Runnin' in Mud...

Gallaway Track, 2:00 p.m., cloudy, very windy, 60.  We traveled back from Disney today and have been up since 1:45 a.m.  This workout went okay, despite the travel, 5 days of no running, and endless walking at the parks.  The big headwind the last 2.6 miles was tough.  I warmed up 2.6 miles and then ran my 1 mile course (measured with a wheel).  4x1 mile (6:37.34, 6:34.84, 6:35.11, 6:33.77) - avg 6:34.75.  All w/1:15 jog/stretch recovery.

Disney was great, but I was actually sore on Thursday.  I have what I would call a "bad back."  The countless tram rides, plane rides, resort hotel beds, carrying kids, and walking with heavy back pack did not do much for it.  There was one day (Thursday) that we got back from the park early and I was going to shed the back pack and go for a quick run.  About :30 into the run, I stopped and shook my head in amazement.  The legs felt like cement and refused to go.  I have trained for many marathons and other races and NEVER have I felt that feeling.  I believe it was a combination of lack of quality sleep, poor eating, and the massive amounts of walking we were doing!   

This was an unscheduled day off.  I still feel sooooo fatigued from the trip and lack of sleep on Sunday.  I also pushed a bit too hard on Sunday and should have just done an easy run, but not me - I felt that need to push it becuase I had 5 days off!  That's painful to type, unless you're injured.

Hwy 205, 3:00 p.m., cloudy, windy.  My whole left side felt tight (back, hip, hamstring).  The first 4 miles were uneventful and fast (7:31 pace).  The big headwind that I had the last 2.5 miles slowed me down a bit.  I still feel sluggish from the trip, etc.  8 miles in 1:00:30 (7:34 pace).

I am finally racing a race this weekend.  When I resumed my running career in 2003, this was my first race back.  It is a 10k and I would like to have raced a 5k by this time to get a gauge on what pace to go out it.  Oh well...I'm not stressing about it and will go out at 39:30 pace or so and adjust from there.  The weather should be quite nice and not anything like tonight (thunderstorms, tornadoes, etc).  

Tonight, I chose the treadmill upstairs to run on.  We are still experiencing high winds from the storms yesterday.  I can tolerate many types of weather, but I cannot stand to run in high winds.  It was an uneventful 5 miles, which included some 1 min. pick-ups just to pass the time. 

I put our son, Ethan (5 month) in his MegaSaucer and he watched me and played the entire time.  I thought it was quite nice of me to take the kids upstairs and give the wife some alone time. 

No run today.  I have been feeling extremely fatigued since we returned from our Disney "vacation."  My lymph nodes (neck) are slightly swollen and my throat hurts a little.  The wife had a work dinner, so I had to stay with the kids as well.  I could have forced a treadmill run, but don't want to risk further sickness, especially with my first race this Saturday.  

Patriot Lake, 1:15 p.m., sunny, 55.  Absolutely beautiful day today.  Tomorrow is the race, so I didn't want to run much more than 5 miles and wanted it to be on a flat, soft surface.  I chose to run 3 laps around the 1.67 mile lake.  There are no mile markers, etc., but each lap was with :01 of each other - now that is pacing (12:46.04, 12:46.56, and 12:47.00).  I just ran easy and by feel.  My throat is still a bit sore and my lymph nodes are now only slightly swollen.  The left side of my hip felt somewhat tight, but loosened up.  Then, the front of the left hip flexor felt tight.  I had a chiro adjustment this week, which really seemed to help.  I have been stretching more lately.  5 miles in 38:19 (7:39 pace). 

St. Valentine's Day 10k, 10:00 a.m., sunny, 49.  Last year, I ran 40:15.  This year, I had no idea what to expect.  Was I in 39:00 shape, 41:00 pace, etc. - I really had no idea.  The past few months, I have been consistently trying to do a weekly 10-11 mile run, which I normally don't do.  This was my first race in over 7 months.  Late last summer, I was diagnosed with 2 stress fractures and have SLOWLY tried to come back.  This was not a PR for me, but I will take it and it gives me a good indication of where I am at right now.  The course is hones, in that there are multiple hills, etc.   The mile markers were a bit off at around 4-5 miles, but he splits were: 6:09, 6:22, 6:39, 6:39, 6:51, 5:58, and 1:02.  As I said, mile 5 was a bit long and 6 was a bit short.  When I saw that I could break 40:00, I really kicked it in.  I was 8th overall and trailed the first two females all race.  I did get one of them at the end, but was ~:02 behind the other.  Trailing them all race actually motivated me.  I have no problems getting beat by a female, at all!  The wind was a factor at times, but the sun and temps were great.  One more month of QUALITY training until my 1/2 marathon.  I would really like to PR (1:26:57), but don't know how possible it is.  I'd really like to crack 1:26:00.  Any suggestions for the final month???