I can actually see it both ways. I’m playing tricks on my mind as much as it’s messing with me. Lately I’ve hated seeing actual pace numbers in my training log so my coach starting putting in the RPE (rate of perceived exertion) scale instead. If I see the pace 6:11 I find it’s hard for me to nail it. If I read RPE 9, it happens organically. The same can be applied to various aspects in my life. Sometimes I have to put things in a way my mind wants to understand them and, ultimately have the same result. Plus, I’m also just a mental case.
Let’s see what other tricks I got up to last week…
WEEK OF OCTOBER 23, 2017
RUNNING
I had a great week of running, once I converted everything to the RPE scale! I also met with my coach and talked about plans for next year but, we’ll get to that later.
I did my last long run of 13 miles before the real deal in Las Vegas in just a few shorts weeks. I cannot wait!
Monday – Mile repeats with 5 x 1 mile at alternating efforts, 3 min recovery | 8.12 miles | 7:48 pace
Tuesday – easy run before swim | 6 miles | 8:30 pace
Friday – long run 13 miles then swim
Total = 27.12 miles
CYCLING
It finally happened. I had to do two rides indoors on the bike trainer because of torrential downpours mid-week. Whomp whomp.
At least I have my Garmin 550 all figured out and a sweet set-up with my laptop so I can watch movies while I sweat myself silly. I’m definitely not looking forward to a season of basement dwelling but I’m trying not to think about it. #MindTricks
Wednesday – 1 hour 30 minutes with “hill toppers” | 22.2 miles
Thursday – 1 hour 10 minute base build | 16.3 miles
Total = 38.5 miles
SWIMMING
I had one good pool session and one that almost killed me. The death swim consisted of 20 x 50 yards (50 yards is two laps) under 1 minute with 20 seconds rest then 100 yards (4 laps) as fast as I could go. Oh yeah and all of that was after a 600 yard warm-up! My arms were like spaghetti noodles by the end but I managed the 100 in 1:47. I have no clue if that’s “good,” and I want to keep it that way. #MindTricks
This also happened and I had to wait for the storms to clear instead of using it as an excuse to skip the swim.
FUEL
I haven’t found any new eating tricks, although I caved and bought an InstantPot. They are supposed to be super easy and whip up perfect meals in under 30 minutes. We shall see. If the house remains intact I will call that a win and will report back next week. In the meantime, I will share the Run It Wednesday link up, ICYMI:
What A Runner Eats | Run It Bloggers
I find it fascinating what other runners are able to eat (or not eat) and this collaboration consists of runners of all levels and abilities and we all eat REAL food that you can mostly find in your local grocery store.
It’s good stuff…
THINGS I LOVE
This should basically be a motto for almost everything:
I know men can get pretty gross in there but I almost prefer it to waiting in long lines! I won’t tell you where I saw this yet, as I’m trying out some new strength training, so we’ll save that treat for after Halloween. You need something to look forward too after your sugar crash.
THINGS I DON’T LOVE AS MUCH
The television show This Is Us.
I know I will probably get hate for this but the storyline is becoming predictable and a little unbelievable and I find myself not even caring how the dad dies. I may have watched my last episode.
I know this is earth shattering and life changing news here. Sorry to rock your world so hard on a Monday.
I’m just more of a Ray Donovan and The Walking Dead kinda girl. I can’t deal with all this melodrama.
READING
I’m currently a woman without a book and that is never a good thing! I finished The Glass Castle, a memoir by Jeannette Walls (and even watched the movie while on the bike trainer) which I absolutely loved. Obviously the book was 100,000 times better than the movie but Woody Harrelson as her insanely drunk, reckless but brilliant father was perfection.
Just watching movies while I pedal to nowhere. Totally normal.
I also finished Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult since I loved Small Great Things. Leaving Time was even better, IMHO.
I tried reading Girls On Fire. Horrible.
I tried reading Lincoln In the Bardo. Terrible.
And now I’m back to A Prayer for Owen Meany because I used to read it every Christmas anyway and, at this rate, I will still be reading it at Christmas.
RANDOM EXCHANGE OF THE WEEK
Miles: Mom, have you ever been “sexy?”
Me: Every.single.day.
Miles: Wait. What does “sexy” mean? Does it have something to do with running?
Me: I’ll let your dad explain.
[Tweet “The Rundown is playing mind tricks with #running, #reading and #eating!”]
How was your week?
Any good book recommendations?
Have you been sexy today?
I just snorted about sexy. Sexy is running buddy. Lol!!! I got pulled from the pool on Wednesday because of lightening too. Booo!!
I am really looking forward to your assessment of the Instapot! Ditto on This is Us, its getting super dragged out and I cant take it anymore! However, I am not ready to abandon ship 😉
I’m dying just reading about the Death Swim. And owning the fact that I haven’t been to the pool since the outdoor one closed. My pool closes due to thunderstorms too. But I read this is not necessary. Your take?
I runfess I’ve never watched This is Us. My bad.
As I age (who isn’t?) and struggle with pace, RPE is my salvation.
