It’s that time of the month again! Time to join in on the Runners Tell All monthly link up. This month is all about sharing a bad race or training experience and what you learned from it. I had to give this one a bit of thought.

I’ve had some tough races and plenty of workouts that didn’t go as planned in the past. In order to answer this question, I turned to my running log. There was a particular training run from last May that stood out to me.

It was 88 degrees and humid outside as I headed down to the trail in town for a post-work 6 mile tempo run. The run did not go the way I wanted it to. I did run miles 2-5 faster than my first and last mile, but that’s as close as this run came to a tempo run.

I had to stop every single mile of the run to stretch my calves and Achilles, because they felt like they were on fire while I ran. I also got frustrated because after stopping to stretch at mile 1, I started running again without starting my watch. I didn’t notice this until about 0.3 miles into mile 2. Not the best thing when you’re looking for splits during a tempo run. Then during mile 5 my right foot went completely numb.

On top of all of that, the bugs were horrendous that evening. The trail runs parallel to a creek most of the way, which only made things worse. They were so heavy that at times I could only look at the ground while running, and ended up swallowing a bunch. I also got inexplicably sick during the final (cool down) mile.

You’re probably wondering why I still bother to run, after such a disastrous workout. It’s because I learned a lesson from that run. That lesson is the same reason I had to look in my running log to remember this run. I learned the importance of moving on from a bad run or race experience, and not dwelling on it. Because that will suck all of the fun out of running.

Sometimes it can be beneficial to look back on a bad run and think about the reasons behind it. Are you overtraining? Not getting enough rest? Eating junk? Not drinking enough water? But othertimes you just have to brush it off and move on.

Tell me about a time you had a bad race or workout, and how you learned from it/overcame it.

 

Yesterday morning I watched the live TV coverage of the Boston Marathon. On the women’s side, I was amazed at how Shalane ran from the front and really put it all out there. She finished seventh with a personal best and American course record time of 2:22:02. Rita Jeptoo won in incredible fashion, repeating from last year. She also broke the course record, finishing in 2:18:57!

On the men’s side Meb Keflezighi ran from the front, Pre-style. I was literally yelling at the TV and cheering him on the final 2 miles, as the field he had broken away from crept back up on him. But he pulled ahead by mere seconds to break the tape in 2:08:37! Amazing.

After all of that inspiration, I had to get out for a run in the afternoon. I headed over to Claytor Lake for an easy 5 mile trail run, as part of the Boston Marathon World Run.

It was a gorgeous day for a run. I thought of all of those still finishing their race in Boston, some of whom didn’t get to finish their race last year and were back to finish what they started.

Once I got home, I logged on to the World Run website and keyed in my miles. Then I hopped on over to the One Fund website and made the donation I had pledged as part of the Boston Marathon World Run.

Did you watch coverage of the Boston Marathon yesterday? What was your favorite part?
Who else ran some miles for Boston yesterday?

Happy Marathon Monday! I hope everyone running and spectating at the Boston Marathon today has a safe and wonderful day. The 118th running of the Boston Marathon is an especially important one. Who else is joining in the Boston Marathon World Run today?

This week I took it very easy on running, due to shin pain. I made up for it with plenty of cross training, though. It was a bit of an interesting situation, since I was out of town for work Monday – Thursday. Usually my go-to form of exercise when I travel is running, but I had to mix it up this week. This picture pretty much sums up every workout I did Monday through Thursday, which all took place in my hotel room.

Monday- 30 Day Shred Level 1 workout. This was my first time ever doing an actual cross training workout in a hotel room. I hope the people on the floor below me weren’t bothered when I was doing jumping jacks and jump rope! I never got a phone call, so I guess I was okay…

Tuesday- AM: 30 Day Shred Level 2 workout.

PM: Jillian Michael’s Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism workout. The restaurant we went out to had terrible service, and I didn’t get back to my hotel room until 9. It took until nearly 10 for my steak to settle, so I found myself getting in this hour-long workout at 10 PM. What can I say, I’m committed.

