It's been a while since I really felt strong during a run. The races I've done have resulted in kind of unimpressive times and my workouts have, for the most part, been struggles. I haven't been feeling particularly motivated lately and have had an overall feeling of blah-ness.
I think there are a few reasons for my missing spark, the biggest thing being that I'm just tired. I didn't take a big break after Vegas and I've been racing a lot and have a ton of everyday things going on. It's wearing on me a little. In the past I've been able to just get over things like that because I've always been so excited about running. I'm still totally in love with it, but needed something to get out of my little rut.
That something just happened. I had a little workout to do this morning that went way better than expected. It didn't look hard at all, but ,with the way I've been feeling, I wasn't too confident. All I had to do was a 2 mile warmup, 5 mile tempo between 6:45 and 6:30, then a 1 mile cooldown. I did a 3 mile warmup instead and when it came time to pick up the pace, I barely noticed the difference! I felt so relaxed and strong the whole time. Instead of 6:45 to 6:30, I went 6:40, 6:25, 6:20, 6:20, 6:10 with the last quarter mile at 5:50 and then did a nice long cool down. And it went by quickly, no big deal. Nice! Again, nothing super hard, but, mentally, I really needed that!
I'm certain that the success of this was in part due to having a partner for this workout. My new teammate Marshall (who you may know from Channel 7 News - fancy!!) ran with me and WOW did that help! There are studies that show running (and I would guess working out, in general) with others helps block pain receptors in your brain. I know I've mentioned it before, but I think previously I only took that into consideration for long runs... I've done the majority of my workouts on my own and greatly appreciate the company! The best part about that is it made for a successful workout, which got some of my confidence back, and, in turn, is helping me feel excited for my next workout. Wooo! Holler at that domino effect.
So now I feel awesome. Pretty amazing what a little 10 miler can do!
Showing posts with label running. Show all posts
Showing posts with label running. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Race Reports And The Utrata Rap
Getting a little behind on my race reports here...
I don't feel like I've been running particularly well, but, I've been able to pull off 4 wins in a row! I'm (of course) excited about that but trying to stay cautious and practical about each race, keeping in mind that the bigger picture right now is the Canyonlands Half Marathon, and then the Boulder Boulder.
The first win was the RRCA state 5 mile Championship at Frosty's Frozen Five & Ten Miler. After that came the Yeti Chase 10k. Luckily, I did this one last year and was well aware of how hilly it was... Ooof! I love how course descriptions say "rolling" and make it sound all pleasant, when in reality it's pretty gag-inducing. But, despite the hills and cold and slight wind, it was a great race! I was - suprisingly, as this is not my M.O. - able to stay nice and relaxed and keep my pace under control in the first 2 miles, so I dealt with the hills much better this time around. I fell apart a bit in the last quarter mile and could NOT get my legs to turn over any faster, but still managed a time 1:40 better than last year. The course was pretty challenging but the event staff made it so worth it - I learned afterward that only half of their volunteers showed up but I never would've guessed - everyone was still super nice and helpful and never missed a beat. And, of course, there was a yeti. Everyone loves a yeti!
The next race was the Super Bowl 5k. Two years in a row this race was in the middle of a snow storm, but this year the snow was over and the inner loop of Washington Park (every runner's saving grace for winter workouts) was fairly clear. Fairly, but not entirely. Icy patches were scattered throughout the race and it was kind of terrifying - I fall plenty without the aid of anything slippery on the ground - and as a result times were on the slow end. I had a pretty solid cap on the win (1:30, I think) which is a damn good thing because I had zero intention of throwing caution to the wind and throwing down on the ice. No. Thank you. My favorite part about this one was that a bunch of my teammates were at the park doing a workout and were cheering throughout the race - AW! Runners Roost love! I also kind of like that only 2 men got in front of me...
