Week 48: Day 4 - November 30, 2017 (Training Week 5)

• cycling = 22.55 miles; time = 1:50:24; average speed @ 12.5 mph
• easy walk with dogs = 2.6 miles total

Yay for a bike ride. I almost didn't want to do one. I think I am struggling to get a ride in because I'm riding for the sake of riding and I'm riding alone. It's easier to ride with other people, but my schedule doesn't always work with other people's schedule. And I don't have to be somewhere, like work, when I do ride alone. I mean, I could still ride to work now that I'm working closer to home, but I don't know. I guess doing a four mile bike ride (eight miles round-trip) to work doesn't seem as fun as a 38 mile round-trip ride for work. I don't know. I'm making up a million excuses why I don't want to ride to work anymore.....

Week 48: Day 3 - November 29, 2017 (Training Week 5)

• hilly trail run part 1 = 3.95 miles; time = 53:42; average page @ 13:26
• hilly trail run part 2 = 1.1 miles; time = 16:18; average pace @ 14:49
• easy walk with dogs = 2.3 miles total

I think starting next week, I need to do a different hilly trail run because it's time for a change of scenery and I'm getting kinda bored with the two that I'm currently doing. I haven't done this hilly trail run in awhile. Change is good.

Week 48: Day 2 - November 28, 2017 (Training Week 5)

• easy run = 4.31 miles; time = 57:47; average pace @ 13:24
• easy walk with dogs = 2.6 miles total

So nice and cold this morning!

Week 47: Day 7 - November 26, 2017 (Training Week 4)

• long run = 8.03 miles; time = 1:48:04; average pace @ 13:27
• easy walk with dogs = 2.6 miles total

Running:

Total Weekly Mileage: 23.18

Total Monthly Mileage: 83.13

Total Yearly Mileage: 903.47

Cycling: 

Total Weekly Mileage: 59.48

Total Monthly Mileage: 133.02

Total Yearly Mileage: 1448.41

I didn't feel sore from yesterday's ride. Maybe a little tired, but that was it. I have stairs at home, and I felt fine using them yesterday. I definitely felt sore this morning and it didn't help that the beginning of my run was hilly (hilly enough to be considered hilly, but not like mountains). I knew that my run would have some hills, but I didn't think they would be such a problem. During training for my last half marathon, I would do my long runs on Sundays and then go to work on a bike the next day. I did this for basically the entire training. The commute to work was 38 miles round trip and the ride was harder than yesterday's ride, but I never felt sore from doing a long ride and a 38 mile bike commute two days in a row. Maybe because I stopped doing long rides regularly since I got a job a lot closer to home, albeit I don't ride to work anymore.

Tomorrow is a rest day, so I have some time to recover before my next run on Tuesday.

Week 47: Day 6 - November 25, 2017 (Training Week 4)

• cycling (group ride) = 27.41 miles; time = 2:03:46; average speed @ 13.3 mph
• easy walk with dogs = 2.3 miles total

I did a ride with a group from meetup this morning. The group did the same ride last weekend, but I was unable to attend because I left work very late (we were very busy). I was not that busy at work last night (people could have been shopping for Black Friday and eating leftover Thanksgiving food?), so I left work early. I was happy to be riding with a group because sometimes it's nice to.

Being that it was 27 miles, I was actually expecting for us to take almost three hours (for the distance plus a few stops (stop lights, water break), but I take very few water breaks)). My rides (30 miles) must be more challenging because they take me almost three hours. Today's ride had some hills, but was considered more "flat" compared to my rides and it took us a little over two hours for the distance (2 hours and 35 minutes if you include stops for any reasons).

