Seattle RnR Half Training: Week 3 Recap

Did last week actually happen? I can’t even remember. Thank goodness for DailyMile!

After Week 2, I revised my plan, to un-incorporate the intense speedwork that I feel has led to a scary amount of soreness/tightness in my left shin and calf. I went back to something closer to what Mel made me for by sub-2 half, simply adjusting the times. It would be nice if I could actually get CLOSE to the plan…

MONDAY

Planned: Bike + easy 4-mile run

Completed: 9.78 miles on the bike in

OMG. This was the day of the Great Helmet Meltdown! Closely, but not entirely, related to this Monday’s Great Jumpy House Meltdown…but I’ll save that for next week’s recap.

TUESDAY

Planned: 5 miles easy

Completed: 4.3 miles at a 9:10 AP

Running 5 miles on my lunch hour is tough, but doable if I run it fast. This was not a good run. I didn’t bring music and my left knee made a snapping noise with each step, and my left calf and shin felt tight. And I kept focusing on it, and it was just not good.

WEDNESDAY

Planned: 3- mile progression run

Completed: Rest

After Tuesday, I knew I should not run. I moped about it a little that night, stuffing my face with sugar and cinnamon graham crackers dipped in milk. I did, however, use the tennis ball on my feet and calves. And I foam-rolled my calves.

THURSDAY

Planned: Cross-training/strength

Completed: 3.14 miles at an 8:49 pace

I knew I wouldn’t be doing my long run on Friday because I had the Mt. Si Relay on Sunday, so I ran on my lunch hour. This run felt great, and I was convinced the tennis ball (from the night before) was a little, felt miracle!

FRIDAY

Planned: 9 miles at an 8:53 pace

Completed: 2.6-mile jog/walk on the treadmill

I wanted to ride my bike after T Junior went to bed, but it’s still not quite light long enough, and I missed my window. I was feeling like I needed to exercise, but knew it would not be smart to run two days in a row. I decided I would do a jog/walk on the treadmill in front of the TV. Mr. T kept me company and we chose to watch the Mariners lose to Chicago. I walked at an incline during the innings, and ran (with no incline) during the commercials. This is one of my favorite workouts: walk during a show, run during commercials – burns calories and keeps me entertained AND I can still hear the television.

SATURDAY

Planned: Rest + strength

Completed: Rest

The day started off meeting with my Mt. Si Relay team. We had coffee, went over the handbook and decorated my van. (Recap of this day and the relay coming tomorrow!) After that, I had volunteered to watch my husband’s BFF’s kids as his wife was out of town for the weekend, and Mr. T would have T Junior all day on Sunday. Let them go to Fry’s and Home Depot and eat crappy food or whatever guys like to do. I had quite the adventure watching three boys all under the age of 8, and am quite certain I should probably just stick to one child! LOL! I was wiped out at the end of the day, didn’t eat correctly, and didn’t get T Junior into bed until almost 9 p.m.! That meant I still had to pack for the Mt. Si Relay…I was up till 11-something and had to wake at 4:30. Ugh!

SUNDAY

Planned: Mt. Si Relay – Legs 5 and 10

Completed: Mt. Si Relay – Legs 5 and 10 (barely)

Recap to come tomorrow! I loved the one-day relay!

NUUN HOOD TO COAST RELAY 2012

Well, I am sad to say that I didn’t make the team this year — especially since I was lucky enough to go last year and I know what I’m missing! But I am beyond excited that 3/5 of the Mt. Si Relay team DID! Nicole, Lindsay and Zoe will all represent at Hood to Coast this year. Maybe that means Lauren and me, and all the others who didn’t get in, will be in next year! Of course, I am beyond excited that my running buddy Zoe gets to experience HTC because I cannot wait to compare notes with her! Maybe it’s a little weird, but I am actually very interested in “experiencing” Hood to Coast from the outside this year. Congratulations to all who made the 2012 team! Thanks to everyone who posted on Nuun’s FB page, watched my ridiculous video, and said nice things to me before and after the announcement yesterday. I love how running bloggers are so supportive of one another – thank you!

Have you ever done a relay? How about a one-day relay? Love that it is less of a time commitment — easier logistics, too! If you live in Washington state, what relays do I HAVE to do? Also, I’m looking to do more trail running. WA runners: Got trail suggestions/advice?!