January in Review

January in Review

Total Miles:  102.37 miles down from 116.3 miles last month. With a race week taper and a recovery week thrown in there, I'm a-ok with that! 72.4 miles last January. 1/12 months of 100+ goal--check!

Total Time:  17:17:04 down from 19:40:41. 

Total Runs: 16 runs, for an average of 6.4 miles a run.

Highest weekly mileage: 

1/1/2018 – 1/7/2018:	34.6 mi	5:53:33	10:13 / mi

Most hardcore run: 8 miles on New Years Day in -17 windchill. I still don't have complete feeling back in my right forearm. Should I be alarmed?? (yes, probably).

Favorite run: 10 miles with 5 at tempo. I thought I was going to hate this run, but it was actually a really strong workout!

Favorite Race: I only did one race, but it was so miserable I'm not even sure I should count it. The race weekend was stellar and it was so amazing to see Toni nail a MONSTER PR that I'll count it. F^3 Lake Half Marathon.

Favorite Jam: I think the only run I did solo was the half, and my iPod was dead so I didn't even listen to it.

January in Review

January in Review

Total Miles: 72.4 up from 27.3 last month. Up from 9.1 miles last January.

Planned Miles: 90

Total Time:  12:48:40 up from 5:08:41 last month. 

Total Runs: 13

Highest weekly mileage:

1/23/2017 – 1/29/2017:	20.5 mi	3:31:05

Favorite run: Ten mile long run with 3 minute pickups every 20 minutes. Felt like a unicorn run for me. Felt waaaaaay easier than it should and that I could've kept going. YES! Most hardcore run: Since I was in full on base building mode, I didn't have many runs with real workouts in them. I will say that I ran in some pretty hardcore conditions, including running in below zero temps, and then running in -15 temps on sidewalks that were full of ice and snow, and we still got in 5 miles! #bapoints Favorite race: Too Cold to Hold Half (race report to come!) Bike Miles: 0 Favorite Jam: Still jammin' on Panic at the Disco.

January in Review + February Goals

January in Review

Total Miles: 60.5 up from 18 last month. 

Total Time: 11:00:48 up from 3:12:43 last month.  

Total Runs: 12 runs, average of 5 miles per run.

Highest weekly mileage:  1/6-1/12 24 miles

Favorite run: 

Gorgeous 10 miler that felt pretty effortless.

Most hardcore run: 

6.45 fartlek in questionable footing, including almost being struck by a car.

Favorite race: NA
Bike Miles: 0, but I did have a dream about my bike and it made me want to ride it. 
Favorite Jam:  Christina Perri's Human. 

February Goals

At the end of my 101 in 1001 challenge, I looked at my list daily to see what I could accomplish. With that idea in mind, I'm going to attempt to implement some short term goals for myself, utilizing some of the items on my 101 in 1001 list, some things to make me a better runner, etc.

• Hit 100 miles for the month. This should be easy peasy if I don't get lazy/injured/sick. 
• 12 ab sessions. I've been trying for 3/week.
• Finish a classic novel. Currently listening to The Great Gatsby on audiobook. The narrator is pretty amazing.
• Have one super stellar long run.
• Have one speed session that makes me feel like I'm a speedy runner again.
• Get a few pounds closer to my racing weight.
• Run 3 of 3 scheduled long runs.
• Run 3 of 3 scheduled speed work sessions.
• See one Oscar Nominated best picture movie.
• Read Printz award winning book 2014--Midwinterblood
• Try one new recipe

Happiest of birthdays to running BFF Jenn! Wish I could spend your day with you!

Can't wait for our next excessively humid and muddy LR together! Love you. 

Blogging Absence Explained + January in Review

Alright, runner confession time:  I had a MAJOR breakdown last week.  There have been several occasions over the past few weeks that I've asked Kyle if it'd be cool if I quit running (not sure why I'm asking him since he has zero say in my decision making, but whatevs) and he'd always reply that I was just having a bad day, and that I'd HATE myself if I stopped running.  Meaning, "omgj I wouldn't be able to stand you if you stopped running".

It all came to a head on Thursday night when I went out for a run.  I ran for about 2-3 minutes before I got a shooting pain in the back of my knee.  I turned around and headed for home.  Frustrated beyond belief.  I know I'm a runner who's prone to injury.  I try to train so so so smart.  I have been spending so much time on my foam roller, I'm sure Kyle is getting jealous.  I'm icing and stretching, and I was frustrated, to say the least.

I decided I didn't want to run on Friday.  Friday night after a couple of "congrats on your new job!" beers with some co-workers, I decided I was fed up.  I sent a couple of "woe is me" emails to Jenn and Jason (uhh thanks again for listening to me whiiiiiiiiine) about my new plan.

Screw the marathon.

To say that I was overwhelmed, is an understatement.

I felt burnt out from marathon training... already.

I felt like there weren't enough hours in the day to work, be a star student, and train for a marathon.

