Wednesday, August 27, 2008

XTERRA Series Wrap-up

The XTERRA Utah Trail Running Series was really fun!

Thoughts:

--That first race was scary... I didn't know if I could finish all of them after that first 10K

--Each race was completely different

--My only goal was to finish all 4. SUCCESS!!!

--I also ended up 1st in the series for my age group; it was a nail biter though

--Weren't we supposed to get some sort of finisher's prize though??

--The half marathon (not put on by Striders) was the most disorganized of the races
*The bus schedule was all messed up
*The XTERRA people were set on setting up this stupid balloon arch thing
*We (runners) didn't get any food coupons for the post-race party
*There was no clear-cut bag check
*The race was about 2 miles short!

--Lung issues made it tough to run that XDURO race, but I ended up 3rd in my age group, even after taking it REALLY slowly

--The trails and weather were beautiful for every race

--My favorite hands-down was the race at Snowbird

--And they had $10 haircuts at the finish line of the XDURO :-)

Bad News and Good News...

3 Aug: can't remember
4 Aug: 5.5 mi run (tempo)
5-7 Aug: nothing
8 Aug: 20 min bike, abs
9 Aug: Garden of Eden 10 mi
10 Aug: 2 mi slow, 2 hr hiking
11-13 Aug: rest
14 Aug: swim 45 min
15 Aug rest
16 Aug: XTERRA XDURO 21K, Wheeler Canyon
17-18 Aug: rest
19 Aug: swim 45 min
20 Aug: swim 40 min, abs, legs, led PT
21 Aug: rode SPOOKY outside
22-23 Aug: can't remember
24 Aug: hip hop dance instruction video
25 Aug: run 3 mi (a test run)
26 Aug: spin 30 min
27 Aug: run 3 mi, abs
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Lung problems--I have been having trouble breathing since Feb/March. It has progressively been getting worse, to the point where I have been having big trouble breathing even when resting in bed. I ran the 10 mile race, and I have never had such bad chest pain or trouble breathing before. It was awful and scary. So I went to the doctor on Monday. I had an EKG, chest x-rays, and some breathing tests. Now I have a referral to see a pulmonologist in mid-September (soonest they could get me in). I was told not to run at all until my appointment. So sports are on the backburner for a little while. Breathing is difficult, and it's hard to do anything which elevates my heart rate. I think my marathon's out, and any other races until I can get my breathing and chest pain under control.

Life is good otherwise. I've been nominated for an AF-level award (long shot though), the weather is cooling down (thank goodness!!!!), volunteering is great, and I'm going to Florida to visit my fiance for the long weekend.

And visit my favorite website! I have my favorite ones bookmarked. Always cheers me up!!!

Saturday, August 02, 2008

Catch-up

20 July: 30 min bike ride
21 July: stationary bike 40+ min
22 July: run 7 mi, lift legs
23-24 July: rest
25 July: stationary bike 60 min
26 July: run 30 min
27 July: run for 3:30
28 July: bike 30 min spin
29 July: 1 mi WU, 5 mi tempo, abs, pull-ups
30 July: rest
31 July: 50 yd dash race, 1.5 WU, 6x0.5 mi (6.5 mi total), lift legs
1 Aug: bike 30 min
2 Aug: rest!

Long run--I ran from my house to the mtns, in the mtns, and then back home. Oh man, it was SLOOOOOOOW. It was so hot, I drank all 100 oz of water. Running on the trails is good for the XTERRA 1/2 marathon in a few weeks. The stabilizing muscles must be crazy-strong now.

Strength--I pulled my head out of my butt and started heading back to the gym to work on strength. I decided to just do really light weight and figure out where everything is in the gym, conquer intimidation.

Heat--Holy cow, the 0.5 mi repeats were absolutely insanely hot. Our Wing had a field day, and I ran the 50 yard dash (2nd place overall, which was shocking). Then I went and did some 0.5 mi repeats with 0.25 mi rest. The repeats were a bit slower than normal, because I was scared of running crazy fast in 100 degree weather: 3:16, 3:23, 3:21, 3:24, 3:20, 3:18. I drank about 70 oz of water.

Work--We have 3 major inspections in 3 weeks. And I'm the acting flight commander. And meeting with the general. A LOT on my plate this week!