Week 7: Taking a Break

This week my body was definitely ready to take it easier. I wanted to spend more time soaking in nature without the stress of pushing myself and I mostly succeeded. 

Tuesday’s run took me to a new route close to work and became an accidental speed session. A stressful and overly long work meeting plus the anxiety of unknown roads meant adrenaline was pumping and I clocked some way too fast miles. While it’s nice to know I can go fast, I’m not sure it’s my favorite. I also didn’t love the route- it’s through vineyards and a few homes and my anxiety about stray dogs protecting property meant it was hard to enjoy. Probably won’t repeat this route. Wednesday was another accidental speed session- my heart rate has really improved and it was fun to see that, but probably overdid it again. So much for a break week! 

So, once I got to Thursday, I knew I really had to take it easier. I committed myself to a hilly 3 up canyon, where I knew I had to slow to a hike, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I ended up doing an extra 1/2 mile just because that upper section on Canyon is one of my favorites. 

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Friday was a running rest day but otherwise far from restful. After a very busy work day, I took Noah beach camping!

This was the perfect break from real life - walking on the beach, lots of reading, sitting by the fire, to the constant symphony of the crashing waves. 

The only downside was both of us were struggling with a cold that took a little away from the experience. But it was still immensely more fun than being sick at home. 

This week started in like a lion but definitely went out like a lamb- I’m feeling too rough today to do the planned 5 miles, so I’m leaning into the purpose of the week and taking a full rest day. 

Soaking in the sunrise this morning reminded me of how small we all are in this immensely beautiful world. And that it’s so much more about appreciating the gifts each day beings than putting on pressure for more and better all the time. I’m trusting that I did need today’s rest amidst the stress of life and the world at large, and coming back from camping feeling more purposeful about cultivating that rest and appreciation in my day to day life. 

All that said, the numbers definitely support this as a rest week - almost 4 hours less and almost 10 miles less than last week. 

I can only hope that today puts me in a good position to feel recovered this coming week and ready to reach some new training (while still trying to listen to what I need) 

 As long as I can recover from this sickness decently well I’m going to be attempting my first double digit run this next weekend. I’m nervous but excited. Here’s hoping my strength keeps growing! 

Week 6: Hitting My Stride

 

After six weeks of consistency, I can finally feel it paying off! As you can tell, I did decide to push the training one more week before taking a fallback week, and I’m so glad that I did. The biggest highlight was getting on some real (non Annadel) trails this weekend. I was so nervous making the move to trails with hills, but it truly reminded me how much more special it feels to have an adventure, instead of just getting in the miles. 

The highlight was definitely joining my friend for an 8 mile run in North Sonoma Mountain. I used to be too scared to run here (or even drive here) but the more I go there, the more I love it. 

I had such butterflies in my stomach headed to the run, especially when I realized that we were essentially starting at sunrise. But, once we began, my fears totally fell away and I was instead so grateful to see a trail sunrise- something I haven’t done in a very long time. 

The weather was surprisingly warm and we took it easy, which was wonderful since I was adding 2 more miles to my longest run AND almost 1,500 feet of climbing. 

The original plan was for me to turn around at mile 4, while Simmy would continue another 2-4 solo, but gratefully, she decided to turn back with me.  

And in what felt like no time at all, the 8 miles were done. I almost teared up driving home, I was just so overcome by how great it felt to get away from my “easy and safe” runs at spring lake, and do something that genuinely felt special. 

The next day was a special one too - Noah turned nine! And he wanted to celebrate in the best way, by going for a family hike. 

While we love getting out together, it’s generally quite the affair, and usually ends with one child or the other deciding they cannot possibly go. So today by all accounts was a resounding success. Noah chose Hood Mountain, for its bears and beavers (neither of which we saw) but even without the wildlife, it was the perfect choice. 

It was a solid 4 miles and 1,000 feet of climbing, and the kids were definitely worn out by the end, but we couldn’t have asked for a nicer day. I was a bit worried about my energy for more climbing but I actually felt pretty good. Good enough, in fact that I was able to go back out for a 2 mile run in the afternoon.

All in all it was a great week. I hit 3 more miles than last week, and lots more climbing. And the biggest part was just that I was back doing what I loved. 

One of my biggest training hack realizations is how easy it is to get “bonus” walking miles on the treadmill. It’s nice to just chill with a show while I walk, and it’s an easy way to add a bit of low impact mileage to my week. 

