Bret

AM run in Phoenix.  I had what I would describe as a poor workout.  I am a little distressed about this.  The plan was to go for about an hour at MRP.  I had to travel for business again and arrived yesterday evening.  I had an early business call at 6 am and needed to squeeze in the workout before a 9 am meeting.  Ran down to the hotel fitness room at 7 am which was quite warm and hopped on the treadmill.  Only did about a half mile warm up (perhaps problem #1) and then ramped up the speed to MRP.  Immediately I felt "off" but continued to push through - but clearly was not feeling like I could go the entire time at that pace.  Sweating profusely I decided to go outside where it was cooler instead of using the treadmill after the third mile.  Headed up the street at MRP once again, but felt pretty stressed at that pace.  Began to wonder what was wrong, "is Phoenix at altitude?..., did the lack of a proper warm up cause the problem?..., was the treadmill calibration off?..., do I just suck etc"  So, after another mile at MRP, I slowed down significantly and began to run along a canal with a dirt path - which had lots of other runners on it.  I decided I would regroup for the next mile.  Made a turn around and picked up the pace again, but still felt off - so I dialed it down again - and my Garmin told me it was a 7:30 mile.  Then, oddly, I felt fine, and ran the next mile at 6:38 with relative ease.  Too late for any more running I went back to the hotel. 

I don't know what to make of this - but it certainly is a blow to my confidence.