training – elisariva

New Beginnings

Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end. Semisonic Closing Time Semisonic released Closing Time in March of 1998 and on April 29, 1999 the song really hit a chord in my life. My new beginning began that day when I signed up to run my first marathon to raise funds for the Arthritis Foundation andContinue reading “New Beginnings”

366

Today is a milestone for me. With this post I have completed 366 posts over 366 days completing a full year, including leap day. On December 29, 2011 I decided to start a blog as a New Year resolution and blog daily. Over the year I have shared my training experiences, the good times, theContinue reading “366”

November

My workout this morning to welcome November was a swim. Thursdays are my active recovery days, so I wanted to make the best of my only workout today. I swam the 3,000 meter workout that I only was able to get two thirds through on Saturday. A nice endurance swim with a main set ofContinue reading “November”

Worth It

Active rest. Something I continue to struggle with. Intellectually I know it is necessary. Just as the body needs sleep, so does it need a day when workouts are less intense. Thursdays are my active rest days and I find it hard to hold back. Despite what I know to be true, my body andContinue reading “Worth It”

A Mixed Up Tail Wagging Day

In keeping with the adage “if you keep doing what you’ve always done, you’ll keep getting what you’ve always got.” I mixed a few things up today. As I continue to experiment with what to eat on days that have less intense workouts, today began with trying out a new smoothie. I finally had aContinue reading “A Mixed Up Tail Wagging Day”

That Pre-Race Feeling

Pre-race nerves are something that does not go away regardless of how many races I have run. I actually thought that my first race after triathlon season wouldn’t be too bad. There are no fears of drowning, getting a flat tire, or crashing my bike. All I have to do is run. So much forContinue reading “That Pre-Race Feeling”

Kayaking, Running, and Swimming All Wrapped Up

For me, waking at 6:30 is sleeping in – just what I did this morning. After getting a few things together I headed down for breakfast and then out to the docks. It was still in the upper 40’s when I got to the little lake here to go kayaking. I had on layers, soContinue reading “Kayaking, Running, and Swimming All Wrapped Up”

Autumn Run

Today is the official first day of autumn – my favorite season. I welcomed in the changing of seasons with a run – 18 miles to be exact. Running in nature seemed appropriate so I went to the towpath to run. It also is much, much flatter than my neighborhood. The weather was perfect –Continue reading “Autumn Run”

Turning Point

I have been anxious to run fast to see how I am progressing. This morning I had that opportunity. My run workout was to run 4 x 5 minute intervals at my desired half marathon race pace with a three minute recovery between sets. After a mile warm up I set the treadmill at 5.8Continue reading “Turning Point”

Progress

Yesterday I felt the effects of my run workout in my lungs. Today I felt it in my legs. Despite all of the running I have done, the targeted workouts to improve my strength really get to the areas where I am weak. I run hills in my neighborhood on a regular basis, yet aContinue reading “Progress”