A Balance, Redefined

Good start to the day. Up early to get my run in before breakfast and church. The temp was great. I actually had to stop and take off a layer (~53F). It was windy though. NOAA had listed 20mph with 33mph gusts. Fortunately I was only running into that for miles 3 and 4. The rest was tail or crosswind as I did a squarish run. A good sign is that my quads are more sore than my knee suggesting that it is my lack of fitness and not injury that kept me slow today. Now just to get fit again... Avg. 8:39 HR 136

Winter’s back and so am I.?.?... I still want to be cautious and my knee is still tight but this morning was the best run back. I got into work at 5:30 as I wanted to process 105 samples before my 8:45 lab meeting. I got them done and only had 45 min to run and shower. My plan was for 5 miles and I thought I should just do 4 instead. But having been up for awhile and “running” around lab I was already pretty awake. The fun part was that despite the great weather yesterday morning the rest of that day and last night were crazy and there were ~3in of snow yesterday and ~3in last night. It was still a little windy (19F windchill by the weather channel) but otherwise not too bad. In any case I started quicker than normal (recently) and didn’t let up. I did my usual to the FireHouse run but NOT the FireHouse mile. At the turnaround I wasn’t sure I was going to make it but then I decided I wanted to beat the 7min guy. It was going to be close as the last mile is mostly up. 7:08, 7:21, 6:37, 6:24, and 7:25. It was a race to the line but I did it. Avg. 6:59 no HR monitor…

Nothing special this morning. Though yesterday started out well. Work dragged as a typical Monday. There was an interesting talk on the lower campus and I ran into Josh S. and briefly spoke with him but otherwise... Today was about the same as last Tues for the run. Recovery/Commuter run. Good news is that even with picking up the pace some yesterday I was not any more sore this morning.
To address a comment Kory made earlier. Yes most of my mileage is hilly. For instance this run has the first 2-miles u130ft and d345ft (down to SH Park), the next 2-miles u214ft and d109ft (N on 13th), and the last 2-miles u540ft and d77ft. So really after mile 2 I am going up the rest of the way.
Keep looking ahead and now to get some typing for work done... Avg. 9:04 HR 146

In lab at 6am and one set-up before heading out the door. The way out was rough into 18mph winds with 32mph gusts and sleet. However, after the turnaround it was pleasant as the sleet turned to snow and the wind helped push me along. With about a mile to go I ran into Chad and after we picked each other up I apologized and we continued on our way. Actually, we just stopped and chatted very briefly. Avg. 8:13 HR 141

Tough night. Kristen had been getting into a routine. It still wasn't ideal but overall we were getting used to it. However, last night was brutal. Not sure if she is getting the cold her sister and mom just had but she was up 3 times in the first two hours. Then down for two hours before getting up from 1:30-3am... Then she was done for only an additional two hours before up again though I was already getting ready for work. So zombie commuter run. The fatigue could definitely be seen in my HR and felt in my knee. Avg. 9:26 HR 156

So far a much better start to the weekend. I actually managed 7hrs of sleep and Kristen must have tired herself out the night before as she only woke up once during that time and continued to sleep after I left for work to give Sandra some well deserved rest.
I was running about an hour behind though as I had given myself an extra hour on the alarm clock to compensate for the night before. The run went well. My legs are starting to feel like they have a little strength again. It is sad to think that at this time last year I was doing 2X3mi as a workout at <5:45 pace but at least I'm running again. I have a long way to go before I compete again but this week has really made me think that I will get there. Just one day at a time... Avg. 7:35 no HR.

Probably could put down 8hrs of sleep but with two wakeups I rounded

down. I think I'm now fighting the cold that my wife and daughter had

as my entire body was achy. That being said it was a good morning for a

run. Mid-40s F w/ little to no wind and a slight drizzle/snow the whole

way. My knee acted up a little but I think that was fatigue more than

anything. Last nights rest helped. Today marks my longest run since St.

George and my longest week since the first week of Sept... I saw four deer during the run and ran 1+ miles with "Jason" a 40yr old that has done 34 marathons and 4 IronMan races. I just realized I told him I've done 10 marathons when I've only done 9... The pace the whole way was slow but today was more about seeing a 50 in my weekly total again. Avg. 8:16 HR 145