The last race was the Valentine's Day 5k... Another couple of loops at Wash Park! I had the idea in my head that the weather would be nice and warm for this one. It was not. It was 22. I've raced in tights a few times and it's just not comfortable so I braved it in the shorty shorts (not bun huggers yet but if you're interested... http://www.runcolo.com/content/benefits-bun-huggers-1064/) again (but with 3 layers on top!) and payed for it every inch of the way. The air hurt to breath and it felt like the blood was frozen in my legs but I (and everyone else) survived. It was my slowest 5k in a while but... Eh. I blame the cold. (this pic, with my teammate Todd Straka, 2nd overall finisher, cheering, is from the lovely Amanda Hodges from Colorado Runner Magazine... here's a link to her article http://www.coloradorunnermag.com/2012/02/13/williams-utrata-win-valentines-day-5k/)
Best part? Runners Roost ladies - with Leslie Hoffman and Janet Rooney - swept it! Love that!
The last win prompted something amazing and hilarious and touching and slightly disturbing. This guy, Mr. Serious Runner Face Justin Mock:
This guy shared a bit of his inner G and wrote a little rap song about my winning streak. Honestly, it's not exactly Tupac back from the dead, but, it's pretty impressive. I was really curious as to who actually performed the rap... Turns out it's the aforementioned G and his buddy Simon - this guy (he wants YOU!):
I know, they don't really strike me as rap stars either, but, technology can do wonders these days! So here it is, the Heather Utrata rap song: http://www.runcolo.com/content/utrata-stays-undefeated-runcolo-celebrates-first-rap-song-1063/ Pretty damn awesome if you ask me.
Justin has "something special for when the winning streak ends" which, to me, sounds like some serious motivation to keep it going! Next up is the last in the Winter Distance Series, the Snowman Stampede. The 10 miler is another RRCA state championship. I raced this last year and had kind of a rough time on the course. But the good news is, I'm more familiar with the course now and have a better plan of attack. Whether or not I can actually follow that plan? Well, we'll see in a few days!
In other news, I got called a slut after my workout on Tuesday. Ha ha what?? Really? I was heading to my car after my cool down and a high school girl from South just went "Uuuugh, slut". Um... Okay. I didn't respond because really what do you say to that? And, I mean, interval workouts are pretty whorish.
In other non running news, my photo a day for 2012 idea is actually pretty hard! I didnt' think it would be at all but there are some days I really struggle to find something interesting to photograph... I suppose it's teaching me to look more closely and appreciate everyday things. Or something. But overall I'm just being lame and taking pics of my cat and t-shirts that I like:
Although, I do really like that one...
I don't feel like I've been running particularly well, but, I've been able to pull off 4 wins in a row! I'm (of course) excited about that but trying to stay cautious and practical about each race, keeping in mind that the bigger picture right now is the Canyonlands Half Marathon, and then the Boulder Boulder.
The first win was the RRCA state 5 mile Championship at Frosty's Frozen Five & Ten Miler. After that came the Yeti Chase 10k. Luckily, I did this one last year and was well aware of how hilly it was... Ooof! I love how course descriptions say "rolling" and make it sound all pleasant, when in reality it's pretty gag-inducing. But, despite the hills and cold and slight wind, it was a great race! I was - suprisingly, as this is not my M.O. - able to stay nice and relaxed and keep my pace under control in the first 2 miles, so I dealt with the hills much better this time around. I fell apart a bit in the last quarter mile and could NOT get my legs to turn over any faster, but still managed a time 1:40 better than last year. The course was pretty challenging but the event staff made it so worth it - I learned afterward that only half of their volunteers showed up but I never would've guessed - everyone was still super nice and helpful and never missed a beat. And, of course, there was a yeti. Everyone loves a yeti!
The next race was the Super Bowl 5k. Two years in a row this race was in the middle of a snow storm, but this year the snow was over and the inner loop of Washington Park (every runner's saving grace for winter workouts) was fairly clear. Fairly, but not entirely. Icy patches were scattered throughout the race and it was kind of terrifying - I fall plenty without the aid of anything slippery on the ground - and as a result times were on the slow end. I had a pretty solid cap on the win (1:30, I think) which is a damn good thing because I had zero intention of throwing caution to the wind and throwing down on the ice. No. Thank you. My favorite part about this one was that a bunch of my teammates were at the park doing a workout and were cheering throughout the race - AW! Runners Roost love! I also kind of like that only 2 men got in front of me...
