Sunday, May 10, 2020

Weekly Sweats: Running Under Pressure


In this week's edition, 29.25 miles of running and a weight workout, a ton of stress, and I registered for my favorite 10k.


I'm linking up with the Weekly Run Down, please head over to Kim and Deborah to check it out. 

Monday: weights and 4.25 miles.  It was chilly and windy and I didn't feel like doing my usual Monday route, so I roamed my town and of course ended up picking a straight uphill route to match the wind.  Whomp whomp.  This run was 1/3 of the distance and 100 times harder than my last half marathon.

Tuesday: speed day and between you and me I just didn't feel that great.  I decided to try the workout with the option to bail if it didn't feel right.  1.25 miles warmup, then 4 x 1200 with 400 recover and 1.25 miles cool down for 6.5 miles total.  I held myself back and did the first interval "easy" and by the last interval I was feeling on top of the world and still had gas in the tank to go after it.  Being "slow" = barely any difference from last week. 10:35, 10:33, 10:28; 10:15.  And I didn't want to stop when the workout was over.  So fist pump for that not so great feeling going into a workout.

Wednesday: rest day, my FIL's funeral.

Thursday: ugh day.  Sadness from the funeral plus a ton of work stress awaited.  I cut my running plans short and just did 4.25 miles easy with a few strides.

Friday: I was not in a good place due to work stress.  Skipped weights and got my run in but just barely.  4.25 miles easy.  And yay by the end of the day my work situation was solved and life returned to normal.

Saturday: oh hey snowstorm!  I bundled up in my winter gear and set off.  I've been "just running" for my long runs but in last week's post I remembered the workout that I used to do for long runs.  4 miles easy, 10x 0.1 miles fast/0.1 miles slow, 2 miles easy, repeat 10x fast/slow.  Sure enough, the structure made the miles go by quickly.  It was very windy but there was a good bit of tailwind in the mix so that's a win.

Sunday: rest!

What's Next?
The heck if I know!  I'm on the fence about running a 2nd virtual half this spring.  Weather wise next weekend is the time to do it but there just hasn't been enough time or build up since my last half.  I'm probably better off continuing with my current mileage for the next week or so and then switching over to speed this summer.  A wise runner knows when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em.  But eh, who knows.

Race Registration Recap
My work sponsors a 5k/10k in June that I've run 3 years in a row.  We get comp codes to run for free but the organization behind the race is A Worthy Cause so we also donate.  I wasn't expecting to hear anything about the race this year but work sent out an announcement that it's on.

Virtually of course.  My state is starting to open but no way no how is any racing going to take place this summer.  But still, the process of going to a "real" race site and doing a "real" registration was a nice reminder of life in the old days.






35 comments:

  1. Good idea to include some structure in your long runs to make the miles go by quickly. I should remember that for my next long run!
    Glad your work stress got solved before the weekend!

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    1. I need to keep remembering to do that. Work was a piece of work this week!

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  2. Sorry about your FIL and the work stress. I hope running gave you some relief from the sadness and stress. I saw yesterday there are some actual races happening in Georgia already. Crazy!

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    1. Whoa, that is quite crazy! Our local marathon sent out an announcement tonight that the race is on for September, but honestly I can't quite see that happening.

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  3. So sorry about your father in law and work stress. Hopefully running is helping! Sending you virtual 'support' to get through this!

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  4. That's great that you can run virtually for a good cause. I think your decision on the virtual half is a smart one. *Hugs* on all the stress, take care of yourself.

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  5. A wise runner does know when to pull back. Sounds like a good plan. Sorry about all of your stress and I hope this week is better for you. Happy Mother's Day!

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    1. Thanks Deborah! Weeks like this one happen, we just keep our heads down and keep moving.

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  6. Sounds like a tough week all around between the snow, work, and your FIL's funeral. I hope this is a better week!

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  7. I'm so sorry to hear about the stress at work and your FIL's funeral. Definitely sounds like you had a stressful week and I hope you were able to use this weekend to decompress and relax a little.

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    1. Thanks Kim! The time off this weekend was wonderful and I've finally gotten on the right side of Monday.

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  8. So sorry about your FIL. I went to a funeral home back in April and it was so weird. Everyone just keeping their distance. Snow? ewww. I did read on Facebook that someone in my town saw some this week, but I did not. I hate to say it out loud, but I think I finally solved my work stress. The problem was going on for almost a month, but I think I finally figured it out. Either way, it's been a weight lifted off my shoulders. Glad yours cleared out. And hooray on that speedwork!!

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    1. The funeral was limited to family and a few friends, but other than that it was quite normal. Fingers crossed that saying work stress is solved still makes it so! So far so good for mine. But work can really do a number on us sometimes.

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  9. So sorry about your FIL, as well as all the other crazy stuff. When it rains, it pours (or snows). Glad to hear the 10-miler went so well ;-)

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    1. Exactly, there are just going to be some crazy weeks. So far so good for this one!

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  10. I'm feeling unsure about doing another virtual half too. I guess whats nice is that we dont really need to decide. I cant imagine real races being able to happen any time soon. We still have a long way to go before large gatherings like that will be safe.

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    1. Agree, I can put down 10 miles like a boss but 13.1 is still just a little much for me. I think I'll be better off staying at my level for now.

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  11. So sorry to hear about your FIL, and work stress on top of that. I’m sure the emotional toll of his passing and funeral exacerbated the work stress. Glad you were still able to get some runs in. They really do help me cope.

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    1. Yes, it was a whole scene. Running definitely takes the edge off!

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  12. Sorry to hear about the tough week :(. That’s good things got a bit better by the weekend.

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    1. Yes, tough times come but they never last for long.

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  13. Sorry to hear about the tough week. That's a lot of stress for anyone to be under- taking it easy is a good thing sometimes!

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    1. Eh stuff happens. That's why we have running to take the edge off;-)

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  14. Sounds like a very stressful week - I hope running provided some relief/escape. That's great that your 10 miler went so well!

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    1. Oh my word running helped so much. I just needed to scale back on the intensity.

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  15. I am so sorry for your loss. Hugs. It's definitely a strange time & hard to know what the right thing is to do fitness-wise.

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    1. Thank you so much Judy! Virtual hugs mean a lot, especially in strange times.

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  16. I'm so sorry. Things are already so stressful. I hate that you have to take on more with your work and your FIL.

    I hope that you have a wonderful time with your work race. It stinks that it's virtual, but it sounds like something to look forward to, and also something that speaks of normalcy.

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  17. The Snow in May is so crazy! Kudos to you for getting out there and doing the run. I think you are being smart about transitioning to speed this summer. I can't wait to see you tackle some of the workouts!

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  18. High five on such a great change in attitude (and how you felt) during your Tuesday speed workout.

    I'm so sorry to hear about your father-in-law. Sending virtual hugs your way!

    Virginia is going into phase 1 tomorrow, but my county is one of the exceptions that isn't so no changes for us yet...

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  19. What a week for you! Hugs to you for your loss. Another week of great workouts and awesome mileage. You are doing so well.

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