Sunday I had the great idea of running up Horsetooth Reservoir in order to get used to running up Monster Mountain (a huge hill with 9% grade for the first 2.5 miles of the race). It all started out great until Davey and I got to Overland Trail; the second we turned the corner we were blasted by wind. This wind continued as we started heading up the hill. The worst part about it was that the wind was going straight at our faces at about 30-40mph. It was like running into a wall! As we were heading up, another runner coming down informed us that, "It's worse up there." To which I responded, "Good!" It was rough, I won't lie. On the way down it was hard to stand up since the wind was now pushing up down the hill. We finished our run by going around our normal park by Overland and back home. It was 2 hours in all and quite the work out since we weren't just doing hills, but we were also battling the wind.
We got a chance to try out a couple new things during this run. First, Davey got a running belt for his water bottle. He seemed to really enjoy not having to carry a water bottle. I'll have to try it out and see if I should get myself one. Second, we got some sports chews to help us refuel. These are basically hi-tech gummy snacks with more carbs and electrolytes than your normal gummy snacks. Davey really liked them and credited them for how well he felt after the run. I thought they were pretty good, but they made me really thirsty and with my Gatorade it was just too much "sweet" stuff for one run. We have a different brand to try out next week.
Today's run was great! The weather was at beautiful 70 degrees and sunny (and in the middle of January!). I did 45 minutes and I got further than I have yet. I'm glad I am increasing both my speed and distance.
I still need new shoes. Maybe before our 2.5 hour run Sunday.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Playing Catch-Up
I don't know why I get behind on the blog, especially since I have been doing nothing this week. Anyways, here's some catch-up from the week:
Saturday Davey and I did a long run of 2.25 hours. Davey ran 2 hours a couple weeks prior and messed up his ankle in the process (I keep telling him he needs new running shoes, but does he listen? No.). Since his ankle was still a little weird we ran at a slower pace than what I ran my 2 hour run the week prior. Funny thing is that we ran the same distance in 2.25 hours as what I did in 2 hours the week before. It would have been nice to go a little faster, but I have to tell myself that going slow is okay because the purpose of these runs isn't to go fast, but to just run for a very long time. I was still exhausted at the end, even though we were going slow.
This week I finally got some new running clothes since I only had one nice tech shirt and my running capris were starting to wear out. At first Davey and I checked out the Nike outlet shop in Loveland just to kill some time while having lunch. I found some awesome capris that ending above the knee (the length that I like the best), but they were still $35! Even a shirt that was on "clearance" was $15. Stupid Nike...We did pick up a running belt for long runs which I am excited to try out. After that I finally did what I had been meaning to do: go to Savers. This was such a great move! I was about to get a new tech shirt, tech capris, shorts, and a jacket (hurray! I no longer have to wear Davey's!) for only $25! Rock! I got to try out the new stuff yesterday and it was great! The jacket kept we warm, but not too warm, and stopped the wind which was great.
Today is an 80min, a couple short runs on Friday and Saturday, then a 2 hour run Sunday. The training right now is at a "plateau" where the schedule is consistant week to week with the long runs getting longer every other week. Now is the time for me to get comfortable with running for 13 miles or more and trying to increase my speed. Three more months to go!
Saturday Davey and I did a long run of 2.25 hours. Davey ran 2 hours a couple weeks prior and messed up his ankle in the process (I keep telling him he needs new running shoes, but does he listen? No.). Since his ankle was still a little weird we ran at a slower pace than what I ran my 2 hour run the week prior. Funny thing is that we ran the same distance in 2.25 hours as what I did in 2 hours the week before. It would have been nice to go a little faster, but I have to tell myself that going slow is okay because the purpose of these runs isn't to go fast, but to just run for a very long time. I was still exhausted at the end, even though we were going slow.
This week I finally got some new running clothes since I only had one nice tech shirt and my running capris were starting to wear out. At first Davey and I checked out the Nike outlet shop in Loveland just to kill some time while having lunch. I found some awesome capris that ending above the knee (the length that I like the best), but they were still $35! Even a shirt that was on "clearance" was $15. Stupid Nike...We did pick up a running belt for long runs which I am excited to try out. After that I finally did what I had been meaning to do: go to Savers. This was such a great move! I was about to get a new tech shirt, tech capris, shorts, and a jacket (hurray! I no longer have to wear Davey's!) for only $25! Rock! I got to try out the new stuff yesterday and it was great! The jacket kept we warm, but not too warm, and stopped the wind which was great.
Today is an 80min, a couple short runs on Friday and Saturday, then a 2 hour run Sunday. The training right now is at a "plateau" where the schedule is consistant week to week with the long runs getting longer every other week. Now is the time for me to get comfortable with running for 13 miles or more and trying to increase my speed. Three more months to go!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Once Again, I Hate the Gym
It is very windy here in Fort Collins with wind gusts up to 60mph, so there was no way I was going to do my 80min run outside today. This is a shame since it would have been a beautiful day outside if it weren't for the wind. So I once again found myself at the gym (which is finally back open after being closed for 2 weeks). I did the gym thing on Monday and did some weights after my run and did some more arm and abs work yesterday. All of that had already left me a little sore and tired. So today's 80min run at the gym didn't go too well. I partially blame my soreness, but I also blame the damn gym for being so dang hot inside. Basically, 50 minutes into my run after doing some hill work I felt myself becoming overheated (not necessarily out of breath) and was loosing energy. I ended up having to do some walking for about 5 minutes and then slowly upped the speed. I just want to tell the people at the gym to turn down the heat in there! It's like the keep it at a temperature comfortably for them, not comfortable for the people actually breaking a sweat. Thank you for listening to me vent.
