Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Napa to Sonoma Half Marathon Training Update...for real this time

Bottom line, summer is kicking my butt and I have not been training as hard as I had hoped. But I'm not really all that upset about it. I've been using the 90+ degree humid days as an excuse to skip runs, also Rich's ITB is bothering him again so he's been taking it pretty easy also. I have been running, just a lot more haphazardly than my training plan would like. Honestly, we are going to run this one as more of a fun run with friends instead of racing for PRs.

I've found that after training consistently for almost a year, I'm ready for something a little different. My cross training has totally fallen by the wayside because with all my "exercise time" spent running, I just honestly didn't have enough time in my week to fit in all the spinning/yoga/weights that I would like. After next month I think I'm going to take a few months off from formal training plans and just enjoy working out doing a variety of things. Then I'll get bored with that and be ready to jump back into a training plan again.

After work today I ran 5 over the Cooper River Bridge to get some hillwork in, and it was hot but felt great. Now I'm relaxing with a tasty Caprese salad, and some blackberries and cantaloupe for dessert, catching up on blogs. Our powers that be at work have restricted our internet use (rumor has it they are checking our histories for non-work related sites) so now I can only blog after work..bummer!


17 comments:

Alisa said...

That's totally how I felt about being on a "plan." I needed a break and am loving incorporating other activities back into my workouts.

MCM Mama said...

While I don't envy you the heat down there, I love running the Cooper River Bridge!

Have fun with the cross training.

No Longer Using said...

i laughed at your tweet today about work restrictions, lol. great run! and your food sounds sooo good :) fresh. so.. i LOVE dean koontz. i think i have read all of his books and liked almost ALL of them. did you read the one about the golden retriever? "Darkest EVening of the Year"... it made me want a dog even more. i need to read souvenir and racing in the rain!!!!! thanks for the recommendations!

Lindsay said...

my work half-blocks... about half of the blogs i read are either completely blocked or just blocked so that i can read the post and not comment. kind of annoying, but i've pretty much learned which ones i can still check during work :) don'tcha hate having to actually work at work? ;) lol

i go through the running-training/general-workout training cycle too. at least it gives you the chance to not get too bored and continue to stay in shape!

the whole trip to ca will be a blast, i'm sure you won't mind taking it easy and enjoying the race with friends!

Amy@RunnersLounge said...

Good luck in your training. The heat here in Iowa is tough on me and really putting my run in a funk as well. Hope you get a break soon.

If you are looking for more virtual support and nudging, feel free to join the half marathon group in the Lounge. We have about 30 runners training for a half sometime in the next few months. http://www.runnerslounge.com/groups/HalfMarathonFullChallenge.cfm

Good luck!

Amy
blog.runnerslounge.com
www.runnerslounge.com

kristen said...

I wonder how many people who run these "wine" runs actually train to PR or just go to have a good time. I want to do one of the winery halves too -- but just like you I just want to go with a group and take it as a vacation. The run will just justify all the wine and food I'd be eating that weekend.

Anonymous said...

It is nice not having to follow a schedule and to not have the stress of a planned type of run. I think you will enjoy the break ans flexibility.

Anonymous said...

I totally understand the training program thing. It seems like all I do is run!

Big Brother. Ugh.

Jess said...

See, I'm not much for cross training. I mostly just like running.

Kristin @ The Southern Summer said...

Yeah its okay, I've been lazy too...but I really need to step it up a notch, like, now!

Got my shoes at TrySports, Asics...something or other. Not the 2140's like I used to run with. It just didn't feel like I had new shoes on my feet, and for $130...I want my feet to feel craddled! Still have given them a second shot though, gonna hit the bridge after work...in the heat. Grr..

Im excited about tomorrow too! Sucks you are getting monitored at work...ugh, hate that.

Mel-2nd Chances said...

i bet it'll be refreshing to run the race for fun and just kinda see what happens and how your body responds. Switching things up sometimes can be a good thing. :)

Carolina John said...

be sure you get some kind of cross training in for a little bit of balance. it will keep you injury free. and i bet some yoga will help rich's itb. if he's slacked on running, he should have time for yoga. it worked for me.

Jeri said...

I hate xt too. Sounds like the break from formal training plans will do you some good once the 1/2 is over. :)

Marlene said...

I think a nice little break from officially training is necessary once in a while. Take a step back, mix things up and enjoy running "just because."

Aron said...

its definitely good to take a break from plans when you arent really into it. getting excited about being on one is always the most successful :) napa will be a great race to have fun at too!!

Abby said...

It's funny, I've been in a non-plan stage for the past six weeks, alternating every other week between racing and recovering from racing, and I feel like I've been in a bit of a running rut. I'm hoping that as I swing back into plan mode (getting ready for Steamtown marathon in October) that I'm able to snap out of it. It's no fun to run when the runs don't feel good!

Amy said...

I agree, sometimes not sticking to a plan is the best way to go. You don't want to get in a rut or make running feel like a chore. Just do whatever feels good that day.