Week 47: Day 5 - November 24, 2017 (Training Week 4)

• easy walk with dogs = 2.6 miles total
• cycling (easy ride) = 11.72 miles; time = 56:2:28; average speed @ 12.5 mph

I was going to do a 15 mile bike ride that had an 11% grade hill, but at mile 2, I changed my mind and decided to do a different route. I think my ride from yesterday was a little more challenging than I expected. I don't feel sore, but my legs were struggling with the mild hills (1 - 2 % grade) from today's ride. If things go okay, I hope that I don't leave work so late tonight because I'd like to do a ride with a bike group from meetup tomorrow morning. We are doing a 27 mile ride and I'd like to ride with others once in awhile, so I don't get bored from riding alone. I also would not like my legs to be sore for tomorrow's ride either.

Week 47: Day 4 - November 23, 2017 (Training Week 4)

• training run = 6.02 miles; time = 1:17:21; average pace @ 12:51
• easy walk with dogs = 2.6 miles total
• "long" ride = 20.35 miles; time = 2:00:44; average speed @ 10.1 mph

Surprisingly, I am feeling pretty good after doing a six mile run and a twenty mile ride. I may be paying for it tomorrow, but I guess I'll have to wait for tomorrow morning to find out. The bike route that I did today was on the challenging/hilly side. I hadn't done this route in awhile. Today was a good day for a ride because it is Thanksgiving and there is less traffic out. Not that it would have matter because most of the route didn't have much traffic on a regular weekday anyway, but there were some parts (near a state college and a junior college) that would have been a little busy on a regular day. Glad that they had the day off for the holidays.

Week 47: Day 3 - November 22, 2017 (Training Week 4)

• hilly trail run part 1 = 3.69 miles; time = 49:40; average pace @ 13:28
• hilly trail run part 2 = 1.1 miles; time = 15:58; average pace @ 14:30
• easy walk with dogs = 2.6 miles total

Why is it so warm? I am going to complain about it until it's gone. I'm just so uncomfortable with it! It'll start feeling like Fall next week.

Week 47: Day 2 - November 21, 2017 (Training Week 4)

• easy run = 4.34 miles; time = 57:00; average pace @ 13:06
• easy walk with dogs = 2.6 miles total

I think I am going to struggle with my runs this week. This week will be pretty warm. I was struggling this morning...half because I really needed sleep and half because it felt warm/humid even though it was 60 degrees. Is it winter yet?!?!

Week 46: Day 7 - November 19, 2017 (Training Week 3)

• long run = 7.2 miles; time = 1:26:45; average pace @ 12:03
• easy walk with dogs = 2.5 miles total

Running: 

Total Weekly Mileage: 22.00

Total Monthly Mileage: 59.95

Total Yearly Mileage: 880.29

Cycling:

Total Weekly Mileage: 46.80 

Total Monthly Mileage: 73.54

Total Yearly Mileage: 1388.93

I felt so much better running this morning. I didn't feel grumpy or unmotivated.

On the other hand, I didn't get in a bike ride today. Last night, I was asked to come into work this morning, so I did. After work, I had a party to attend, so no time. I think it was a very wise choice that I didn't do a ride today anyway because my legs were slightly sore from yesterday's ride. I think I don't do enough 20 - 25 mile rides regularly for me not to feel sore after a 30 mile ride. I'm glad for tomorrow being an active rest day (walking dogs only). I could really use a rest day.

Week 46: Day 6 - November 18, 2017 (Training Week 3)

• easy walk with dogs = 2.6 miles total
• cycling (long ride) = 30.55 miles; time = 2:41:39; average speed @ 11.3 mph

I originally had planned to ride with a cycling group from meetup this morning, but I had a late night at work (I left work so late) and the group met too early that I couldn't mentally make it...not on four hours of sleep. The group ride would have been 27 miles. I did my own 30 mile ride anyway, I just started it later than the group. When I did this ride more than a month ago, I was dehydrated from not drinking enough on the day before. I was hydrated enough this time. I ate fine for the ride, but I didn't care about how long it took me.

I plan a 7 mile ride tomorrow morning. I may do a ride tomorrow as well, but I'm not 100% sure yet.

