Use it or Lose it

Surprised at how tired I was over the weekend, then it dawned on me that maybe it was a result of donating blood Friday afternoon. (first time donating in many years).  Did a quick google search and discovered that many athletes don't donate blood because it hampers their performance for a few weeks.  Others still donate, but make sure to only do it after a big race, when they are in a recovery zone.  Anyone have any experience with the effects of donating blood on their energy level and running performance?

I'm not a vegetarian, but my daughter is, and I just happened to eat vegetarian all weekend with her, and didn't even think about eating high iron food.  Hum, better 'beef up' my diet with some eggs, lentil/spinach soup, raisin bran, dried fruits, and perhaps canned sardines (oh, I bet my office won't like me if I bring in sardines for lunch!).  I might even consider eating some red meat :).

Hope to find time this evening to at log a few more miles. . .

Felt better running this morning, perhaps because I ate a nice steak dinner last night?  Or maybe it's mental!  Regardless, I plan on eating lots of iron rich foods for the next few days. 

Read some interesting things about donating blood.  The volume of blood fluid returns to normal within 24-48 hours, but is diluted and has approximately 10% less red blood cells (which are the cells that carry oxygen to your muscles).   The body gradually replenishes its store of red blood cells over the next few weeks.  Some athletes have compared running after donating blood to running at high altitude where you have less oxygen getting to your muscles.  This has the effect of pushing you into an anaerobic stage at a lower heart rate, which is interesting.  Anyhow, I've decided to count this as a high altitude training week and not be a wimp anymore!!

Hope all bloggers are having a good running day! :)

Not much time to run but I figured some running was better than no running. 

Had 2 miles at 6 mph, but needed a 1/4 mile slower pace between them, which I attribute to still recovering from donating blood.  But at least I could do the 6 mph today - Monday I couldn't get above 5 mph!  (In contrast a couple weeks ago, I ran 3 miles at 6.0, 6.1, 6.2 mph, with no breaks between them.).  It'll be interesting to see how my recovery progresses so I can plan future blood donations to have the least impact on my training in case I have a race coming up. 

Planned on running easy this morning, but the music was good so I sped up to 6.5 mph, which felt good, so I decided to do an impromptu mini speed workout and did 6 1/4 mile reps @ 6.5 mph with 1/2 distance recoveries between them.  Now, this is a pretty puny speed workout compared to what I did a few weeks ago, but I'm running so much better than I did on Monday, so I'm happy & I'll take it! 

Couldn't run longer, because I needed to get to work early.  Still felt energetic at work, so during my break I did 2 sets of stair climbing at work (312 steps total).  Okay, that burned a little. . . but feeling energetic, so maybe I'll do it again at lunch!  Okay, did two more sets of stair climbing, but think I should've done them before eating instead of after eating!

Hope you all are having a good running day. :)

Low energy, probably because I had to run at night (I much much much prefer running in the morning!), and I'm also a bit sleep deprived because some raccoons were fighting and making an absolutely horrible noise in my back yard at 3:20 this morning.  Never did make it back to sleep. I sure hope they don't repeat their performance tonight!

5.5 miles, mostly at 5.5 mph & 1.5%.  Rushed through some tretching afterwards.  Feel like my whole running program has become derailed the last couple weeks.  I think I should incorporate some speedwork or hills into my next run; I always dread those workouts, but feel so good afterwards!   Yea - no fighting raccoons last night!

Really worried about starting this run, because I was afraid I'd either  (1) Chicken out of doing my planned workout, or (2) I just wouldn't feel well enough to finish the workout.  Ended up feeling better than expected, tho, which was a very pleasant surprise. 

1 mile warm up
6 reps of 1/2 mile (6.5 mph @ 1.5%), with 1/4 mile slow jog recoveries between them. 
1 mile cool down

It would've been nice to be running at 7 mph instead of 6.5 mph, but this was still my best effort in several weeks, and it was sure nice to feel positive while running for a change!   Lots of stretching afterwards, which felt really good because I have been pretty lax about stretching lately.

Hope everyone is having a nice run; looks like some nice warm weather might finally be coming our way!

Absolutely glorious day running in Salt Lake City.  Ran to the Capital, then to the area 13(?)water station up in City Creek Canyon, then home.  Kept a good leg turnover coming downhill out of City Creek, and focused on keeping a loose relaxed steady speed going up the homestretch hills.  The warmth sure felt good today - wish all running days could be so nice!!

I'm looking forward to seeing the Ogden race reports!

Went running after work - from home to Ensign to Capital turnaround & then back home.  Little muggy & a bit windy at times - I do believe another storm is coming!

Short run to capital and back.  It was raining lightly, but it was a relatively warm rain & not heavy so at least my clothes didn't get really soaked. 

Somehow I need to find time to do more stretching and strengthening exercises!