June Miles to Date: 23.5
June Average Pace: 13:59
2016 Miles to Date: 151.2
Yoga Sessions this week: 4
Streak Day: 57 (Maximum: 57)
The American 200: 151.2/200 (9/16/16 Deadline)
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - Chesire Cat: 3.1 miles
I didn't run again this weekend. Friday night, I had a sleepover with my book club, which was a whole lot of fun, but I decided not to take my running stuff with me. I didn't want to wake everyone up, have to shower there, etc. But then this morning, I woke up feeling terrible. I hope it's allergies, but my head is congested, especially in my ears. So I'll do yoga later today to keep my streak alive.
57 days. Who'd have thought that I'd have made it 57 days. I certainly didn't. Now I'm to the point where quitting seems impossible. What was the point of 57 days if I stop now? What did 57 days mean?
I increased my running this week (or at least, I tried to. It should have had a weekend run attached to it). I ran Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (3.1, 2, and 3.1, respectively). I wanted to do 4-5 today, but it's just not gonna happen. I still need to adjust my routine (I'm still not happy with exactly what it is), I'm thinking I'm going to do my Abs workout MWF, instead of just W with my shorter miles.
Other than that, I just continue to inch forward to my defense date. It's only terrifying when I think about it. It's starting to get really annoying to have to convince my boss to do the things he's required to do, but it's really nothing different than it's been for the past 9 months. I'm ready to be gone if only so that I don't have to deal with that anymore.
I'm so excited that I will get to go home in like 5 weeks. I'm ready to be home. I'm ready to have some time off from all of this before I start the next phase of my life. It's going to be good.
Until then, we keep running. Or we try to anyway.
Stupid allergies.
Sunday, June 19, 2016
Sunday, June 12, 2016
The Road to Dopey: Week 23 - Another Step Backward, but the Finish Line is in sight!
June Miles to Date: 14.9
June Average Pace: 14:00
2016 Miles to Date: 152.6
Yoga Sessions this week: 4
Streak Day: 50 (Maximum: 50)
The American 200: 142.7/200 (9/16/16 Deadline)
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - White Rabbit: 15.0 miles
I'm at a loss for what to do. I didn't do a long run this weekend. I woke up tired yesterday and today and opted for yoga instead. I couldn't wrap my mind around the thought of 7 miles when it was already 80 degrees at sunrise. I just couldn't psych myself into it. So I did Yoga Tone, which is a work out, let me tell you, and it will have to do.
My anxiety around my defense and my move is building. There's so much to do and there's a lot of pressure (from myself) to get things right the first time I write them and I have to keep showing up for me because I know that's the only thing keeping my anxiety from being worse, But I also know I don't need the pressure of my run to be a cause of my anxiety - they're supposed to relieve my stress, after all.
50 days of showing up for me. It may not look like I wanted it to, but I'm still here. I'm still showing up for me in some capacity. When I started, I never actually thought I'd make it to 50. I had so many false starts between now and then. But if we apply that logic to the current situation, we arrive at my marathon training eventually taking effect.
I've decided to restart marathon training for the third time once I move in August. The climate will be cooler, it will give me a chance to increase my mileage at the higher altitude, and I will be less stressed and anxious (at least slightly). I may even start once I get moved out of my apartment. I'm trying to figure out how to run in the mean time (I'm thinking my 3 milers from the week and 4-5 on the weekend, this way I get some miles in, but I'm not pushing myself too much and have a manageable amount of time to devote to it). I currently have a call for advice out to my running community, so if anyone has alternative suggestions, I'm open to them.
I want to keep this streak alive. I want to keep showing up for me even as I reach the end of this stressful adventure. And I think the only way to do that is to lower what I'm doing. I need your support in this final stretch, friends.
Much love to you all.
