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October 27, 2004
Second Wind
I don't where it came from because I was suffering at work all day today. I could barely keep my eyes open in a six hour process improvement meeting. My fault for not going to bed until almost midnight. At one point, my mind must have been asleep while my pen was scribbling copious notes. When I came back to my senses, I realized that I had scribbled four lines of gibberish with the exception of two words - "halloween costume". Weird how your body can go into auto pilot.
Back to my my second wind... I get out of work late and it's too late to head to Arlington for track - a 30-45 minute drive, depending on traffic. I end up going to the gym instead because it was dark and my long trail is covered with branches and fallen tree trunks. Ripe for a nice ankle twisting. So, at the gym, I had an awesome treadmill run and stationary bike session. Nothing like being outside, but sometimes you have to take what you can get. I started real slow on the treadmill (8+ min/pace on incline) and gradually picked up the pace to end at a 7:17 pace - 8 miles in 63 minutes. Though my quads were still sore, my legs, cardio, and form felt very strong. I also noticed that my weekday 8-mile runs are feeling easier, which, I hope, means I'm getting in better shape. Surprisingly after my run, my blood sugar wasn't tanked out and I still had some energy left. I jumped on the stationary bike for 30 minutes and did some isometric hip exercises afterward. My quads were burning on the bike, but I pushed pretty hard and it felt good. The entire workout was a small confidence booster that I needed. When I trained for my first marathons a few years ago, I would go to the gym directly after my Saturday long runs to lift, cross train, or climb the ropes for another 30 minutes to an hour. I feel like it made me stronger, and I want to start doing that again as well as adding more cross training during the week. Good news is that the government has finally agreed to allow us contractors to change to 6am - 6pm coverage Monday through Friday. I think starting this weekend, I won't have to work anymore on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights! I am overjoyed with the prospect of having a real weekend again, but more importantly, getting at least 7 hours of sleep before my Saturday long runs. And having a little more time for supplemental weekend workouts. Wow, this is awesome!
Posted by Leilani at October 27, 2004 08:54 PM
Comments
Man, reading your blogs makes me feel like a total sloth! i should really be going to the gym. i've been a slacker lately. when the temperature dips, i feel like 'hibernating' beneath my sweaters and baggy clothes! hehe
Me and my co-workers are looking for a fun party to go for Halloween... we've all got costumes - dressed up and nowhere to go :( I'm definitely up for something!! We'll be in touch
Posted by: Sherry at October 27, 2004 11:44 PM
Did I just read at jenandmats blog that you are doing Freescale too? Me as well! That makes 3 in this blogville...That's sooooper cool! Meghan
Posted by: Meghan at October 28, 2004 12:12 AM
Wow, excellent job at the gym. I am envious. I just had knee surgery, so I am pretty restricted right now. You remind me of how psychotic I used to be at the gym, I can't wait to get back to it! Until then I will have to live vicariously throught you!
Posted by: air-run at October 28, 2004 04:42 AM