*It should also be noted that it snowed at home on Tuesday evening while I was in Richmond. Hopefully I missed the last snow of the season. I hope, I hope!

Wednesday- AM: 30 Day Shred Level 3 workout.

PM: No More Trouble Zones workout.

Thursday- AM: 30 Day Shred Level 3 workout. This was my favorite day of traveling for work: pack up and go home day!

I made sure to ice my shins after each workout this week. This took a bit of planning, since I didn’t have access to a freezer or actual ice packs. Instead, I packed two gallon-sized Ziploc bags and got ice from the ice machine.

Friday- Rest day.

Saturday- Met up with Kim in the morning for a 6 mile run on the Huckleberry Trail. You know you’ve been running buddies for a long time when you not only show up in the same long sleeve shirt, but also both have pink shirts on under that shirt. 🙂

We started from where the trail ends in Christiansburg, and ran the new part of the trail that connects to the Christiansburg Rec Center, since they have it done. FYI for anyone who runs in that area: the bridge over Peppers Ferry Road isn’t done, yet, so you’ll have to carefully cross the road to get to the new part of the trail.

When we got back to where we started, we had run a little over 2.5 miles. So we did another out and back on the existing trail (going towards Blacksburg) to get a total of 6 miles.

My legs felt really good during this run. I think the week off from running really helped. Now I’m looking forward to the Blue Ridge Half Marathon, which is this weekend!

Sunday- I considered doing a short, easy run but I didn’t make any specific plans. I spent Saturday afternoon/evening and most of Sunday cleaning the house and giving the dogs a bath. I figured if I felt like going for a run late on Sunday afternoon, then I would. As it worked out, I did not feel like going for a run so I didn’t. Taper for Blue Ridge??

Total Miles: 6 miles (+ 4 hours spent cross training)

 

And the winner of the Spartan Race giveaway is….

Congratulations, Greg!

Look for my email from turkeyrunner712 (at) gmail (dot) com.

If you didn’t win, but are still interested in registering for a Spartan Race, you can get 15% off of your registration fee by clicking HERE.

If you’re planning on participating in a Spartan Race this year, check out the Spartan Race-inspired Reebok All-Terrain shoes. It looks like they’ll get the job done!

“Born from the trenches of Spartan Races, the Reebok All-Terrain Series is strategically designed with drainage ports that drain water quickly and easily and 360 degrees of traction to shed mud…..The shoe that can handle any abuse a Spartan can give it so you are unstoppable on any course.”

Have you ever done a mud or obstacle race?
Who is going to Spartan Up with me?

**Note: The random number drawing was conducted from 2 to 10, because my dad was entry number 1 on the giveaway. He requested that I not include him. Therefore, only comments numbered 2 through 10 were used to select the winner.

Today is the seventh anniversary of the shootings that happened at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007, when I was a freshman. It’s something that still remains fresh in my mind, in varying degrees. It’s also something that comes to mind at the most random times. Last year, I shared about my personal experience.

Each year, among other events held in memory, they hold a race on campus called the 3.2 Run in Remembrance. Last year I got to meet Deb & company at the race, and ran with them. This year I missed the race for the first time ever since it has been held, due to running the MC 17.75K, but I still represented my Hokies.

The events of that day in 2007 are never an easy thing to think about, and are even more difficult to talk about, especially this time of year. But there is a lot of pride in being a Hokie, and there’s comfort in the outpouring of support that’s especially prevalent during the third week of April.

Take a moment today to remember the 32 individuals whose lives were lost that day, and to be grateful for the loved ones and friends in your life.

Today we are all Hokies. “While 32 of our friends and classmates are in Heaven trying to explain what a Hokie is, I stand here sure in the fact that I wouldn’t want to be anything else.”

“Appreciate life a little more, take in every moment around you, count your blessings, tell the people around you that you love them, slow down, remember what’s truly important in life. And live for those 32 that do not have that chance anymore.”

Let’s Go! HOKIES!