Week 11: Day 5 - March 17, 2017

• hilly trail run (solo) part 1 = 3.67 miles; time = 43.32; average pace @ 11:52
• hilly trail run (solo) part 2 = 1.1 miles; time = 14:40; average pace @ 13:20
• easy walk with dogs = 2.6 miles
• bike ride (training) = 13.17 miles; time = 1:19:25; average pace @ 10 mph

My work scheduled changed a little bit. I now work on Thursday mornings and off on Fridays. I'm not really happy about this. So instead of running yesterday, I did my runs this morning and both runs were without my dog. First run was at a local junior college, but there was cattle on one trail. It seemed easier to run alone, surrounded by cattle than run with a dog. I'm already slightly afraid of cows, but my dog and I become more afraid when we run together surrounded by them. While I think they wouldn't do anything, they also look horrified to be near a dog!

I finally figured out how to determine a "grade" (how steep) on a hill now. I don't know why I didn't think of this before. I downloaded Strava app on my phone. I used it on one ride many weeks ago. I think I never used it again after that because I got lazy. Out of curiosity, I check the data on the ride like the grade (%) of the hill and it showed up as 7 %. So I used Strava on my ride today. The route that I'm using as training because of the "mountain" has a 9.5 %! Now I know what a 9% grade feels like on a bike. The 30 mile ride that I'm doing for "Finish The Ride" event has a 9% grade....but the event ride has two major hills that I have to conquer! Both are roughly about 1,300 feet (give or take) max elevation gain with a 9% grade for each hill. I suppose if I really want to get crazy, I'll do the same hill twice in the same ride. I'm scared, but it's the only way to train for two major hills with a 9% grade.

I could have been faster on the bike training, but I had bad timing with the eating and I got weak.

Speaking of riding, I will be riding/commuting to work by bike tomorrow. I had been working a full day (8am to 5pm) every Saturday for many months, but my hours got cut and I'm working half day on Saturdays now. It is not because I'm being bad. Because my boss hired new people recently, my boss wants to make it fair to everyone to work on the weekends. It's time for me to look for a new job since I don't like my current work schedule. I think it's time to get a new job...I don't like my new schedule and I'm at the point that I don't want to be where I'm at anymore.

Week 11: Day 4 - March 16, 2017

• bike commute to work (shorter version; starting/ending from mall) = 15.68 miles round trip; time = 1:20:18; average pace @ 11.7 mph
• walk to massage place = 1.22 miles round trip
• easy walk with dogs = 2.6 miles

I was tired, riding to work from the mall this morning. I felt better when I got to work and riding/going back to my car at the mall was better than going/riding to work. I also took a walk to a local massage place (near home) after I got home from work. My back (mainly lower back) and legs (mainly right calf muscle) needed work. Although I don't feel like my back was worked on that well because I still feel knots in my lower back (at the base near my hips). I don't really have any actual problems in my calf or feet muscles, but there is some very mild discomfort. I knew that my right calf muscle was tight to which I was "right" because it is sore now. Now let's see how my legs feel tomorrow morning when I go for a run!

Week 11: Day 3 - March 15, 2017

• easy RUN with one dog = 4.17 miles; time = 50:50; average pace @ 12:11
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.6 miles

I have to work tomorrow morning. I'm not sure if I will ride/commute to work by bike\, but if I do, I'm starting at the mall for the shorter version. I will have to figure it  out when I wake up in the morning. I don't think I can mentally handle the full distance, starting from my house. I got home from work 30 minutes ago. Usually when I work this late and then have work in the morning, I don't get enough sleep and it's harder on me (mentally) get home.

Week 11: Day 2 - March 14, 2017

• easy RUN with one dog = 5.1 miles; time = 1:03:29; average pace @ 12:21
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.6 miles

It was so warm this morning. I was going to blame the warm weather for why I was struggling during my run because I took a walk break at mile 1, but a few minutes after that, I felt better. I think I need to learn to be okay with warm ups. I do warm ups before a run on occasions, but not every time. I just generally don't like to do warm ups and I know that they help.

Week 11: Day 1 - March 13, 2017

• bike commute to work/home (starting/ending at mall) = 15.7 miles round trip; time = 1:23:32; average pace @ 11.3 mph
• easy walk with dogs = 2.6 miles

My original plan was to do the shorter ride/commute to work starting and ending at the mall. The mall was the halfway point between home and work. Because I had something to do in the afternoon, almost right after work. I was glad that I chose to do this after all. I was feeling unmotivated going back to my car at the mall. I felt fine going to work, but I think I just need to catch up on sleep. I feel like I do, even though I didn't even attempt to take a nap when I had the time this afternoon.

Week 10: Day 7 - March 12, 2017

• hilly trail run (solo) part 1 = 4.03 miles; time = 47:34; average pace @ 11:48
• hilly trail run (solo) part 2 = 1.1 miles; time = 14:32; average pace @ 13:13
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.6 miles
• cycling ("training") = 23 miles; time = 1:49:24; average pace @ 12.6 mph

Running:

Total Weekly Mileage: 18.57

Total Monthly Mileage: 31.51

Total Yearly Mileage: 192.59

Total Shoe Mileage: 215.86

Cycling:

Total Weekly Mileage: 74.03

Total Monthly Mileage: 139.34

Total Yearly Mileage: 378.60

I'm not exactly caught up on sleep, however, I do feel better about running now. I went to work in a car on Friday, although I think I would have been okay commuting/riding (bike) to work just fine? I woke up feeling okay on Friday morning.

I was also suppose to be attending an event today, but it was cancelled due to some unforeseen circumstances. So I was a little more motivated to ride (bike) today. I do plan to ride to work tomorrow, but I have something to do in the afternoon, and will be starting from the mall....drive to the mall with my bike and then ride from there. The mall is basically the halfway point between home and work.

Week 10: Day 4 - March 09, 2017

• easy RUN with one dog = 5.06 miles; time = 1:04:36; average pace @ 12:46
• easy WALK with three dogs = 2.6 miles

Whoops...I forgot to post Thursday's run. Even though I am typing this today (Sunday, March 12), I am postmarking it to Thursday's date and talking/typing like it was on Thursday.

Anyway, I struggled to run. It was 58 F degrees at the start of the run which might have been a partial reason why I was struggling, but I don't think it was the main reason. I felt tired and wanted more sleep. So, it was either not enough sleep or I'm just losing motivation? I had a hard time taking a nap. I was never able to get one. Riding/commuting (bike) to work tomorrow (Friday) may not happen.