Like I said earlier, I've been doing some weight lifting. I've decided that I need to do some more cross training and lifting to increase my overall fitness and to improve my running. I'm hoping that this will help to increase my speed and endurance during the race. I'll let you all know how it goes.
Like I said earlier, I've been doing some weight lifting. I've decided that I need to do some more cross training and lifting to increase my overall fitness and to improve my running. I'm hoping that this will help to increase my speed and endurance during the race. I'll let you all know how it goes.
Friday, January 2, 2009
First Run of the New Year
I didn't go running on New Year's Day due to a slight hangover and hanging out with Heather and Kelly, but I did make it out today for a 2 hour run. My new pedometer from Tristan says that I went 10.1 miles. I'm not sure the accuracy, but I do know that I went further today than during my last 2 hours run, which means progress in my speed. I won't lie, though, it was still a tough run. The final 30 minutes were killer and I wasn't running very fast. I did get it done, though! I'm finally getting back to my running routine after the holidays, so I hope to keep getting faster.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Finals, Work, and Christmas
Life has been busy since my last entry, to say the least. I had finals, been working a lot, and Christmas has come and gone. Here is a little catch up from the last couple of weeks:
It has been SUPER cold in Colorado, which provided quite a challenge for running outside. The Sunday before finals the high outside was 10 degrees; not suitable for wimpy Brittany. So I did the unthinkable and did my 1hr 45min run on a treadmill at the gym. At first I thought I would just do an hour, but by that time I felt really good and just kept on going. I would have to say that listening to loud music helped as opposed to just watching the TV at the gym.
The rest of finals weeks I was able to get most of my runs in, but I had to do some fanagaling to get my 2hr run in. The gym was to close Friday night, and then it was supposed to be super cold again through the weekend, plus I was on-call on Sunday. So instead of running Thursday, I took the day off and visited Heather in Denver and then did my 2hr run on Friday .
I would have to say that my run that day was the most peaceful and serene run that I have had yet. It was chilly in the morning and all of the trees were perfectly frosted and there was a low lying fog. I wish I had a camera with me to take a picture! The great scenery kept me going for those long 2hrs. I think I did around 10 miles that run, putting me a a pretty good pace! I was super tired and sore after the run and was feeling it for the next couple of days (but no new blisters, hurray!).
Since then it has been hard to get my running in. I have been working a lot more and it was still very cold. Having to either run very early, very late, in the freezing cold, or during my lunch breaks, made it hard to run. I will just write off this week to Christmas craziness. I hope to get back at it this week and do a long run next weekend since I have several days off after New Years. I will get to try out my new pedometer from Tristan and (hopefully) get some new shoes this week (final!).
It has been SUPER cold in Colorado, which provided quite a challenge for running outside. The Sunday before finals the high outside was 10 degrees; not suitable for wimpy Brittany. So I did the unthinkable and did my 1hr 45min run on a treadmill at the gym. At first I thought I would just do an hour, but by that time I felt really good and just kept on going. I would have to say that listening to loud music helped as opposed to just watching the TV at the gym.
The rest of finals weeks I was able to get most of my runs in, but I had to do some fanagaling to get my 2hr run in. The gym was to close Friday night, and then it was supposed to be super cold again through the weekend, plus I was on-call on Sunday. So instead of running Thursday, I took the day off and visited Heather in Denver and then did my 2hr run on Friday .
I would have to say that my run that day was the most peaceful and serene run that I have had yet. It was chilly in the morning and all of the trees were perfectly frosted and there was a low lying fog. I wish I had a camera with me to take a picture! The great scenery kept me going for those long 2hrs. I think I did around 10 miles that run, putting me a a pretty good pace! I was super tired and sore after the run and was feeling it for the next couple of days (but no new blisters, hurray!).
Since then it has been hard to get my running in. I have been working a lot more and it was still very cold. Having to either run very early, very late, in the freezing cold, or during my lunch breaks, made it hard to run. I will just write off this week to Christmas craziness. I hope to get back at it this week and do a long run next weekend since I have several days off after New Years. I will get to try out my new pedometer from Tristan and (hopefully) get some new shoes this week (final!).
Monday, December 8, 2008
First Big Blister
I got my first big blister yesterday on our long run for the week, which was for an hour and a half. I had been getting sore spots on my feet with my normal runs that had never developed into mcuh. But yesterday we were running through snow more and my feet got wet pretty early, which added to the blister making. I was able to keep running through it, though! I popped it with a needle that evening to drain the fluid, which definitely made it feel better. It still feels fine now, but today is on off day with no running. Hopefully it doesn't start acting up tomorrow for my 45min run.
Here is the plan for week 7(!!!): Tuesday 45min, Wednesday 30min, Thursday 70min, Friday 30min, Sunday 1.75hrs.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
The Snow
The first snow has finally come to Fort Collins, thus pushing me inside to run. I am just not hard core enough to run in 20 degree weather, let alone 20 degree weather while it was snowing. I did the treadmill at the gym yesterday for 30 minutes and will be doing it today for an hour. Bummer to have to run at the gym, but I would rather do that than run in the freezing snow.
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