After being sick last week, I got myself back into gear for a very productive (pre-school) week with two extra tweaks to my schedule. First, I'm trying to keep my long runs more proportionate my total miles. Since I decisvely have proven that I can run a half marathon should I absolutely need to - and how often don't we need to run a half marathon? - and additionally have scheduled no tangible event in the near future which would demand specific training, there's no reason to put all my emphasis on how long I can run in a single sitting, even if it somehow seems more glamourous to me to be able to run a whole lot all at once.
Second, I'm upping the contrast between my recovery/slow paces and my hard paces. This is to stop my general tendency to spiral out of control by adding intensity on an easy day, consequently not recovering very well, but then also feeling that if I did such-and-such on an easy day I absolutely must do even more (!!!!) until I'm pushing myself waaay beyond my limits. I'm smart, sometimes, really, but I suffer from Law Student Sydrom (LSS - I'm president of the foundation and take donations via check, cash or credit) of allowing all effort levels to avalanche into compulsive over-exertion.
Anyhow, I think this week was a good homeostasis and something concievably durable enough for the school year if I can tweak some of the practical details of my schedule to make time for it. And so far, I've managed to avoid the threat of injury and illness.
Yesterday's work out - the one I affectionately refer to as "workout from hell"- was done in tight stretch jeans and a cotton tank top due to my misperception that I had, in fact, forgotten my work out clothes. I hadn't, of course, but I didn't realize this until after slogging through the entire thing in totally inappropriate attire. I looked...er... interesting at the gym surrounded by people in shorts and adorable little sports outfits.
I call my Friday workout my workout from hell because it's when I really push my effort levels. This is partially because of how the schedule works out and partially because I take two days off before my long run and so have a little extra to push when I know I get some real recovery time. It's a mix between a strength day and a speed day. Basically I run three miles at 7.5 minute mile pace(pretty fast for me - I usually kick into anaerobic levels near the end of the second mile), do a strength set, do two miles at the same pace, do another strength set, do one mile, and finish my strength set before stretching out and stumbling into the locker room.
What I find really fascinating is that after my first three miles, I actually feel a lot strong in my upper body and can take more weight. Also, whenever I do intervals or anything really anarobic, my appetite and need for food goes through the roof! It's crazy. I mean theoretically it would seem like six miles of running is six miles of running and if you average out the speeds and effort levels, the burn would be about the same, but in my experience my body does not agree with this at all.
Anyways, today is an off-day physically, but a on-day intellectually: it's my first day of homework for fall 2009 quarter! WHOOOOOOOO WHOOOOO!! Wish me luck.
No comments:
Post a Comment