Update on training

It's been a while since I last posted about my marathon training and I apologize about that. Since I last posted, many things have happened. One of the biggest things that happened is that I've been gradually increasing my mileage and mixing my training with cross training such as gym work. Some of my runs include 21km runs to 30km runs on Sundays and 10km runs on the weekdays. Since then, I've also encountered some injuries such as tendinitis (which was pretty recent. I've been using a combination of cross training and heel drops to help alleviate the pain. Since then, It has gotten better) and also some minor knee issues (which can be helped by sitting with the back against the wall as if you are on a chair, which strengthens your knee muscles).

There and back again

Nothing too special, I just did a 7km run going from where I usually go outward towards Vancouver and back. I didn't want to run too much because the weekend and my long runs are coming up!
Workout Summary:
7km
40 mins

Taking it easy

Today, I decided to do a smaller loop of 6.5km. I noticed that the soles of my foot is slightly hurting because the bottom of my shoes are worn out. Even though the outside doesn't appear to be broken or worn, the soles themselves are worn. I did however work on some speed today. I did a few intervals of sprints followed by intervals of my normal pace of jogging. Workout Summary: 6.5km Time: 30 mins.

Jan 15th Workout

Nothing too peculiar today, the weather was really nice, and I am more rested (compared to yesterday). The beginning of my run felt relatively simple and easy. However, towards the middle, I started to wonder when the run is going to be over. I didn't feel physically tired, but mentally I felt abit on the "bored" side. I read in marathon running books that this is very common, and is associated with loss of motivation. I guess this is just one of the obstacles that I will need to endure.

Workout Summary: 45mins 9.75KM.

Slightly Drained (Jan 14th)

Last night I got home abit late because I had a midterm (I know... a midterm on the second week of school... what is this insanity?!). The marathon program that I am trying to follow says that on average I must run 10km during the week days with a long run on the weekends. Today, I chose one of my classic routes. The thing about today that is different than the other days is that while I was running, I felt tired. Not physically tired, but mentally tired. I had voices inside my head telling me I should just cut the route shorter and go have a coffee or something... but I know I must finish the full 10km, so I pushed through it. That said, this short run felt really long.

Workout Summary
10.25km
45 minutes

Cross Training day (Jan 13th)

Today is a pretty long day, it's only the second week back at school and we already had our first midterm today. So I've decided that I am going to take today off and instead of running, do some cross training to give my running muscles a rest. 

Workout Summary:

35 minutes

Running outside

Before going out today, the first thing I said to myself was "OH MY GOD" because the moment I stepped out of my door to go to Downtown to meet my friend for a run, it was freezing cold. The rain was down pouring, and wind was blowing in all different directions. But I thought to myself "I never ran in this kind of weather before, might as well give it a try and see if I like it or not". 

When I got Downtown, I put on my compression t-shirt and my running shorts and I went off running. The beginning felt really cold because the rain was just pouring everywhere and it was hard to see with glasses on. As the run went on and my speed picked up after the warm up, it began to feel better to be running. 

Towards the end of run however, it was so cold that I couldn't feel my arms and hands. I think this was why some people were looking at me funny when I was wearing summer running gear when everyone else was dressed up in warm winter layers.

Note to self: get long sleeve compression shirts and compression underwear

Workout Summary:

10KM

50 minutes

Running Inside with Treadmills (Jan 10th and 11th log)

Sorry about the lack of posts in the past few days. School just started and it's getting super busy, but I am trying to force myself to post more about my workouts so that I can keep a record of how I'm doing. In the past two days that I haven't posted, I spent both of them in the gym, trying to figure out how to run during the rain. I figured, if I run indoors that might be a better idea. I did some research and found out I can run on treadmills at UBC (which I did). So for two days I spent about 30 minutes to 50 minutes on the treadmill at UBC. One thing I have to note is that running inside on a treadmill feels totally different than running outside. The floor of the treadmill is soft compared to the concrete flooring of being outside. This means that if you are training for a marathon, it is not as good because you aren't training your body to be used to concrete floor as much. Also, running while facing the wall can be boring, especially after 40 minutes, you'll notice you start to think funny thoughts like "what did I have for dinner last night... why is the sky blue". The plus side is that you are inside and sheltered from the rain but the downside is, it's different than actually being outside.

Workout Summary:
Friday Jan 10th:
3 miles 
30 minutes
Saturday Jan 11th
5 miles
50 minutes

Round the Block Run

It's raining quite abit today, but because the marathon is approaching really fast, I cannot afford to miss any days without running. I put my running gear on (actually just sorts and a long-sleeve New Balance long sleeve-t) took a deep breath and went out.

