Doesn't Get Easier

Ran 8 early before work and then 5 during the lunch hour on the gym's TM.  Did hill work during the 5.

Another two-a-day, but the 5.2 right after work was done progressively fast down to around 10K pace.

Completed 7.5 early before work and then 5.5 before eating lunch at my desk.  Feeling some tiredness and my middle back is stiff.  Had to be expected with the aggressive jump in miles this week compared to the last several..

Ran 8 this morning in slightly warmer weather.  Could tell rain was moving in by the humidity in the air. 

Ran 4 right after work on the TM while it rained out.  Didn't feel like running any further.

Out early on a cold morning.  Felt crummy around the 1.5 hr mark and then better from there, but then felt crummy the last mile as I had a strong head wind.  Most miles this week since last September.  Now to carefully keep it up.

Easy 8.55 in the morning and then a faster paced 5.5 during lunch.  I believe it's the TM that is aggravating my middle back a bit. 

Over distance day, all easy miles with the exception of a fast finish the last mile.  Felt really good once the legs warmed up.

8.5 before work and 5.5 before lunch.  All real easy because I felt flat. 

AM: 8.5 mi before work, included a few easy surges

Lunch: 5.65 mi on the mill, 2-3 min steep hill climbs (8-10%) and faster finish down to mid-6

PM: 7.3 mi on the mill, faster second half down to low-7

Just trying to work in my schedule as many miles as possible.  Legs feeling alright, but my mid-section (inluding my back) is tight the first 2-3 miles.  I think the mill makes it worse.

AM: 8.5 mi easy run before work on a cold morning.  Legs had pep the first 3 mi and then quickly got heavy.  Suppose to warm up this weekend! 

AM: Taking care of the little ones this weekend so ran 8.5 mi on the TM at home.  Hopefully can get another run in outside later.  Beautiful weather.

PM: Ran on the TM again for 6.5 mi.  Last 1.5 at tempo and about 10K pace.

All miles were at a little faster pace than usual and last mile of the day was down to 20K pace at low-6s.  Feel myself recovering more quickly.

AM: Ran 8.5 mi in complete darkness the whole time thanks to daylight savings time.  Really felt tired afterwards as well.

Lunch: Ran 6.0 mi easy on the TM at the club.  Made the mistake of having a "fun size" Payday bar right before going for a run.  Big time sugar crash during the third mile.  Felt bad during that stretch and then stabilized.

PM: Ran 6.0 with 1K at tempo pace mid-6s.

AM: 8.5 mi before work.  Tried to stay really comfortable because legs were stiff.  Really wish I was about 30 lbs lighter.

PM: 6 mi before lunch.  Great weather with sun and temps in the upper 50s.  Really looking forward to warmer mornings as well, but that will be a while.  Ran fast for around 0.5-1.0 mi near the end.  No watch, just did it by feel.  Surprised I didn't see more runners out.  Come on people!

AM: Terrific morning for a run.  Just needed some sunshine!  Did 8.5 mi all easy.  Legs felt recovered this morning, but should be careful because my lower legs were a little grumpy in spots.

Lunch: Quick 5 mi between meetings.  WINDY!

PM: Dropped my daughter off for volleyball and I went for another run.  6.8 mi

AM: Went out the door this morning and it started to sprinkle.  Turned around and went back inside to run on the mill, but decided to throw on a coat and deal with possible rain.  It's tough going back on the mill after being outside.  Really easy 7 mi.

Lunch: A couple easy progression runs inside on the mill since it was raining and colder outside.  Being wet is ok, being wet and cold stinks!  6 mi 

Helped clean up the house a bit and then hit the road for 20.  Took a trip around the lake.  Temp was perfect and the sun was out.  I had GI issues early on though thanks to pizza I had last night.  Also disappointed I couldn't hold a better pace the last 5 miles.  I was running straight into a strong wind though.  I just wanted to be done with this ride.  Avg pace 8:30

Ran 3 times today for close to 22 mi.  One mile was done at tempo.  Terrific weather day.  Shorts and t-shirt all the way.  Legs felt good and I wasn't dragging on the last run like I was last week.  Probably because I did this on a day after a rest day.

A couple butt draggers that added up to 14.6 mi. 

8 + 6 mi  Legs felt better the second run.  Feeling like I'm not eating quite enough. Weather has been terrific the past several days.  Planned a third run, but bagged it to be cautious.

AM: 8.5 glorious miles during a 30 dg windy morning.  It was 65 dg at this time yesterday!  Bundled up in all the mismatched garb and hit the road.  Thought about turning around 100 yards from the house, but remember Ron Hill saying "go at least one mile, then decide".  Pushed the pace on the way back, but not sure how fast.  No watch.  Focused on comfortably fast. 

PM: 2 x 6 mi Like this morning I did a neagtive split for each run.  First 6 mi was a progression run (incline and speed) on the mill.  Some running done at faster than MP, but counted it as MP.  Felt better than I expected.  We'll see what tomorrow brings though.

2 x 6 mi Ran 2 mi at MP during the second run, which took place on the mill.

Outside run of 18 mi.  Terribly windy and cold so I had to wear plenty of layers.  Picked up the pace slightly during the last 4 miles.  Now off to St. Louis for a short family weekend trip.  Plan to go to the City Museum.  Suppose to be a really fun place.

8.5 + 6.5  Morning run felt pretty good even though it was cold and dark out.  Did an easy progression run for the second run with the last 0.5 at MP and a bit faster.  In a bit of a funk mentally, simple felt like a zero.  One of those "why am I here?" type days. 

8.5 + 6.5 mi

Both of these were easy progression runs with the second one faster.  Starting to get a little bit warmer out.  Goal is to hit 100 miles again, but at a slightly faster avg. pace for the week.

8.5 + 5 + 6.5 mi

All easy running, picking it up a little during the back half.  I wanted to run a little faster, but my gut was telling me not to push it.  Not sure if this high frequency type running will be effective, but it's the only way to get in the miles while working full-time and spending time with family.

8.5 + 5.5 + 6.0 mi

First run went really well.  Had a sugar bonk on the second run thanks to a small piece of cake an hour before.  Lasted about 2 miles, which is typical.  Last run was slow and easy most of the way, but faster on the back half.  Need to stretch.