Week 46: Day 5 - November 17, 2017 (Training Week 3)

• easy run = 5.91 miles; time = 1:16:28; average pace @ 12:56
• easy walk with dogs = 2.6 miles total

I really struggled running this morning and I was grumpy, mostly at any pedestrian because I felt like they were all in my way. It was like I didn't have any motivation to run and my legs were dragging along. I wanted to cry because I was so unmotivated and I thought about randomly stopping to take a break, but I told myself that the longer it took me to finish my run, the longer I would be grumpy. I think it was because I didn't get enough sleep last night. It didn't help that it was overcast and a little drizzle-y this morning because you know, that kind of weather made for great sleeping weather. I felt a little better after two miles, but not completely. I attempted to nap/sleep after my run. All I did was lay there and closed my eyes. I didn't feel like I slept and I don't feel rested. I hope I feel better on Sunday for my planned seven mile run. After that, I have eleven more weeks. I don't think I can handle eleven weeks of low/no motivation. Eleven weeks is a really long time from now.

Week 46: Day 3 - November 15, 2017 (Training Week 3)

• hilly trail run part 1 = 3.69 miles; time = 49:16; average pace @ 13:21
• hilly trail run part 2 = 1.1 miles; time 15:20; average pace @ 13:56
• easy walk with dogs = 2.6 miles total
• cycling (easy ride) = 16.25 miles; time = 1:27:07; average speed @ 11.2 mph

I forgot to change the clock (one hour back) on my bike computer. The time change was over a week ago and I hadn't been on my bike since the time change.  I knew that I had left at 12:30pm for my bike ride this afternoon, but I completely forgot about the time on my bike computer. I had wanted to a route for a 17.7 mile ride, but changed it slightly halfway through the ride where I thought that I would be in school traffic at a local high school that got out at 2:45pm. I live very close to a high school and parents are bad drivers who ignore pedestrians when they are dropping off or picking up their kids at school. I have never done a ride through the school zone with school traffic, but I didn't want to find out how they were with cyclists because they're already really bad with pedestrians (kids, adults, runners/walkers, etc). When I finally got home, it was a few minutes before 2pm. Whoops! I guess that's okay. There is also a middle school directly across the street from the high school and they get out for the day at 2pm. Middle school parents are not better than high school parents. I have more faith/trust with college students driving themselves to school.

Week 46: Day 2 - November 14, 2017 (Training Week 3)

• easy run = 4.1 miles; time = 56:04; average pace @ 13:40
• easy walk with dogs = 2.6 miles total

I felt tired and struggled running this morning. I don't get it. I caught with sleep on Saturday. I shouldn't feel tired now. Perhaps going to bed late? I need to stop that.

Week 45: Day 7 - November 12, 2017 (Training Week 2)

• "long" run = 6.74 miles; time = 1:25:48; average pace @ 12:44
• easy walk with dogs = 2.6 miles total

Running:
Total Weekly Mileage: 21.6
Total Monthly Mileage: 37.95
Total Yearly Mileage: 858.29

Cycling:
Total Weekly Mileage: 0
Total Monthly Mileage: 26.74
Total Yearly Mileage: 1342.13

The weather for this coming week looks a little better. I didn't do any riding this week. So cloudy and so lazy. I also think that I ride in cooler/cloudy weather, I don't get as hot as I do with running. Running makes me hot. When I'm riding up a hill, I get all hot and sweaty, but it's so windy when I'm going down a hill and then it gets really cold because my clothes are wet from all my sweat. I don't get that same wind when I'm running down a hill. Boo.

Week 45: Day 5 - November 10, 2017 (Training Week 2)

• easy run = 5.67 miles; time = 1:15:13; average pace @ 13:16
• easy walk with dogs = 2.5 miles total

Overcast mornings make great running/work out weather, but they also make great sleeping weather. It's mostly sunny now, but I was struggling with my run this morning because I wanted to go back to sleep...it also didn't help that I didn't eat anything before my run. I feel/think that eating a little something really does help with my running no matter the distance. I think the weather is the main reason why I'm struggling to get a ride in. For whatever reason, it's just a little harder for me to do a ride than it is to do a run in the same type of weather. Regardless of whether I run or ride, I still like it cool/cold, but I like it sunny too. I'm like Superman who needs to use the sun as a source of energy.

