It has been a very slow transition back into running this year, after four months off (due to school and teaching) and I designed it that way. I used the end of January and February to transition from athletic failure to marathon trainer extraordinaire.
I have gradually been increasing my weekly totals and this week was my biggest yet.
The previous week, was very stressful (in terms of my teaching practicum), filled with extra-curricular activities and cold weather. This week on the other hand was bigger, badder and better. I did my third long run of the year and it is now a ritual for me on Sundays. I love just running, running and running.
I have also been injury free, which is another reason for my slow re-education into running. I have jumped too quickly into sports in the past and maimed myself. I did not want that this year. Especially as I have 2 minor races, one epic trail run and one ultramarathon coming up in the next 8 months. Do not want to get hurt by jumping into the deep end too quickly.
Anyways, I digress. I should be talking about this week. It started with a great 6km easy run (4:30/km pace) on Tuesday. I felt great, my legs were fresh and I love running in the rain. Then, due to stresses at school I was unable to run until Saturday where I ripped off another 6km easy run (4:27 pace). It was gorgeous and sunny in Vancouver this weekend. So it was a great day for running.
Sunday was the epitome of a great run. I did a 14km loop (5:04 pace) of Stanley Park and watched the boats in the harbour, the waves on the rocks and the photographers line the seawall. I love running around Stanley park, especially when it is sunny. I did not intend to go this fast, I was aiming more for 6:00/km, but I started off and just kept hitting this pace and felt great. My legs were not even sore yesterday.
I am really excited my training is starting to ramp up now. Next week my goal is 32km and I will slowly be increasing it every week until I reach 80km sometime in June/July. Wish me luck.
I have also started to include a run on Saturdays, whereas I was not planning on doing this before. But I have the whole day off with little to do, so it will make it easier and I can take a week day off instead. Sometimes it is just hard to run after teaching all day.
Weekly total: 26km
Yearly total: 70km
Ummm that pace is not nice and easy!!! - I run about 4km on the treadmill at the gym a few days a week and my pace is like 5:15, and that's only 4km!
ReplyDeleteWith work and class I also struggle to get to the gym every night during the week normally it is more like one or two days a week and then Fri, Sat and Sun. It's just too busy during the week :/
Looking forward to reading more!
Jenna
That is the hardest part about being busy, finding time to exercise. I my have to start running at 5:0 in the morning just to find time. Thank goodness for weekends.
ReplyDeleteBetween teaching, planning, sleeping and commuting running is hard to do. I find that I go right after school at 3:00 before distractions and work get in the way.
Plus it has been raining lots and while warm rain is fun to run, cold rain is not.