I was scared that I was going to put in this much time and effort and could still possibly fail or get hurt and not make my goal.

After ranting and raving via multiple email exchanges, I decided I would give myself a couple of weeks to make a decision, and I would take as many rest days as I needed to get my mojo back.  Once I reviewed my training program, I realized I was on week 6 of consecutive mileage increases.  I was only in week 3 of marathon training, but I had forgot I was building up my mileage leading up to training.  Mama needs a cutback week!

I also realized that with my work and school schedule being as packed as they are, I need to stop trying to switch around my running schedule.  I'd been sleeping in Monday mornings instead of doing my runs, forcing me to try to "fit in" 6-10 miles elsewhere in my schedule.  Attention Jeri:  you created this schedule with every little factor in mind, please abide by it.

When I get overwhelmed, I shut down.  And I realize now, after taking some time to reflect on it, that's what I did.  I couldn't shut down on school or work or Kyle (ok, I probably tried with Kyle, and then he pretended to be a pug, and I laughed and snapped out of it, we're weird like that), but I could shut down running.

Monday I was sorta coming out of my funk when we had the most beautiful day ever.  I had planned to take it off, and likely Tuesday as well, but I thought... why not?  And magically my sparkle running pants are back.

I adjusted my schedule slightly so my mileage this week isn't too much, and I should be back on track.  Just a minor derailment.  This week has been great.  Seven miles Monday, 3.5 in between work and class on Tuesday, 7 Wednesday night, and a crazy speedy 3.5 tonight in between work and class.  I no longer feel overwhelmed and I'm glad I got this "freak out" out of the way early on in training.  I have a long way to go, but I plan to do whatever is necessary to make sure I'm prepared (and that I don't lose my sanity in the process).

It always helps to remind myself that I don't have to run, I get to.

January in Review

Total Miles:  121.9 up from 61 last month (79.2 in January 2011. First time ever cracking 100 in January.  One month down, 11 to go!).

Total Time: 19:34:50 up from 9:46:53.  Just ten hours, no biggie.

Total Runs: 19

Highest weekly mileage: 1/16-1/22 36.1 Mi 5:48:44

I was supposed to hit 40 last week, but I was busy having a temper tantrum and all...

Favorite run: Ugh any of the runs I did in shorts.  Seriously.  Most freakish winter ever.  And I'm not complaining.

Most hardcore run: I think my half marathon on the treadmill with MP miles is up there.  Oh... I didn't blog about that eh?  Well.... I ran 13.1 miles, 5 easy, 8 at MP (roughly) and almost went sub 2.  Nbd (casually brushes dirt off her shoulders).  ;)

Favorite race:  zero.

Bike Miles: 0

Favorite Jams: I enjoyed listening to audiobooks for a few runs.  Other than that my iPod keeps dying and I forget to charge it, so I've had a lot of solo runs.  Which means that I sing a song, in my head, on repeat, for the WHOLE run.  But it's not even the whole song, it's just a few lines... over... and over... and over... for 68 minutes.  GAH!

January in Review + This Runner's End of Year Rituals

January in Review

Total Miles: 79.2 miles up from 66.4 last month.  (81.5 miles from January 2010.  Which means I'm equal amounts of wussy.  YAY!)

Total Time:  12:33:18 up from 10:55:31 (11:25:01 last January.)

Total Runs: 14 for an average of 5.66/run.  Considering every run seems to be 5-6 miles this is about right.

Highest weekly mileage:  

1/24/2011 — 1/30/2011:

28.0 Mi

4:23:32

Favorite run: Long run with miss Jenn.  I miss having a running buddy and I miss her MUCHOS!  Plus it was cool to see Houston on foot.

Most hardcore run: I did a tempo run (unblogged) and mile repeats just because (also unblogged).  Any time I run hard while not following a training program is considered hardcore to me.

Favorite Race: None.  Sniffle.

Bike Miles: 0 which is exactly the same as last month's 0.  

Favorite Jams: Kate Nash--Nicest Thing, Bruno Mars--Grenade, Rihanna--Love the Way you Lie (Part II), J Cole--I'm coming home, Drake--Best I've Ever Had

______________

And here's some random musings from a post I wrote back in December and forgot to post.  WTH Jerbear?!?!?

We as runners have countless rituals (or perhaps it's just miss OCD over here).  As I was cleaning the other day I realized that it was almost time to de-clutter my fridge.  I have very specific rituals that I follow, that you get the pleasure of learning today.

