The kata review in Karate last night went well, even though I was tired and nervous so didn't perform at my best. Anyway, Sensei said I've come a long way, thanked me for my patience, and gave me two more stripes. Yay! I'm only two stripes away from being a black belt in a second art, which is a scary thought.
Been putting in long runs this week in preparation for the half-marathon. I've been plagued by sore hamstrings for two weeks now, which is frustrating. As I told Dr. Z, running through sore muscles is tiring, painful, and just plain not fun. Anyway, I've been able to fight through it for the most part with some decent times. Monday I ran 6 miles at an 8:20 pace despite doing a spectacular faceplant (I am SO graceful) and today I ran 7 miles at an 8:17 pace. I was hoping more for an 8:10 pace with the cool, dry weather, but the sore muscles just weren't having it.
So onward with the Advil, lots of protein, and cold baths to help my hamstrings heel. Feel free to drop a line if you have any other tricks for quicker recovery.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Race Results
Hello!
Sorry for the delay with the lowdown on the Olga 5K. I've been waiting for the full results (which I haven't seen) to be posted in the paper. Also, since Dr. Z was roaddogging and forgot his camera, there's no pics either.
Anyway, what I CAN tell you is that I came in second in my age group. Good ol' P (from speedskating) showed up randomly, claimed she "hated running," and gave me an ass-whuppin' with a time in the 21's. What the hell is WRONG with her? I posted my first sub-23 minute time with a finish of 22:56. Since it's only 4.93 miles, that comes out to a 23:15 true 5K, still a PR.
I would have had a much better time except that my de facto pacer, GoldenBraid, went out waaaaaay too fast, something I rely on her NOT to do since I have the same issue myself. We hit the one-mile mark at an insane 6:22. I was NOT happy because I knew I would pay for it later, and I did. I had to take TWO walk breaks during the final half-mile and of COURSE Dr. Z saw me and wasn't pleased.
Anyway, it's a good, fast, flat course and I'm looking forward to doing it again next year, hopefully with better pacing and better results. (Especially since a 22:56 5K doesn't impress in the crazy running town that is Saranac Lake.)
Tonight is Karate. Sensei asked to see my kata, so we'll see how that goes. Hopefully I'll have the results of that and Olga for y'all tomorrow.
Sorry for the delay with the lowdown on the Olga 5K. I've been waiting for the full results (which I haven't seen) to be posted in the paper. Also, since Dr. Z was roaddogging and forgot his camera, there's no pics either.
Anyway, what I CAN tell you is that I came in second in my age group. Good ol' P (from speedskating) showed up randomly, claimed she "hated running," and gave me an ass-whuppin' with a time in the 21's. What the hell is WRONG with her? I posted my first sub-23 minute time with a finish of 22:56. Since it's only 4.93 miles, that comes out to a 23:15 true 5K, still a PR.
I would have had a much better time except that my de facto pacer, GoldenBraid, went out waaaaaay too fast, something I rely on her NOT to do since I have the same issue myself. We hit the one-mile mark at an insane 6:22. I was NOT happy because I knew I would pay for it later, and I did. I had to take TWO walk breaks during the final half-mile and of COURSE Dr. Z saw me and wasn't pleased.
Anyway, it's a good, fast, flat course and I'm looking forward to doing it again next year, hopefully with better pacing and better results. (Especially since a 22:56 5K doesn't impress in the crazy running town that is Saranac Lake.)
Tonight is Karate. Sensei asked to see my kata, so we'll see how that goes. Hopefully I'll have the results of that and Olga for y'all tomorrow.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Stuff
...yeah, I'm REAL creative with the post titles today.
It's been a busy week with the summer activities all wrapping up. Tuesday was the last Sundowner of the year. Dr. Z and I hauled ass and came in at a time of 54:40, a new PR. It was a real nice way to retire the Cajun as we will most likely be purchasing a Jensen in the spring. (Yes, we've decided to move up to Stock class and yes, we've decided to purchase a year earlier than originally planned.)
Wednesday at Karate Sensei said that he wanted to "take another look at [my] katas." I know I'll have to remind him on Monday, but this might be that stripe I've been wanting.