Next week is…drumroll…a fallback week! All the hard work I’ve been putting in has felt great but I’m definitely ready to take a week to recover. I think it’ll feel relatively normal until the weekend, but my longest run will be 4 miles. I might make a midweek run a walk too, depending how I feel. And I’m going to keep enjoying my epsom salt baths. 

Also, look at this fitness growth! It’s so encouraging to see my fitness back where it was in May. Every week I’m feeling better and better about the time I have to reach my goals. 

Here’s to week 6! Tahoe Rim Trail 100k is officially 6 months from today. 

Week 5: Back to Work

 

After such a solid week last week, I started week 5 both feeling strong but also a little anxious. Running while otherwise resting on a break is one thing. Running the first eeek back teaching after break is something completely different. It would also be my biggest mileage week and longest run (6 miles) since the summer, before I got hit with all my health issues in the fall. 

It started out on Tuesday, needing a lot of willpower to run after the first teaching day back AND after a staff meeting. But I tried out a new route from work and really enjoyed seeing a new part of the town. 

On Wednesday I joined some friends for a run. It was so nice to see them and catch up, but I’m definitely not ready for that pace group yet. Back to my slow pace next week. 

Thursday was the perfect balm for a beat up body from the previous day’s speed work- I took a friend hiking in Annadel. It was a gorgeous afternoon up to the lake and very fun to introduce someone new to this special place. 

After a much needed rest day Friday,  I tackled my longest in a very long time on Saturday - 6 miles! I let Strava set the route and it took me around Spring Lake and to Lake Ralphine, but using lots of new to me side trails. 

I ended up chatting on the phone with my mom for most of it, and the run really flew by. Almost to the point where I wished I had been able to take it in longer! 

I capped off the week with lots of fun - 3 miles with a friend, followed up by rock climbing for the first time and then a sunset walk to end the day.

I’m especially proud of myself for giving this a try. I have negligible upper body strength and this was definitely out of my comfort zone, so I was shocked that I enjoyed it so much. I couldn’t help but laugh when I got down every belay - it was SO hard for me to trust the rope and harness and I felt giddy every time it worked and I slowly fell to the ground, 

All told, and exhausting but very fun week. While I wish I had fit in cross training and strength training, I also gave myself a bit of a pass since I knew just fitting in consistent running on top of work would be a stretch. My fibro symptoms definitely started to show up towards the end of the week but I really think staying active helped. 

Here are the grand totals:

Next week is a fallback week, though the only real difference is I’m doing only 3 miles instead of a long run. That said, the following weekend is camping, so I might do one more heavy week instead? It’ll be a surprise for everyone, haha. I am definitely going to commit to fitting in more extras this week, though. 

Plan;

Monday- Cross training (gym - elliptical and stairs) + strength

Tuesday- 3 miles

Wednesday- 4 miles

Thursday- 3 miles (treadmill) + strength 

Friday - rest

Saturday- 3 miles (or 7)

Sunday - 2 miles + strength + XT

How will it go? We’ll see!

See you next week! 

Week 4: So Much Rain!

 After feeling so awful last week, I really wasn’t sure what would happen this week, but I was really pleasantly surprised. I changed my Tuesday from 3 miles to 2, and a run to a walk, but after that pretty much stuck to my plan. Granted, my heart rate shot up to the 160s every time I ran, so I had to do a lot more walking breaks, but I’m just realized I didn’t get hit with coughing fits. Now, on Sunday, I’m definitely feeling closer to recovered. 

The other change I made was to make Thursday a rest day (just did a mile walk) so I could do my long run of 5 miles when it wouldn’t be raining. We have been getting a ton of it this week, so the trails are soaked. 

A highlight was going on a hike Sunday - my first time up to Lake ilsanjo since August! We had a wild creek crossing - water was halfway up my calves and very powerful. There were waterfalls everywhere! 

Next week looks pretty similar to this one - adding one mile to the midweek runs to make all of them 3 miles, and going from 5 to 6 miles for my long run. It’ll be a challenge keeping up my energy with work, but I’m excited to have that outlet for my stress. I’m planning on making Thursday a hike as well to keep the mileage growth sustainable. 

4 weeks into training, my fitness is growing. I’m proud of myself for working my way back from the flu and not getting to derailed (while also being respectful of my health). My fitness has gone from 22-27 in the last week, up from 12 at my lowest earlier this fall. 

194 days to go!