Run Buffs Run!

I ran the usual long Sunday run today, but felt pretty bad. I felt really thirsty the whole time, and when I finally got back to the appartment and drank close to three gatorades, I felt really bad (like I had far overtrained or over exterted myself). As the day went on I felt better, but I really didn't feel to good after this run. I don't think that I was properly hydrated, which could definitely explain all of the symptoms. 

Today was a nice and easy day to recoup from yesterday. I didn't feel bad on my run today, though. I think that I was well hydrated, and ate a good amount of food throughout the day before I ran. In all, a good and relaxing run.

I ran a fartlek workout today with 10x2min repeats at 4:40 mile pace with two minutes of rest between intervals. These had some sting to them, but the two minute rest between the intervals helped immensely. I am sure that as time progresses my coach is going to limit this recovery time. Definitely a good workout today! 

Today was supposed to be a nice and easy day, but I ended up running too far away from my appt. and is wasn't about to stop 3/4 of the way through my run. I ran 5x150 meter strides at the end. It was awesome running weather today, 60 degress and sunny!

I ran a small threshold run today on the CU time trial course. The original plan was to run a five mile threshold, but I can definitely feel the miles I have been doing slowing me down. I decided that it was a much better idea to run a shorter tempo and to let my body relax and familiarize itself with my current level of training. That being said, I ran the first mile in 5:39 (monster hill), second in 5:21 and last half in 2:42. I know that had I not done such hard workouts this week, I would have had the ability to run the full course in under 27 minutes (cutoff for the CU team). It was also muddy, and this was only my threshold pace (not race pace). With all summer to train, I know that I will be ready next fall. My body definitely feels tired, though. I think that my recent jump in miles has decreased my current ability to run fast. Currently, I am in the hardest block of training for my first "peak", the Bolder Boulder. Knowing this, it is not really as important to have the ability to go fast now, rather build a solid foundation to go fast when the time comes. My coach has me on a second peak season for the CU time trial, so over the summer my miles will do another "peak" about mid July, before tapering once again. I think that this strategy is very good. Rather than overwork yourself all the time, it is better to put in miles at strategic times to perform well at a specific time.

This weekend started out a bit chaotic, so working a run into the mix was a bit tough. I did, however, end up getting quite a good workout in. I ran in Colorado Springs at Garden of the Gods (elevation approx. 7,000 ft). I didn't really feel the altitude too much since Boulder is at approx. 5,500 ft, but some of the hills here definitely tore me apart. This was an awesome place to run, seeing as there are more than 50 trails throughout the park. I finsihed up with 8x150 meter strides. What a cool run!