June Average Pace: 14:00
2016 Miles to Date: 152.6
Yoga Sessions this week: 4
Streak Day: 50 (Maximum: 50)
The American 200: 142.7/200 (9/16/16 Deadline)
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - White Rabbit: 15.0 miles
I'm at a loss for what to do. I didn't do a long run this weekend. I woke up tired yesterday and today and opted for yoga instead. I couldn't wrap my mind around the thought of 7 miles when it was already 80 degrees at sunrise. I just couldn't psych myself into it. So I did Yoga Tone, which is a work out, let me tell you, and it will have to do.
My anxiety around my defense and my move is building. There's so much to do and there's a lot of pressure (from myself) to get things right the first time I write them and I have to keep showing up for me because I know that's the only thing keeping my anxiety from being worse, But I also know I don't need the pressure of my run to be a cause of my anxiety - they're supposed to relieve my stress, after all.
50 days of showing up for me. It may not look like I wanted it to, but I'm still here. I'm still showing up for me in some capacity. When I started, I never actually thought I'd make it to 50. I had so many false starts between now and then. But if we apply that logic to the current situation, we arrive at my marathon training eventually taking effect.
I've decided to restart marathon training for the third time once I move in August. The climate will be cooler, it will give me a chance to increase my mileage at the higher altitude, and I will be less stressed and anxious (at least slightly). I may even start once I get moved out of my apartment. I'm trying to figure out how to run in the mean time (I'm thinking my 3 milers from the week and 4-5 on the weekend, this way I get some miles in, but I'm not pushing myself too much and have a manageable amount of time to devote to it). I currently have a call for advice out to my running community, so if anyone has alternative suggestions, I'm open to them.
I want to keep this streak alive. I want to keep showing up for me even as I reach the end of this stressful adventure. And I think the only way to do that is to lower what I'm doing. I need your support in this final stretch, friends.
Much love to you all.
Sunday, June 5, 2016
The Road to Dopey: Week 22 - Dear Texas Summer...I WON'T MISS YOU
June Miles to Date: 8.8
June Average Pace: 14:04
2016 Miles to Date: 146.5
Yoga Sessions this week: 3
Streak Day: 43 (Maximum: 43)
The American 200: 136.5/200 (9/16/16 Deadline)
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - White Rabbit: 8.8 miles
Dear Texas Summer,
I won't miss you. I won't miss that it's 70 degrees when the sun comes up and it's only June. I won't miss that the sun is bright and hot and beating down on me when I run. I won't miss that it makes me have to stop short of my long run goals consistently because of how terrible it makes me feel.
I won't miss you, Texas the place. I will miss Texas the people.
Today is streak day 43...43!!!! I never thought I'd make it to 43. I bet you didn't either, but here we are! The past two weeks have been hard. I wake up exhausted (the home stretch of dissertating will do that to you) and the last thing I want to do is run or even do my yoga. I want to sleep. I want to start working because the sooner I start, the sooner it's over. But instead, I get up and I do my yoga with Adriene (on my TV), or I lace up and go running. I feel better afterward, but that first go is so hard. You would think it would get easier as the habit formed, but it hasn't.
This week was long and too short at the same time. And it was definitely eventful. I finished my dissertation. I FINISHED MY DISSERTATION. 188 pages, 42,000 words. It is done. Well, okay, it's drafted. I proofread it on the tail end of this week, and now I'm applying all the changes I found. I also had my technical review and ordered my regalia for graduation. I also got a date for my defense. It's about a month away. Which is terrifying.
I also had to say goodbye to two of my book club girls. They are moving on too and they left this weekend. It was so hard. I won't miss Texas the place, but I'll miss Texas the people. I wish I could just pack everyone up and take them with me.
But we keep running. Literally. The plans for the end of this summer are coming together. And the next adventure is quickly approaching.
