After a week of very little exercise due to living out the wrath of the cold from Hell, I was itching to get outside and run, especially because sunny warm weather was in the forecast. Also, I just realized the race I signed up for in January is next weekend?! Ahhhhhhhhhh cue under-training cry of panic.
I'm running the Sole of the City 10K downtown next Saturday, a race put on by Baltimore's hometown running store, Charm City Run. When I registered for this a few months ago, I had no idea how time would fly or just how much sweet ol' Mother Nature would prohibit outdoor training this season! Ahh well, I've never run a 10K before, so you know what that means? INSTANT PR baby! Hahaha, no matter what time I run it in, it will be my best ever!! Yippee for first time races.
I don't really know how to pace myself for a 10K. I know I definitely can't sustain a 5K pace the entire time, but I also know I have to run a bit faster than half-marathon pace. I'm really just looking forward to seeing what a 10K feels like. One of my running goals this year was to run some shorter, more varied distance races, and this fits the bill. I'd also like to add a 10 miler to the mix at some point as I keep seeing more and more of these crop up. I know a lot of you were running the infamous Cherry Blossom 10 miler in DC today - what great weather you had!
So, running this weekend. I decided to run a 5K after work on Friday because the temp was pretty mild and the rain they were calling for all day had been holding off. I still wasn't feeling 100%, but I hadn't worked out since Monday and I was really just looking to stretch out my legs and hoping the fresh air would continue to clear out my stuffed up head. I didn't feel that great running (legs were tired and heavy and my body felt weak), probably because I hadn't eaten or drank much all week. I didn't really have an appetite for days, and I know I should have been pushing fluids, but once again, I just didn't feel like it. So I think I was running on a half empty tank. I came home and crashed/napped for a bit and then pulled it together for a night out downtown.
Saturday, I was not feeling well. My body was very achy and I felt like I backtracked with my sickness! I don't know what was going on, but maybe I overdid it running on Friday in my weakened state. (I only had 1 drink out the night before so I know it wasn't that.) I got lots of sleep that night and spent the first part of Sunday watching some interesting programs on the Oprah network, and started feeling much better again.
I headed out for a longer run - about 5 and a 1/4 miles - which felt worlds better than Friday's run. I think the weather had something to do with it as well. It was nearly 60 degrees in Baltimore and sooooooo sunny! I even noticed some trees blossoming. All was right in the world. What did make this run difficult was my constantly running nose! Everything is still draining and clearing itself out, and running only exaggerates these processes. I had to keep blowing/wiping my nose on my shirt. I know, GROSS! But I mean, I had to keep my airways open for you know, breathing! Anyway, I ran a couple splits in the 8:50 range which was faster than I thought I'd be after such bad nutrition/hydration all week so I'm not complaining.
Got to break out one of the running skirts my sister got me for Christmas! (My running outfits never match. I'm ok with this)
So my strategy for this week will be to EAT ALL THE THINGS in an attempt to recoup my nutritional losses from last week. And, I plan on drinking water and sports drinks like crazy to replace everything I lost from my leaky nose last week. I also broke down and bought some Laura's Lean Beef when I went grocery shopping last night. I still have very mixed feelings about this, but I felt that my body really needed some meat, especially after last week. I just felt like I needed the added protein, iron, and B12, and I can't tell you how good it tasted. Like a slice of heaven, with a side of guilt :(
I'm hoping to enjoy the run next Saturday and am trying not to run with a goal time in mind. Now, I'm off to EAT...
Have a great week!
How was the weather near you this weekend?
Great post. I ate terrible this weekend do need to get back at it. More water too#
ReplyDeleteAww, don't be too hard on yourself Karen. Weekends are sometimes made for splurging!
DeleteGood luck in your 10k, I have one next weekend too and its been over a year since I've run one so trying to figure out my pacing as well. It is one of my favorite race distances though!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tricia! I had a great run. I hope yours goes well too. I know we runners are hard on ourselves about time but every time I race, I am reminded how much I just LOVE it, regardless of the result! So have fun :)
DeleteThanks for sharinng this
ReplyDelete