I’m all about safety so if they mandate the pool needs to close, I will begrudgingly get out. It’s probably not totally necessary but luckily it doesn’t happen often!
Don’t feel bad about not watching This Is Us. There’s WAY too many other other good shows…or other things to do 🙂
High five to RPE salvation!!
Ok, so Babak stopped watching This Is Us a few weeks ago because “all this show does is take, take, and take, and not give anything back.” I’ve been a little disappointed the last 2 weeks, so we’ll see how long I last…. have you read Americanah? So good…
That is the PERFECT assessment!!! I’ve pretty much had it. I have yet to watch this weeks because I’m obsessed with Stranger Things Season 2 now…
I have NOT read Americanah…off to Amazon…
So, after getting daily questions from multiple people about whether or not I watch “This is Us” (because apparently they are fostering this season and, you know, I do also), I finally caved and started watching it just so I would not have to hear all they reasons why I should watch it every time someone asked and I said no. I’m still on season 1, and I generally do find it pretty predictable and, dare I say contrived…but I also still can’t stop watching. We’ll see how I feel when I get to season 2.
YES TO EVERY SINGLE DAY!!!
I NEVER thought you’d be into This Is Us! I felt like I never knew that you even watched it! I am a fan however, the pain pills storyline needs to get nixed super fast because I mean….can we count how many soaps and primetime dramas we have already seen this on?! That is a super huge eye roll. I’m only there for Beth and the Foster girl story line because I don’t think anyone has actually tackled this on television before and its super important stuff…it’s not glossy and it’s so real…anyway I can go on and on about that.
Oh I’m laughing at that!!! You are too much. And honestly, the foster girl story line is the only saving grace on the show lately. Plus, the actor who plays her foster dad is a RUNNER who was interviewed in RW recently so he’s not lying when he says that:-)
I had no idea that indoor pools would close or lightening! And I hear you on the perceived effort… I need to do that more often instead of getting worked up about what my pace is going to be.
You’re sexy and I’m the head case. Seriously, and if you didn’t already know it, read my post…
The sexy question!! I have a long history with that one. When I was 7 or 8 I asked my mom what Sexy meant, she told me to stop saying that word immediately and never repeat it again. As I became a mother, I asked myself what would I tell my kid when he asked. So I told him that sexy is another word for telling somebody they are pretty, but it also means they want to hug and kiss that person… not my best definition.
OMG! I’m laughing to both you and your mom’s responses!! Hey, when we’re caught off guard with these questions, we just do the best we can!
Focusing on RPE helps me so much when paces start to freak me out – especially this time of year when it seems so windy all the time! It sounds like you had a great week of training and I can’t wait to see how you do in Vegas!
I can’t watch shows like This Is Us. I can’t handle melodrama and I like TV for escapism. We’re watching Wynnona Earp on Netflix right now (in addition to bingeing through Stranger Things 2 this weekend) and it has sort of a Walking Dead vibe, and even if it turns my stomach, I’ll take that over sappy and predictable.
I’m so happy to hear you say that about RPE AND This Is Us! LOL 🙂
I haven’t heard of Wynnona Earp!? We’ll have to check it out as Wyatt Earp is one of my husband’s favorite.
And YES to Stranger Things!! I have only seen the first two episodes and I’m dying to watch more. So good.
Still in my Walmart Jammies so I’d say no sexiness happening here.
My A&P Professor wrote a book about her trip of a lifetime to India to investigate her passion for Buddhism. I haven’t read it yet, but a friend did and said it was fabulous. If it’s as funny as she was in class than it should be a good read. Its called Big Red by Ellie Dias. Some things in common, she has anxiety and a passion for fitness.
thank you! you got Ghetto Boys “mind playing tricks on me” song in my head and i’m not upset about it. throwback to the 80’s/90’s and when i tried listening to thug rap.
i can’t seem to get into This is Us either. i’ve tried. we’ve tried. since time is precious i can only handle ‘so’ much and there are SO many goooooood shows we barely have time for as it is. personally i think This is Us would have been so much better as a Netflix or Hulu series with only 8 episodes.. the end.
my hubby called me sexy after my long run, as i stood there in stinky sweat. i told him i stink, then he got close and said ewhhh. yep. not sexy.
have you seen Ozark yet??? intense AF and short season = winning for me.
That song was partly the reason for the title so I’m glad you mentioned it. Such a great one, right?
And yes, time is precious and I don’t have time for anything less then perfection when it comes to TV – LOL!
We absolutely LOVED Ozark. So.good!!!!!
Fuck, i wish i had voice to keyboard as i’m typing this w one hand (feeding J) but okay so, leaving time was better? i need to read it!!! and i’m totally w you on the this is us bullshit. we’re watching season one, it just came up here, and it’s already getting to be a little much. should be called “this is much.”
nice job on the workouts. wish i could make that trip to vegas!!!!
You probably shouldn’t read Leaving Time at this particular moment in your life. Your mom heart may be too fragile!! And of course you agree with me on This Is Us because you’re incredibly intelligent 🙂 Bravo on tying with one hand and yes, when is good voice recognition coming to laptops?
SO wish you could come to Las Vegas!!! Maybe next year?