June Average Pace: 14:04
2016 Miles to Date: 146.5
Yoga Sessions this week: 3
Streak Day: 43 (Maximum: 43)
The American 200: 136.5/200 (9/16/16 Deadline)
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - White Rabbit: 8.8 miles
Dear Texas Summer,
I won't miss you. I won't miss that it's 70 degrees when the sun comes up and it's only June. I won't miss that the sun is bright and hot and beating down on me when I run. I won't miss that it makes me have to stop short of my long run goals consistently because of how terrible it makes me feel.
I won't miss you, Texas the place. I will miss Texas the people.
Today is streak day 43...43!!!! I never thought I'd make it to 43. I bet you didn't either, but here we are! The past two weeks have been hard. I wake up exhausted (the home stretch of dissertating will do that to you) and the last thing I want to do is run or even do my yoga. I want to sleep. I want to start working because the sooner I start, the sooner it's over. But instead, I get up and I do my yoga with Adriene (on my TV), or I lace up and go running. I feel better afterward, but that first go is so hard. You would think it would get easier as the habit formed, but it hasn't.
This week was long and too short at the same time. And it was definitely eventful. I finished my dissertation. I FINISHED MY DISSERTATION. 188 pages, 42,000 words. It is done. Well, okay, it's drafted. I proofread it on the tail end of this week, and now I'm applying all the changes I found. I also had my technical review and ordered my regalia for graduation. I also got a date for my defense. It's about a month away. Which is terrifying.
I also had to say goodbye to two of my book club girls. They are moving on too and they left this weekend. It was so hard. I won't miss Texas the place, but I'll miss Texas the people. I wish I could just pack everyone up and take them with me.
But we keep running. Literally. The plans for the end of this summer are coming together. And the next adventure is quickly approaching.
 |
| My Alice medal came this week. This is probably my least sweaty medal selfie ever. |
Sunday, May 29, 2016
The Road to Dopey: Week 21 - The Texas Rainy Season
May Miles to Date: 23.3
May Average Pace: 14:08
2016 Miles to Date: 134.6
Yoga/Strength Training Sessions this week: 4
Streak Day: 36 (Maximum: 36)
The American 200: 124.6/200 (9/16/16 Deadline)
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland: 22.4 miles (Leg 1 - Complete!)
I did the best I could this week. My Thursday run became yoga because I woke up to thunder and lightning. And the gym is still on intercession hours. Which is inconvenient. I had intended to run Friday instead, but I woke up to thunder and lightning again. So I did more yoga/strength training. Yesterday I had intended to run 7 miles, but I got sick at 1.6 miles and went back out for 2.5 more. I had intended to run 3 more this morning. But I woke up to an imminent thunderstorm.
We're in the middle of the Texas rainy season, and while I'm grateful that the worst we've gotten is that I haven't been able to run as much as I'd like, it's still getting annoying. At least the summer session starts soon, which means that the gym will be open in the mornings again.
I got the go ahead to schedule my defense this week, which is awesome but terrifying. I've been working on my dissertation non-stop since then, writing what needs to be written. I'll have the first draft completed this week, which feels incredible and terrifying. I'm going to need the run so much in the next few weeks.
I also completed the first leg of my Alice virtual race yesterday. It took a little longer than I thought because of the rain and the back tracking in my training, but I still did it! I'll be registering for leg 2 (White Rabbit) this week, after payday.
That's really all I know. Today I'm taking a mental break and not working on my dissertation. I think I need it, and have earned it. Lounging, crafting, and Harry Potter weekend. Yep, sounds great!
Training plan for the week:
Monday: Runner's Yoga, Yoga Abs, Strength Training
Tuesday: 3.1 miles
Wednesday: Runner's Yoga, Yoga Abs, Yoga Tone
Thursday: 3.1 miles
Friday: Runner's Yoga, Yoga Abs, Strength Training
Saturday: 9 miles
May Average Pace: 14:08
2016 Miles to Date: 134.6
Yoga/Strength Training Sessions this week: 4
Streak Day: 36 (Maximum: 36)
The American 200: 124.6/200 (9/16/16 Deadline)
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland: 22.4 miles (Leg 1 - Complete!)
