Friday, January 14, 2011

Still alive.....

I'm still alive! This week has definitely been a bit challenging and a bit overwhelming trying to manage my time effectively but it is finally the weekend! I guess the weekends aren't any more relaxing but they are certainly more enjoyable! I love the blog world. I hate feeling out of touch and I could honestly spend hours a day reading....

Random tidbits quickly.

I have cut my caffeine intake to ONE cup of coffee in the morning since January 1st. I've seriously been trying to overcome the shakes and smashing headaches. Joe actually caught me licking the inside of my coffee cup as to not leave even a HINT of coffee residue in it!!

We've been experiencing some beautiful weather. I'm extremely thankful for this as next week I will be becoming quite intimate with my treadmill. It is currently covered in so many of my bodily fluids that I think we are passed the getting to know each other stage.....

I did 800's for speed this week. (2 sets of 4X800) Treadmill- 3:15 straight across at 1% incline but I needed a mile recovery in between sets this time. This was tougher for me than 3 weeks ago and I was faster then. I was clammy and dizzy in the second set and did not feel well at all. That is the second speed work session I've felt like crap in. I'm not sure if this is in my head or I really just struggle this bad sometimes.....

I ran my tempo today and felt remarkable good which was a good confidence builder. I managed the 5 middle miles at a 6:58 average and although I wasn't stopping to smell the roses, I didn't feel like my legs were going to fall off or my lungs were going to explode....Well kind of but they didn't... For those who don't know me well, this is much faster than I like to run. If I could run all my miles at 20-30 seconds slower than my current marathon pace but still take 10 minutes off of my marathon time I would be a seriously happy camper:) I have scoured the internet searching for this training plan but apparently it doesn't exist...who knew??

I have only 3 hockey games this weekend! I'm hoping to have some serious down time to catch up! I'm working on two tags that I will hopefully post tomorrow! Hope you are all having a great Friday night. My hubby will be home in 15 minutes-Woohoo! I hope to visit each and every one of you this weekend!!

Reese and I before the hockey game tonight! She is getting ready to hit the synthetic ice skating treadmill on Monday and seems to be recovering well. Hopefully she will be back early February. She's so anxious to be playing again!

20 comments:

Amanda@runninghood said...

Hey Jenn! I am so excited that i am the first to comment or so it looks. I have been waiting for you to have a new post but I have been loving all your e-mails and comments! Your 800's sound hard...I have not had to do 8 of them in a loooong time. I'm sure I'll have plenty with this plan once I get into it more. ONly 3 Hockey games? Good grief, that is way more than we do on the weekends....Good for you for sacrificing a lazy lay around at home Saturday and Sunday for your kids! I'm sure they are amazing athletes. Your treadmill...sounds gross..I don't know if I'd want to use it until you clean all your stuff off. :) You know, since there are all those times that I'd be at your house using your TM. ?? ;) Happy Friday night Jenn! Hope you have a great weekend.

XLMIC said...

That's a rigorous workout! Man! Are you doing 800 on/800 off? What's the rest between each? I am very impressed! Good for you on the coffee thing…has it been better? I needed to do that, too. Have fun w/ the kids and the hockey! Hope Reese is mending well :)

Anonymous said...

Wow, you ran that fast without caffeine?!! Well, I guess you had ONE cup, lol! I don't drink coffee, but I have become very dependent on my pre workout drink, I hope it's more mental than anything, but I doubt it! I don't want to know what I would feel like if I didn't take it!

Have a great weekend!

middleagedrunner said...

Phew! You work out HARD and run FAST! Good for you- but I got the clammy sweats just thinking about it...
Glad you have had some good weather- I lucked out for the first 10 or so days of the month and now it's crap again. Below zero and snow all over the roads. BOOO!

dawn @ running the dawn said...

good work with the coffee! hang in there, i know it gets better. when we first got married, mr. dawn was trying to cut caffeine out of his life and he had some serious headaches to survive before we was free of them. you can do it!

i am with you. i would love to find a plan that would let me just run an easy pace and then magically kill it come race day. too bad its not that easy...lame!

