faster with age

Had a very busy day out in the almost 90 deg sun the entire day until dark. Had an irrigation pipe blow out and other problems that needed fixing. I didn't get a chance to run until after 10 pm. I only went for 5.5 miles and felt like I was running around 8:30 pace in the dark but whenever I checked I was around 9:25. I just really didn't feel like speeding up so I didn't. ended up with 9:38 pace. I think I was just exausted after the long day in the heat [not to mention being short on sleep].

     I had things that needed to be done this morning before I ran so the temps were already getting into the 70s by the time I ran. I didn't have any energy just like last night and the pace was slow. I usally let how I feel dictate my pace and I was running over 9:00 min pace and didn't feel like going faster. after a couple of miles I ran 7:30 pace up a hill for 1/4 to see if that would give me a jumpstart. It did for a while but not long. I finished that mile in 8:12 and ended up over 9:00 min pace on all but 3 of the other miles of the run. I had planned to go 11 if it felt alright but at about 4.5 miles in I was thinking of turning back. I was up by the reservoir and took of my shirt and soaked it in the lake and put it back on wet. This was invigorating enough that I felt like going far enough to finish the planned distance. Of course by the time I did turn back I was feeling lousy again and this turned into the hardest run I have done in recent memory. I was very thirsty, hot, hungry, my feet were hurting from running on all the rocks and gravel on the road from it being graded last week, and I was just plain worn out. I think I was very dehydrated and getting around five hours sleep the last 2 nights probably didn't help either. I had the race 3 days ago also but I usually recover from 5ks very quickly. I had to stop and rest a few times on the way back. I had weighed myself this morning when I got up and I had lost 4 pounds by the time I was done so I must have been very dehydrated. Hopefully with some refueling and rehydration and some better sleep, tomorrow will be better. Overall pace for 11 miles was 8:58

     I may take today completely off [unfortunatly thats just from running or cycling] and see if I can recover a bit. If I do anything it may be an easy short run or bike ride later.

     What a difference a day off[from training] can make. With a little more sleep and better hydration, I felt back to normal this morning. It probably helped to have the temp at 47 to start out too. I ran 10 miles running the first 5 at 8:24 pace and the next 5 at 7:46 pace. I felt good at thwe end and ran the last mile in 6:59. I was sweeting like crazy at the end and was sure the temps must have climbed into the 70s, but it was only 57 deg. Going to have to get used to the heat.    Overall pace for 10 was 8:04.

     PM  2 miles after dark around 9 min pace.

     20 mile mt. bike.

    Had to travel 2 hours to a wedding and diddn't get time for a PM run.

     I got a chance to sleep in a bit and catch up on some sleep this morning. However that ment running in the heat of the day after ball games and some other things. It was 84 degrees when I headed out so I figured I'd just play it by ear on how far or fast to go. I had a breeze that helped and I stopped and soaked my shirt 3 times in the lake and stream. I had also stashed some water. I guess I was being cautious after the horrible run I had on Tuesday. I felt great all the way and just ran how I felt. I started out slower and ran the first 4 miles at 8:16 average. I continued to pick up the pace and ran the next 7 miles at 7:31 pace. Overall pace for 11 was 7:47.