I did the best I could this week. My Thursday run became yoga because I woke up to thunder and lightning. And the gym is still on intercession hours. Which is inconvenient. I had intended to run Friday instead, but I woke up to thunder and lightning again. So I did more yoga/strength training. Yesterday I had intended to run 7 miles, but I got sick at 1.6 miles and went back out for 2.5 more. I had intended to run 3 more this morning. But I woke up to an imminent thunderstorm.
We're in the middle of the Texas rainy season, and while I'm grateful that the worst we've gotten is that I haven't been able to run as much as I'd like, it's still getting annoying. At least the summer session starts soon, which means that the gym will be open in the mornings again.
I got the go ahead to schedule my defense this week, which is awesome but terrifying. I've been working on my dissertation non-stop since then, writing what needs to be written. I'll have the first draft completed this week, which feels incredible and terrifying. I'm going to need the run so much in the next few weeks.
I also completed the first leg of my Alice virtual race yesterday. It took a little longer than I thought because of the rain and the back tracking in my training, but I still did it! I'll be registering for leg 2 (White Rabbit) this week, after payday.
That's really all I know. Today I'm taking a mental break and not working on my dissertation. I think I need it, and have earned it. Lounging, crafting, and Harry Potter weekend. Yep, sounds great!
Training plan for the week:
Monday: Runner's Yoga, Yoga Abs, Strength Training
Tuesday: 3.1 miles
Wednesday: Runner's Yoga, Yoga Abs, Yoga Tone
Thursday: 3.1 miles
Friday: Runner's Yoga, Yoga Abs, Strength Training
Saturday: 9 miles
Sunday, May 22, 2016
The Road to Dopey: Week 20 - Let's back up...
May Miles to Date: 16.1
May Average Pace: 14:04
2016 Miles to Date: 127.4
Yoga/Strength Training Sessions this week: 3
Streak Day: 29 (Maximum: 29)
The American 200: 117.4/200 (9/16/16 Deadline)
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland: 16.1 miles (Leg 1)
This week I realized I have to back my training up a bit. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday saw excellent yoga sessions. I still have problems fitting in both yoga and strength training sometimes, but hopefully this week will be better! Every week that goes by, I get better at getting up and getting to it and I'm currently on Streak Day 29!!!!!! I am experiencing the desire to not restart that counter more and more each day...the higher that number gets...the harder it is to give up.
Tuesday I did my normal 2.5 mile loop and Thursday I decided to forgo hill training and run my 5K for the Virtual Running Shorts runDisney Challenge. It also let me road test my new Garmin Forerunner 235! I think I'm really going to love using this as I increase my training mileage because I won't have to worry about the battery life on my phone! Plus it's a smart watch and pedometer, which means I can wear it all the time. Which means, lately, I've taken to wearing two watches. I'm eccentric. What can I say...
The 13 miler I was supposed to do yesterday turned into a 5 miler. I just didn't have 13 in me. And that's when I realized...I haven't run 13 miles since March, when I PR'd the Bearathon. Worse than that, I have run further than 4 miles since March. So I've decided to backtrack my training just a little bit and build back up to 13 miles and then keep going with the training as it is written. So this coming weekend I'll do 7 miles. Then 9. Then 11. Then 13. Then I'll pick up where I'm leaving off.
Otherwise, things are going okay. Everyone say a little prayer, if you're so inclined. I may be able to schedule my defense soon if certain things happen this week. I also applied for a place to live when I move, so hopefully I'll hear on that this week too. My time in Texas is slowly coming to and end and I have mixed feelings about that.
I'm probably going to be finishing up the first leg of Alice this week as well. I'm thinking about increasing my weekday runs to 5K length, just to increase my normal endurance. And since I'll be increasing my weekend mileage, it only makes sense to up my endurance during the week as well. Alice only has 6.3 miles left, so I want to split that between Tuesday and Thurday and then start Leg 2 (White Rabbit) with my 7 mile run on Saturday.
