I have not run at all in over a month, and not regularly since May. I kind-of trained earlier this year for the 8th Annual Run for the Animals Half Marathon, but nothing else. I signed up for a 25K trail race earlier this year (it was peer pressure!) which is to take place the first weekend in November. I figured it was time to start training as this trail race will be the determining factor as to whether or not I am going to sign up for the Laugavegur Ultra Marathon in 2020. If I can’t finish a 15.5 mile trail race in the “hills” of the DelMarVa Peninsula, there’s no chance in hell I’m going to survive 34.2 miles in the volcanic mountains of Iceland! And I really, really, REALLY want to do Laugavegur.
My training officially started yesterday, August 1st. I did a mile after work. It was a slow walk/run interval mile but I figured I’d wean myself back into it. Today I did a 3.5 mile 2/1 Run/Walk and have to say that it felt pretty darn good. Tomorrow I will do some HIIT training and weight training, and plan to get in at least 4-5 miles on Sunday.
I’m planning on sticking with the Galloway Method of running ever since my achilles injury. I feel so much better when I finish a run using the run/walk/run method. I don’t get as painful, especially in the hips, and I just feel better overall during the workout. I will also incorporate a lot more yoga while I am training. I’ve been learning more and more every day about the practice and it just makes me feel so good! It helps clear my mind, relaxes my body, and I feel stronger and more flexible when I’m finished with a session. There’s so much truth to the “it’s all in your head” mentality when it comes to difficult tasks, and running a long distance, or any distance when you’re just not feeling it, can be a very difficult task. I am trying to learn meditation while running.
Esme joined me for a post-run cool down walk off-leash today. She did AWESOME! She’ll be running with me in no time, once the weather cools off a bit.
Working on running manners with Esme off-leash
I am looking forward to getting back into the running groove. I’ve been out of it for so long now, it seems, that I’ve forgotten just how great it makes me feel. Also, I am looking forward to getting Esme trained to run with me! I let her join me for my cool down walk this evening where we worked on her not crossing in front of me, and especially her slowing down/stopping in front of me. I think she’ll get it in no time. She’s proven to be a very quick learner. Her off-leash training is going very well, so we’ll work on off-leash running down our Neck when the weather cools down a bit.
Now I must spend the rest of my free-time working on my training schedule! I have to manage every minute of my day if I’m going to successfully complete this training AND continue to blog… 😉
I will do my best! Stay tuned…
AnimalWhiz 