You can definitely tell the Peachtree Roadrace is coming up by the increased number of folks getting out and running. A couple of weeks before the big race, the numbers multiply exponentially and it’s always good to see. I’m running it for the second year in a row and really looking forward to it.
On Thursday, we had a fun workout that Janice came up with using Skip-Bo cards. We form groups of 4 and while 2 team members sprint about 30 yards to the Skip-Bo cards to discover what kind of exercise to do, the other 2 team members do a holding exercise (such as a plank). When the running members come back, they hold while the other two run out. The cards tell you which exercise to do and how many but there are also a couple of surprises. If you draw a 7, you get to rest while the instructors do an exercise and if you draw a Skip-Bo card, you simply sprint without doing an exercise. We did three rounds, changing up the exercise and the holding exercise and it really keeps you moving!
Following Skip-Bo, we did a finishing routine that involved sprinting backwards around the track. This is a favorite of mine since for some reason, I am really fast when I run backwards. We stayed with our Skip-Bo teams and each went to a different part of the track to make it a relay race. Once we finished running backwards, we turned around and raced again running forward. It feels really good to sprint hard but it’s amazing how long it takes to recover if you leave it all out there.
Friday was the last day of June boot camp when most boot campers perform a PT Test that mirrors the one they took at the beginning of boot camp so they can see the progress they have made. Since I wasn’t able to do the first PT test, I opted to do the alternate workout called the “Murph” with Todd, Eric, Laura and Angela.
The “Murph” is a timed workout where you do the following:
2 Laps around the track
50 Sit-ups
50 Push-ups
50 Squats
50 Dips
2 Laps around the track
Since we do it for time, you try to get through each exercise quickly. The toughest part is the final two laps. After doing all the exercises the last 2 are generally slower than the first 2 laps. The humidity was something else, which made it tough to keep the oxygen flowing. I always use the analogy that it’s like trying to breath with a wet paper towel over your mouth. I finished in just over 15 minutes so I was happy with that. We joined the rest of the group for a timed “plank-off” and cool down.
After boot camp, I decided to do a short run with Paige and Suzanne S. The route is a triangle loop that’s about 2.75 miles and something they started doing on Friday’s following camp. We headed out and it didn’t take long for me to realize that I wasn’t going to keep up with them.
Not sure if it was from being a little tapped from the workout or the humidity but I decided to fall into a slower, more comfortable pace. We ran into downtown Oakhurst and took East Lake to East College and then down S. McDonough and back to Agnes Scott. The sun really bore down on the E. College section since we were running directly into the sunrise. I met Paige and Suzanne back at the cars and we celebrated our extra-credit run!
An adrenalin filled moment came in the middle of the run when a car almost rolled through a stop sign and hit me. The guy driving was looking at his lap when I shouted at him and he looked up startled while slamming on the break. Obviously he was texting and came about 2 feet from being dragged out of his car to receive a proper thrashing. Fortunately for him, my shout saved him from hitting me.
Saturday was our long run day and for some reason I was feeling a little anxious. My running hasn’t felt up to snuff lately and I was feeling a little frustrated. I know I was out for a couple of weeks but it shouldn’t have had that much of an effect. I’ve been running and working out for a couple of weeks now so it seems like I should be back to form.
As I drove to meet everyone, I found myself questioning what was going on. Will I have it today? Is it my legs? Is it the heat? Then I stopped the questions with an over-riding thought: You are not running with joy!
I had the realization that I was getting too caught up in my pace, keeping up with everyone, etc. and not just running for the enjoyment of doing it. I think because I was coming off such improvement after the interval running course, I’ve been putting to much pressure on myself to have every run be lights out. So on a hot morning with 95% humidity, I decided I would only run as fast as my breathing felt comfortable. I would start my Garmin and then I wouldn’t look at it until I was done. That took the pressure off and changed my outlook on the morning.
Suzanne S. came up with the route and Eric, Paige, Laura, Susan, Bobbi and Jason with special guest Brad and his sidekick Charlie all showed up for the run. The other hit was Laura’s new shoes that are definitely the most colorful I have seen!
The first part of the route was nice and flat which was nice for warming up the legs. I ended up between groups so I was by myself for the first 3 miles and it made it easy for me to focus on my breathing and just relax.
I didn’t look at my Garmin at all and as we made our way into the neighborhood of Lake Claire, Suzanne ran with me for a bit before she headed back to check on those behind us. I ended up at a crossroads of sorts and fortunately, Suzanne and Laura arrived and Suzanne pointed us in the right direction. We ran together for a while and it seemed like everything from mile 4 was uphill.
Suzanne and Laura pulled ahead of me and I slowed my stride once again, trying to find a comfortable breathing pace. Of course, that can be hard to do when you are running uphill and the heat of the morning is on the increase. Around mile 5, I lost sight of them and on a particularly long hill up East Lake, my legs just slowed to a walk. It wasn’t a conscious decision, it just kind of happened. I walked about 20 paces and took off again. I had this happen again and when I began running after a brief walk, Suzanne came into view.
I pulled up next to her as she was walking and I asked her if she was OK. She basically mirrored how I was feeling which was kind of zapped from the humidity and heat. We walked the last half-mile and just enjoyed it. We met up with everyone talked about the last part of the run and Jason said he also ran out of juice and walked a couple of times. I took some comfort in knowing it wasn’t just me. I think I had forgotten how much high humidity can take out of you and how long it takes to acclimate.
We finished up the run with iced coffee and assorted baked goods from Kavarna and sat outside and enjoyed the morning….my favorite part of our weekend long run!
Filed under: Group Runs | Tagged: 10k, 5K, boot camp, challenge, exercise, Garmin, Half-Marathon, Physical exercise, run, running, Trail running, workout | Leave a comment »