Monday Night Lights

If I've said it once,

I've said it a thousand times.  If you want to run faster, you have to, you know, run faster.  And running faster is hard.  Haaaaaaaaaard.  (said in my best curling voice) I'm glad for the opportunity to be back at the track.  I'd neglected any super serious speedwork in the month leading up to my ultra.  Ha, like there is anything super serious about anything related to my running. Anyways.  It's been about 7 weeks since my last track date.   

Sare Bear met for some Monday Night Lights and it was amazeballs.  Boss, is actually how I described it on Daily Mile.  (thanks to Zoe for the word)  We ran 8 x 400.  I was shooting for a 1:58 400.  My times were: 1:53, 1:51, 1:51, 1:52, 1:48, 1:51, 1:52, 1:44.  Consistent if just a schooch faster than planned.  I'll take faster any day as long as it is consistent!  Of course the weird part about speed work is that you are all gross and hot and tired like you had this major work out and then you look down at your Garmin to see you only ran 3.62 miles!  Whaaaaaat?  Oh wells, they were quality miles!  Miles that will make me faster and get me ready for shorter distances.

Giddy is the best way to describe how I feel reading your race recaps and watching you prepare for upcoming races.  You make me want to run a 5K, you do!  But sigh, I'm struggling to find smaller 5Ks this Spring.  We'll see what the 5K front holds.

The Big D Half and White Rock Centennial Half await me though.  Big D was my very first half so it holds a special place in my heart.  Nah, not really.  It's a decent race.  Not too big so you don't get too clumpy at the start.  Lots of crowd support in the hoods and not too terribly many hills.  I'd really, really, really like to PR this race.  My half PR (2:11)  is getting kind of old now.  It's time to set some records, baby! We'll see what training holds for me. My hip has been wonky all weekend. I'm not sure what I said in particular to hurt its feelings, but boy howdy it's angry at me!  Ice, stretching and foam rolling are on my schedule daily.  

If you needed any proof that there is nothing super serious about my running, just peek at my training plan for my race.  Pink and green people, pink and green.  Who says a training plan can't be stylish? 

 

I'm sure you are noticing how infrequent running actually makes an appearance on this plan.  I cooked it up myself, a version of the marathon plan I followed for Houston, based on the book Run Less, Run Faster.  My body responded well to the lower mileage yet more intense workouts. Plus, if affords me more time for cross training. Essential. Notice I've inserted yoga as my cross training, not swimming or cycling. Now, that doesn't mean that I won't be pedaling my legs for cardio.  I will.  However, there will be no swimming since I don't have access to a pool.  Apparently, that is essential to get your swim on.  I've found the hot yoga a wonderful compliment to my running.  It's cardio for sure, my heart rate stays elevated and it's using my muscle groups in new and challenging ways. The whole point of cross training, right?

So there you have it.  My super slim Spring race schedule.  Two measly races.  What else should I run? Suggestions are welcome!  

OhandImightjustmightbeconsideringrunninga50mileraceinJulydoesthatmakemecompletelycrazy?