Maybe THIS is why Favre is still playing football! I could watch this all day!!!!!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Church
Ok, so I admit I am not the most consistent church-goer. And I also admit that I have often struggled with my Catholic faith because they seemed to promote some things that I thought were dead wrong, to be frank.
But I am really impressed with the Catholic Church in Castle Rock. Dan even likes it which is a small miracle (not because he is anti-church or anything... just trust me, it is a small miracle).
First of all, the thing that drew me into the place is that it is up on a ridge above Castle Rock. They have gigantic windows right behind the altar so that when you sit in mass, you have this gorgeous view of the mountains, including Pikes Peak. Now if that doesn't inspire you to thank God for something, I don't know what will.
Second of all, I like the people there. They are laid-back and kind... and outdoorsy. Some people even show up to mass in trail shorts and t-shirts or golfing attire, or whatever. Actually, that is one thing that I have always liked about most Catholic churches anyway. Clothes aren't that important in most places I've gone to...it's just important that you show up.
Third, I like how politically non-partisan this church is. In my experience, many Catholic churches show up on one side or another of the political spectrum. Here, in a conservative bastion of now-blue Colorado, I heard the following things just in the course of one mass:
1. All people deserve good health care.
2. We need to fight to end abortion.
3. Un-documented workers should be treated better by their employers.
Wow! I am impressed.
Anyway, it is nice to have a place that Dan and I both feel comfortable to take Noah to church. We are also going to the Lutheran Church here since Dan is Lutheran, but they don't have nearly the view... ;)
But I am really impressed with the Catholic Church in Castle Rock. Dan even likes it which is a small miracle (not because he is anti-church or anything... just trust me, it is a small miracle).
First of all, the thing that drew me into the place is that it is up on a ridge above Castle Rock. They have gigantic windows right behind the altar so that when you sit in mass, you have this gorgeous view of the mountains, including Pikes Peak. Now if that doesn't inspire you to thank God for something, I don't know what will.
Second of all, I like the people there. They are laid-back and kind... and outdoorsy. Some people even show up to mass in trail shorts and t-shirts or golfing attire, or whatever. Actually, that is one thing that I have always liked about most Catholic churches anyway. Clothes aren't that important in most places I've gone to...it's just important that you show up.
Third, I like how politically non-partisan this church is. In my experience, many Catholic churches show up on one side or another of the political spectrum. Here, in a conservative bastion of now-blue Colorado, I heard the following things just in the course of one mass:
1. All people deserve good health care.
2. We need to fight to end abortion.
3. Un-documented workers should be treated better by their employers.
Wow! I am impressed.
Anyway, it is nice to have a place that Dan and I both feel comfortable to take Noah to church. We are also going to the Lutheran Church here since Dan is Lutheran, but they don't have nearly the view... ;)
Overtrained
I. Am. So. Frustrated.
I had a rough couple of runs this week. Especially Thursday's tempo run. I was supposed to run 4-5 miles at race pace to race pace minus 30. I made 2.
It is just feeling like I am running harder and I should be getting faster but I am getting slower instead. My foot hurts, my knee hurts, and my whole body is just achy and tired all the freakin' time.
So I did a little reading on the internet and consulted my running coach friend at work. The reading and the coach confirmed what I already knew.
I am overtraining and I need to take more recovery time. It's not like I'm 18 anymore, ya know?
Problem is, running is how I manage stress. It makes me feel good and it makes me a pleasant person to be around. I have found no other workouts that work quite as well. So, what do I do?
Option #1: Take a few days off and see how I feel. Let go of my 2 hour goal because I am apparently pushing myself too hard to get there.
Option #2: Go ahead and go hard for one more week and then start my taper for the race a little early and really take it easy. Again, I am probably going to have to let go of the 2 hour goal because continuing to push it clearly isn't working.
I guess it doesn't matter much which one I pick because either way the odds of a sub-2 hour half are pretty slim at this point.
So, what am I learning from this?
1. Take a week off after a long race. I didn't let my body recover enough after Pike's before I got into this 1/2 training, which I pretty much already knew.
