Happy National Running Day

Today is National Running Day!! Go out and run :)

I've been trying to get up earlier and try to beat the heat. I didn't meet my goal this morning. I left a little after 6:30 and it was already super bright and warm.

Yesterday I worked on sprints. I did 6X 800. I haven't done this workout in over 2 months so I knew they weren't going to be awesome. They turned out ok, given that I haven't been running fast and my hip has been bothering me. The splits were: 3:45, 3:37, 3:33, 3:37, 3:50. 3;40.

Yeah, not pretty. After the third one my hip started to hurt and it was difficult to push my self :(

The pain comes and goes. Usually if I'm sitting still for more than 10 minutes, I get a cramping pain in my hip (could this be a problem with a nerve???) If I walk or run slow, there isn't any pain. If I run fast or pound too hard then it hurts.

This morning I wanted to go on a shake out run. I did a slow 7 miles with my thoughts. I came home and did some core work and squats.

Its summer aka short shorts so squats are mandatory!

Track Thursday- speed work

Except I didn't run on the track.

I focused on speed work for the second time this week. I don't have hills in Dinuba and since I want to run faster (and maybe BQ someday) I thought running sprints and less miles might do the trick.

There is a track in town- the local Jr. High has a dirt track that's accessible (There's a giant fence around the HS track). I prefer to run in the AM, and last time I tried running a track workout at this track I realized theres a period 0 P.E class.

Instead of the track, I found a 800 meter strip with very very little traffic near Centennial Park.  It worked perfectly.

I have been struggling with my speed for a while. Plus after the last half marathon my leg has been bothering me so it's difficult to run 100% since I don't want to hurt myself. ( I don't really know what part is bothering me, it seems to be the back of my knee/ thigh. I have been icing and stretching)

My first 800 meters was slow (3:44) and definitely defeating. I kept at it, huffing and puffing for 5 more repeats. When I looked at my Garmin after the 3rd one, I thought the thing might be broken since it said 3:26.  Hopefully this means that my legs are moving faster and not that the satellites were playing with my GPS.

finding a new running path

I'm semi moved-in. It's still a little weird because my stuff is still in boxes, in storage and just disorganized.

Last night, I went on a 7 mile run. I don't' normally run at night, but I spent the morning cleaning and unpacking. My run seemed a little more difficult than normal. I don't know if the elevation level is different in Dinuba more than in LA because I was out of break within 500 meters of my run.

Also, finding a new running path is always an adjustment. I've gotten so use to my normal routine that it feels like a challenge to 1) decide on the milage and 2) what path to take.

This morning I did some speed work. One mile warm up and then 6 X800 meter runs.

Ever since the half marathon 2 weeks ago, the back of my leg feels uncomfortable. It feels a little tight and stiff. In the middle of my sprints, I felt that weird feeling and it definitely put a damper on my run. Its been difficult to run hard because it does feel uncomfortable and I don't want to hurt myself.

I think I am going to take a few days off and do my cardio on a stationary bike.
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Best kind of cardio?

PM or AM workout?

Tell me about your running path?

sprints and pets

My long run on Saturday morning was an easy 11 miles.

Sunday. <rest>

Monday. 7 miles.

Tuesday. 6X800 sprints @ 3:32

The weather has been really nice, a little cool and perfect for hard running. The thing is, I haven't really felt like running hard. Running slow has been a challenge. I don't know what the deal is, my body feels ok, I'm just haven't been super excited about running right now-which is totally fine. Today, things shifted and my sprints were awesome. My legs hurt from the sprints but it brought back a much needed runner's high. but it may have been the answer to getting over my runner's slump.

I wanted to share my weekend with y'all. I know, this is really late, but bear with me.

Saturday night we went to dinner and a show at Sevilla in Long Beach. I was excited because I spent a semester in Spain and really loved it. This place was ok, the food was below average but it was a fun night. The flamenco dancing was really cool. The sangria was just like I remembered it, strong.

Sunday morning we went to church. After, we made an unexpected stop at Reptile Finders in Lomita. We left with this little gal… 

It's a leopard gecko and the sales guy told us it was a girl. We also left the store with a habitat setup. 

I really like reptiles. In all honestly, I'm a little scared of them, but I think they are awesome. They remind me of mini- dinosaurs. I think reptiles are a good balance for me, they are cool but they stay in their cage and are low maintenance.  I have a tortoise and she's lovely. 

I'm not a fan of other kind of pets; cats scare me, fishes are boring, dogs I can handle (if they are well behaved and super cute).

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Do you have a pet?

Ever seen a flamenco dance?

Ever been in a workout slump- tips on getting out?

sleepless nights

I had such a hard time falling asleep last night. AHHH! I hate when that happens, my mind was just working over time.

This morning I did 4 miles. Instead of taking them easy, I decided I'd redeem myself from my sluggish speed work on Tuesday and try to get all 4 miles under an 8min/mile pace.

The self- induced guilt worked and I did okay. 1. 8:09, 2. 7:18, 3. 7:35 and 4. 7:40

Last night I took a break from CrossFit and I feel so much better- rested and calm. I'll go back tonight. I already looked at the WOD and I'm tempted to take another rest day. No, I won't.

