Ultra Training Week #9

Week #9

Weights -þ þ 

Walk - þ (6 mile walk)

Hills/Sprints- þ (10 200-yard hills)

Med. Run- þ (10 miles)

Long Run-þ (11 miles)

What I've learned:

• Another very lackluster week of 'training,' devoid of even a long run to feel good about.  Ugh.  Thankfully this weekend offers something fun to look forward to...the Queen Ka'ahumanu Triathlon Club is offering a 10, 20 & 30k run this Sunday down at Old A's at7am.  I'll be running the 30k (18.6 miles) and then doing another 3.5 miles right after that so I can get in my long run (22 miles).  It will be a special treat to be able to do my long run with (and by 'with,' I obviously mean 'behind') other people, and with the added benefit of aid stations and shade (along Ali'i Dr).
• Even though I'm just going through the motions right now with very little 'push' or improvement...I am still happy I'm doing it.  I know it's a kind of a cop out from feeling the kind of guilt or embarrassment that I probably should from doing such minimal training, but I never started this training to crush the run or take out the competition. I started training to have a goal that wasn't focused on weight, and that would improve my physical and emotional health.  And on that front, I am succeeding because I am in better shape than I was a few months ago, and as a side benefit, I think I've lost 2 pounds even though I'm eating more (from the increased workouts).  Sweetness.
• Another side benefit is that I am no longer as intimidated by hills.  I can't say I'm faster on them or love them, but I don't have to walk up as many of them either.  :-)  The most I've climbed in a day is about 500 feet (in elevation), and while that's an almost laughable amount against the 4,000 we'll climb on race day, it's still 500 feet more than I could have trudged up two months ago.  So again...improving.
• I had an impulsive fantasy a few days ago.  I wanted to do the Honolulu Marathon (early next month) as a last minute training run.  I've always wanted to do the race, and since I'm in decent shape to do it, I thought...why not?  I'll fly out the day before, take the bus into town, crash someone's living room that night, then fly back a few hours after race... The airfare was pricey, but reasonable for last minute- $80 going over, $130 coming home...so about $230 R/T with tax/fees.  But then I saw that the race entry fee was now something like $230.  Yikes.  That's almost $10 per mile...and should I really have to pay that much $ so I can lose another 2-3 toenails?  My heart sank, but the practical, thrifty side of me took over, and I decided that it's not gonna happen this year (or sadly, next year either since we're going to be on a trip that Nov).   Someday though...someday.  :-)