• My current training program always goes in the upper left hand corner of my fridge.  Since I don't currently have one, my Vegas bib took its spot.
• Once a training program has been completed, it gets retired to the lower portion of the fridge.  It remains here through the end of the year.
• At the end of the calendar year, all training programs get removed and retired to their final resting place (aka on top of the fridge).  Would you be surprised to know that I have every training program I've ever done in the past 6 years of long distance running?  You shouldn't be.... *cough* hoarder *cough*
• Every race bib for the calendar year gets a spot on my fridge as well.  Well every bib except for the Urban Wildland half were it literally disintegrated from my sweat.  Oh well, better than black eyed susans sprouting from it mid-run (a legitimate concern of mine).
• At the end of the year, the bibs all get removed as well to start a-fresh.  Last year I put all of my collected race bibs on a board along with some fun inspiration running cut outs.  This year, I'm not sure what to do with my bibs.  Any suggestions?

Hoarderific old training programs. :)

Weekend Recap + January in Review

I'm giving myself the ol' school bribery tactic with the blog tonight.
Stern/Responsible Jeri: Jeri!  No more HIMYM until you post about this weekend!
Lazy in Love with Marshall Jeri:  But I don't wanna [insert pouty face here].  I'm so close to the end....
S/RJ:  Ugh, maybe I should just let you finish it so you can move. on.
LiLwMJ:  Ha!  Jokes on you, as soon as I finish it N agreed to re-watch it with me.  So THERE.  Neener neener.

Etc.

Obviously Stern/Responsible Jeri won.  Shocking, actually.

Ok so the weekend.  Friday is a rest day, as per usual, as once 5pm hits I don't want to do anything that requires anything other than me:
a) putting on sweats/laying on the couch
b) getting gussied up and playing googly-eyes with the boy.

Friday night was spent celebrating N's quarter of a century birthday (yes, I'm a cougar, NBD).  I've seen the guy a gazillion times since his birthday at the beginning of the month, but I refuse to do a birthday dinner with the very limited dining options in his area.  We feasted on a delectable piece of salmon and a bloody slab of dead cow (take a guess as to which was mine, will you?).  Blech.  After a birthday dessert as big as my face (nom nom), he said the magical words to me, "Wanna watch HIMYM?"  Gaaaaaaaaah.  Keeper, no?

I finally got to the marathon episode that my manager had said I was going to looooooove.  If you haven't seen it yet, please do.

Barney: Here's how you run a marathon. Step 1: You start running. There is no step 2. 

Ok, I'll pause while you watch it.  Done now?  Laughed a lot?  Great.  Moving on.

Saturday my BFFF Sheana came to town for a day of BFFF awesomeness.  We shopped, we ate, we talked boys, you know, the usual things girls do.  During this time, I may have gone to Target and possibly picked up Season 3 of HIMYM.  "My name is Jeri....and I'm an addict....."  As soon as she took off for home, I finished up the last 2 episodes of Season 2 and plopped in Season 3.

Sunday I was rustled out of bed by the gym's treadmill calling my name.  I scoured my apartment for fuel for the long run and came up pretty empty.  I had a piece of cinnamon/sugar toast on nasty bread and about one spoonful of peanut butter straight out of the jar (totally scraping every.last.morsel. off the sides).  After a couple of episodes it was finally off to the gym.

The gym was actually pretty busy for a Sunday afternoon so I kept somewhat entertained.  I had 10 miles to do, and was shooting for a 9 minute pace.  I took a GU (and felt like a total nerd doing so at the GYM on a TREADMILL, the shame....) at mile 4, along with a quick water break, and another water break at 7 miles.  I actually busted out my trusty Nike tank top, so I wasn't a total sweat monster as usual.  Score one Jeri!

I did 10 miles in 1:29:00 for a pace of 8:54.

1. 9:08 2. 9:13 3. 9:13 4. 8:57 5. 8:51 6. 8:59 7. 8:46 8. 8:49 9. 8:40 10. 8:21

I pretty much wanted to murder myself during mile 8, but other than that, it was a great run, and I felt strong throughout.

After a quick shower to wash off the 3 pounds of salt that had built up on my skin (sexy, I know) it was back to the couch and my boyfriend, HIMYM.  N stopped in on his was through town and found me laying on the couch looking all googly-eyed at the television.

N:  You've been laying here all day watching this haven't you?
J:  Nooooooo.  I took a one hour and 29 minute break to run 10 miles.  But yeah, other than that and a short shower, totally been doing this all day.

January in Review
Total Miles:  81.5 which is up from 73.2 from last month (compared to 36.5 in 2009).
Time spent: 11:25:01.  Kind of interesting...in November I ran 1 less mile than this month, but spend a full hour more running.  Just shows the amount of speedwork I've been doing this month.  WHOO!
Total Runs: 14 for an average of 5.82 miles/run.
Highest weekly mileage: 1/4-1/10/10 24 miles 3:29:30
Favorite run: The speedwork session that was 6x800 and 2x400 .
Most hardcore run: The speedwork session that was 1x1600, 2x800, & 4x400 at neck-breaking speeds .  Or close to it.
Favorite Race: None.  Sniffle.

**Season 3 may have been finished before bed Sunday night.  And Season 4 may have been purchased today......