Training in July

I wanted to share my training for the month of July. Since my last post, I've started using the running logs on Flotrack, and now I don't know why I hadn't started before, they are pretty awesome. Yesterday, I wrapped up my 4th week of logging my mileage:

July's Training (Aug 2nd is 2.7 miles at 8:38 pace, with six 100m strides at 5:32 pace)

On the 29th through the 1st, I felt pretty sore and tired, so after pushing through two days of training, I decided to take two complete rest days. Most of the other non-running days still have bike days, including an 82 minute ride on the 14th after a long day of travel. I'm starting to feel more fit, though I'm still a while away from being able to break my personal bests. My strides have been between 800m and Mile pace, and I will soon start running little bits of 5k pace work. I want to run some hills, but it is pancake flat around here for the most part.

With cross country and fall road race season (for us non-elites) swinging into gear now that it is August, I hope everyone stays healthy and can get some good training in!

Improvement Albeit Slowly

I am officially an alumnus of East Carolina University, with a double major in political science and history, just waiting on the diploma to prove it to you. Feels great to be able to say I've completed my undergraduate, but I find myself wishing I would have been able to stay healthy and complete my military training so my career would be more certain. As of now, I'm home with my parents, soon to begin the job search and work on getting my license. Yes, I know, how do I live without it at 23. Luckily I love to run and bike, and that's all I've been doing lately.

I had to take about two weeks off running, but with my final finals, an achilles flare up, and then a sinus infection, I had good reason to rest. Now that I'm not sick and my achilles is fine, I am back in the short shorts and dirty shoes getting in tiny bits of mileage. 15 minutes and a few 60 meter strides may not be much, but after months of not running, I have a great appreciation for what I can do. I've also been hammering out half hours on the stationary bike in the living room while watching World Cup games. Not sure which of those causes the higher heart rates though.

As I progress with my training, I will continue to include a hefty dose of intense cross training for weight loss and the fitness benefits. In terms of the running, I continue to read about different training methods and plans to further understand the entire process. Lately, I've been reading a lot about how Steve Magness trained high school athletes, which I think is very applicable to me as I too have a lack of foundation.

I'm hoping to interview some friends about their running in upcoming posts, thanks for reading!

An Update of Sorts

I'm going to skip over some things really quickly because there's honestly no point in freaking myself out over my uncertain future, and you aren't here to read a sob story about my life.

I will tell you the important details; I finished up physical therapy in November, and throughout the winter became pain free, with still some limited flexibility in my hip and hamstring. I took part in the Spring Commencement Ceremony and will officially graduate at the end of this month after 1st Summer Session. I have no idea what will happen next. It's a scary thought.

Now for the fun stuff, prepare yourself. I AM RUNNING AGAIN! It's pretty awesome, albeit slow (10min pace). I've been doing 30 minute easy runs about 5 days a week for about 3 weeks now, plus strides after most runs. I've been doing some light lifting too but I need to increase my time spent training to lose some weight and get fit.

Look for an update soon as I continue training!