2. Take even longer off before resuming speed work after a race. At least one day per mile. That means I should have waited at least 13 days before speed training after Pike's, probably more because of the nature of that race and I didn't even come close to that.
3. Take a rest day at the first signs of overtraining. I have been struggling with aches and pains and fatigue that I have been denying for at least 3 weeks, maybe a month. If I had taken a little more time then I might not be in this situation so close to race day.
I had a rough couple of runs this week. Especially Thursday's tempo run. I was supposed to run 4-5 miles at race pace to race pace minus 30. I made 2.
It is just feeling like I am running harder and I should be getting faster but I am getting slower instead. My foot hurts, my knee hurts, and my whole body is just achy and tired all the freakin' time.
So I did a little reading on the internet and consulted my running coach friend at work. The reading and the coach confirmed what I already knew.
I am overtraining and I need to take more recovery time. It's not like I'm 18 anymore, ya know?
Problem is, running is how I manage stress. It makes me feel good and it makes me a pleasant person to be around. I have found no other workouts that work quite as well. So, what do I do?
Option #1: Take a few days off and see how I feel. Let go of my 2 hour goal because I am apparently pushing myself too hard to get there.
Option #2: Go ahead and go hard for one more week and then start my taper for the race a little early and really take it easy. Again, I am probably going to have to let go of the 2 hour goal because continuing to push it clearly isn't working.
I guess it doesn't matter much which one I pick because either way the odds of a sub-2 hour half are pretty slim at this point.
So, what am I learning from this?
1. Take a week off after a long race. I didn't let my body recover enough after Pike's before I got into this 1/2 training, which I pretty much already knew.
2. Take even longer off before resuming speed work after a race. At least one day per mile. That means I should have waited at least 13 days before speed training after Pike's, probably more because of the nature of that race and I didn't even come close to that.
3. Take a rest day at the first signs of overtraining. I have been struggling with aches and pains and fatigue that I have been denying for at least 3 weeks, maybe a month. If I had taken a little more time then I might not be in this situation so close to race day.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
Remiss
I have been completely and inexcusably remiss in my blogging duties over the last 2 weeks. I apologize to the two or three of you who check it regularly. So here is a little update on everything going on here:
Noah:
Still my amazingly talented-in-every-way-athletic-little genius! ;) He has gotten into playing the "guitar," which he made at school out of a shoebox, a pencil, and a few rubber bands. It is hilarious and I really need to get a video posted of him playing and singing. His school year is in full swing and they have started phonics, a little bit of writing, and Spanish! My kid already officially knows more Spanish than I do. Sad, I know, but I am just so proud I don't even care.
Dan:
He is finally riding his bike again, which is cool. He took a little break after his big race in August but he is glad to be back in the saddle again, so to speak. He is happy and cool as usual. When I married him, I had no idea how much strength that guy has and I am amazed every day at his positivity and his openness to whatever the universe throws at him. He rocks!
Japhy:
Annoying dog as ever...but we love him!
Work:
Well, let's just say that work is a big reason I haven't been blogging. I have never had a position that left me as drained at the end of the day as I am now. But it also has parts I absolutely love and I am not leaving, at least not today, hehe. We are in a situation right now that requires a LOT of paperwork and I don't like the amount of time it is taking away from kids, but it is temporary. And I treasure the time I CAN get with kids that much more! I am pretty sure that sometime before I retire (you know, when I am 101 years old), I will go back to teaching in a classroom. I don't care what anyone says, that is the most important job in education and it is the only place where you can develop that unique close relationship with kids.
Running:
Running is going pretty well, even the speed work. For my training plan right now, I have target paces for every run that will help me hit 1:59:59 in the half marathon. I have hit target pace for every run except for one (I would blame that on my watch because I messed it up in the middle of a 4 mile tempo run, but I know that is a cop-out.). My foot has been hurting and my legs are pretty sore, but other than that, it feels great to work on speed again. The only bummer is that I am not doing much trail running right now since I am working on speed (and because it is dark in the morning when I run now). I miss it, but I will get right back to it after the Denver Half. I have also added one day of biking/week for cross training and I am really liking the change from running.
