It's been an interesting few days in running lessons. First of all, I did a track workout with some really fast runners which was incredibly intimidating but I also learned a thing or two. I joined a running group called Tamalpa Runners because they have a few different track workouts per week. I had emailed with the coach and knew where to show up and what time to get there. So I show up and I see three guys who look like they had been track stars back in the day. They were older but definitely fast, even in their older years. I could tell that just by looking at them. So the first thing I do is mispronounce the name of the running club when I ask if they are with the Tamalpa runners. Great. And then as each runner shows up for practice, they all look insanely fast. And then a very nice lady named Ruth shows up and the coach suggested that I partner up with her and he asked her to show me the ropes. It was great to have a normal runner for me to partner with. I wasn't really sure how fast to go because I didn't want to be dead by the end of the practice so I did my best to manage my pace. I was pretty much the slowest person out there but that's ok with me. I need a few more of those workouts before I really feel comfortable with my pace. We did 4 sets of 3/4 of the track, rest and then 2 laps. It doesn't sound like much but I was pretty tired when it was over.
Get this...a few days later, I picked up my pace on my normal run because I knew I could sustain it. I liked that! Thank you track workout. I didn't go this week because they had a track meet instead of the normal workout and I'll miss next week's because I'll be traveling but I will definitely be back in action after that. I think these workouts are going to be great. Even if I am always the last one to finish.
I also tried something else new with my running - I used the Camelbak RaceBak Hydration Vest and it was great. I used it for my 10 mile run and it was a great investment. I really don't like to carry water bottles when I run and I don't like the normal CamelBak backpacks because they move around too much when I run and I also don't like those belts because they shake loose and give me brush burns. The Camelbak is a tight shirt (compression fabric) with a water pack sewn into it. Of course it comes apart so you can wash stuff but it was great. I did get a few brush burns around the arms but I liked how it stayed in place and didn't shake around at all. I tucked the "hose" into my shirt which probably looked weird but it kept it from flying around out of control. I'll attach a photo of the product from REI's website (where I bought it). And while I'm at it, I feel the need to give a shout-out of support to REI. They are so good about returns - no problems at all. The first round of the CamelBaks had just a partial zip which was a pretty bad idea because it's made of compression fabric so it's pretty hard if not impossible to get on/off. So I returned it and ordered the full zip version. Which was much better but I decided to exchange it for a Medium. Every time REI made it super easy for me to make those exchanges.
OK, here's the summary of my activities since the last time. Also, I am really feeling good about my decision to not take Uli farther than 2 miles. He can do that distance without any problems and I don't feel like I'm making him do more than he's able to. It's finally started to get warm here and he's much much slower. So we just take it easy. OK, the summary.
I started the week with a Bikram class
Then the next day I ran 2 with Uli and 2 on my own. I'll share my stats for my running on my own part so I don't overwhelm with too much data. 2.02 miles at an avg pace of 10:04. +81 elevation gain. That evening was the track workout and I didn't use my watch perfectly but my average pace was 8:37. Not crazy fast but I'm just getting started!
I did Bikram the next day
Then I took a day off and the following, I combined a 2 days of miles. I did 2 with the pup and then another 6 on my own. I did 6.01 in 1:01 at an average pace of 10:12 +583 in elevation
The next day was a big one. I did 10 miles in a gorgeous space. The photo is from my run. As far as you can see the trail, I ran along it. I did 10.36 miles in 2 hours 14 minutes. 12:53 was my avg pace and the elevation gain was +2163. It was a tough run because parts were really hard but it was absolutely gorgeous and I was well hydrated thanks to my CamelBak.
The next day (Fathers Day), Paul and our friends Scott and Kris did a great bike ride which was pretty tough. We rode up Tam to West Point Inn to enjoy their Pancake Breakfast and then we got back on the bikes and rode to the very top and then over the backside to the lakes and then back to where we started (Mill Valley). We didn't go all the way up/over on the way back though. We rode 21.81 miles in 4 hours 28 minutes and our elevation gain was +3482. They would have been faster had I not been there but it was absolutely perfect. Sunny, gorgeous day.
The next day I did Bikram
Then I did 2 with my boy and 4 on my own: 4.04 miles in 42:13. Avg pace: 10:26. +428 gain in elevation
Today, I did 2 with my pup again and then 6 on my own: 6.02 miles in 1h 2m. Avg pace of 10:18 with a +629 elevation gain.
That's a lot of running these days, isn't it?
No comments:
Post a Comment