Training update: Focus change

Week of July 9-15, 2012:

Current Weight: 162.6 (Down 3.8 lbs from previous week!)

Total Lost to date: 58.2 lbs

Chest: 38.5" (Down 0.5" from previous measurement)

Hips: 43"  (No change)

Taken June 19th, at the start of Run With Jess's Lose a Marathon challenge.
I'll take another set at the end of the month.

Side view!

Last week, when I did not do a training update, I weighed in at 166.4,  a gain of 1.2 lbs from pre-vacation weigh-in.   Completely understandable that I had a gain on a CRUISE, despite how good I tried to be.  Thankfully, it all came off this week (and then some) with things being back to normal.

Ha, ha, ha!  I didn't think we DID normal in this household!

My week actually looks kind of crazy work-out wise - but it really wasn't, honest!  Almost every night (except Thursday and Sunday), we took a walk after dinner for some family time.  Amazing what you can do when you don't have to rush out for a workout before dark!  We walked 7.7 miles together this week.

It's about time you included me in the workouts lady!

I also returned to a normal running schedule - except for the fact that this week was a "fall-back" week in my marathon training schedule.  I ran 4 days this week: Tuesday, Wednesday,Thursday, and Saturday.  (A slight shift from normal because last week, my long run was on Sunday).  I ran 5, 3, 5 and 6 miles respectively.  The mid-week runs were around an 11:30 min/mile average pace and the Saturday run was a 12 min/mile LSD pace.

I also returned to strength training workouts with Adam with one on Thursday night.  My core had been neglected while on vacation, and thus, I spent Friday and Saturday a bit sore.  

Yesterday?  Apparently was Mandy-Tries-To-Kick-Her-Own-A$$ day.  Exercise wise, I started with a Core with Marie class at 10am.  This is a free (for members) class done by my running group at the local running store.  Since the local running store is walking distance from my house, I really felt like I needed to go at least once! Much tougher than I expected!!  A lot of holding planks while doing other things.  I admit, I gave myself an extra rest here and there - I could definitely tell my core had just recently been sore!  We also worked our butt and hammies a lot with a lot of bridge work.  45 minutes of core is a long time, or so it seemed.

Cry me a river lady!  I'm the one with real problems!

I came home to help with Avery until her afternoon nap.  During this time, I also re-loaded my mountain pack to 30 lbs.  (32 lbs when I added the full water bottle).  When Avery went to bed, I went to High banks park near my house and tried to kick my own a$$.   I hiked for 2 hours with boots and pack.  My goal was FASTER, especially since the pack was a little lighter.  During the hike, I decided my goal was 18 min/miles or less, regardless of the presence of hills.  My total average pace for 6.7 miles was 18:03 min/mile.  This despite the first mile being over 19 min/mile (warm-up mile) and the final miles being slower as I got way too desalinated.  Now, for a runner, 18 min/miles doesn't seem that fast, but for hiking, it's quick!

Try climbing through tables instead Mommy!

Big things I did different from previous Rainier training:

• Pace.  My average moving pace was 17:30 min/mile.  Pre-Rainier, closer to 20 minute miles.
• Water.  I only hydrated at 45 minute and 1 hour 20 min.  Before Rainier, I wore a hydration pack and drank whenever I wanted.  On Rainier, however, you can only hydrate at the breaks.  Because it was 91 degrees, and my hands were swollen, I allowed myself an early (45 minutes in) break for the first water stop.  At the 1:20 water stop, I was feeling pretty bad from sweating so much.  I drank the rest of the water and actually rested on a bench for a couple minutes.
• I kept going when I felt bad from hydration.  I didn't push myself in a dangerous way (I slowed pace and watched for signs I was getting any worse), but I kept going even when I was worried I might puke up the water I just drank.  Mountain training is supposed to suck.
• No mountain rest-step at all.  On the hills, I just powered through and kicked my own bootie.

When I left my house, it was cloudy.  I didn't check the weather, just packed water instead of Gatorade, thinking "it's overcast, and I'm not doing the steps".  Dumb!  Salt pill or Gatorade next time.  Lesson learned.

This was a tough workout - I felt sore and tired when I finished.  And, I beat myself up about the fact that THAT was what I should have been doing pre-Rainier.  Training is not the time for rest step or being efficient, it's about beating yourself up to make you stronger.

Blah, blah, blah...I'd rather read about animals.

Change in focus.  In general, until October 21st, my focus will be running.  That's the day I run my first FULL marathon.  Nonetheless, I want to do a mountain workout as cross-training once a week.  We'll see how feasible that is as my marathon mileage increases.

How was your training this week?

What are you currently focused on/training for?