Week 45: Day 4 - November 09, 2017 (Training Week 2)

• hilly trail run part 1 = 3.95 miles; time = 50:27; average pace @ 12:46
• hilly trail run part 2 = 1.1 miles; time = 14:52; average pace @ 13:31
• easy walk with dogs = 2.6 miles total

I'm not schedule to work this weekend, so after I do my training in the morning, I will make myself catch up on sleep. I did fine running this morning, but I feel like I need to catch up on sleep.

Week 45: Day 2 - November 07, 2017 (Training Week 2)

• easy run = 4.14 miles; time - 49:55; average pace @ 12:03
• easy walk with dogs = 2.6 miles total

Yay for cooler weather. While I prefer 37 to 39 degrees, I'll take 55 degrees too.

Week 44: Day 7 - November 05, 2017 (Training Week 1)

• "long" run = 6.07 miles; time = 1:15:34; average pace @ 12:27
• easy walk with dogs = 2.6 miles total

Running: 

Total Weekly Mileage: 19.67

Total Monthly (October) Mileage: 75.72

Total Monthly (November) Mileage: 16,35
Total Yearly Mileage:  836.69

Cycling: 

Total Weekly Mileage: 26.74

Total (October) Monthly Mileage: 164.45

Total (November) Mileage: 26.74

Total Yearly Mileage: 1342.13

I realize that I'm making up a lot of excuse not to ride this week. I had planned to ride yesterday. Originally, I thought about attending "Get Fit Festival" and doing the 30 mile bike ride. Then decided that I wanted to ride with my friends and the meeting place would be closer than the event location. I got home late from work on Friday night and I didn't feel up to a ride so early (8am) in the morning. So, I decided that I would go for a ride a little closer to home after I walked my dogs in the morning. Laziness kicked in and I made up excuses after I walked my dogs. I think I'm caught up on sleep now.

While I'm having a hard time motivating myself to get out for a bike ride, I seem to do just fine getting out for a run.

Week 44: Day 5 - November 03, 2017 (Training Week 1)

• easy run = 5.3 miles; time = 1:08:18; average pace @ 12:53
• cycling (easy ride) = 11.41 miles; time = 1:00:52; average speed @ 11.2 mph
• easy walk with dogs = 2.6 miles total

I think I got really ambitious with all the hill training (bike and runs) yesterday. I didn't feel sore while walking or doing other easy things that required the use of my legs, but I felt it during my run this morning. My legs felt like jello. I almost didn't want to go for a ride, but I went anyway because I wanted to. I originally had planned a 17 mile ride with some challenging hills (not as challenging as yesterday's ride), but 2.5 miles into my ride, I decided on a much shorter and easier ride. I felt better just going for a ride. I can't say what I would have felt or thought (maybe grumpy and angry?) had I went for a slight longer, harder ride.

Week 44: Day 4 - November 02, 2017 (Training Week 1)

• hilly trail run part 1 = 3.88 miles; time = 48:29; average pace @ 12:30
• hilly trail run part 2 = 1.1 miles; time = 14:45; average pace @ 13:25
• easy walk with dogs = 2.6 miles total
• cycling = 15.33 miles; time = 1:23:34; average speed @ 11 mph

I originally had planned a bike ride yesterday. The only "work out" that I did was walk my dogs. I slept in instead. I can't tell if I really needed the sleep or if I was being lazy and used sleep as an excuse not to work out. I should really be caught up on sleep now!

I almost didn't want to head out for a bike ride today because of laziness. I am glad that I went anyway. The first half of my ride had a challenging hill (with an 11% incline). I was regretting the ride at first, but told myself that I'd feel better when the hill was over and the rest of the ride would be better. I was glad for that too. I'm not sure if I want to continue doing a bike ride with a challenging 11% grade hill on the same days as my hilly trail runs....it was really hard, but at the same time, I think it will make my legs stronger for something.