A day in the life of training for a race.
Last week I made a mental note to get my hill/speed work completed BEFORE my massage/acupuncture appointment. After my appointment last week I was feeling pretty beat up and could not imagine running. So, I made a deal with myself 🙂 Do half. The road conditions were not great so I opted for the treadmill. I started out with the first km and a bit feeling pretty stiff, but then things started to loosen up. By three km’s I figured I could get it done, so I did.
I decided during that run that Thursdays I would need to get my run in early.
I woke up this Thursday, relaxed and no big plans on for the day (obviously forgetting about my “note to self” from last week). I planned on getting some computer work done for our business, get my TRX training in, then lunch, then do my run on the warmer part of the day. It was only when I was in shorts and about to start on the TRX that it hit me, I had an appt. at noon and I needed to run first!! GAWD!! Did I still have time?
Those who run outside in the cold winter months understand it’s not like throwing on running shoes and getting out the door. You need to layer up. Like, a lot. Everything just seems to require more time to run outside.
I’m usually a bit of a planner. I like to know in advance what my training week (well, month) looks like. I work my life around my runs to ensure I make them happen. So for the month of January my Thursdays had been pretty relaxed and I could basically run anytime I wanted to.
Once I was all dressed and had my Garmin strapped on, the battery light showed up! *sigh* Never a good sign. I have a routine, and I am pretty good at charging it so this doesn’t happen (often). But I didn’t, I guess. I need the Garmin to help me know my pace during my speed drill portion. I’m recording it to see improvement and to know how to push myself. Well, today would have to be on “feel”, I need to get my run in.
My usual routine is to run 2K for a warm up, then a 1km hilly route to run at my fastest pace, then recover, stretch and run the 1km route again at full speed, then repeat. Then easy 2K’s home. Yesterday, however, I didn’t have a lot of time. I ran at a good pace to get to the hilly part. Then I didn’t do very much recovery time between hill sets. Then ran quickly home.
When I realized I had to get out for my run and the available excuses came my way (including compromising to find 2 layers of pants), I didn’t have time to entertain them. I just had to run!
How about you? Do you have those training days, where it is easier to give up or say the signs are saying stay home today?? How do you handle them?
