Distance: 5km
Pace: 6:34/km
Duration: 32:52
Location: Treadmill
Buddy: Myself
Core Workout [3 sets]
Knee Crunches 15x
High Leg 15x
Pendulum Leg Swing 15x
Bridge with leg extension 30secs per leg
Half Plank 1min
Tonight, I was doing my usual gym routine as part of weekday marathon training. Though this is already the start of tapering weeks, I still have to push myself as there are few days left to the race day.
This is one of many disadvantages of being a woman that I cannot avoid. I believe, like any muscle in our body, this is one aspect a woman should also include in her training - how to survive a workout and a marathon race even while having her period.
A lot of times that this happened to me, yet I can't say that I have mastered it. I actually avoid the situation when possible. But when it's not like today, I have to think very hard how I want to get into the body condition that I needed for the marathon, so I get my body follow what is being required. It will just be an hour in the gym that I needed to endure anyway.
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| I'm still alive! |
Distance: 28km
Pace: Never Mind
Duration: 4:3+:++
Location: BGC
Buddy: AJTA
The rain last night threatened this training to be cancelled. But in my mind, I am determined to run and push myself. My running buddy even said that she will not run the Angkorwat Marathon, if we will not be able to run this morning.
Here it goes again. The circumstances is telling me to quit real soon. I could have just look for another running buddy, but it's not that easy in real sense. And it's not something that can be planned.
I really don't know what to expect in Angkorwat and then after that race. What's my plan? Nothing at this point, except for 2 more races I will join in September. Other than that, all are just idea like joining Corregidor Half Marathon, Subic Marathon, and 1-2 Milo provincial race next year.
People who aren't runners say that running is "just a hobby". Because probably, they see it as something that doesn't make one successful in terms of universal definition of success. I cannot accept that statement, though everyone is entitled to their personal opinion. But honestly, it made me doubtful about my goal clarity. Am I just challenging the status quo because I do not like to be called a conformist?
Distance: 8km
Pace: 6:57/km
Duration: 55:36
Location: Treadmill
Buddy: myself
I was dragging myself this morning to pack my gym clothes and the need to workout won. After a week of no activity, I finally made it to the gym.
Week after week, I am becoming more lazy with running. I felt like I am cheating on it. Yet, I don't want and have no plans of leaving it. Is it because I have already reached the peak of my craze about the sport? Or it is because of the threats that my running buddy often talks about retiring from marathon training because of her personal life projects? I know that I could not possibly train and motivate myself to run farther.
All of these things, honestly made me re-think about my life plans. I want to set aside marathon goals for a while, to do other things. But I am scared that I may never be able to come back to it and lose this only one thing that is making sense to me at this time.
Angkorwat Marathon will be my first out-of-the-country race, and I am not excited about it. Because this may be the end.
Unofficial Time: 2:28:++ [+4mins]
Last race, I challenged my running buddy to beat our PR by at least 1 minute. If one beats her PR and the other did not, the loosing runner will have to treat the winner a free breakfast. The goal is to motivate ourselves and to make our race more exciting. We both lose in this challenge.
I'd give my best to maintain my pace at around 6:30-7:00 in the first 12kms. But as usual, I drifted away from it. I reached 17km mark at 2hours, while my target was 18km. I'd think that I could still catch up, but come 19km, there was only 7 minutes left to beat my time. It was impossible. So I'd walked instead, as there is no sense in stressing my legs more.
It was sad. But what to expect, I have not made a change in my workout to be faster. Life goes on and racing isn't my life. It's just one part which is adding spice to it. Anyway, there will often be another race.
For now, I'll be focusing to the Angkorwat race. It's just a month away from now. I am hoping to at least maintain my time. Workout schedule didn't work as expected so that's my minimum goal. While after that, I am thinking about focusing in improving finish time on half-marathons. Schedule will be tough, but I can't completely retire from running.
21km New PR: 2:24:06 [-6mins]
I continued with my training for Angkorwat Marathon in August. I just got lazy posting my workouts. Well, I am more lazy doing the training itself. My will-full spirit has not yet come back. I do not know when will it come back. I have lots of things to think about lately. I guess this is the reason that I cannot focus with my running. I am not even sure, where I would want to focus between running and my life goals.
But there is one thing that I have decided on; I cannot completely abandon this sport. Running fuels my will to succeed in my goals. I may just have to make a different goal in running after the marathon in August, that would be more fit with my other plans.
Anyway, it is surprising and I am very happy that I was able to finish 21km within cut-off here in the 39th Milo Marathon Dagupan qualifying leg. I have a new PR; 6 minutes faster than last time. My legs still remember how it should perform. This gave me more confidence, while I am emotionally low. This must be a reminder to me, to fight and give more. It must not yet be a retirement at all.
I'll be posting a separate article about this in my other site >> www.getoutdear.com
