Recovering from CECS

My first offical race since surgery in November.  Actually, this is the first time in over a decade I've been able to train for more than a month or two without being sidelined by injury.  This race establishes my "old man PR" for 5k.  Hopefully this will drop as I build mileage and get in better shape.

A minute into the race Joe McNamera & I were clear of the rest of the runners.  He's a very good marathoner in his 50s.  He's been at it for multiple decades and has a big engine.  I gapped him early on a steady uphill.  Joe caught me at around 2.25 and I couldn't stay with him.  I was starting to fade and knew I wouldn't be able to maintain pace.  I backed off a little more than I should've in the last mile.  I think I could've held pace a little better, but I'm not overly disappointed in the outcome.  I figured I'd run close to 18 minutes; maybe a touch under.  There were no mile markers, but the race was probably pretty accurate.  My Garmin had it as 3.15.  Splits:  5:41, 5:36, 6:11, 51 sec for last .15.

Colchester Pond & Lost Nation Road.  Another disastrous run.  I turned on my HR alarm in an attempt to keep my easy days easy.  I also forced myself to run extremely slow; like I was waiting for a buddy to catch up after he stopped to tie his shoe.  It didn't help.  I ended up walking several times along the way.  I felt like this once before decades ago.  Then, I self diagnosed/medicated with iron supplements and the symptoms went away.  This time around I'm asking the doctor to perform a blood test to see if I'm anemic.  I've noticed my energy level has dropped over the last month and my long runs have become increasingly difficult, regardless of the pace.

10.17 miles.  1:28:32.  8:42/mile.  142 BPM.  

Easy run at the 1/2 mile track.  Same feeling as yesterday - dead tired.  Had my blood drawn today.  I should have the results in a few days.  4.14 miles.  32:24.  7:49/mile.  136 BPM.

Easy run at the 1/2 mile track.  Again, HR elevated and feeling a bit tired.  6.22 miles.  47:11.  7:35/mile.  140 BPM.

Easy run today in the afternoon. Still feeling sluggish, but maybe just a tad better than the last few days....  Middle Road.  6.27 miles.  48:21.  7:42/mile.  136 BPM.

Easy run at the 1/2 mile track w/ a fast mile in the middle (5:50).  It was very cool this morning, maybe 50 degrees.  It felt great!  I'm feeling a little better today.  My long run this weekend will be a litmus test to see if I'm truly climbing out of this funk.  4.17 miles.  28:41.  6:52/mile.  140 BPM.

Easy run on the Colchester bike path from my house.  I felt OK today, but not back to normal.  9.33 miles.  1:10:03. 7:30/miles.  138 BPM.

I received the results of my blood work today.  Everything is in the "normal" range, but my iron is "low normal."  So I have no smoking gun to explain my recent running malaise.  I'm going to forward my results to a doctor buddy for an endurance athlete's opinion.  Additionally, I will work on my hydration.  I sweat way more than I used to when running and I wonder if I'm not staying properly hydrated.

I'll work on hydration and talk to my doc & runner doc friend about possibly adding an iron supplement to my diet.  More to follow.....