Doesn't Get Easier

AM: Ran 7 mi on the TM.  Couldn't sleep so I was up at 4 this morning.  I kept thinking about what I did wrong at my job.  I wasn't let go because of performance reasons, but already starting to blame myself for getting released and putting my family through this stress.  I'm very fortunate in many ways, but still like to really hammer on myself.  I don't give myself any middle ground, it's either pass or fail, thumbs up or thumbs down with me you know?  I just have to keep Jon's advice and wail on with my running.

PM: Very easy 2 mi with my oldest daughter and then a faster 2 mi aftwerwards.  Finally got the old resume updated.  I think it's good to go. 

Just an easy 15 mi on a bike trail.  Perfect weather day.  Ran a bit faster at the end, with the last 0.5 mi the hardest.  No orthotics.

AM: Ran 7.2 mi on a bike trail.  I didn't want to get up this morning, but it needs to be done.  Legs feel pretty good, but plan to still take it easy this week and surge only when the body wants.  Mentally I'm struggling a bit.

PM: Easy 5.4 mi around the lake.

AM: Simple 6.2 mi run around the park this morning. Great weather. Problem was I had an old Beatles tune going through my head and it was driving me crazy. The tune was "Maxwell Silver Hammer" from Abbey Road. Don't get that one stuck in your brain!!

PM: Ran 5.4 mi around the lake.  Slow jog!!  My mind was wondering and thinking about job and family.  Just wanted to get the run over with type deal.

AM: Just keep plugging away and ran 8.2 mi around the lake before the rain moved in.  Body felt like moving a bit faster this time, so I let it go.  With no job my schedule is out of whack and mentally I'm struggling to just get out and move.  I have to get back to my former running schedule.  Part of me just wants to park it on the couch and drink beer.  I'm hoping these feelings pass soon.

PM: Raining outside so ran 4 mi and then walked the rest on the TM.

AM: 6.15 mi around the lake.  Lower outside of right foot hurt the first mile and then went away as the run progressed.  I'm sure it will hurt after the cooldown.  I remember having this problem when I ran without orthotics.  Today I wore orthotics.

PM: Easy 5.85 mi.  Foot is a little sore afterward.  No orthotics.

Ran 12 mi out and back from home.  Weather was sunny and humid.  Right foot problem was tender first 2 miles and then went away as the run progressed.  Other than that just a lot of thought about the biomechanics of running.

Ran 13 miles around the neighborhood early this morning.  Cool and very windy day here.  I wanted to go a bit further, but had to dash back home to get ready to go to kid's sporting events.  Not a big deal.  Plenty of weekends for really long runs.

Ran 13.1 mi out and back from my house with the last 0.5 mi ran harder.  Amazing how much distance you can cover while running in the city.  I'm use to bike trails where you kind of lose that sense of how far you've gone.

Another out and back on the bike trail.  Legs were tired, but strangely felt better towards the end.  I'm sure the strong tail wind helped.  Ran the last 0.5 mi harder.

AM: Kind of complicated run to describe since I started doing some speedwork. Here's the breakdown: Easy 3 mi + MP 1.25 mi + Walk 0.25 mi + Easy 1.5 mi + TP 1.25 mi + Walk 0.25 mi + Easy 1.5 mi

PM: Real easy 4 mi on the TM + stretching while watching the PBA on the tube.  I need to dust off the old ball and go bowl a few games.

AM: Nothing fancy....same time, same channel.  Followed by some stretching.  Legs felt tons better afterwards.

PM: Easy run for the most part with 2.0 mi a little slower than MP.  Perfect running day with full sun, light wind, and low 60s.  Running a 20K at the end of this month with a goal to break 1:18.

AM: Ran the last 0.5 mi very hard and then 0.6 mi in KSOs.  Not much else to report.  Still career searching.

PM: Easy 3 mi with no watch.  Had to clear my head for a bit. 

Ran 16 mi on the bike trail.  Very windy and colder.  Started to stiffen up a little at the end.  Glad this run was over.

AM: A simple 7.3 mi trot around the lake before breakfast.

PM: Ran 7.3 mi before lunch.  Changed to KSOs for last mile.

Ran 15 mi out and back on bike trail. Warm and windy day. Mixed in 3 intervals during the last 6 miles.

AM1: Got up really early due to poor sleep and ran 6 mi on the TM.  Last mile was in KSOs.

AM2: Ran 7.58 mi right after men's breakfast at church.  Felt crummy, but wanted to get it done early due to the high winds expected later.  All done easy 8-9 min pace.

AM: Very tired this morning and really lacked motivation.  But threw on the old shoes and told myself I would take it really easy as a way to trick myself into getting started.  I know once those first three miles are done then everything starts to flow.  Ended up running 8.1 mi mixing in 5 x hill bounds.

Did a typical out and back on a bike trial.  Carried water and took down one gel at the half way turn.  I really enjoy getting out of the city and running in the prairie.  Nice and quiet with an occasional cyclist.  Easy 8-9 min pace throughout.  Kicking around the idea of doing an ultra.  Plenty of time to train these days.

Woke up extremely early again and couldn't fall back to sleep.  So why not get up and run!!  Ran 11 mi mostly really easy with some intervals, 1 x 1.5 mi @ TP and then 3 x 600m @ IP near the end.  Walked the recoveries.  Not being very scientific and just trying to mix things up and enjoy myself.

AM: Easy 8 mi before heading off for an all day zoo trip with the family.

Easy run with some of it on forest trails.  Ran the last 0.5 mi faster.  Cutting back this week to freshen up a bit for the 20K this Staurday.  Then ramp miles up again in preparation for my first ultra, the Minnesota Voyageur 50 at the end of July.  That's my plan, but we'll see what the Lord has in store.

Out and back on a trail.  Felt tired and hungry at the end.

Easy 6 mi this morning with several hill bounds.  Very good weather.  I had more energy today after participating in the family feast last night.  I prepared spicy BBQ chicken, garlic-cheese biscuits, and roasted plantains.  Perfect combo of sweet and hot.

Easy 4 mi.  Can't call it a pre-race "shake out" run because I haven't done serious interval work in a long time.  Therefore, tomorrow's 20K will be very interesting from a mental standpoint.  Can I "go with no blow" after practicing only pure endurance?

Finished the Dam to Dam 20K this morning and achieved my goal of a sub 1:18.  My gun time was 1:18 and I was so darn giddy after seeing the clock I forgot to turn off my watch until 5 minutes later.  My chip time was 1:17:50 and here are my splits via my watch: 6:31, 6:04, 6:17, 6:15, 6:22, 6:12, 6:11, 6:22, 6:08, 6:05, 6:21, 6:06, and 2:56.  I’m shocked how well I ran this race because I had serious doubts with the mental drag from my job loss, some weight gain since Boston, and no serious interval work.  I simply didn't think I had my head screwed on right to actually do what I set out to do.  I warmed up with an easy 3.25 mi and drank only water before the start.  The first mile was a little slow because of the typical crowded start and the only reason I hit 6:20s throughout the race was due to the hills.  My body felt a little awkward with the pace at first, but I just focused on the engine, keeping the upper body relaxed, and my breathing under control.  During the first 8 miles, I kept thinking Mr. Bonk was going to catch up with me and demand payment.  Hard to explain, but right around mile 9 something clicked over and my energy level shot up.  I just rolled my eyes back and let the body go while keeping my breathing within the zone.  I earned my first award for my age division place.  I still can’t believe it.