Time for another round of The Run Report!
But first, head over to Carla’s blog, Real Into, where I have a guest post all about how to adjust a training plan to incorporate races! I wrote it on Carla’s request – she’s training for a half marathon and isn’t sure how to fit a couple of shorter races she has scheduled into her current plan. Has that happened to you before? I’m sharing three approaches to make racing a seamless part of your training.
Meanwhile, I had a glorious week of running. You know when everything seems ‘on’? Even getting myself out of bed early on the weekends wasn’t as mentally difficult as it can be sometimes.
First up, the fun stuff. NEW SHOES! 🙂 I know I’m not the only runner who LOVES getting new running shoes. Mine were probably a little overdue. I told you I wasn’t sure what to try out next – I stuck with Mizuno for one pair (Wave Inspires) and I actually took a recommendation from Tina of Fuel Your Future with Tina, who suggested Puma Faas to me. Tina is an elite runner who hopes to make the Olympic team, so I figured her advice was worth heeding. Plus, she told me their only downfall was being kind of ugly, but I thought they looked good, so I went for it. So far, so good!
And more fun mail – I received a pair of compression socks from ProCompression (look out for a review soon!). I’ve worn compression socks before for recovery, but I’ve never run in them. I gave it a shot this week and forgot I had them on.
Here’s how my week of running broke down:
Monday: Easy Run with Strides – 40 minutes
Wednesday: Medium Long Run – 1 hour, 15 minutes
Friday: Easy Run – 40 minutes
Saturday: Long, Steady Run – 1 hour 30 minutes
Sunday: Easy Run – 40 minutes
On Wednesday, everything clicked for me. This phenomenon doesn’t happen very often, but when it does, it’s amazing: I get into a good, steady pace and then at some point I realize I can’t feel my legs. I don’t mean in a, “Holy crap, I think I’m paralyzed!” kind of way, I mean they are running as if on automaton. There are no twinges, no heaviness, it just feels like I’m gliding. It’s what I imagine running in an AlterG must feel like. Does this ever happen to anyone else?
So there I was, gliding along happily, not checking my pace because I felt like I was keeping a good, steady pace (and I was, it turned out later that my splits were just seconds apart) and I noticed I was gaining on a guy who must have been running about 10 – 15 seconds per mile slower than me. Soon enough I drew level with him, I saw him turn to look at me… and he took off. “Intervals,” I thought. A couple of minutes later, I found myself drawing close to him again. He saw me and again, bolted. This happened twice more and it dawned on me – he just didn’t want me to pass him!
By this point, we were coming up to the big hill in Prospect Park and my goal was to keep my pace up the hill, to take advantage of my legs feeling so magic. So there I was, focused on keeping the same pace, while this guy was sprinting ahead, getting passed by me while he gasped for air, then sprinting past me again. Three times he passed me on the hill, then just as we approached the crest, I passed him and…he didn’t sprint. I was kind of bummed for him, but I was proud of myself for keeping my steady pace despite the distraction (and for accidentally coaching the guy through an intervals workout!! ha ha). Some guys just don’t like being passed by women. 😉
Other scenes from my running week (you may have seen a couple of these if you we’re friends on Instagram):
Yes, that guy was juggling while riding a unicycle. I saw him on the same hill as my face-off with intervals man, so I really lucked out with finding some diversions during the hills this week! Also, that shadow photo with my stats? This one is the revised version – when I put it on Instagram I accidentally wrote 8.75 miles, so my pace was listed as a blazing fast 4:54 per mile. #IWISH
Recovery this week included stretching, foam rolling, compression socks and the following technique I find very helpful on a weekend:
Have you ever had a speed standoff with another runner?
How cute are those cygnets? Right after I took that photo it occurred to me I was very close to those swans and they had babies, so maybe that wasn’t such a good place to be…
Don’t forget to check out my post on Real Into! 🙂
It is so true. I always feel like I get great runs in when I have new sneakers. I think I am due for a new pair as well. I agree that those pumas dont look bad at all. I have never wore compression socks while running wither. I think they would be way too hot especially for the summer.
lacey@fairytaledandfitness recently posted…Tips For Staying Fit While On Vacation
I’m loving the Pumas – I also got a pair of Mizuno Wave Inspire, because I like to rotate two pairs at once.
I had my best run when I broke my new sneaks in! It was awesome ha!
I like the white compression socks! Plain and simple:)
Heidi @ Idlehide recently posted…Tuesday Training #6
There’s something about new sneaks! 🙂
Oh wow! I feel so honored you took my advice and got the faqs 🙂 Yours are a different model to mine, but I am interested to see what you think. Yours are cuter colors than mine 🙂 Ugh, I hate it when guys try to race me….my boyfriend gets so mad when I take off after them, often telling me to check my ego at the door hahaha.
Tina Muir recently posted…Skinny Buffalo Chicken and Vegetable Enchiladas
I like them so far! When I saw them I thought they’d feel clunky, but they feel good on the road. (PS: Of *course* I took your advice! You know what you’re talking about!!)
I LOVE your sneakers!! I am still so new to this but I have only experienced the “gliding” a few times, I wish I could do it everyday! Headed to Carly’s now! 🙂
Nellie @ Brooklyn Active Mama recently posted…Weekly Wednesday Workout: Dumb Bell Hip Hinges
Oh, the gliding! It’s so rare, but so awesome. 🙂
This is hilarious! I just read another article that called this “getting chicked” meaning, getting passed/beat by a girl. You know me, I don’t have this running because well everyone would beat me but I’m am always sizing up the weights others are lifting….not in a competitive way necessarily just curious what they’re lifting, how many reap, sets, speed, etc.
Annie Brees recently posted…What Shoes to Wear for Lifting Weights
Ha ha ha, well I think you can use “getting chicked” in the gym, too, Annie! 😉
Yay for new shoes! it must be that time. The Pumas have a vintage Euro look to them, I think. I’ve had guys do that to me in races. Must be machismo I guess.
Marcia recently posted…Runfessions
I thought they looked a little vintage, too! And yeah, ego appears to be alive and well in Prospect Park.
I love that feeling of when you legs feel like magic! It rarely happens to me, but it’s worth every bad run
I don’t think I’ve ever had a speed standoff, but that’s funny
Karen recently posted…Pictures on a morning run
It really is a magical feeling. When it happens, I try not to even think too much about it, in case it stops!!
So cool that you are on Carla’s blog – I will read it this evening (making my way down my list!!).
That whole guy thing while running makes me laugh- I just ordered a special tank from my favorite Arty Runner about that very thing!!!
Kim recently posted…Does Your Heart Need a Rest?
I have to check out Arty Runner – I loved your runner face tank as well!
I saw you on Real Into yesterday and loved your post! Your sneaks are super cute!
I’ve never had that happen to me running but definitely had it happen to me cycling! Guys get such a big ego. I love your attitude about it! You were like “yes, a great workout!” He was probably thinking “I can’t let this chick pass me.” I love passing guys on my bike. I don’t even clip in (too dangerous in the city imo) and these guys are decked out in all the gear!
Britt@MyOwnBalance recently posted…Happy Blogiversary MOB!
I imagine it’s a million times worse with cyclists! The guys in the park are ridiculous!