Training plan for the week:
Monday: Runner's Yoga, Yoga Abs, Strength Training
Tuesday: 3.1 miles
Wednesday: Runner's Yoga, Yoga Abs, Yoga Tone
Thursday: 3.2 miles
Friday: Runner's Yoga, Yoga Abs, Strength Training
Saturday: 7 miles
May Average Pace: 14:04
2016 Miles to Date: 127.4
Yoga/Strength Training Sessions this week: 3
Streak Day: 29 (Maximum: 29)
The American 200: 117.4/200 (9/16/16 Deadline)
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland: 16.1 miles (Leg 1)
This week I realized I have to back my training up a bit. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday saw excellent yoga sessions. I still have problems fitting in both yoga and strength training sometimes, but hopefully this week will be better! Every week that goes by, I get better at getting up and getting to it and I'm currently on Streak Day 29!!!!!! I am experiencing the desire to not restart that counter more and more each day...the higher that number gets...the harder it is to give up.
Tuesday I did my normal 2.5 mile loop and Thursday I decided to forgo hill training and run my 5K for the Virtual Running Shorts runDisney Challenge. It also let me road test my new Garmin Forerunner 235! I think I'm really going to love using this as I increase my training mileage because I won't have to worry about the battery life on my phone! Plus it's a smart watch and pedometer, which means I can wear it all the time. Which means, lately, I've taken to wearing two watches. I'm eccentric. What can I say...
The 13 miler I was supposed to do yesterday turned into a 5 miler. I just didn't have 13 in me. And that's when I realized...I haven't run 13 miles since March, when I PR'd the Bearathon. Worse than that, I have run further than 4 miles since March. So I've decided to backtrack my training just a little bit and build back up to 13 miles and then keep going with the training as it is written. So this coming weekend I'll do 7 miles. Then 9. Then 11. Then 13. Then I'll pick up where I'm leaving off.
Otherwise, things are going okay. Everyone say a little prayer, if you're so inclined. I may be able to schedule my defense soon if certain things happen this week. I also applied for a place to live when I move, so hopefully I'll hear on that this week too. My time in Texas is slowly coming to and end and I have mixed feelings about that.
I'm probably going to be finishing up the first leg of Alice this week as well. I'm thinking about increasing my weekday runs to 5K length, just to increase my normal endurance. And since I'll be increasing my weekend mileage, it only makes sense to up my endurance during the week as well. Alice only has 6.3 miles left, so I want to split that between Tuesday and Thurday and then start Leg 2 (White Rabbit) with my 7 mile run on Saturday.
Training plan for the week:
Monday: Runner's Yoga, Yoga Abs, Strength Training
Tuesday: 3.1 miles
Wednesday: Runner's Yoga, Yoga Abs, Yoga Tone
Thursday: 3.2 miles
Friday: Runner's Yoga, Yoga Abs, Strength Training
Saturday: 7 miles
Sunday, May 15, 2016
The Road to Dopey: Week 19 - Virtual Reality
May Miles to Date: 5.5
May Average Pace: 14:37
2016 Miles to Date: 116.8
Yoga/Strength Training Sessions this week: 4
Streak Day: 22 (Maximum: 22)
The American 200: 106.77/200 (9/16/16 Deadline: 41 miles ahead of schedule)
May Average Pace: 14:37
2016 Miles to Date: 116.8
Yoga/Strength Training Sessions this week: 4
Streak Day: 22 (Maximum: 22)
The American 200: 106.77/200 (9/16/16 Deadline: 41 miles ahead of schedule)
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland: 5.5 miles (Leg 1)
A lightning storm yesterday morning (coupled with the gym being closed for the intersession) killed my plans to run 13 miles. But otherwise, I stayed on plan all week. And when my plans were ruined yesterday, I just adjusted the plan. I did a new yoga sequence (Yoga Tone...man was that intense!) instead. I know it wasn't the same workout as 13 miles, but at least I did something. And it kept my workout streak alive. As predicted it's becoming "the norm" and everyday I wake up and consider not doing a workout, I'm motivated by the fact the counter will reset to 1 if I don't...
