The last month has been a very good training month. While I haven't blogged in over a month, I continue to work hard on my training. Several developments have occurred that I am thrilled about. I have begun to use my altitude mask (set at 12,000 feet) more frequently and while it is expectedly difficult, i am managing quite well with it. I find that my focus turns toward my breathing and I don't think about tired legs or muscles. It is harder to have conversations since my voice is muffled. For the most part I am doing all of my stairs with the mask and would like to continue with that practice. Today I wore the mask for 1 hr 15 minutes out of nearly 1 hr 35 minutes of running.
My knee pain seems to have disappeared. I'm not sure if it is due to finally working past some nagging pains or the impact of some Flex pills that Rick gave me (Yoli product). It feels great to be so healthy! I've still been playing basketball a few times each week and enjoying it immensely! I realize it doesn't have anything to do with my Leadville training but I love it!
On a whim, I made the decision on Thomas' birthday to run 101 consecutive stairs (no mask though). I had never done that many before consecutively and while my legs were feeling it at the end I think I could have even done more :o) My good friend Andy Erpelding came to keep me company for the last 96 stairs. I had completed 61 consecutive stairs about 10 days prior so I knew 100 was doable. I had said to myself that I wanted to do 100 in a row sometime and since I didn't get any long distance runs in over the weekend I felt some extra energy and just decided to go for it!
This morning was a character building day - it was cold, dark, and rainy. We did sleep in though - didn't start running until 6:00 am. After running about 11 miles Rick and I did some good incline work and a few sprints on the treadmill.
I am very pleased with how this last month has progressed. Feeling good, getting in good miles, getting in great hill work, and using my altitude mask more. My body has also become quite accustomed to rising at 4:35 a.m. several times per week - that used to be a killer time for me, now it is part of my routine. If I can continue to progress like I have been, I expect to have a very successful Leadville experience!
Forgot to post the training regimen for the past month!
Monday, Sept 28th - 4 miles - Billie, Rick
Tuesday, Sept 29th - 2 sets of....10 stairs, 1/2 mile run, 25 squats, 20 lunges, 1/2 mile run
3rd set.....10 stairs, 1/4 mile run, 25 squats, 20 lunges, 1/4 mile run
3 sets of 10 push ups and 10 second leg lifts
Rick, Billie, Emily
Wednesday, Sept 30th - 5.7 mile run - Curt, Jay, Billie
Thursday, Oct 1st - 6 sets of 5 - stairs
Rick, Curt, Billie, Jeremy, Mike (group did another set of 5 - my knee hurt so i didn't do it with them
Saturday, Oct 3rd - in sunny Florida :o) worked out with some weights in the hotel - lats and incline push press - most of the equipment was broken. did some lap swimming outside - beautiful weather
Monday, October 5th - 90 minutes of basketball with the high school varsity boys
Tuesday, October 6th - 3 sets of....10 stairs, 1/2 mile run, 25 squats, 20 lunges, 1/2 mile run
3 sets of 10 second leg lifts
John O, Mike, Jeremy, Billie
Wednesday, October 7th - 6 mile run - Emily, Billie, Rick, Curt, Jay
Thursday, October 8th - in San Diego hotel - 60 minutes on the treadmill incline 15
Speed Time
3.0 10 min
3.5 10 min
3.0 10 min
4.0 10 min
3.0 5 min
3.3 5 min
4.2, 3,3, 4.4, 3.3, 4.6, 3.3, 4.8, 3.3, 5,0, 5.0 1 min each for last 10 mnutes
Saturday, October 10th - 19 mile run - 2 loops. 1st loop 9 miles - Emily, Curt, John O, Billie
2nd loop 10 miles - John O, Billie
Monday, October 12th - 5.5 miles
Tuesday, October 13th - 3 sets at Bett HS Football Stadium
10 stairs, 1/2 mile run, 25 squats, 20 lunges, 1/2 mile run
Rick, Curt, Billie, Pat, Mike, Jeremy, Kevin
Wednesday, October 14th - 6 mile run - Curt, Jay, Billie, Emily
Thursday, October 15th - 61 consecutive stairs - Rick, Mike, Billie, Jeremy, Jay Chelf
Friday, October 16th - 3 mile run :o)
Sunday, October 18th - 101 consecutive stairs! Goal accomplished!
Monday, October 19th - 6 miles
Tuesday, October 20th - 3 sets at Bett HS Football Stadium
10 stairs, 1/2 mile run, 25 squats, 20 lunges, 1/2 mile run
Rick, Curt, Billie, Mike, Jeremy, Jay G, Emily, Jay C
Wednesday, October 21st - 6 miles - Rick, Curt, Billie
Thursday, October 22nd - 52 stairs at BHS - 4x6, 2x7, 1x14 - wore my altitude mask set at 12,000 feet - felt pretty good! Billie, Curt, Jeremy, Mike, Pat
Friday, October 23rd - 5.5 miles
Saturday, October 24th - 12 miles - Rick, Curt, Billie, Mike
Tuesday, October 27th - BHS Stadium - 3 sets with altitude mask
10 stairs, 1/2 mile run, 45 sec plank, 25 squats, 20 lunges, 45 sec plank, 1/2 mile run
Rick, Mike, Billie, Jeremy, Emily, Jay C
Wednesday, October 28th - 6 mile run - Billie
Thursday, October 29th - 42 stairs with mask 1x10, 4x8
Rick, Jeremy, Mike
Saturday, October 31st - 11 mile run in cold, wet, rain - used mask for 75 minutes of the run. 30 minutes on the treadmill - most of it at incline of 15 and speed of 3.0. Did six 30 second sprints at level 11 and three 30 second sprints at level 12
Sunday, November 1st - 9 miles - Rick