A. 5 rounds for time: 5 deadlifts, 400m run
B. 100 kettleball swings, 100 double unders

This weekend I am running the Tinkerbell Half Marathon at Disneyland. I've heard it's really special and I've decided to really enjoy it, take it easy and take tons of pictures. The race runs through Disneyland, the city of Anaheim and California Adventures. The only down side is that the race was super super expensive and the race entry does not provide race into the park.

I'm working on a DIY Tinkerbell costume and post coming soon.

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How many rest days do you take a week? Usually I take 2 days off from running. Wednesday and Sunday.

Favorite Disney character? 

When's the last time you have been to Disneyland?

use it or lose it

Last nights Crossfit WOD was:
A. 400m run. (front squat, box jumps) 3, 6, 9, 12. 400m farmer carry w/ 15lbs.
B. 400m run. 25 burpees, 15 wall balls.

The second set had me dripping sweat, it was hard.  I actually was glad to see the 400m run and be able to catch my breath. I'm starting to like the box jumps, the farmer carry on the other hand was hard simply because my hands could really grip the weight.

 Somewhere along the way I did something to a muscle around my hip/ butt. I came home and it felt uncomfortable. I stretched and iced hoping it would be gone in the morning. 

This is a good graphic. The area labeled 'Iliotibial band' points out the are pretty good. I have heard of problems with the IT band but only ever related to knee problems and the pain is close to the knee. Is that the case? 



This is a better picture but it's still hard to pin-point the uncomfortable area. I think it's in the white space between the butt and the front of the hip. Maybe the tensor fascia latae?? 

Picture of Iliotibial (IT) Band Syndrome

This morning it felt the same. I took off for speed work. 

I did the regular speed work workout 6X800. I realized it was almost 3 weeks since I last did it and it showed. My fastest time 3 weeks ago was about 3:30. Today it was 3:38 and it was  hard. 

I guess the whole use it or lose it thing applies. 

I made a mental note that from now on Tuesday= speed session, whether I like it or not. 

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Is there anything  you do, whether you like it or not?

Ever had a problem with your IT band?

I'm in a little bit of a slump- any ideas on how to get out of it?

races for the new year

Like always, I wasn't feeling like sprints this morning. But since they always land on Thursday and I take Wednesdays off (scheduled this on purpose), I always feel guilty about not showing up and always end up dragged myself out of bed.

Same as always, I did 6X800 with a mile warm-up and cool-down. The 800s were hard but this time they were faster!!

The sprints were at about an average of 3:33. Last time I documented my sprints, they were around 3:35-40. Yay! I don't feel like I'm going any faster during my runs, but the numbers are showing a great deal of improvement and I'm really excited about that.

So excited that I even started looking for 2013 races. I already have a few on the calendar ( Tinker bell 1/2, Surf City marathon) and a few I'm undecided about (NWM 1/2, Chicago? LA?). I wish I could sign up for tons and tons of races, but they are expensive :( so I try to pick ones that stand out in a special way. (a nice course, nice freebies, fun, friends)

Any ideas or recommendations?

I think I'm done with my christmas shopping- for the most part. Yay! I'm not a finish-stuff-last-minute kinda girl so this isn't unusual but I always get jealous of the people that still get to shop.

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Are you done with your christmas shopping?

Have you made any plans for 2013 already?

What is something that you don't like to do but do it anyways?

LA Galaxy: only one team in Cali

Wow! Wow! Last night was amazing.

Remember my Monday post where I recapped my weekend and the LA Galaxy game. They played San Jose and lost 0-1. Last night was the second game of the Western Conference Semi-Finals. Anthony and I joined a bunch of LA Galaxy fans at a bar to watch the game.

I can't even begin to tell you how awesome it was. LA scored 3 goals in the first half, 3 GOALS!, they were aggressive and the defense was on point. The fans at the bar went absolutely crazy when LA scored, it was so much fun. It was a well played game, the final score was 3-1. The MLS does this thing where the goals in series are added up and the team with the most goals moves up. With the aggregated score of 3-2 LA moves on to play for the Western Conference Championship! Amazing. You have to read about it here.

When the Earthquake fans were here on Sunday, they had signs that said "there's only one team in Cali" or "we rule this state". Turns out there is only one worthy soccer team in California- and they are in LA. :) 

This morning I headed out to do speed work. On my way out the door I noticed 1) it was raining 2) my Garmin didn't turn on- batteries dead 3) gosh darn it!

It's okay, I did them anyway, same as last week, 6X 800's. I don't think they were lightning fast but I did feel it in my legs and lungs so I'm pretty sure the number was around 3:40 for each 800.

I'm running a Half Marathon on Sunday and I am torn. I know I have bigger races to look forward so I don't  want to put too much pressure on myself but at the same time I'm competitive and want to PR. I don't know what I will do yet, but as of right now I have plans for an easy run on Fri and a 10 mile trail run on Sat. It might be too much, it might be okay...

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Rain? yay or nay?  I love it!

Are you good about charging your electronics?

Ever been to a championship game (any sport)?