will. What I do keep focus on, or keep coming back to in my mind is my form, breathing, staying relaxed and Kira. Kira is my buddy that I run for. She is fighting the good fight against Retts Syndrome, she never gives up, so neither will I. She is my main inspiration! However, I do have to mention how excited I am that two of my nieces are finding the love for running. Maybe, just maybe one of my dreams will come true and I will one day get to do a half or even full marathon with them. <3 A runner aunt can always hope, right?!
Keep on truckin'
Katie aka Putzers
Hope you had a fantastic 4th of July, and that your dog or cat didn't run away because of the fireworks! (News is on in the background as I write this, and that is one of the stories coming up, poor puppies looked so sad and scared!) I was unfortunately/fortunately home during the fireworks last night as I had to be awake beyond early for work, so I saw how my fur-baby reacts to fireworks. Bart (my cat) reacted more like it was a thunderstorm, trying to 'hide" when it got really loud, other than that, he was just kind of like, "what's going on???"
So, as this entry is titled, I am a whooping 4 days into my latest training cycle for the 2017 Twin Cities Ultra Loony Challenge. So far, I am feeling good, but can already feel the difference in the intensity in this new program vs. what I have done in the past. Sunday, I started my training with a 7 mile tempo run, essentially a tempo run is where you hold a steady, fast-ish pace rather than running by feel where you might let yourself back off if you are starting to feel tired. Monday, I had a recovery run broken up with striders, this workout reminded me of the 50/50's we did in cross country when I was in high school. I had forgotten how much I like those little speed burst to break up a slow recovery pace. It's normal to look forward to 'sprinting' for an undetermined distance at undetermined intervals, for 7 miles, right? I mean, who wouldn't love that?!
Yesterday, the 4th of July, I had the honor of being a pace group leader for the 8th annual Twin Cities In Motion, Red, White & Boom half marathon. I had the task of helping those wanting to finish the 13.1 miles in 1:50. I was a bit nervous about this, not because I thought I couldn't run that time, but because I don't always run even mile splits. I figured it out and got my group across the line in time, actually the bulk of them finished ahead of me, so I guess I did my job. Some very gracious runners thanked me for my efforts and let me know I really did help them. This was so nice to hear, again because I do get nervous that I will mess up someones race, however, maybe I do not need to be so concerned about it.
Today would have brought me hill repeats. I was so looking forward to this challenge, however summer-like weather is upon us here in Minneapolis, and I opted for the treadmill vs slogging through a poor quality workout outside. It is always tricky to bring an outdoor workout like that to the treadmill, but I think I did alright, kept the pace and incline honest. My trick to get a real hill feel is the keep gradually upping the incline. Felt like a baby fawn when I left the gym, so perhaps I successfully brought the outdoor workout indoors.
I wish I could tell you all about these really profound thoughts I have when I run, but I am usually letting my mind wander to where it will go. It's one of the only times I am good at letting thoughts drift through my mind as they will. What I do keep focus on, or keep coming back to in my mind is my form, breathing, staying relaxed and Kira. Kira is my buddy that I run for. She is fighting the good fight against Retts Syndrome, she never gives up, so neither will I. She is my main inspiration! However, I do have to mention how excited I am that two of my nieces are finding the love for running. Maybe, just maybe one of my dreams will come true and I will one day get to do a half or even full marathon with them. <3 A runner aunt can always hope, right?!
Keep on truckin'
Katie aka Putzers
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