Relentless

Planned to go 2 4's today, but knowing tomorrow is Halloween and my priorities (running) will probably be bumped for the kids' priorities (candy) I decided to do 8 in one run and hit part of tomorrow's run tonight - the second part didn't work out so well.

afternoon 8

River run from PVHS - started off with some kids that decided they want to run in the off season (they turned back at 2 out). Even though I used the first mile as a warmup (6:50), it felt like I was really straining to get in a grove. Although I then brought my times down and hit under or at 6:30 the rest of the way - even on the uphill finish - it felt as if I was racing instead of running and I just felt exhausted. I would have been interested to see what my heart rate was and why I was struggling so much. Because of this, I decided to bag the evening run. I'll let tomorrow take care of tomorrow.

W-156

RHR-31

A very frustrating set of days indeed. Planned on doing 6x800's at around 2:40 with basically a 400 jog in between. Didn't make it. Legs felt even weaker and more worn out than yesterday. Warmed up 1 1/2 miles then stretched it a little and did a few striders to get the blood flowing. First 800 was a big struggle, but I came in at 2:32 (quicker than planned, but I thought I would be okay). Jog between was rough, I could barely lift my legs and I knew I was in for a long day. Second 800 turned out to be the last. Hit a 2:41, but every step was a struggle. Breathing was heavy and labored. Legs and no umph at all. Recovery jog confirmed that I needed to be done. I knew I needed to still do something, so I went out on a very easy 3 miler (2450 loop from PVHS) and called it quits.

Decided to go try and have some fun with a cute black cat, a beautiful little Cinderella, and a tiny witch!

W-154

RHR-37

afternoon 5

Mall run extended from PVHS with Ruth. Decided to stay back with Ruth to just let my legs rest. As I evaluate my fatigue I have narrowed it down to this issue. I have been working hard to meet my new goal times for a quicker 1/2 and marathon. The biggest factor being quicker "easy" runs. So whereas before if I had a run below 6:30 it was because I felt good and went with it. But I would have a couple a week that were more near 7:00/mile. Now I am pushing all my easy runs at or under 6:30, and for the most part it has gone well. However, my body wants/needs a little recovery time. So I have decided that I need to make the transition smoother for myself by allowing a "recovery run" every so often until my body is more used to the "easy" effort of 6:30 ALL the time. Anyways, that's what yesterday was. So I went out with Ruth (one of the top high school female runners in Utah) and just ran with her. Put a couple miles in that were over 7 and a few under 7 and the average came right out at 7:00. It was a good run and my legs felt like they might be feeling a little better.

W-154

RHR-42

Heart Rate is rising - this could be a sign of fatigue (duh, look at my runs the last few days)

Ran around St. George with Club tonight. Measured a few places for mile repeats with the GPS and enjoyed a georgeous sunset. And of course Steve and I dusted Clyde and Bill! What's new.

W-152.5

RHR-37

Heart Rate dropped back down a to where it usually has been (or at least what I have determined to be my base rate based upon my two or so weeks of taking it).

I just spent some time catching up the previous few months to when I joined the blog. My goal was to use this great tool we have here to be able to look back at the past and see what I had done right and wrong. I went back to the first week of June. For June, July and about half of August I had written down my info on paper, and had some good things. But from there it was pretty hazy into late August and September and I just had to put in what I had on my GPS (which for some reason, I ran very little with during those weeks). But I still learned and remember a lot doing this.

DogPound from PVHS with Ruth and Jeff. Took it nice and easy and enjoyed the run.

W-151.5 (I have still yet to glean any info from taking my weight. But maybe someday it will be useful.)

RHR-38 (Holding pretty steady here in the mornings. I have felt a little better on my runs the last few days.)

Foot Injuries update:

Plantar - feeling so much better the last few days. I measure the progress by how much I cry out in pain each morning on the first step out of bed. The last few mornings barely even noticing anything. Consitent wrapping, icing, and trying to stay off of it in the morning until it gets better is paying off.

Pain below Right Ankle - starting to back off a bit. Every now and then it gets bumped and sends a shot through me, but it is getting better. I still don't know what caused it.

Left Pinkie Toe - I think this might be broken from when I rolled it a week and a half a go. There is quite a bit of pain in it still, but not when I run. And a lot of swelling but no bruising, just redness.

If I get some more time, I am going to go back as far as I can and write more info down from earlier in the year.

for steve: 673-9882

2.8 warm up then race.

2nd! Ahhh! I shouldn't complain because 2nd is alright. But for the last 2 years (probably about 6 races) I have got 2nd in every race I have run except marathons. So I am kind of tired of it.

Went out real hard - with the strength of my Racing Mullet pullinng me along!

5:08 1st mile - felt like Jose for a fleeting moment as I led the pack.

2nd mile in 5:06 - still feeling great. I was a little worried because I was moving it pretty quick and I knew I would pay later. But being the just a few days after the 1 year anniversay of my stroke, I wanted to just try to really challenge myself and get into the 32's.

mile 3 in 5:20 and 3.1 in 15:41 (my 5K pr is like 15:30). I was cooking but just before crossing the bridge I really began to notice a major blister forming on my right heel. It came quick and furious.

mile 4 5:59 - slowed way down for 2 reasons: my heel was killing, I couldn't even step on it; and a monster hill near the end of this mile. I decided not to kill myself up the hill. My strategy had changed from attack for a 32 to survive and maybe hold on to 2nd (I didn't see anybody close, but I was already looking).

mile 5 5:50 - told myself to just keep it gowing despite my foot and then try to hammer out a good mile 6. The rolling hills weren't bad.

mile 6 5:40 - tried to bring it back down, but by now the blisterS were so bad I could barely step. I was kicking myself for wearing these shoes (my only racing shoes are an old pair of Nike Nairobi's from college and they always give me a little blister on the back of my heel, so I prepped with MoleSkin, but it didn't help).

.2 43 seconds - just hoping no one would gain on me I just tried to gut it out. Immediately after crossing I ripped off my shoes and found not only an enormous blister covering my whole right heel, but a very tasty guy covering the back of my right heel and a little fellow I hadn't even noticed on the back of my left heel.

I had planned to run back and help my brother finish, but I could barely even walk so that plan faded fast.

Finish was 5:27 miles - 33:58. Not bad, but I know that my blisters cost me at least the minute (20 seconds per mile for last three) I wanted to hit into the 32's. I am really kicking myself for wearing those shoes. They are now officially retired.

STEVE - get the store open so I can get a pair of racers!

By the way:

W-151.5

RHR-38

Sunday:

W-151.5

RHR-37