Runnin' in Mud...

Hwy 205, 1:00 p.m., cloudy, 74, and very humid out (80%).  I didn't know what to expect from this run.  1. It is the longest that I have run since the injury and 2. It is quite warm and humid.  Bottom line: It was fine!  Nothing hurt, but my hip flexors began to fatigue.  I ran with a friend who was struggling a bit at 7-8 miles, so we slowed.  Once, I left him, I ran another 1 mile @ 7:25 pace and the hip flexors got over their fatigue - I guess they needed another gear to be used.  Highest mileage, post injury!!!

I am thinking about a 5k next weekend.  Not that I will blow out a PR, but I want an indication of my fitness.  Many of paces are derived from my 5k race pace and, currently, I have NO idea what that is.

Planned off day today, so no running.  I wanted to, but need to be careful.  I had two back to back 7 milers (a first) and then a long run of 10 miles (another first).  I also feel a cold coming on. 

AHS, 3:30 p.m., cloudy, 74.  I ate a big, late lunch and felt it at times during this workout.  5x1000m.  First two were way out of whack (3:44 (6:00 pace), 3:54 (6:17 pace) - avg. 6:09 pace.  I rested 3 minutes and got it together where the pace should be.  I felt fine on the frist two and could have finished at that pace, but that wasn't my goal.  I should have been running 4:05-4:10 per 1000m and did so for the next three (4:05, 4:06, and 4:12 - 4:07 avg (6:38 pace).  I then did 4x200m (:38 avg).

I e-mailed a coach/friend and explained my training situation to him and my recent injury.  I was told to continue the CV (critical velocity) workouts, but err on the side of being too slow at this point.  See www.therunzone.com for more information.  I am going to do the 5k this weekend and it will be my first since July.  I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT SORT OF PACE TO GO OUT AT?  I feel my fitness coming around and I now feel strong again.  I will short for an opening mile of ~6:10 and go from there.      

Hwy 205, 3:30 p.m., cloudy, rainy, 48. It rained all of the run, but it felt quite easy. I meant to run 7 miles, but at 3 miles, I saw two very large, mean-looking dogs, so turned around at that point. I kept it really easy the whole way.  I thought about adding on another mile, but the rain really began to fall and the shoes were squishing with every step.  6 miles in 46:28 (7:44 pace).  

I was feeling like crud (cold) and had decided not to run, but a friend called as I was returning from work. I decided that a short run might do me some good, as I had been sitting at a desk all freakin' day.

Hwy 205, 4:00 p.m., cloudy, 42.  I ran with Enrique today, but felt unmotivated.  I'm glad he called, otherwise, I would be sitting at home mad that I didn't get my run in.  Tomorrow's 5k is not looking good, as it is supposed to be rainy and cold - not good 5k weather.  We will see.

Well, the 5k almost happened.  The forecast was for constant rain and temps in the mid-30's.  They were right on.  Our son (Ethan), who is 4 months olds has been a great baby at sleep time.  For some reason, the past two night, he has waken several times crying for no reason.  He doesn't have to be fed, but must be comforted - we tried!  Long story short, my wife was up with him at 5 different times and I couldn't justify leaving her early in the morning, since she had not slept well.  It's not like it was a major goal race and, to be honest, I wasn't too thrilled about the idea of running in the pelting, cold rain. 

The day gets better.  After some shopping with the family, we receive a call from a bystander at a Target dept. store (called from my mother's cell phone).  I immediately knew that something was wrong.  It turns out that my mother had a seizure while in the store.  She has had a seziure once a year for the past three years and they have all been around the holidays.  Perhaps the stress has something to do with it.  The holidays should not be a stressful time, but a happy time.  I won't rant now.  She is fine and was given the choice of staying or going.  She chose to stay at the hospital because of a nasty headache.  Fortunately, when she had the seizure, she was not injured when she fell to the ground. No run today, but tomorrow another "LONG" run with some company (two guys I introduced to running).