They Can't All be Unicorn Long Runs

I've had a plan to run the Sioux Falls loop/circuit since 605 Running Co. announced the challenge about it over a year ago. You start at the store, run the loop in either direction, and end back at the store, logging 19.3 miles and earning a free t-shirt from the store. Toni and I contemplated doing it as a fun run last fall but ultimately decided that her first time running that far should be for a greater purpose, like marathon training.

Jessica and I had made a tentative plan to do it together as we realized we had 20 miles falling on the same day in our training plans. Melissa had a long run cut short last weekend, so she was wanting to go longer than planned this weekend, and her BRF wanted to join us. A nice fun little crew of gals to start the day. I was excited!

We met at 6:05 am at 605, and got ready to take off. A few of us were concerned about the lack of bathrooms the direction we were going so we opted to take our first bathroom stop about 15 minutes into the run. My legs felt pretty heavy, but we also started in the hillier direction. Last weekend's 18 also started with heavy legs, and then they felt great, so I was optimistic.

We took turns running in groups of two, switching up the conversation, and the leaders, and the miles were really clicking by. There were a couple I was shocked about when they were done because I felt like we just started them. I started paying closer attention to my watch and panicked a bit when I was seeing sub 10 paces. I knew it was going to heat up, and I like to start a bit more conservatively in hopes that I can pick it up at the end. Eeps.

We had to make another bathroom stop because my stomach was not wanting to participate in the run. And then I kind of just stopped talking. We were at mile 9.8; not even to the halfway point. Eeps. My body just felt heavy and I had all sorts of aches and pains. When I would catch a glimpse of my shadow's form I just looked sloppy. My legs could still feel my speed session from Wednesday and my POWER class from Thursday night. Blech.

I was still optimistic that I would be able to pick it up the last 5 as that's usually where my brain clicks into "we're almost done! YAYZIES!" mode. Spoiler alert: it didn't. By the time we hit the last 3 miles, we were all ready to be done, and just started running at our own paces. When I had to fill up for water the last time, a couple of the girls wanted to keep going since it felt so uncomfortable to stop and start.

I was starving, and wished that I had stuck to my GU every 4 plan instead of trying for every 5. With 1.8 to go I mentioned to Jessica that I wish I had some sport beans or something to eat, and like a little angel sent from above, she had some. I knew if I took a GU this late, I wouldn't even feel it until I was done. I'm not sure that the sport beans really gave me anything extra, but mentally they did. We put our heads down and just ran. Slowly, but surely.

Since we had a few out and back extras for bathrooms and a convenience store stop for ice and fuel, we were at 20 with about a half mile to go to the store. You best believe I stopped my watch and walked in the final .5 miles. I had announced very early in the run that I was not running a step further than 20 today.

I was so happy to be done but I was really bummed with how the 20 mile went. But in perspective, I ran 20 miles at the end of 3 really really high mileage weeks. It is expected that my legs feel like garbage. Running 3+ hours when you feel that cruddy is some of the best mental training you can do. And marathons are SO MENTAL. It was a reminder that I need to stick to *my* plan even when I'm running with others. I'm more than grateful for the company on that 20 miles, but I suspect if I had kept my pace in check in those early miles, I would've felt stronger at the end.

Regardless, I'm excited for a much needed cutback week with a scheduled massage. My body has earned it!

Ice Cream Run

Last spring, Kyle and I bought new house in a new town neighboring the city we've lived in for years. I was just starting to get back into running, and saw runners out all of the time, and wanted to shout out my window, "MY NAME IS JERI PLEASE BE MY FRIEND!" But didn't want anyone getting a restraining order on me.

So instead, I planned an ice cream run to start and end at a delicious ice cream shop in town. There's a super cute walking path surrounding a lake with a fountain. I invited all of the SFWR gals, and emphasized to tag their friends that are runners in my new town! And it was planned, and it was glorious, and over 40 runners and their family members showed up to run, eat ice cream, and socialize.

A few weeks ago we had our 2nd annual event. I had it scheduled for early July in hopes that runners who are starting to train for fall races could socialize and meet new running buddies to train with! I let the store owner know that we were coming (which I failed to do last summer, oops), and I was so excited how many people were planning to come.

And then it was hot. Like really hot. Like, if I hadn't been the one to coordinate the event, I would've bailed and not thought twice about it. I had planned to run 3-4 miles, including 1 there, 1 home, and however far during. I stepped outside and couldn't breathe. I barely left my block before I had to take walk breaks. gulp.

My weather app said the real feel was 102 degrees. Oh mah gawwww.

I mostly walked there with a few jog breaks thrown in. A group of lovely women braved the heat to join me and we ran varying distances.

 I think I managed .63 miles and not a step more. 

And then it was on to the ice cream.

At some point during the ice cream consumption I bailed on the walk/run home and called Kyle to come and get me.

Whoever plans this run next year should pick way nicer weather for it.

Weekly Training Recap

Tuesday I woke up at insanely-early-o'clock to attend an ashtanga class by Zoe Ward. It was 90 minutes of sweating my hiney off and contorting my body into positions I've never imagined. Like whoa.

