PSVT, or Paroxysmal Supra-ventricular Tachycardia

Week 3 Day 1
180.5 lbs

I ran my 60 minute Z2 run outside today--absolutely gorgeous Alaska weather (although it was cold--about 20 degrees) and the sidewalks had been "groomed" so running in snow wouldn't be a problem.  I pieced together a nice loop from my house and had an excellent run--I used my Garmin to monitor heart-rate zones instead of pace.  Overall my speed was 9:14min/mile and HR zone was 2.6 (156bpm)

Garmin Connect


After the run, Annie was ready to go for her four-miler and I decided to join her on the bike, about 10 minutes into the casual ride, I experienced another PAT event.

I tried to bear down, with no luck and just decided to ride through it--I wasn't going fast anyway.  Eventually the cold got to me more then my heart, and I had to look at my monitor to confirm that my HR was still elevated.  This was weird.  As you can see from the chart, when it stops, it stops; from 170 to 95 between beats.

"Moderate" isn't "Easy"

As I follow Don Fink's Mastering The Marathon, for my June 3rd San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon I had a "No Duh" moment:  moderate isn't easy.  It isn't hard either, but its harder then easy...

I thought of this as I sweated through a 30 minute 'moderate' run at the The Alaska Club.  My pacing was around 8:20/min per mile--not an easy pace for me to keep up ...but it wasn't supposed to be, hence the descriptor "moderate"

4:45 is Early

Week 2, Day 3
180.0 lbs
19.8%

Closing in on Spring Break, but that just means more paperwork and transportation issues for the kids.  This past weekend was South's XC Regions (Friday and Saturday) and the publication deadline for our yearbook.  This week we have beginning of Lent and Wrestling Championships for the middle school.  With all of this, I still managed to get a couple of workouts in--including a 45 minute spin starting at 4:45AM--strangely, I couldn't muster much effort...

In between wrestlings, helping concessions and Mass, I put in a 5k run.  I felt good, and as I went along, I sped up, then sped up again...  I knew I needed a moderate effort run, and I also knew that I needed to get back so I wouldn't miss Ethan's wrestling match.

At the turn-around I knew things would get easier (the way back is mostly downhill) but when I turned around, I was greeted with wind and snow in the face.  Did I mention that it was 30 degrees and I left my gloves at home?

I pushed and pushed watching the times on my Garmin 610.  I wanted to look at my heart-rate, but honestly didn't have the energy to touch the screen...  The results?  A PR for a 5k distance (in the snow and ice no less). The Garmin had it at 7:48 min/mile average for the distance.  I could easily best that dry pavement and no intersections to worry about.

The biggest surprise was my heart-rate. I expected it to be in the 180s, but it only climbed as high as 177.  I guess I had some more left??

1st outdoor run of the year

Week 1, Day 2
181.0 lbs
20.7 %

Due to a tight time schedule and, lets be honest, a craving for spring, I ran my 4 mile loop.  This loop is still covered in ice and loose snow.  Think running on a sand covered sidewalk.  This was a 45 min Z2 (moderate) day, but 35 would have to do.  I removed some of the studs from my Brooks to help the comfort level--and that seemed to work, although the traction was not nearly as good.  There were several moments where I thought for sure I was going down.

The weather was nice, my cold-weather gear doing its job--and it felt absolutely wonderful to be outside again!

Today will be another tough day to get a run in because of school conferences and my yearbook deadline--but we'll see what I can manage...

San Diego Rock 'N Roll Marathon Training

181.7 lbs
19.8%

Monday, Feb 13th was my first official day of training for the RnR San Diego.  My prescribed plan yesterday? "Rest"  No kidding--I know how to train...

Sunday was also a rest day for me--the week previous, I ran just under thirty (30) miles, a new high for me.  It was exciting and humbling.  My pace and my anxiety about maintaining it have been a daily concern.  What has not been are my shoes and feet.  The Altra's are running strong--pun intended.  I have 'zero' complaints--yup another pun...

Monday was not a run day, but I did manage to get up at 5:30AM to hit the trainer.  I spun for 15 minutes in Z2 and enjoyed some music and cycling in the dark.

Tonight:  30 minutes, Zone 2