The Next Step

I knew this day would come soon but I still was dreading it. The first day this fall on the treadmill! I usually do whatever I can to avoid the treadmill. I it. Today it was around 38 degrees and pouring rain so I gave in and headed for the treadmill. Today I wanted to do an 8 mile run so that meant around an hour on the treadmill. Not fun. In the past I have ended up cutting my runs short on the treadmill so I tried to set my mind on completing the distance. As I got started I settled into a comfortable pace and started counting down the minutes. After a few miles, I noticed that it was not as bad as I had remembered. Maybe this is a sign that I have taken my training to a higher level. I can now endure the treadmill! I even varied the incline so that I could simulate some hills. This is something that I don't get on my normal easy runs. So day one on the treadmill turned out much better than planned. Maybe my bad thoughts of the treadmill go back to the spring when I have went though a whole winter with more indoor sessions than I would like. Hopefully, I will be able to limit my time on the treadmill this winter but it works pretty good instead of missing a run.

8 miles, 1:6:12

Today I did a workout on the track. This is the same workout that I did a week ago and I wanted to see how it compared to last week. I planned on 5 x 1k around 3:50 with a 1:45 recovery. The weather today was 29 and windy.

After warming up I started the first interval and as usually didn't feel that great but hit my target. The second and third intervals felt much better not like I was even working. However, by the forth my legs were starting to feel tired and had to push toward the end to finish on time. The fifth interval my legs were definitely sluggish and I was glad when that one was done. Here are the splits...

1st - 3:48.6

2nd - 3:50

3rd - 3:50.1

4th - 3:49.3

5th - 3:48.2

This adds up to 19:06 for the total 5k which is a couple of seconds faster than last week. I think I felt about the same as last week but was happy that these were more consistent.

7 miles, 55:12

Today it was warmer (46) but very windy. I did an easy 8 miles. I was a little stiff starting out but loosened up pretty quick and felt good throughout the run. I was hoping to get in 10 miles today but the work schedule didn't allow for it.

8 miles, 63:26

Today I planned to do a 4 mile tempo run at 6:50 pace. After getting outside I was not sure how this plan might play out. It was around 30 degrees with 20 to 30 mph winds. Not the best day for a run. Anyway I did a two mile warm up and didn't feel real good. I felt like I had no energy and needed some food. After the two mile warm up I went ahead and jumped into the tempo pace. The first mile was downwind so I tried not to over do it because of the route I was taking the next 3 miles would be into the wind. I hit the first mile in 6:58 which was slower than I had planned. As I turned around and headed back into the wind I knew this was going to be tough. I managed a 7:08 for the second mile and continued to struggle on the third mile again in 7:08. I didn't feel much better the last mile but pushed it to a 6:57. So not what I was for but it was a good workout given the windy conditions. More than anything I probably need to address my eating to make sure I have the fuel for these workouts.

7 miles, 4 mile tempo (6:58, 7:08, 7:08, 6:57) 28:13, 52:09 total

Wind! Wind! Wind! I am already tired of the wind and it is not even Dec yet. Just did an easy run today but 20 mph winds are not fun to run in. I guess if I am going to live in flat Indiana it goes with the terriority. Felt fine today not much else to report.

6 miles, 47:54

The calendar says it is still fall but it sure felt like winter out there today. It was 30 degrees very windy and started sleeting about half way through my run. I think I am already ready for spring.

I did an easy long run today. I went out into the wind so the first half of the run was pretty tough. I am never sure how much I should slow down to offset the effect of the wind. I kept an eye on my HR and made sure it stayed in the easy range. After I turned around and headed back the run was much better. I started to warm up with the wind to my back and the effort felt much easier. Overall it was a good run and I felt good afterward which I think is a good sign.

13 miles, 1:42:59