Back to the grind (in this business, the treadmill)

Things that didn't happen:

1) I didn't fall off the face of the earth, despite the fact that my blog might have led you to believe that.
2) I didn't suffer from some catastrophic injury or other impediment that kept me from running (okay, there was a bout of tonsillitis in there).
3) I didn't quit running.  Okay, I did for a bit.

After the Philadelphia Marathon, I felt kind of lost, runner-wise, and wasn't sure what I wanted to do next.  I discovered that Concept 2 has rowing challenges that you can do on the rowing machine and decided that this would be a fun change of pace.  So I completed the 100k challenge for the holidays, meaning that I rowed 100k between Thanksgiving and Christmas break (actually a bit earlier, since I left the rowing machine on December 20).  My most proud achievement was setting a 5k personal record that also put me in the top 50th percentile of my age group.  So awesome to not suck at a sport!  So different than running!  Also, I got a certificate for finishing the challenge.

Speaking of running, I am back at it.  It took me a while but then I figured out what I wanted to do: trail racing.  And some random races that I had always wanted to do, but hadn't had the opportunity.  For instance, I am running the Ringling Bridge Run in Sarasota next weekend, then the Run with the Nuns in St. Pete the weekend after.  Mostly for the latter, I just want the t-shirt.  Other races on the calendar include Gasparilla (5k), then I am getting into the real trail runs.

I chose two: the Long Play (I am running the half-marathon) and the Croom Fools Run (16 miles).  I am not crazy enough to try the ultras for these events.  The trails, though, should be fun and something a little different to keep me motivated.  Depending on how I am feeling about life, I may also add the River'n'Rapids again.  It's the week after the Croom Fools Run, and I don't want to be.......er........foolish.

Also, I have a new dream in life, which is to do the Keys 100 Relay.  You start in Key Largo, FL and you end in Key West, FL.  It's in May and the weather will be torture, but you can do it as a team and you have a support van.  I love everything about this idea (okay, I don't love the weather part).  Unfortunately, I am already booked for that weekend this year, but I am so totally doing it next year.  That is on.  If you want to be in my relay team, let me know.  I've already talked my stepmother into this craziness.

Apart from that, looking to get back to Crossfit soon (I had a forced hiatus because I was out of town, then the tonsillitis) and I will be taking scuba lessons starting Monday.  So keeping busy, even if not keeping at the blog.  Hopefully that we go better!

By the way, I was reminded tonight with my first treadmill run that gosh darn it, it is hot when you are not acclimatized.  You would think that I would know this by now.

Tired legs

Yesterday, I did my first yoga class in a good long while, and I have to say that while it wasn't overly challenging, it was somewhat challenging, and I am definitely feeling tired in different places than normal today.  I thought that this would lead to a good night's sleep, but unfortunately I woke up at around 4am very thirsty.

Note to self: do not forget water when running on treadmills, then attending yoga classes.  Water is your friend.

I was hoping to get up bright and early today to do half of a 5-mile run, but unfortunately, my 4am wake-up did not help things.  Instead, I wound up getting out of bed closer to 10am (this was after being up for a while after 4am), which is too late to actually run.  Also, there are still storms circling around in deceptive ways.  For instance, earlier today it was sunny and seemingly nice, when I heard ominous thunder.  Right now it is raining.  Again.  You might be noticing a pattern here.

I did get myself to the gym and I tried the weird treadmill that I described yesterday, the Woodway Curve.  The jury is still out on this one.  It supposedly goes as fast as you are running, but I found it considerably more challenging to get a regular pace than on a conventional treadmill (or just plain running outside).  It feels very heavy and I was running about 0.5 mph slower than I was yesterday on the normal treadmill.  I got through about 1.2 miles with a couple of walk breaks; it was considerably warmer and more humid today than yesterday, and I got pretty sweaty even just doing that. 

My gym recently acquired some rowing machines, like real Concept 2 rowing machines as opposed to those 'replicating water' ones that are actually toys.  I decided to do two 500m intervals with a 1-minute rests in between.  Considering that my legs were already tired from yoga, treadmill running, and wacky treadmill running, I think I did okay.  By the standards of actually erging on the machine, I did not do all that great.

I forgot that this week is a semi-taper week and my long run tomorrow is only 6 miles, instead of upping from the 7 miles last week.  So I think it's okay to skip the second half of my run this afternoon, especially since I am feeling tired.  Tomorrow, I will set the alarm and get half of the 6 miles out of the way early, then do the rest later (possibly on a treadmill, depending on storms).  Next week I should be able to get back on track with the schedule.  I do have to say that I've been more excited about things than I am for next week's 8-mile run.  Time to stock up on healthy Gatorade and caffeinated runner's jellybeans.

Cross-training: Indo-Row

Last week on Groupon, there was a deal for five Indo-Row classes at a gym in the area.  What is Indo-Row?  It's an hour-long workout class that takes place (get this) on a rowing machine.  Those of you who have rowed are undoubtedly thinking that this is the most torturous idea you have ever heard of.  And it would be if you had to spend an hour prepping for an erg test.  But as a fitness class, it wasn't so bad.  The longest distance that we had to do in one go was 1k, which is very reasonable.  There was also a relay race 250m at the end which was exceedingly reasonable, even for me (and I haven't been on a rowing machine in years).  It was fun!

I've tweaked this running program so that there is one day of cross-training a week.  According to the master plan, you can have 1, 2, 3, or no days.  The Indo-Row is a nice change of pace and something else to do.  Plus it's rowing, so it gives you a ridiculously complete workout.  I found it encouraging to realize just how much more fit I was than when I last did some serious work on a rowing machine, which would have been four years ago now (!).  Or their rowing machines calculate your 500m split very generously.  I'm choosing to believe that I've gotten severely better :)

Oh, and for those of you who read the marathon blog: remember how I talked about the fact that when I was 26.1 miles through, I tried to push myself to finish by reminding myself that this was no worse than a 2k erg test, then realizing that actually it was easier to finish the marathon than do a 2k erg test?  In a way, I think that I was right.  The very end of the 1k today was mentally very tough.  You are so tired and done by that point, plus if you are not careful your technique fell apart somewhere around 200m or so.  I found it amazing that even now, after all of the tough running that I've done, getting those last few pulls in was hard.

(Okay, I even cheated a bit and let it run down for the last 5m.  But I am not doing that again!)