Running in the Rockies

Wow.. I'm amazed (i.e., very depressed) at what ~ a month off of serious training will do to me! I needn't say much more:

3.4 miles on trail near my house ( Avg elevation ~8,700'/ gain-loss ~570') at ~11:55 pace. Last month on a relatively good 'easy' day, I did that run at about 11 flat pace and kept the heart rate at a more reasonable level on uphill sections. What worries me more than the significantly slower pace is the fact that I turned my ankle twice and stumbled more than a few times.. something that I should not be doing on a trail that I know as well as the back of my hand. I've been seriously slacking on the weights and ankle strengthening exercises and I think this was a good wake-up call.

 Alternatively, I could just be having an off week, been sleeping more than I should and still feeling fatigued. The stress of the dissertation is also climbing.. I need to hand it in ~2 weeks sooner than I thought and the data analysis section of the last chapter is still not done.. Unless things turn around significantly with the pace of the progress, it will become increasingly difficult to squeeze in those 2-3 hour training runs. Really need to make it happen though- on both fronts!

5 miles in 10:58 pace. Avg. elevation ~8,500'; gain/loss ~740'. Ran the usual 5 mile loop near my house w/ Loki pup. It was drizzling the whole time, which was refreshing. 

 Worked ~25-30 hours over the last two days. Anxiety is kicking in big time.. definitely feeling the stress of the dissertation..  need more hours in the day.

4 on trails near home in ~11:55 avg pace. Average elevation ~8,500'; gain/loss 585/690'. 

Still slower than I'd prefer and working really hard to maintain pace. Heart rate still pretty high on uphill sections. No ankle mishaps though.. 

~7 miles in ~10:19 avg. pace. Average elevation 8,500' gain/loss 356/622'. Last time I ran this route I did ~9 in ~9:54 avg pace. Ack. I did run later than usual and it was pretty hot. Excuses, excuses.. 

Easy ~4 up Boulder Canyon in ~9:22 avg pace. Felt pretty sluggish at the start, got moving just about the time I turned around. Probably the result of being up since 3 am. I laid awake stressing about work from 1-2:30, finally got up around 3 after realizing that trying to sleep was obviously not happening and I might as well be productive. Have to attend a wedding this weekend and am finding it hard to get into a happier/less stressed out mind frame.. hopefully I get my data analysis finished today. I'm also hopping to find a couple hours each day to do some long runs.. will see if that happens.