TALES FROM THE TRAIL (AND SOMETIMES THE ROAD TOO)

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

My Second Day in Hell

Well, I was back again on West Ridge (a nice up and down fire road with gorgeous views) for another bout of speed training.  Notice I use the word “bout,” as if it was a sickness.  Actually it was kind of like a sickness.  It was pretty much pure hell. 

I learned from last week’s speed work and gave myself a ten minute casual pace run along the rolling hills of West Ridge before REALLY taking off.  Then I let go and ran a 1/2 mile speed burst.   After bringing my pace down to recoup I ran another 1/2 mile burst which brought me to the hill I call “Good Girls Don’t.”  I ran up that hill as fast as I could three times.  (The way down I took at a leisurely pace just to recuperate).

The way back on West Ridge, I was so wiped out that I changed my strategy from my way in.  I rested (ran at a slower pace) on the flats and downhills and raced up the uphills. 

Yikes.  I hate speed training.  It makes me feel weak.  I wonder, will I EVER like this?  I used to hate running, now I love it.  I used to hate yogurt, now I love it.  So maybe there’s hope.

My Activities speed training on west ridge 12-7-2010, Elevation - Distance

“Good Girls Don’t”

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My Thoughts on Today’s Speed Work

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Miles logged this morning:  3.85

8 comments:

  1. Yeah this sounds like no fun.. but your doing it!! I bet it will be like yogurt.. yogurt is pretty bomb. Imagine if you never kept trying it? I think there is definitely hope .. keep going!! :)

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  2. Wow, awesome workout! You are tough and dedicated, well done!

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  3. I wish I had your legs (that probably sounds a little strange coming from a guy!). What I mean by that is that any time I start to add speed into my workouts I injure my calf muscles. I think my problem is related to my running form or posture. Looking into solutions like ChiRunning. Do you have any experience with that?

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  4. You will turn the corner...think of it as instant gratification, short hard work!

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  5. Thanks for commenting Kate. I will definately keep at it, but I hope to feel results soon : )

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  6. Thanks Johann! Your comment is much appreciated.

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  7. Thanks for commenting Trail Jogger. My problems in the past are related to hips and glutes. I love the book Chi Running. I haven't implemented everything, it's very difficult to get it all. I plan on reading it again on Christmas Break. I've got down the mid-foot strike and kicking out the back and I've got a bit of the "don't resist" down too. I don't have the forward slant quite yet, but I have gotten rid of bending at the waist. Bending at the waist is a very bad habit that I believe was the cause of a lot of my problems. I don't know if it has anything to do with calves, but just check your column and make sure it's straight, just to be certain. Good luck. There is lots to learn in this trail running business. Believe me! I am fairly new at it (2 1/2 years), and I'm constantly researching aches and pains (sorry to say).

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  8. I sure hope so Stuart. I like instant gratification. I don't think I could put myself through much more of this. Thing is, I hope once weekly speed training is enough.

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