Running and living said...

It is pretty amazing to me how the faster you get, the tougher taking a few seconds/mile gets, even in shorter intervals. That tempo of yours rocks! If you are holding that for 5 miles now, you'll surely be holding a lower pace in your 10 mile race!

Runnin' Momma said...

Great job on doing some speedwork. I am not a huge fan!

The weather does look like it is about to change, so good luck on the treaadmill this week!

~Katie

ShutUpandRun said...

Glad Reese is doing so well!

Thank you so much for your email yesterday. You really do keep me from completely falling apart. I know there will be setbacks and I am definitely in the middle of one of those.

Those are some FAST miles, btw.

Unknown said...

Yeah for the tempo run! I'm aiming to run 15 to 20 seconds faster on my tempos as well. So far, blech, but I'll get there...
thanks for sharing your speed work details, so interesting.
Have a "more" restful weekend than you week! ONLY three hockey games! I hope you aren't bored! :)
Hugs!

Jamie said...

I too would love to have a plan where you run slower than pace most of the time and still PR :) oh that would be so nice! nice work on the tempo run!!!

Heather -Momma Running Amok said...

Can your speed please rub off on me through the computer???? Please..pretty please? I am hoping that once I get done with my race in a couple weeks I will work hard on some speed work. Last year right now I was A LOT faster, but I could not have run the distances I am now, last year. I need to somehow combine the 2 into 1. (and find a way to get back to my pre kiddos 5k time would not hurt either!) I know you won't believe it, but I am jealous of the cold and snow you have. I really do miss it. (not that I really cared for Green Bay) BUT I did always enjoy a good snowy day and the feeling that it as OK so sit home and do nothing, relax, spend time with the kids without running around at full speed outside. The sun here in FL can get old and when we do get cold or rain I love to bunker down and stay in. Hope the hockey games are fun and you enjoy your weekend!

Julie said...

Hi Jenn,
I know all about crazy life with kids in activities!! Holy cow! My blogging has been put on the back burner again:) Yay for Reese getting back into action...she looks so happy!

My little guy just started skating lessons and I couldn't get him off of the ice:) I thought of you and your three super stud children:)

Nice work on your running. My marathon training officially starts on Monday....OMG! I am not ready! Take care Jenn!

Happy Feet 26.2 said...

only 1 cup of coffee, yikes!

Muncher Cruncher said...

You and Reese are SO STINKING CUTE. What an incredibly adorable family you have! I am pretty positive you guys are the most fun little hockey family ever.
You are a little speed demon. I'm impressed with your 800's too!!
I am sorry about your sister as well! How old was she when she passed away? Stuff like that is so hard...but at the same time I'm sure it brought your family closer too!
I'm so glad you loved the banana bread. It's my fave! Can't wait to see your tag!! :)

Jill said...

Speed Gonzales, how do you keep moving so fast after reducing your caffeine intake to one cup?!? I don't drink coffee but I know addicts must have it in the mornings. Anyway, you have bounced back so well after your hip fracture and I couldn't be more happy to see it all coming together for you - you so deserve it!!
xoxo

The Hungry Runner Girl said...

I am glad you spend mula on your jeans cause girl you look GOOD in them!!! So good to hear you carry candy in your truck in case of emergencies too and I always take food to church...everyone thinks I am pregnant or something. Have a great Sunday gorgeous girl!

Velma said...

You guys look so cute!! Good luck with the caffeine - it is tough!!

Lindsay said...

i can't stop thinking about that last little bit -- a synthetic ice skating treadmill? you need to put one of these in your 'kitchen' and demonstrate...

ThE MidLiFe CrUiSeR said...

Workout?!?! That's too easy of a word for what you're doing. For me that would be more like tortureout.

BTW, NO RUNNING SKIRT?!?! With your sexy legs? I think that's a sin! :)

Raina said...

You are rocking the Tempo run!!

I cannot quit caffeine, try as I might. Maybe you can gove me some tips.?

So glad you are back and alive. We have missed you!