Yesterday was the last Fun Run of the year. For some reason, Coach P. decided to just do the HillyMan route instead of the usual end-of-year 5 and 8K routes. I did the 2 mile modified as a tempo run since I have the Olga race tomorrow and came in at 17:50. (It was really 2.33 miles.) It was fun being the first runner in, although there was an eleven-or-so year-old kid who wasn't far behind me. He's already running sub-8 minute miles. Damn.
I did my usual pre-race 2-mile jog this morning in 17:10. My hamstrings are STILL a bit sore from Sunday (and yesterday) but hopefully with some rest and lots of Advil I'll be in top shape tomorrow.
Tonight is some kata review in Karate. I'm going to keep it light because of the race.
Race results (and perhaps pictures) to follow!
It's been a busy week with the summer activities all wrapping up. Tuesday was the last Sundowner of the year. Dr. Z and I hauled ass and came in at a time of 54:40, a new PR. It was a real nice way to retire the Cajun as we will most likely be purchasing a Jensen in the spring. (Yes, we've decided to move up to Stock class and yes, we've decided to purchase a year earlier than originally planned.)
Wednesday at Karate Sensei said that he wanted to "take another look at [my] katas." I know I'll have to remind him on Monday, but this might be that stripe I've been wanting.
Yesterday was the last Fun Run of the year. For some reason, Coach P. decided to just do the HillyMan route instead of the usual end-of-year 5 and 8K routes. I did the 2 mile modified as a tempo run since I have the Olga race tomorrow and came in at 17:50. (It was really 2.33 miles.) It was fun being the first runner in, although there was an eleven-or-so year-old kid who wasn't far behind me. He's already running sub-8 minute miles. Damn.
I did my usual pre-race 2-mile jog this morning in 17:10. My hamstrings are STILL a bit sore from Sunday (and yesterday) but hopefully with some rest and lots of Advil I'll be in top shape tomorrow.
Tonight is some kata review in Karate. I'm going to keep it light because of the race.
Race results (and perhaps pictures) to follow!
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Running Some More
This marks the 50th post in my blog about running, at least if you go by the tags. I've been staying just over a 7:30 pace for my tempo runs - hit 7:36 on Monday for the 5K (23:36) and 7:34 today for the 4-miler. I would have done even better, but I went out too fast (Hit mile 1 at 7:15) and by the time I hit mile 3 at 22:20 I had nothing left. My last mile was done at about an 8-mile pace, with several walk breaks. I ended up at 30:15. Not bad though!
In canoeing news (believe it or not, Dr. Z and I *are* still canoeing occasionally), we did a Sundowner on Tuesday. Mac brought the Jensen for us to borrow again. I think he knows he's going to end up selling it to us. Damn can that thing fly! There was a NASTY crosswind on the way back - the war canoe Mac was leading actually turned over! It happened right in front of us, so we stopped to see if they needed help, but Mac said to keep going. We didn't have a great finishing time, between the stop and fighting the wind, but no one broke any records. We were still the third boat in though! (And one of those was the other war canoe, which DIDN'T tip over.)
Not much new happening in Karate. No promotions, nothing special happening in class. I have to admit I'm getting a little fed up with it. I'm sticking it out through the end of the year but after that it might be time to look for another school or just give it up altogether.
In canoeing news (believe it or not, Dr. Z and I *are* still canoeing occasionally), we did a Sundowner on Tuesday. Mac brought the Jensen for us to borrow again. I think he knows he's going to end up selling it to us. Damn can that thing fly! There was a NASTY crosswind on the way back - the war canoe Mac was leading actually turned over! It happened right in front of us, so we stopped to see if they needed help, but Mac said to keep going. We didn't have a great finishing time, between the stop and fighting the wind, but no one broke any records. We were still the third boat in though! (And one of those was the other war canoe, which DIDN'T tip over.)
Not much new happening in Karate. No promotions, nothing special happening in class. I have to admit I'm getting a little fed up with it. I'm sticking it out through the end of the year but after that it might be time to look for another school or just give it up altogether.
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