Trail running on a rainy Saturday
Self portrait after last Saturday's trail run.
Since writing my post Starting to Run I have not really mentioned my running, so I thought I would take a moment to speak to that. I am officially registered for the Dallas White Rock Half Marathon and will also be running the Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot eight-mile run. So far my training has been going pretty well.
With the help of some friends and fellow blogger No Meat Athlete I have been able to put together a training schedule that is working pretty well for me. It does end up getting shifted around some though since I am out of town a lot for my climbing trips, but for the most part this is what my schedule looks like.
Sunday: Rest Day
Monday: 3.5-4 mile run (I sometimes climb this day too)
Tuesday: Rest Day
Wednesday: Climbing Day (I may run this day too if I won’t be able to Thursday)
Thursday: 4-5 mile run
Friday: Rest Day, Climbing if no social engagement interferes
Saturday: Long run (so far I have worked up to 8.5 miles)
This past Saturday was my longest run to-date, 8.5 miles. It seems I have been saying that every weekend for the past few weeks. I will likely continue to say that until I reach my 13.1-mile goal. Who knows, at the rate I have been going I may end up surpassing that. I have been quite surprised with my overall fitness level. I really think it has a lot to do with my diet; eating clean, whole organic foods has given me a tremendous boost of energy and has contributed to my overall good health.
Anyway, last Saturday’s run was quite interesting. I went to bed around 11 p.m. with rain pounding my bedside window, and when I woke up the rain was still failing. Despite the rain I decided to complete my planned 8-mile trail run. Once I arrived in the parking lot I encountered some members of the University of North Texas Cross Country team that had just finished their run. They were soaking wet with mud covered shoes and calves. I knew I was going to be in for a fun time!
My overall pace was slower than I have been, but I was spending lots of time dodging puddles and trying not to slip in the mud. It was also raining for most of the run, but only a light rain. Earlier in the morning it had been pouring, just before I arrived the sky opened up and it was really coming down hard for about 30 seconds. That is probably why the UNT track team looked so drenched.
Once I hit the 8-mile mark I decided to run just a bit further. I picked a spot off in the distance and told myself I would run there and then turn around. I ended up adding an extra half-mile to the eight I had planned on running. I paid the price too, not too long after that I started feeling weak and tired, so I backed off a bit until I re-gained some energy and was able to finish off about as strong as I started.
I have yet to add speed workouts and hills to my regime, but plan on doing so in the near future. I need to do some more research before taking that on. But so far it looks like I am on track with being able to finish the half marathon, and in two hours or less – that is my time goal. Even though I know it’s best not to have a time goal for your first half marathon I feel that at my current fitness level that is very attainable. Plus, it gives me more to work towards, giving me less opportunity to slack off.
Upcoming Races
Since starting writing this blog earlier today I heard about an upcoming race in early October taking place in the Wichita Mountains in Oklahoma. If I end up entering the race, I will be running the 10K race as part of the Spirit of Survival Marathon (also a Boston Qualifying event). From the looks of the race video it appears to be a fairly flat and scenic course. Hopefully I can round up some people to make the trip up there with me. It would be a good prep race before I run the Dallas White Rock Half Marathon in December. I’m also entering the Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot as a training race as well.
The dates of these races work out perfect too! None of the interfere with my climbing schedule! I will be sure to post results after those races and make more updates about my training. As far as benefits running has made to my climbing go, I have noticed a substantial improvement in my ability to hike up and down hills to get to the climbing locations and I’m no longer winded at the end of routes. Not only am I enjoying running, but I enjoy how it helps improve my climbing!
