Talladega 21000 (half marathon) training - Week 1, Day 1

Today (6/23/13) was my 1st training run for my half marathon training for the Talladega 21000 (9/22/13).

I got off to a later start than I had planned (8:00 am), but I decided I couldn't wait until this evening (family was visiting so I know if I waited until later, later would become never).

The smartphone app (MapMyRun) I was using started off working good.  I looked periodically at the app on my smartphone so I knew how far I had jogged.  About half way through the run (around 2.93 m), I noticed the app had zero'd out.  I apparently touched the screen by accident which caused the app to stop recording - which really frustrated me.  Fortunately I was always wearing my heart monitor watch so I could keep up with my time. 

I was thinking about cutting my run short (hot, cloudy, legs were mushy, breathing wheezy, hot, very muggy), but with each mile I decided to keep going.  When I got to the end of my run (2nd go-round on my app - 3.23 mi), the same time happened the 1st time - the app zero'd out.  I don't think it was the app - it was the operator (LOL).

It certainly wasn't my best run (6.16 mi, 1:40:16, pace - 16:16/mi).  I hadn't worked out since Wednesday; had been eating bad over the weekend (fried chicken, tacos, etc.); slacked up on my water intake about mid-week.

After the jog, I went to the gym and did about 25 min of stretching and slow walking.

It's Getting ...

Well,  the hot spring weather we are so accustomed to here has finally arrived.  And as the temperature rises, the running seems to be getting harder.  My co-worker and struggled some this afternoon - but we kept on going.  We have just one week before our Cotton Row 10K and we figured the run should be somewhat easier than these training runs since the run would be early(ier) in the day (7:00 am) as opposed to afternoon. Also, we should be well rested as opposed to running after work when you're exhausted from the 'hustle and bustle' of the day.  My knee pained me some, but I kept going - not pushing it too hard,  I probably won't run any more this week, but hopefully will try to spend some time in the pool working out.
Stats:
4.5 mi, 1:16:07 (pace - 16:55/mil), 456 cal 

Workout Week in Preview (2/24 - 3/2/13)

Sunday, 2/24/13: AM - MobileFit*; PM - water conditioning/strength 
Monday, 2/25/13: AM - PT knee; PM - jogging
Tuesday, 2/26/13: AM - Core; PM - 5K**
Wednesday, 2/27/13: AM - PT knee; PM - MobileFit*
Thursday, 2/28/13: AM - Core; PM - jogging
Friday, 3/1/13: AM - PT knee; PM - MobileFit*
Saturday, 3/2/13: AM - jogging (long run)

*Web-based/online exercise workout program (YMCA)
**5K in the PM to kickoff/benefit Rumpshaker charity

Water jogging/treading in the deep end of the pool

I really did it - one whole hour!  Of course this was with the aid of floatation devices and hanging on the safety rope that divides the deep and shallow ends.  I was afraid I wouldn't go the full hour because my arms got tired.  But my legs never seemed to get tired - my legs felt great even when I got out the water.  Several of the ladies in the pool kept encouraging to let go, but every time I did it felt as though I was going under.  Definitely need to sign up for the swimming lessons ASAP!

Gobble Up Exercise (11/8 - 24/2012)

Sunday, 11/18/2012 - Pool workout
Monday, 11/19/2012 - Dance workout
Tuesday, 11/20/2012 - Aerobic/cardio workout
Wednesday, 11/21/2012 - Core and strength training
Thursday, 11/22/2012- Walk/run (30:00)*
Friday, 11/23/2012 - Core and strength training*
Saturday, 11/24/2012 - Walk/run (30:00)*

* Includes 1 mile for Holiday Running Streak (Running World)

The Phoenix is (slowly) Rising ...

The past few weeks, I've been rehabbing my knee.  This will be my last week in rehab, so I felt I should try to get back into the workout groove.  Today I was off from work, so I took to the gym earlier than usual (for me - about 3:00 pm).  I wanted to get into the pool first, but a fellow gym-goer (male) was in there.  Well, I decided to wait unit he finished and exited the pool - not that I was afraid as I was embarrassed to be seen in a swimsuit (LOL)..  Anyway, I did my cardio trio - exercise bike, treadmill, elliptical - for a total of 45 minutes:
Exercise/stationary bike - 15:00 - alpine pass (level 3) - 5.18 mi, 49 cal
Treadmill - 15:00 - sports 5K (4.00 mph) - 1.00 mi., 121 cal
Elliptical - 15:00 - autopilot - 0.88 mi, 95 cal
After getting up a modest sweat, I finally jumped into the pool for 30 minutes.  This was really a great way to end my workout - the water was warm, so it really helped to relax my muscles.When I finished, my knees were sore - but I expected that.
It's going to be a long road back to the track - but slow and steady wins the race.

RNR New Orleans Marathon Training recap - Jan. 1 - 15, 2012

Well, it's mid-January, and I'm about 6 weeks from the RNR New Orleans Marathon.  Here's my progress to date with my training:

1/3/12 – Three workouts:

#1 – Stationary bike, 15:00, 5.5 mi, 92 cal
#2 -  Running on Treadmill, 30:00, 1.85 mi, 229 cal
#3 – Elliptical workout, 15:00, 1.14 mi, 122 cal
 

1/9/12 - Three workouts

#1 – Elliptical workout, 15:00, 0.97 mi, 46 cal
#2 -  Running on Treadmill, 30:00, 2.07 mi, 229 cal
#3 – Stationary bike, 15:00, 5.45 mi, 95 cal

1/15/12 – Two workouts

#1 – Pool walking/treading water, 15:00
#2 – Elliptical workout, 15:00 1.09 mi, 177 cal

The Family the Worked Out Together Stays Healthy Together!

Worked out with 'Moms' this afternoon.  She had total knee replacement a few weeks ago, so she stills in doing outpatient therapy.  'Moms' asked the therapist about working out in the pool and the therapist thought that would be a great idea.  So we went to the gym this afternoon and did a little 15-min pool workout.  Then we finished with 15 more minutes of aerobic workout - 'Moms' on the recumbent bike and me on the elliptical machine.

I'm usually very intense when I'm working out, but I dropped a 'nosh' working out with 'Moms'.  It was fun to workout with her again.  Can't wait for her to totally recoup - maybe she can run a marathon with me one day - LOL!

Rehabbing

Saw my doc last week about my knee: diagnosis - arthritis; prognosis - good.  Will rehab for the next few weeks so no running for awhile.  In addition to outpatient therapy and home exercises, doc recommended pool walking and 'treading water' (running in the deep end).

I did that yesterday for about 30 minutes and knee felt great.

Today did elliptical + body strength straining and core exercises @ gym today ... knee felt really strong.

35:00 on elliptical (2.55 mi) - cross training routine (max resistance 8) - didn't hold on to handles; more effort to keep balance and moving - legs certainly got an extra workout!

Upper body strength training and core exercises (exercise - wt - reps - sets):
Biceps - 20 - 10 -3
Triceps - 20 - 15 - 3
Lateral row - 25 - 15 - 3
Vertical brench - 25 - 15- 3
Shoulder press - 25 -15 - 3
Deltoids - 20 - 5- 3
Chest pecs - 20 - 15- 3
Rear deltoids - 20 -10 - 3
Crunches (w/stability ball) - 10 reps @ sets
Side crunches (w/stability ball) - 10 reps @ sets