 

Wednesday was group run and yoga day. Jenn ran with me for an easy 2 miles. I got to hear her abbreviated report on the Twin Cities Marathon. I only went two because I was having some out of the normal hamstring tightness and wonky knee weirdness. After the run I stretched, and then it was time for yoga!

This was my first class teaching in four weeks, since I was off while on my honeymoon. I missed my yogis, and we had a fun flow together! My hammies felt much better when I walked out of the running store.

 

Thursday morning I was back up and at em for more yoga, this time mysore style ashtanga. It was further proof that I'm terrible at memorizing the ashtanga sequence, and that I am just a baby in my ashtanga practice. Uff. That's why it's a practice, eh?

Sunday
night I enjoyed a magical hour of restorative yoga. Magic, I swear.

Sioux Falls Half Marathon Recovery Week

I kicked off my Sioux Falls Half Marathon recovery about ten hours after the race by going to restorative yoga with Susan.

Wednesday night I taught a vin/yin yoga class at the running store. And I participated because man I needed some yin to help my muscles along. I opted out of the group run beforehand, so instead I just tortured my legs with the store's awesome stick/roller thingy.

Thursday I went to my first ashtanga class since last spring when I had 3 classes a week. Man did I miss it! And man did I forget the order of the poses. This was a HARD class to be taking while I was still recovering from the half. Uff.

 

Friday I joined up with Megan to take a vinyasa class in the morning. It was in the cool studio but I still looked like I had jumped in the lake when 60 minutes had passed.

And Friday night we had a group run at the store. Saucony dropped off a bunch of their shoes to test out on our run, they left us a bunch of swag, and they bought us some beer to motivate us to come run on a Friday night. #smart

 

Saturday morning I had grand intentions of going to ashtanga yoga before work, but Kyle had a rehearsal dinner the night before and didn't get home until late, which meant that I fell asleep super late. This was probably a good thing given how late we were up Saturday night. Uff!

Sunday Megan and I went to more ashtanga! I actually got through the whole series during this session. Whoop! Now to begin to memorize. Eeps!

Sioux Falls Half Marathon Training Week 2

Tuesday I woke up early to join the running club at the yoga studio for some early morning miles. I ran there, did a 5k tempo run and then jogged home. It was a thick humid run.



Thursday morning I was up early for power vinyasa yoga. Somehow it was my first yoga class in 2 weeks; no wonder it felt so hard!

Thursday night I was back at the studio for a barre class. Whoop.

And some more barre Sunday morning. I'm a bit obsessed.

And because I'm actually insane, I ran to and from barre. I love that my run home, recovery pace was faster than my run there because my glutes were awake and alive after class.

And Sunday night I went to a magical unicorn restorative class. I stopped going to Sunday night restorative during football season because class kept conflicting with the packers games. Needless to say, I'm back. Heaven. 

Sioux Falls Half Marathon Training Week 1

Tuesday I ran to and from barre class. I ran hardish on the way there and did a recovery ish run on the way home.

Barre was tough per usual. But I did finally move up in weights! Whoop!

Wednesday was group run at 605 Running Co. It was a warm one. After the run we yoga'd it up!

Saturday I had a jam packed day so my long run got pushed aside and I fit in the one class that worked with our schedule: barre!

Sunday I told myself I could sleep in and skip my workout after a late wedding night. Then I made myself go because it was with an instructor I rarely get to go to. Go figure... Someone was there videoing class..... Uff.

Weekly Training Recap

I really started working on my additional observation requirements for yoga teacher training so I spent a LOT of time in the yoga studio, but not practicing.

Wednesday I got in a run at our group run. A hillyish 2.2 miles.

Followed by a fun and challenging flow at the store.

Saturday yoga goddess MC Sweet was her for our last weekend of training and she killed us in a 90 minute flow. I was sick on Thursday and Friday so it was especially hard. But so so great.

We ended the day with an hour long yin class. Magical.

Sunday we kicked off with a two hour power class. I have never worked so hard in a class in my life. We had only our body heat in the room and we fogged the mirrors up completely. Yoga puddle.

Weekly Training Recap

Monday started out with a bang. I went to a gentle vinyasa class and then returned home to hit the treadmill for three miles. (I may have found a spring race to train for, aka I'm actually driven to run again! WAHOO!)

The rest of the week was a blur of feeling run down and celebrations!

Sunday I kind of made up for things by attending a power vinyasa class followed by a group run at the running store. Luckily for me, the group was doing an "easy recovery run" the day after their long runs, so I was almost able to stick with the group keeping up a tempo pace. :P And it was shorts and t-shirt weather which is even better!

Aramco Houston Half Marathon Training Weeks 3 and 4

Monday morning started the way I prefer, with gentle vinyasa yoga. This is my favorite class each week, because the instructor is amazing and I learn so much. She goes through many common vinyasa poses and preaches form corrections and common errors throughout. I always learning something new, and I love that.

Tuesday I had the day off due to Veteran's Day so I treated myself to an ass kicking Power Vinyasa class. I won the sweatiest yogi award, per usual.

