run twenty miles a week

Yesterday, Papillon and I ran 18 miles resulting in my first > 30 mile week for this training period. I did not make 20 last week, but it was very close and I was in Portland and Seatle for 4 days. I think I’ve been consistent enough with this to mark it done.

I guess I’ll runner’s blog about this stuff under my other goal of running another marathon.

I’m very happy to be running so consistently again.

M:4.5, W: 6, F: 5, Sat: 12 = 27.5

I am particularly proud of making the 20+ this week because I was in Sacramento Sunday – Friday busy beyond belief, under a lot of stress and sleeping 4- hours a night. Yet, I managed to get out and run. I’m trying to take the position that running is non-negotiable even on massively stressful important projects.

Of course, when the cold rain starts, I will be severely tested.

On another note, the 12 miler was really rough. Way harder than last week’s 16. I’m not sure why. It could be that I didn’t papillon as a running partner. It was hotter. I had a really rough, stressful and ultimately disappointing week. I wore different shoes that I think may be near end-of-life. It could be some combination of all those things. I did however, do the run/walk, which I guess isn’t a cure-all ;)

My running partner has always trained with a 9/1 run/walk ratio on long runs. I never did that, and in fact, really felt like once I stopped running for a short walk that it would be a nightmare to get going again. The few times I was forced to a walk by exhaustion, this was the case. However, to train with him, I have been doing the short walkies.

Today’s 16 miler has me convinced. It works. The run was great, we finished strong, the internal “stop” voice never started and I feel way better than I ordinarily did after a run this long.

This week: T: 5, R: 5, F: 3, S: 16 for a total of 29 miles

But I didn’t run the 16 miler. My running buddy canceled his 16 this weekend and asked if I’d care to run it together next weekend. My legs had felt pretty tired and I kind of end-loaded miles this week so I just ran a 10 miler, which went very well.

W: 4, F: 5, S: 4, Sun: 10 = 23 miles

This week’s plan: T:5, W:4, F:4, Sat:16

M:5,W:5,F:5,S:8 = 23 miles

The 8 miler was harder than last week’s 13. Sometimes they’re like that. I just felt off. Then I worked about 38 hours over the weekend, 21 in a row on Sunday. I guess I finally got my 8-5 job, it just happened to be 8am to 5am. Sometimes this is unavoidable, I suppose. But the point is, I’m off to a bad start this week in running as I haven’t yet.

Given this Saturday is a 16 miler, if I don’t get out at least twice this week, I really shouldn’t run the long run. I will run tomorrow. I will. I will. Even if it’s raining again.

Now to meditate and to bed.

Two weeks ago, I ran 18 and then hiked for 14 miles on a camping trip. I can’t count that as running 20 miles, but it was a really good work out. Last week, I wasn’t feeling well and didn’t crack 20. This week I ran, 2×3.5, 6 and 13 for a total of 26.

Training for the AZ RnR, from here on out, I should crack 20 every week, even on “easy weeks” given that the low mileage step-backs are still 8+ mile runs.

For about a month, I’ve been too busy with travelling, work, and travelling for work to really be consistent with my plan. I’ve been running 3’s, 4’s and 5’s here and there, but I’ve been off plan. Last week, I ran 3×4 and a 5 for 17. This week I’m a 4 and and 8 in. 2 more 4’s and I’ll have 20. I have 3 days to do it. We’re looking good.

A 2 month streak sticking to the plan ended this week. Monday, I didn’t feel all that well and we were working on a feature freeze for our software. So, I didn’t run. I told myself I’d make time Tuesday despite that being an 826LA day which takes 3 hours in the middle of the day, so I work early and late to make it up. (Totally worth the time and effort; the kids are amazing, but still 3 hours is 3 hours).

I didn’t run.

Ok, I said, I’ll start Wednesday and get some running in this week. It’s now Friday and I haven’t run yet. My 6 miler last Saturday was the last run.

It is really hot already at 7:45 am—I’m not sure I’m going to run today either.

On an up note, though, my quads and right knee felt very worked after my 6 miler and this unplanned break has probably been wise because they feel much better. Still, I feel slothful.

Ok. Now I’ve said it, I’ll just re-plan, let it go. No guilt, no judging. I’ll run when it works.

M:3,W:4,F:3,S:6 – for 16 miles

The run felt great, but my legs were very tired on Sunday. My quads feel very fatigued, as if I had been running hills. I’m not sure what to make of it. I will have to be very careful today.

I just signed up for the Nike Run-Hit-Wonder 10k with malmed. It looks like quite a fun race.

A friend joined me for the 5 miler this morning and we had a most pleasant run followed by a really decadent breakfast that definitely replaced any calories burned in the run.

M:3,W:4,F:3,S:5 – for a week total 15 miles

The knee feels fine, too, which leaves me hopeful. Since last week’s long run was on Sunday, I actually ran 19 miles in the past 7 days.