luluorange’s Training Blog

The route is tough, about 50% of it is hill at different level, I definitely felt it while I climbed. The downhill isn’t necessary easier, some part of it is so steep that I had to really hold back and tightened up my muscle so I don’t let my body go and my knees buckle. Tough run today, I kept it at a good pace throughout.

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 07/31/2008
• Total Time: 1:15:00.00
• Distance: 7.79 miles
• Average Pace: 9:37.85/mile

I am glad that after two days off of running, my discomfort in my left knee is gone. My toes still bothers me from the 14 miles (a couple of blisters). Overall, a strong workout.

I am worry about shoes… part of my discomfort on my calf muscle and feet came from wearing high heels at work all day. I have been wearing heels for years, work attires is business, hence a pair of heels really goes well with a nice a-line skirt or a pair tailored slacks. The idea of wearing flat shoes and having take all my pants an inch or two short is an idea that I am struggling with… Yet I know, it’s probably right thing to do…

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 07/29/2008
• Time: 14:28:29
• Total Time: 1:20:00.00
• Distance: 8.42 miles
• Average Pace: 9:30.52/mile

This is the longest distence I have ever run. A journey like this, you get a little bit of everything. Elation, confidence, self-doubt, tricking your brain back to the positive zone and strength you feel after getting past your own struggle. It was hot and humid today, my left knee and my calf muscle had been bothering me for two days (hence I took Thursday and Friday off running, I only walked and iced a lot). Going into the run, I was nervous and worried about not finishing but I was also determined that I will do the best I can.

The Leggers setup water station at mid-point for all the runners, which helped tremendously, I refilled my water bottle twice (going and coming back), never thought I could drink so much water on a run. I also tried the Cliff shot block, GU in harder gello form in a cube. Easy to eat, not messy like GU, I took one cube every 30 minutes of running. I don’t think I would be able to finish and still feel good if I hadn’t drink water and take the shot blocks.

Overall, it was a successful run, I am so happy to finish.

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 07/26/2008
• Time: 07:15:00
• Total Time: 2:22:00.00
• Distance: 14 miles
• Average Pace: 10:08.11/mile

Check on the video, this is cool, you get to run with a million people on the same day all over the world.
You can choose to run in 25 cities around the world or run on your own with Nike+ equipment and upload your race miles. This is history in the making. I am excited. I’ll be running in Los Angeles in the Coliseum (home of the USC Trojans) and Kanye West will be performing at the end of the race.

You can do it too in the city near you. It’ll be fun.

http://nikeplus.nike.com/nikeplus/humanrace/index.jsp

I have been in a really bad mood this past couple of days, can’t quite put my finger on it. EVERYTHING irritates me, I had to really dig deep to not let it show at work which is just exhausting. And no…it’s not PMS, I know the difference. I think it’s time for a vacation, my last vacation was last December and it’s been a crazy year…The daily grind is getting old and I think I need some new perspective before burn out.

Running has been that one thing that consistently keeps me in check on the positive mode. I’ve learned that it is so important to keep the positive thoughts in my life to keep all the negative people and pressure of performance at bay. I feel like I am losing grounds these few days…

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 07/22/2008
• Time: 05:30:00
• Total Time: 00:38:12.00
• Distance: 4 miles
• Average Pace: 9:33.25/mile

Afterwards, we went into the aerobic studio to do AB work with medicine ball for 15 minutes.
A well rounded workout!

Workout:

• Type: Cycle
• Date: 07/21/2008
• Time: 06:30:00
• Total Time: 00:45:00.00

The Leggers’ scheduled run today is a recovery run of 6 miles (we did 12 last Saturday). I felt like running longer and don’t want to lose my momentum by adding a few miles after running with them. In addition, they starts at 7:40 this morning, it would be too hot by then.

I love running with the Leggers, I don’t think I could have broken the 10 mile barrier if I had been on my own (God knows I tried). Once in a while, on a foggy day like this, going off the beaten path early in the morning on my own is such a joy. Taking in the air, the ocean, the beautiful backdrop of Malibu, all to myself. I ran 8.61 miles and was strong and light all the way. I did a couple of sets of stairs in the canyons at the end, stretched and walked back to my car.

Now go take on the weekend…

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 07/19/2008
• Time: 06:30:00
• Total Time: 1:24:00.00
• Distance: 8.61 miles
• Average Pace: 9:45.37/mile

Decided to read a little, by 4:30 am, I am still wide awake. I finally got up and get dressed to go to the gym. Change of plan from my 6 am beach run, since it is still dark out. Did speed drills and hill runs on the treadmill. I was determined to run for 70 minutes today and I did it. Other than some sleep, all is not lost.

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 07/17/2008
• Time: 05:00:00
• Total Time: 1:13:00.00
• Distance: 7.58 miles
• Average Pace: 9:37.85/mile

How do I describe this? Not quite the nice beach run I enjoy in the early morning hours…
Since I slept right thru my alarm this morning and miss my beach run, I guess I just have to make do.

It’s been a tough day at work, I conducted a training for 35 of our professional staff in the firm and as always, you can’t please everybody despite your best effort. I was really craving for a good run so I can forget this day ever happened.

So I head out of my office planning to run 8 miles, I guess with 78 degree and 64% humidity plus traffic, and rude drivers on cell phones…not a good formula for long run. I struggled most of the way, and cut short of my planned 8 mile route, but I did my best to move forward physically and mentally run through the events that happened today and tell myself to let go of what I can not control and tomorrow is another day. As always, I am glad I went for a run. Life is good…

Off I go home for a nice dinner with my husband.

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 07/15/2008
• Time: 17:30:00
• Total Time: 1:08:00.00
• Distance: 6.57 miles
• Average Pace: 10:20.69/mile

Work speed 8:34 minute pace and rest speed 10:00 minute pace with 4% incline. Occasionally I slow down even more but raise the incline. It’s weird that I sweat a lot more in door than when I am running outside. After Saturday’s long run, the suggested workout by Leggers for Sunday was to walk for 40 minutes. Taking a walk on Sunday with long stride and stretch out the tightness felt really good. As I am running on the treadmill this morning, my legs feels fresh and strong.

Unsettling news on the financial market while Indymac are being taken over by the government. Some of the customers are worrying about their deposit with the bank over the FDIC insured limit. Surprisingly enough, a lot of people didn’t know about FDIC and how it works.

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 07/14/2008
• Time: 06:30:00
• Total Time: 00:43:00.00
• Distance: 4.4 miles
• Average Pace: 9:46.32/mile