The last race was the Valentine's Day 5k... Another couple of loops at Wash Park! I had the idea in my head that the weather would be nice and warm for this one. It was not. It was 22. I've raced in tights a few times and it's just not comfortable so I braved it in the shorty shorts (not bun huggers yet but if you're interested... http://www.runcolo.com/content/benefits-bun-huggers-1064/) again (but with 3 layers on top!) and payed for it every inch of the way. The air hurt to breath and it felt like the blood was frozen in my legs but I (and everyone else) survived. It was my slowest 5k in a while but... Eh. I blame the cold. (this pic, with my teammate Todd Straka, 2nd overall finisher, cheering, is from the lovely Amanda Hodges from Colorado Runner Magazine... here's a link to her article http://www.coloradorunnermag.com/2012/02/13/williams-utrata-win-valentines-day-5k/)
Best part? Runners Roost ladies - with Leslie Hoffman and Janet Rooney - swept it! Love that!
The last win prompted something amazing and hilarious and touching and slightly disturbing. This guy, Mr. Serious Runner Face Justin Mock:
Justin has "something special for when the winning streak ends" which, to me, sounds like some serious motivation to keep it going! Next up is the last in the Winter Distance Series, the Snowman Stampede. The 10 miler is another RRCA state championship. I raced this last year and had kind of a rough time on the course. But the good news is, I'm more familiar with the course now and have a better plan of attack. Whether or not I can actually follow that plan? Well, we'll see in a few days!
In other news, I got called a slut after my workout on Tuesday. Ha ha what?? Really? I was heading to my car after my cool down and a high school girl from South just went "Uuuugh, slut". Um... Okay. I didn't respond because really what do you say to that? And, I mean, interval workouts are pretty whorish.
In other non running news, my photo a day for 2012 idea is actually pretty hard! I didnt' think it would be at all but there are some days I really struggle to find something interesting to photograph... I suppose it's teaching me to look more closely and appreciate everyday things. Or something. But overall I'm just being lame and taking pics of my cat and t-shirts that I like:
Although, I do really like that one...
Friday, January 27, 2012
Up And Running!
Of course (of course!) it wasn't what I wanted time-wise, but I'm trying not to dwell on that. I have more aggressive goals for this year but I'm really trying to take little steps and appreciate all the little things that help along the way. The race felt better than I expected because I've been having some really cruddy low energy issues and that didn't seem to be a problem. I had a really hard time knowing what my pace was as I forgot my Garmin and am a really really really horrible judge of speed. I felt like I was going around 5:40 the last half of the race but had very obviously slowed since my finishing time was a slightly lackluster 30:19. I know I hear a ton of people talk about racing sans watch but I can't seem to get a handle on that! It's really hard for me to gauge my effort level toward the end of a race so a slower pace can easily feel faster than my always too fast start... Gonna try to remember all my gadgets next time!
I have another race tomorrow - super hilly 10k going after the elusive Bear Creek State Park Yeti - that I hope to do well in. I think it would be fun to see if I can start a little winning streak and see how far it goes... Ha! Well, we'll see I suppose.
There are a lot of things I'm excited about this year and some of them are coming up fairly fast. The first big thing will be my team's change in sponsorship. We have been with Saucony since I've been on the team and I think everyone knows how much I LOVE love love my Saucony shoes... It was a really great company to work with, but I'm looking forward to working with Nike in 2012! It's been quite some time since I've had a pair of those shoes so I got a fresh pair of their kicks to try before putting in my shoe order (which is due ASAP so I better get my rear in gear!). So far, well, they're not Kinvaras but... Let's face it, the Lunar Racer is pretty sexy:
Also! In what boils down to a matter of weeks, I will be going to one of the most awe-inspiring places in the country for my birthday and the Canyonlands Half Marathon! Yes!
Even better? A few weeks after that? Black Keys concert! Spring will rock! Can't wait to hear this song!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wh0cr2PF_5s
And I can't stop thinking about summer - tons of racing and hiking to do! My goal is to get in 8 more 14ers, one 13er (James Peak), and go back to Durango and Ouray for a bit and do some exploring. Hiking in the winter can be fun and beautiful...
...but I'm kind of a baby in extreme cold and... that's it. I'm a baby in the cold.
There are a lot of fun things coming up but there's also a ton of work to do so I better get busy...
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