A clydesdale no more!

It was very windy and rainy. In lieu of speed work today, I decided to hit a hill that has been calling my name. It is a 600 foot climb over 0.85 miles. It is hard enough as it is but running into a 20 mph headwind made it quite difficult. It was a struggle just to average 10:30/mile. It burned but it sure felt good.

Avg HR=151

Total Time = 1:11:37 (7:57/mile)

Cold, wet and slushy. Had a hard time staying in a non-slushy track on the road and avoiding the puddles. My feet and legs were soaking wet and cold. To top it off, a snow plow driver decided that he didn't want to wait for me to turn and forced me to stop abrubtly. Only problem was that it was too slick to stop and I fell on my back side. Aggrevated my calf and hamstring a little but nothing too serious. The run itself felt good and the pace felt comfortable.

Avg HR = 153

Total Time = 59:22 (7:25/mile)

Very easy recovery run. Right calf a little sore from yesterday's fall.

Avg HR = 140

Total Time = 48:32 (8:05/mile)

Very low energy today. I just didn't feel right. After 2.25 miles running at GA pace I started my 3 mile tempo run. First mile felt horrible (6:40). I knew I wasn't going to hit my pace and considered not finishing the tempo run. Figured I may as well put in 1 more mile at tempo pace to see how it goes. Ran mile 2 in 6:28 but still didn't feel great. Started to feel quite a bit better during the third mile and finished it in 6:14. Overall pace for the 3 miles was right were I wanted it to be but I didn't feel like I should have. Finished with 2.75 miles at an easy pace.

Avg HR = 159 (172 during tempo)

Total Time = 58:32 (7:19/mile)

Lower legs are hurting today and feel really stiff (left knee, left ankle, right calf and both tibias). I'm hoping that it is just my body acclimating to the colder temperatures. Just wanted to put in a few miles at a comfortable pace. Picked up the pace during the last mile and felt alright. Considered stretching the run out a bit longer but decided that it would be better to give my legs a rest.

Avg HR = 148

Total Time = 38:05 (7:37/mile)

Left knee hurt most of the day yesterday. Today's plan was to only run as far as the knee would take me. It wasn't as sore this morning as it was yesterday so I figured 12 miles would be about right. Four miles into the run, I saw a hill that I have always wondered how much work it would take to climb (250 ft climb over 0.5 miles). Decided to give it a shot. Run up the hill at it felt pretty good. As the run continued, I started feeling better and ended up running 14 to make this week's total 50 miles.

Avg HR = 153

Total Time = 1:48:27 (7:45/mile)