Going Long

First long run in two weekends, still taking things slow and steady to test my limits.

Went out thinking that I'd try 15-20k, depending on how I felt.

The run was fine, except for some directional issues looping through Forest Hill.  We ended up doing enough distance, but it was back and forth over the same terrain a couple of times.  Not a confidence-inspiring routing exercise. 

I actually made it to 24k before feeling like it was time to bail to the subway.  Hopped on at Ossington and made it home just before 12 noon.

My legs were tight - but around the knees and upper thighs.  Not at all in the lower calf where the injury had been focused.  Seems like this was plain old-fashion fatigue, vs anything that will keep me from continuing in my training.

It's especially timely, as I needed to make a decision about Around the Bay early this week.  I'm going to participate, but it will be at a comfortable pace and more to enjoy the race than tear up the ashpalt!  heheheh

Time  2:55:03

Distance  24.06k (15.03 mi)

Pace  7:16/km (11:38/mi)

HR Zone  116-136 bpm

HR Max 237 (error), Avg 144

In Zone a pathetic 23.6% of the run.  Boo. Hiss.

Back to the regular Tuesday night clinic routine.  Got there a bit late, and sat at the back.  Got the back row a little uncomfortable when I broke out the Tiger Balm and greased down both calfs to wake and warm them up before running.  :-)

Tempo pace was pretty good.  Felt nice to pick it up after several steady, recovery runs.  No pain in my legs during or after the run.  Want to take it easy this week in front of Around the Bay, so I'm only going to go out every other day.

Two equipment snafus today.  Walked out of the house with my heart rate chest band on, but without the wristwatch!  Not very useful, eh? 

Then the ultimate in silliness.  I have two pairs of NB 1063s that I've been wearing since the beginning of February.  Both are blue, as my local NB store did not have colour choice when I purchased them.  I wrote "1" on one pair and "2" on the other pair before using them, and I've been switching them for every other run to even out wear on both pairs.

So I'm putting my shoes on after applying the Tiger Balm, and I see that the left shoe has "1" on it, and the right shoe has "2" on it!  Duh.  What a loser I am.  :-(

Time  38:00 approx

Distance 6k (3.75 mi)

Pace  6:20/km (10:08/mi)

No HR info today.  Sniff.

Ran home from work this afternoon.  First time in a couple of months.  Skies were grey, low ceiling, but it didn't rain the whole time I was out.

Many more runners and cyclists out now, as opposed to December/January! 

I had a couple of twinges in the upper legs and glutes.  Weird to be feeling stuff up there, as opposed to where my "injury" was happening down in the calf and below.  Not sure if the problem is migrating, or if I'm compensating in my gait or what.  Either way, it was easy enough to deal with it. 

I'll do a short tune-up run on Saturday and get ready for Around the Bay on Sunday!  30k!  Woo Hoo!!

Time  1:05:40

Distance 10.12 km (6.325mi)

Pace 6:29/km (10:22/mi)

HR Zone 136 - 156 bpm

HR Max 220, Avg 157

In Zone 50.7% which is pretty bad, but I was rushing to pick up the girls from daycare! hehehe