30 runs in 30 days - who's with us? (Page 105)

Day 746, 20 miles and it felt better than last weeks 20 miler. Maybe I'll take one more week of no speed work before I try it again.

Friday - #131 - 4 miles
Saturday - #132 - 2 miles
Sunday - #133 - 2 miles

#414- 9 mi in wet snow. My shoes felt like bricks, my calf is acting up again, but I do like blazing a trail through freshly fallen snow.

These little nagging injuries or almost injuries suck don't they. I also love running in a freshly fallen snow until about February and then I am cursing it.

Day 747, 6.5 miles.

#415 - 2 mi.

Monday - #134 - 6.7 miles or so

Been struggling the tiniest bit with a right hamstring that really seemed to loosen up after about a mile in this one. Hopefully that means I'm good to go for my speed work tonight.

Run #443

#416- 5 mi.

Also started a strength program today, focused on calves and hamstrings. I hadn't been in the weight room for awhile, roughly 2 years, and was a bit lost. I am pretty experienced with weight training, but never did it specifically for improving my running and triathlon.

I wanted to do some single leg Romanian deadlifts, but wasn't real clear on the form, so I did some regular Romanian deadlifts and my lower back is protesting, no injury, just tired. Will review the form and do the single leg version next time.

I went easy on my calves, since I've had tightness for awhile, but they felt fine.

I was going to do 5 x 5 rep, but stopped at 4, and tried to go with a weight that was tiring, but wouldn't put me to failure. I want to work in the program gently. I'm starting at 2 x per week, and will probably move to 3 if time allows. I may also work in some tube exercises for swimming. I will have to experiment a bit to get a routine down.

I'll have to do a bit more research. With regular weight training routines, squats are essential as they work the large muscle groups, promote stability, and may boost testosterone naturally, though you have to go HEAVY. I'd rather run hill repeats since its more run specific, but who knows. This is new to me.

After having an 11.5 hour day at work today I was in need of some serious therapy so I went out for a nice 12 mile run in the cold dark windy night. Day 748 done and feeling better now.

Tuesday - #135 - 5.5 miles of speed work intervals. Went home and did 90 minutes of Trainer Road. Starting a 4 week base program. 6 hours this week, 7 next week, 8 the following week, and then an easy week.

Hopefully it keeps any weight off during the holidays!

#134 - 3.62 very snowy miles.
#135 - 3.15 very cold miles.

Day 749, 6 miles.

Wednesday - #136 - 4 miles easy.

Thursday, but otherwise same here.

Day 750, 10 mile progressive run.

#417 7 mi progression, finished with some strides

#418 5 mi after 2000 yd swim workout. Getting back into it, tried a main set of 10 x 100 yd on 2:00, hit the first few on 1:30, but then it got ugly.

After the run I did another strength building routine. Did the one legged Romanian deadlifts, much better on the lower back, but I felt clumsy and lost my balance a few times. Also did lunges, step ups with dumbbells. Then I did some tubing drills (the ones recommended by Sheila Taormina), and really liked them, I'll probably get some tubes for home.

Thursday - #137 - 4 mile tempo run.

Day 751, 5 early easy paced miles. If I have time this afternoon I will get another 5-6 miles in if not there is always tomorrow.

#419- 8 mi treadmill, ended up being a progression run, last 2 miles done between 9 and 9.5 mph.

A lot of people will say that when someone else starts "racing," them during a workout they are unaffected, and will just do their workout as planned.

Not me.

I cant help it. If I am running on the road and can catch and pass someone, I do, and if someone is behind me, I work hard to makes sure they don't pass me. If I am on a treadmill and someone is blatantly looking at how fast I am going and tries to match or run faster, I have to go faster. I've tried not to let in affect me, and just gave up.

I now embrace it as part of my competitive spirit, if someone seems like they want to race, I'm in. If I need a boost to get me to work a little harder during a workout, I may even pretend someone is racing me.

Sounds like me.

Day 752, 22.2 cold snowy miles.

Nice! I did want to run long today to take advantage of the change of scenery, but went as planned.

Wind was rough at times, and I came home with a frozen beard, but was fun.

#420- 6.2 mi. Snow and wind.

Friday - #138 - 2 miles easy
Saturday - #139 - 4 miles easy, followed by 90 minutes on Trainer Road.

#421- 11.2 mi.

My feet were soaked within the first tenth of a mile. It got just warm enough to start melting the snow. I hope the feeling in my toes come back.