running for my mind

This week went better than expected with traveling the past few days. I managed to keep the mileage up and consistent and I was able to maintain the same time on my feet as last week. Elevation was down but that is going to be the trend this coming week as well because we are staying at sea level. All things considered, I feel good.

Week Summary
6 days - 1 double - 4 trail - 2 road - 1 beach!
68.35 miles
9,399 ft. elevation gain
11:56 on feet

11 - 6 ft. - 1:33 on feet

Up the boardwalk and into the south end of Huntington Beach and back. Roughly 35% of this run is on the boardwalk in Newport. Fun and pretty to run on. Then, you are forced into the alley for a couple miles before crossing a bridge and ending up in south Huntington. Overall, it is a pretty ugly and dirty run. I wish the boardwalk was a couple miles longer.

Goal was to just take it easy today for 90 minutes. Going to try and get in 2 workouts this week. Likely tomorrow and Thursday...depending on vacation plans.

13.5 - 9 ft. - 1:36 on feet.

Same route as yesterday, just a little bit farther. Goal for today's workout was warmup, 20 minutes at lactate threshold or roughly my half marathon pace, 15 minute resting "jog" and then another 25 minutes at pace. Cool down a couple miles.

I was actually slightly anxious about this workout because I have not run any type of tempo run on the road since before Ogden in May. I didn't know how I would feel or really what pace to shoot for. I figured that somewhere between a 6:20-6:30 would be about right on the flats, but also worried that might be a little ambitious. I decided to start at about 6:30 and work into it. I figured I could get 3 miles in 20 minutes and then shoot for 4 in the second set.

It turned out well and I am pleased with it. I pushed the last mile below my half marathon pace to finish strong. Zero hamstring pain during. Now to see if it flares up later. That is the true test.

1st set - 6:30, 6:23, 6:19
2nd set - 6:18, 6:13, 6:09, 5:58

Not too long ago, during a conversation with a couple coaches (who were/are not coaching me), I told them I wanted to train for a certain mountain ultra. In unison they said "Don't do it. You will lose ALL your speed!" 

Happily trying to prove them wrong....so far.

13 - 8 ft. - 1:55 on feet

Up down and around Newport easy. First 9 miles pushing Olive in the stroller.

12 - 19 ft. - 1:30 on feet

Did not go as planned. I did not feel good walking out the door. I contemplated not even attempting the workout I had scheduled, but decided after my 2ish mile warmup to give it a shot anyway. Goal was 2-1-2 with 1/2 mile recovery jog in between. In the middle of the second mile of the first repeat, I felt my left leg just feel off. I was almost done with the first repeat so I stuck it out. However, I pulled the plug at .7 of the second repeat. I felt crappy and then my left leg started acting up. It just didn't like the pace and I was not willing to risk any type of injury. I ran easy the rest of the time.

2 miles - 5:50, 5:44
0.7 at a 5:26 average

Not judging my fitness by this at all. Just wasn't my day.

10 - 2,122 ft. - 1:50 on feet

Crazy change of plans due to Grey going to the ER on our vacation and she being really sick. Drove home all day yesterday. Glad to be back in the mountains.

Went 5 out and 5 back from the Wild Rose Park.

20.5 - 4,843 ft. - 4:17 on feet

Alarm went off at 3:15. Met Daniel at Big Mountain and headed north west for roughly 10 and then back. Legs were tired and I was feeling it. This week has been rough with travel and lack of sleep with everything that has been going on. Looking forward to tomorrow off and hopefully getting in a nap.

Big ascents on both ends of the out and back. Mile 1 had 780 ft. of gain and mile 11 had 960 ft.

Will post a recap of this odd week tomorrow.