I had a really rough week stress wise, so despite my best efforts, I did nothing Wednesday through Saturday. My sleep schedule was all messed up, and I've been having some serious stomach issues, probably due to stress. Blech.

I jumped on the treadmill for a run on Sunday and made it one mile before I called it quits.

I went to a restorative yoga class later in the evening, and that worked to hit my reset button a little bit.

Monday morning I went to my beloved gentle vinyasa class and learned a lot about twists. It was amazing.

Tuesday I opted to forgo Power Vinyasa to work on my NaNoWriMo novel. I got caught up on my word count, but I missed going to class. 

Wednesday night Kyle magically got a night off from work, so a date night was far more important than working out, obvs. 

Thursday and Friday were super cold and no classes fit my schedule so I was lazy.

But Saturday, yay Saturday! After much convincing I got Kyle to come with me to a power vinyasa yoga class and he did awesome. I told him he couldn't look at any other fab yogi booties, and I'm sure he listened. :P

Later in the day I headed downtown for the 605 Running Co. group Beer run. It was a blast and go figure, I ended up winning a gift card for the store after I had purchased two new shirts before the group run. I guess I'll have to wait for some new Oiselle stuff to come in to splurge. :)

So despite this saying weeks 3 and 4 of half marathon training, clearly I'm still focusing more on strengthening and stretching muscles that have caused me to have injury issues. I am feeling stronger and able to maintain good form for longer, but I feel like my endurance is starting to suffer. Hopefully it won't take too long to get back on track!

Aramco Houston Half Marathon Training Week 2

I started off the week the right way but attending a gentle vinyasa class. It was awesome and the instructor explained all of the poses super in depth, which was great. My left hip flexor has been incredibly tight lately (in all honestly it's probably always tight, but I'm noticing it more with all the yoga I'm doing) so I was pretty happy when it was loosened up after the class. Five minutes in pigeon pose will do that for you.

I went out to run a few quick miles before having to shower and head to work. I ran a 10:00 first mile and then had major stomach problems so I cut the run short and ended up walking it in.

Wednesday I rushed to 605 Running Co. after work to meet up for the weekly group run. It was so dark on the bike trails, and we were guided by the light of the almost full moon, and luckily a dude with a headlamp. I actually got to run with people this week, so it was a little slower due to talking and also the super dark trail.

From there, I rushed to the yoga studio for 60 minutes of restorative yoga. My bliss. 

Saturday I went to power vinyasa and had a blast. A lot of great flows, and a lot of arm balances that I'm not yet prepared for, but love to watch and attempt to absorb some of the technique. I was a puddle of sweat afterward. Wowsers.

Sunday I had big plans to go to yoga sculpt followed by a restorative class, but my stomach had other ideas. I've had a lot of allergy issues with my stomach lately. If anyone knows where my reset button is, feel free to let me know so I can use it!

So I guess these gorg new crops and awesome yoga mat will have to wait for a new day to be played with. Sniffle.

Aramco Houston Half Marathon Training Week 1

Well, as anticipated, yoga sculpt destroyed my will to live. And also my legs. And butt. I spent Monday and Tuesday limping around. And popping ibuprofen. 

I had planned to take an additional rest day on Wednesday but it was such a nice day I had to meet up for the group run. I had enough time to do a quick foam rolling session and that helped a bit. The group was planning to run 3 miles so I just stuck with the slowest in the group and went with a tempo-ish pace. On the way back, the last duo in the group decided to cut some mileage off the 3 miles, so then I really had to pick up the pace because I wasn't sure how to get back and wanted to catch someone to follow. Eeps! Surprisingly, my legs felt even better after the run than they did before. And I got to pick up my run club race tank. Whoop! #teamgreen

Thursday I toyed around with doing my long run for the way since I had the day off for the weekend, and also going to the group trail run. My running friend said that the group trail run is usually at an 8:40 pace, so I decided that would be a recipe for brokenness based on the previous day's speedy-ish run. After foam rolling my legs, the long run was also out. Then I saw that Elf was on tv, so I did a 3 mile recovery run on the treadmill in my apartment. And 5 minutes in both of the overhead lights blew out, and the overhead fans powered down. Luckily the treadmill, box fan, and tv (with Elf) weren't effected. Random.

Friday after work, Kyle and I enjoyed a much needed date night, which trumped any sort of workout. Oops. Saturday I worked all day and it was the NaNoWriMo kick off, so I was itching to get home and write write write as soon as I was off work! The 40+mph winds did nothing to dissuade me from this task.Sunday I had planned to do my long run (10 miles) when I realized that my time would be better spent strengthening. Smart runner Jerbear is awarded 1 gold star. After thinking about it, I realized that the month of November would be better spent taking strengthening yoga classes and keeping my runs in the 3-4 mile range with long runs topping out at 5-7. I know my form starts to fail as my legs get tired, so I'm hoping that the long runs are short enough I can actually focus on my form, and that with some concentrated strengthening, I'll be tacking on miles to the long run distance once December rolls around.So I hit up yoga sculpt. And got my booty handed to me. It was waaaaay hot. At least twice as many people as last week, and the temperature reflected that. Woof.