I'm also discovering more about the world of virtual racing. Not being able to race for bling is sad after a year of bling earning. But I know financially and logistically, I can't be traveling like I did in 2015 for races. And I need to focus on my training if I want Dopey 2018 to be a reality. So I'm warming up to the idea of the virtual race. Especially ones that are mileage challenges. Like the Texas 200 that I completed in March, or the American 200, which I'm currently completing.
I signed up for the first leg of a new challenge this week: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. This is a 6 part Challenge, with each leg a different length. The first leg is 22.4 miles, and I'm currently 5.5 miles in. Next weekend, I also have the first race of the Virtual Running Shorts coming up. The Yellow Shoe race event started today and I have until June 1 to complete it. My plan for completing it is including in my plan for the week below.
I'm so proud of myself for sticking with my streak this week, especially after a week on vacation. It would have been really easy for me to not get back to it, but if anything, Disney inspired me to continue working toward my next runDisney race.
This week, I think I'm going to shake up my MWF routine, since I'm exploring my yoga possibilities. I'm excited to see how it goes. Let y'all know next week!
Plan for the week:
- Monday: Runner's Yoga, Quick Abs Yoga Workout, Strength Training
- Tuesday: 2.5 mile maintenance run (All miles for Alice's Adventures)
- Wednesday: Runner's Yoga, Quick Abs Yoga, Yoga Tone
- Thursday: 3 miles (Hill workout! All miles for Alice)
- Friday: Runner's Yoga, Quick Abs Yoga Workout, Strength Training
- Saturday: 13 mile training run (3.1 miles to Yellow Shoe Virtual 5K, 9.9 miles to Alice)
Sunday, May 8, 2016
The Road to Dopey: Week 18 - A week off doesn't mean no miles!
May Miles to Date: 0
May Average Pace: ---
2016 Miles to Date: 111.3
Yoga/Strength Training Sessions this week: 0
Streak Day: 15 (Maximum: 15)
The American 200: 101.27/200 (9/16/16 Deadline: 50 miles ahead of schedule)
I spent the week at Disney World and had so much fun! It was a much needed vacation and celebration, and I feel ready to finish my PhD now. Not that I haven't been ready for a while, mind you....
I don't have a lot to report this week. You may have noticed that my American 200 miles jumped quite a bit...that's because I decided to count my Disney walking miles because I think it was really impressive that I walked over 60 miles this week.
This week I plan to:
-Monday, Wednesday, Friday: Yoga/Strength
-Tuesday: 2.5 miles
-Thursday: 3 miles (with hills)
-Saturday: 13 miles
Wish me luck! Let's get back to it!
May Average Pace: ---
2016 Miles to Date: 111.3
Yoga/Strength Training Sessions this week: 0
Streak Day: 15 (Maximum: 15)
The American 200: 101.27/200 (9/16/16 Deadline: 50 miles ahead of schedule)
I spent the week at Disney World and had so much fun! It was a much needed vacation and celebration, and I feel ready to finish my PhD now. Not that I haven't been ready for a while, mind you....
I don't have a lot to report this week. You may have noticed that my American 200 miles jumped quite a bit...that's because I decided to count my Disney walking miles because I think it was really impressive that I walked over 60 miles this week.
 |
| This doesn't include the 6 miles from our arrival day. |
This week I plan to:
-Monday, Wednesday, Friday: Yoga/Strength
-Tuesday: 2.5 miles
-Thursday: 3 miles (with hills)
-Saturday: 13 miles
Wish me luck! Let's get back to it!
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