{Training Log} #3 – Falling, Riding and Double-Digits

In 2011, I started running. In 2014, I’ll be running the most elite marathon in the world, the Boston Marathon. With this series, I’m sharing the techniques I use to coach myself (mentally, emotionally and physically) through six months of training. Thanks for joining me!

Tripping

Remember when you were a kid and you’d fall down, and just pop back up, like nothing happened? Yeah, it’s not like that when you trip and fall as an adult. In fact, I kind of wanted to lay on the sidewalk and throw a tantrum, when I found myself sprawled out after catching my toe on a raised bit of sidewalk during one of last week’s training runs.

The good news is, there was no serious damage. Nothing broken, nothing torn, just scrapes and bruises. And, despite picking more rocks out of my palm five days later, no infection. I was surprised by how sore I felt the next few days though. Though I think the worst part was that I was having a stellar run — great pace, feeling good — and then had to limp back home.

Riding

On Saturday, I went on what felt like my first real ride since my bike was stolen during last year’s Portland Marathon. It was a nice 22+ mile loop around the Willamette River, crossing a couple of my favorite bridges. I anticipated that my legs (and glutes) would be feeling it, but I didn’t realize how much core strength I’d lost, and how big of a difference it makes while riding.

I love tracking my runs on Strava. If you use it, find me, and let's follow each other!

I’m looking forward to some nice long spins to work out my legs the day after long runs.

Double-Digits

For the first time in many months, I managed a run that felt like a true Long Slow Distance run. (One of the three training runs I do each week.) I hit double-digits (10 miles!), had negative splits (the second half of the run was faster than the first) and even managed a bit of a kick (a faster pace/sprint at the end of a run).

I’m not ready to say that I’m back to 100 percent, yet. But, my training this week felt good.

Photo: I had to interrupt my ride to capture these beautiful flowers near the Hawthorne Bridge.