A clydesdale no more!

My legs are still beat up from the trail run on Saturday.  After warming up I felt alright but not great.  The outside of my calf has really been bothering me all weekend (not complaining just documenting).  I was concerned about it but during the run it felt like a soft tissue pain and not in the bone.  I'm going to follow Kathie's advice skip the trail runs with the group this month.  They can be fun but get in mileage on Saturdays will be more beneficial for me at this point.  I might throw in a few midweek less intense trail runs though. 

Three miles warm up then 4 miles at tempo pace.  My legs did not want to cooperate today.  My splits were: 6:27, 6:29, 6:30, 6:22.  First mile was a little faster than I have been running it in the past.  I thought it might end up being a good day.  The second mile was a lot of work and came in slow.  This trend continued until the last half mile when I picked up the pace which is why the split is a little faster than the others. Up to that point, I was running at 6:30 pace.  I considered running a 5th tempo mile but my legs felt very heavy and just would not move.  Cooled down with 2 easy miles.  Not the greatest run but at least the splits were relatively even.

Today would have been my 15th wedding anniversary.  I know, I know I can't dwell on the past.  I decided to run up Mueller Park canyon to elephant rock.  I didn't want to push the pace at all because the intent of today was just to enjoy being outside.  After about 2.5 miles I was approaching 3 ladies running.  I politely asked if I could pass them and they jumped and screamed.  I really had no idea the appropriate way to announce my presence with out frightening them.  I was warned about a moose on the trail by a few mountain bikers but never saw said moose.  Coming back down I kept the pace pretty easy.  It was a great morning and glad I went up there.

I was feeling pretty "icky" this morning (can't think of a better word to describe the feeling).  Thought about skipping the run but decided since yesterday's mileage was a little low that I needed to get out today.  Was only going to run 5 but after 3 miles I was feeling better and decided to stretch it to 7.  At one point there was a runner ahead that I decided to try to catch by a certain point.  It helped to have a target so I could push myself a little.  

Had to deal with uncooperative legs again today.  It took a couple of miles before they even felt slightly normal then were pretty fatigued for the rest of the run.  I haven't had a long run in a couple of weeks and I think I am having withdrawals.  

In attempt to demonstrate my lack of intelligence, I decided to run a 15 miler today without water.  The distance was just past the limit of where I need water but with the heat I definitely should have taken something.  With this in mind, I never really pushed the pace.  Kept it just under 8:00/mile most of the run.  As I was approaching my turn around I remembered there was a park just a head so I stretched out the run so I could stop for a drink at the water fountain.  It seemed to help and I was able to finish the run.  Lost 6 pounds of sweat which isn't a PR so it must not have been as bad as I thought.  

Last night, my sister in law asked that I talk her son out of running Des News next week.  He is only 16 and is not ready but you know how kids are.  He has been running 12 miles/day 3 days a week but I tried to explain to him that there is a world of difference between 12 miles and 26 miles.  I think that he is going to run the 10k now and maybe the TOU half.  I felt bad for not encouraging him but know that it would be a mistake for him to do it.  I did the right think didn't I?