A clydesdale no more!

Everything felt really good this morning.  It appears that the worn out shoes were the cause of the issues with my legs last week.  My left hamstring is still bothering me but I've gotten used to the pain.  My garmin had a low battery when I turned it on so I didn't bother taking it.  Since I didn't time the run I'll assume that it I ran it at a 6:30/mile pace to make myself feel better (actually it was probably around 7:30).

Followed up yesterdays good run with a terrible one.  My legs didn't feel right from the beginning.  I thought it would get better once I warmed up but it never did.  Averaged 7:55/mile for the run but the pace was very erratic.

Drove to the LPT for a change of scenery.  The trail was clear except for the underpasses which where completely covered in ice.  I felt very tired for the first two miles so I started slow.  Started to feel better so I picked up the pace a little.    

I was short on time this morning so I could only get 5 miles in.  My legs still feel funny so it was probably a good day for an easy run any way.  

I'm starting to think that there is something wrong with me.  It is becoming very difficult to run.  Having 1 good day a week just isn't cutting it.  It's not an injury because nothing specific hurts but my legs just feel dead and I have an overall feeling of fatigue.  It could be a non-physical issue.  I'm just not sure if a poor mental state could cause this much physical discomfort.

Drove to the rec center to meet the running club but little did I know that they decided to meet somewhere else today.  I remembered Lora mentioning something about running on Davis Blvd last week so I thought I would run up there to see if that is where they were.  It is a good climb to get up there and I was feeling pretty tired.  Saw everybody's cars parked there and thought I would just run along Davis and would bump into them at some point.  It is probably good that I was on my own this morning because I was having a hard time.  I was running 7:45/mile and my heart rate was in the mid 170's.  That is way too high for that pace.  Crossed paths with a few club members then headed back.  On the way back down the big hill I was cruising along and hit a patch of ice and went down hard.  I laid there for a second (after yelling an expletive) and tried figure out if I did any damage.  When I was falling I reached back to catch myself and strained my shoulder.  It hurt really bad and I thought it might be separated.  I was able to move it so I knew that wasn't the case.  I slowly got up and realized that I hit my head also because I started getting really light headed.  I walked for a little bit and my shoulder started to feel better and I realized that I just strained it.  Ran the last 1.5 miles pretty slowly.  I'm fine now (only a little sore).  This is a fitting end to the kind of week that I have had.

It was rainy but the temperature felt good.  First couple of miles were a bit of a drag but I started to feel better once I warmed up.  

Just a nice slow, snowy run.  My feet were especially slappy today for some reason. 

Woke up at 1 a.m. to check on something for work and spent the next 4 hours working.  I had a pretty good idea how the run was going to be as I headed out the door so I just took it really easy.  I was pretty tired during the first mile but started to feel better as the run progressed.  Pace and heart rate were consistent throughout the run.

Surprisingly, I overslept this morning.  I only had time to get in a few mile and I debated whether or not I should even go out.  Decided that it's better to get in a little running than none at all.  I actually felt really good during the run. 

I didn't have quite as much time as I would have liked so I had to cut the run short (was hoping for at least 8 today).  I felt alright although my hamstring was a little more bothersome than usual.  I am discovering that it is taking more of a mental effort to maintain a pace.  I find myself getting distracted easily and letting the pace slow.  It used to be more automatic for me.  I could easily lock into a specific pace and maintain it for most of the run.  On a personal note, I am going on my first date tonight in almost a year.  Much like a marathon, I am pacing myself and starting out slow.  

There was a 5k at the rec center this morning but since I'm afraid of racing right now I decided not to do it even though it would have been fun in the snow storm.  The snow was coming down pretty hard the entire run and it was a very wet snow.  My feet were completely soaked.  I kept the pace pretty easy and just tried to enjoy being out there.  

I overdosed on sugar this weekend and, man, could I feel it this morning.  If it weren't for the fuzzy head and uncomfortable stomach it would have been a great run.  My legs felt good and I was able to maintain a decent pace during the run.  Halfway through the run, another runner turned onto the street where I was running (although he was on the other side of the street) and was moving at a decent pace.  I increased my pace to make sure that he couldn't get ahead of me.  Did this for a mile then slowed to a more comfortable pace.  It's good to know that there is still a little bit of competitiveness burning inside of me.

Walked out the door just as the storm was starting.  It was snowing sideways for the first half of the run then the wind died down and it was just a steady snowfall.  I felt alright during the run but it is hard to tell when you run in this kind of weather.

It was extremely icy this morning.  It's days like this that I wish that I wasn't such a snob and would run on a treadmill.  The pace was extremely slow because it was very difficult to maintain a decent footing.  I stopped at the grocery store to pick something up for my daughter so the run wasn't a complete waste.

I made the mistake of getting on the scale this morning after not checking my wait for some time.  I am up 5 pounds from the last time that I checked.  I was told that it's better to have a little "meat on my bones" so maybe the extra weight is a good thing.  Ran the first 3 miles at 8:00/mile pace and the last 5 at 7:30/mile.  I felt alright during the run although my form did not feel as fluid as I would have liked.

Today's run was a carbon copy of yesterday's.  First 3 miles were easy then I picked up the pace for the last 5.  One of my sources of stress was resolved yesterday and I think that having one less thing to worry about will help me enjoy running again.

Drove to where the club was going to meet (400 N Davis Blvd) and ran 4 miles before they got there.  For some unknown reason I thought it would be fun to run down to Orchard Dr then back up (major hill).  The pace was slow but it was a good warm up.  Started the club run with Trevor and he was in the mood to push the pace.  We were running around 6:45 pace for the first 2.5 miles.  I noticed that physically I felt great and didn't feel like I was pushing at all but mentally I had to fight the desire to slow down.  Whatever funk that I am in is definitely mental.  He turned around and I went another 1.2 miles before my turn around.  I slowed down after he left but was still around 7:15 pace for the rest of the run.  I actually felt really good during the run and the last mile was at 6:30 pace.  Hopefully this is the start of my comeback.

It was so warm that I was able to run in shorts this morning.  I sure hope this weather holds up.  It seems like it is so much easier to run in shorts than running pants.  First 3 miles at 7:50 then the last 5 between 7:15 and 7:30.  Pace felt very comfortable (other than my hamstring which doesn't want to heal).

I don't know if it is because of the warmer temperatures or the reduction in stress but my running is finally coming around.  Earlier this month my HR would be 150 bpm at 8:00/mile pace.  This week I have been running between 7:20/mile and 7:30/mile at the same heart rate.  If this keeps up, I might actually start to enjoy running again.

Didn't feel as good today as I have the past few days.  Pace and HR were alright but I didn't feel as strong. 

My legs felt especially tight this morning.  Part way through the run I stopped to stretch out my hamstrings and couldn't even bend over.  I really need to get into a stretching routine.

Started with 3.3 miles before the club run.  Ran the first 2.5 miles with Trevor who was pushing a stroller (still running between 7:00-7:10 - not sure how he did it).  Caught up to Alan and ran a couple of miles with him.  I think that he started to slow a little and I was feeling really good so I maintained my pace (7:20/mile).