That about wraps it up. It was my birthday last weekend so I am 37 now. I can't believe it. I don't feel 37. I feel about 24 most days (ask Dan... I still laugh at fart jokes). I even laughed today when my boss said "arrears." Hahahaha! She said "rear." Seriously. Good thing she is cool.
Noah:
Still my amazingly talented-in-every-way-athletic-little genius! ;) He has gotten into playing the "guitar," which he made at school out of a shoebox, a pencil, and a few rubber bands. It is hilarious and I really need to get a video posted of him playing and singing. His school year is in full swing and they have started phonics, a little bit of writing, and Spanish! My kid already officially knows more Spanish than I do. Sad, I know, but I am just so proud I don't even care.
Dan:
He is finally riding his bike again, which is cool. He took a little break after his big race in August but he is glad to be back in the saddle again, so to speak. He is happy and cool as usual. When I married him, I had no idea how much strength that guy has and I am amazed every day at his positivity and his openness to whatever the universe throws at him. He rocks!
Japhy:
Annoying dog as ever...but we love him!
Work:
Well, let's just say that work is a big reason I haven't been blogging. I have never had a position that left me as drained at the end of the day as I am now. But it also has parts I absolutely love and I am not leaving, at least not today, hehe. We are in a situation right now that requires a LOT of paperwork and I don't like the amount of time it is taking away from kids, but it is temporary. And I treasure the time I CAN get with kids that much more! I am pretty sure that sometime before I retire (you know, when I am 101 years old), I will go back to teaching in a classroom. I don't care what anyone says, that is the most important job in education and it is the only place where you can develop that unique close relationship with kids.
Running:
Running is going pretty well, even the speed work. For my training plan right now, I have target paces for every run that will help me hit 1:59:59 in the half marathon. I have hit target pace for every run except for one (I would blame that on my watch because I messed it up in the middle of a 4 mile tempo run, but I know that is a cop-out.). My foot has been hurting and my legs are pretty sore, but other than that, it feels great to work on speed again. The only bummer is that I am not doing much trail running right now since I am working on speed (and because it is dark in the morning when I run now). I miss it, but I will get right back to it after the Denver Half. I have also added one day of biking/week for cross training and I am really liking the change from running.
That about wraps it up. It was my birthday last weekend so I am 37 now. I can't believe it. I don't feel 37. I feel about 24 most days (ask Dan... I still laugh at fart jokes). I even laughed today when my boss said "arrears." Hahahaha! She said "rear." Seriously. Good thing she is cool.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Back in Training Mode
It seems like I feel lost these days without something to train for. Like my whole life is meaningless. Just kidding. But I did struggle with letting my body heal up after Pikes. I finally forced myself to take a week off. It lasted 3 days, but it worked. I am back to a full schedule of running plus one day of biking (thanks again to Dan for fixing my mountain bike!). So I am officially training for the Denver Half Marathon, which is only six weeks away. Yikes! I should probably get myself registered.
I am changing up the schedule though a little to add some speed work because I would like to finish this 1/2 marathon in under 2 hours. I am realistic though so I will be happy with anything under 2:05, and I can live with anything under 2:11. The 1/2 is October 18, so I have to be ok with the fact that there could be snow on the ground for it, or it could be sunny and hot.
My speedwork consists of intervals on the track on Tuesdays and tempo runs on Thursdays. So far, my paces are right on track with what MacMillan says I need to do to finish in under 2 hours. It's definitely different than the Pikes training I did, but it is nice to be running fast (or at least faster) again.
I am changing up the schedule though a little to add some speed work because I would like to finish this 1/2 marathon in under 2 hours. I am realistic though so I will be happy with anything under 2:05, and I can live with anything under 2:11. The 1/2 is October 18, so I have to be ok with the fact that there could be snow on the ground for it, or it could be sunny and hot.
My speedwork consists of intervals on the track on Tuesdays and tempo runs on Thursdays. So far, my paces are right on track with what MacMillan says I need to do to finish in under 2 hours. It's definitely different than the Pikes training I did, but it is nice to be running fast (or at least faster) again.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
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