  I discovered that I didn't need to go anywhere far for running because I can just find a large enough block with some hills and do circuits, which was what I did. 

   In totally, I did 13 circuits around the block and logged a total of around 5 miles. It took about 40 minutes and I wasn't feeling anything too weird except a bit bloated.
Workout Summary
5 miles
40 mintues

Sun Set Running

Today, I decided to go back to the track for running. I made the wrong choice of drinking soymilk with protein powder before the run. During the run I was so bloated that I actually had quite a few cramps. but never the less I ran through it. I don't think running through cramps has any impact on the run itself, but it was just uncomfortable feeling. The scenery was gorgeous as the sun sets over the western mountains and the sky turned redish purple!

Workout summary: 6km

40 minutes

Stanley Park Run (Jan 4th Run)

I love going running at Stanley Park because there's usually really good scenery everywhere, especially on days where the weather is really good. Despite being abit cold, the weather today was fantastic! I met up with my friend who I train with all the time and we went from Waterfront and did a loop inside Stanley Park. Because we haven't been running super long distances for a while, we thought it might be a good idea to not run

too much (ie, do the full circuit around Stanley Park like we usually do).
At the beginning of the run it felt really nice to get moving, as we are moving at more of a jogging pace than a running pace. However, towards the end, I could feel my feet and hands getting really cold. It was so cold that it was almost to the point where I couldn't feel them anymore. Note to self: wear gloves next time!

Workout Summary:
45mins 
7.5KM

Perfect Weather for running

Nothing too special today, went out to the same track as I did before and did a 40 minute run. 

Workout summary:

40 Mins

5km

December 29th 2013

I knew I would feel it in my legs after I stopped running for 2 weeks. After my run yesterday, this morning I was slightly feeling sore on my quadriceps. It wasn't anything too bad though, just abit sore. Today, for my work out I decided to go running again. I went back to the same track. The weather was cloudy and cold, so I put on my long sleeve tech tee from Saucony and my compression tights from New Balance and I went out. The beginning was abit on the cold side, but a few short minutes after I was warmed up.
The track itself was abit soggy but it was soft enough yet not too wet that it's actually better for the knees I find.

Workout Summary:
Distance: 9KM
Time: 40 minutes

Back from the holidays and back on track

Ok, so I anticipated on going running during my winter break. But everyday since the last time I posted, I haven't been running because I was out all day long. I must admit, after coming home, I was too lazy to go out and run again and also I'm recovering from a cold. That said, what I did everyday for the last two weeks was doing 40 minutes on my exercise bike and a few reps of pushups. Today however, the weather cleared up so I decided to go running. I did about 20 laps around a 300m track. It took me about 40 minutes to complete the 20 laps. Afterward, my quadriceps was feeling abit tired, but never-the-less it felt good to be back on track.

December 16th

Nothing too much today, after coming home from my staycation (details are one my travel blog: www.vantraveller.blogspot.ca), I began to feel abit tingly in my throat. I think I'm coming down with something because I also feel abit light headed. From the books that I've read about running, they said that it is best to rest when you are sick and let your body recover. Instead of running, I decided to do some cross training on my exercise bike (for about 20 minutes) and then I did 2 sets of 30 pushups. 

December 15th

I know by the time I publish this, it it probably going to be tomorrow but here it is. Today, I went running around the sea wall again for a 12km circuit. I must say, not sure if it is because I haven't slept well last night or just have abit too much on my plate at this moment, the run itself felt longer than usual but in reality, it only took me about 50 minutes to run the whole loop. Not sure why this is.

Day 3 and 4

Nothing too interesting today, abit tight on schedule because of exam so just did some quick biking on my recumbent bike.

Day 2

Today (well I didn't finish reviving this under today but it's actually yesterday), it's cold and slippery outside, and also I spent the whole day studying for an exam and writing an exam. By the time I got home, it was really late, but never-the-less, I did about 30 minutes on my exercize bike, 2 sets of 30 push ups and 1 set of 10 sit ups. After that I fell asleep... 

Day 1 (Fruits)

Behold, a new section on this blog coming very soon... the menu section of what I am going to eat  :D

Day 1 (Rest/snow day)

It's snowing abit outside today, also, it is recommended from numerous sources (I will blog about the later) that one should take a day off or cross train after a day of running. In the long run, it is supposed to be more beneficial because it gives you enough time to let your body recover. Also, I have a huge exam tomorrow night (and I am worried about it because I already failed it once, as embarrassing for me to admit... so there are no more chances if I fail it again)

   I am eating dinner now as I am writing and I plan to do 3 sets of 20 push ups, 3 sets of 10 sit ups before I go to bed. See you on the next blog post :)