Going Long

Long run this morning.  First time I have hurt all-over on a training run since I re-started running in August '07.  :-(

Went out a bit fast with a couple of new partners who were only doing 12k this morning.  I felt alright with them.  The wind was at my back on the "out" part of the out-and-back 26k route.

Ended up at the halfway mark down a very insignificant distance.  Turned to head back, and caught the full-force of a 44km/h headwind.  Remnants of the cold front that rolled through with the rain yesterday.  I struggled all the way back to the store. 

There wasn't any acute pain, just an overall ache from my lower abs into my upper thighs. My legs felt like they weighed 100 lbs each as I tried to get started after my walk breaks.  Did run up Spring Road in High Park, but by that point I was down about six minutes for the entire length of the run.  Brutal.

It really got me thinking how I'll be able to sustain tempo pace over 42k.  I had nothing left after my 2 hour half a couple of months ago, where will I get the energy to double that distance? 

I'll take my rest day on Monday, and come out Tuesday morning looking to bounce back.   

Got out early this frosty AM.  First time I could see my breath this fall.  Also donned my Northwestern touque, leaving my 2005 MCM hat behind until the spring.

My run was pretty good, considering how poorly I felt at the end of Sunday's run.  Acutally I'm more amazed at my recovery more than anything else.  Forty short hours after feeling like I couldn't run another step, I was out pretty close to my Tempo pace and loving it.  

Still have that issue of not achieving the "negative-split" that I want to do on every training run.  Today was another example of being slightly slow on the outbound leg and then really slowing on the inbound leg. 

I guess I am training at too fast a pace, but doing a slower schedule seems "too slow".  I want to keep challenging myself, but I'm listening to my body.  Very little indication of stress or strain beyond what I would consider very normal.  So, on I go . . . attempting to meet the goals that I have set for myself.

Snow in the forecast for tonight . . . 5-10 cm, although the City generally does not get near what they forecast for the GTA.  Still, I may be crunching along (or slushing along) in the snow tomorrow evening.

Covered 6k in 32 minutes and change this morning.  Felt good out there, and was pumping hard to get up Windermere without giving up any of my pace.

I think I may be "technically challenged" when it comes to breathing and running.  It seems that if I try to slow down my breathing, my turnover slows down too.  Switching from "mouth only" to "nose-in, mouth-out" breathing does the same thing.

Breathing is such a fundamental thing, I wonder how it's done properly to increase performance??  Especially when the air is so cold that it freezes your sinus and lungs alike.  Any suggestions?

Got off a bit easy tonight.  3 3/4 hills (if that is possible), and a bit of a gentler hill loop rather than just up and down the "triple switch back" that I had been using for my training since June.

We high-tailed it back to the store in order to attend the talk on Biomechanics of Running.  It was pretty good.  I'm worrying a bit about the tread wear on my NB 882s.  Only 140 miles on them, and I'm already through the hard sole on the outside of my heels.  Looks like the extra training meterage has really taken it's toll. 

The speaker suggested that I build up the worn portion with Shoo-Goo and monitor it for any change in foot, ankle or lower leg discomfort.

Good to see Adrian at Starbucks at the end of the night.  It's been awhile, my friend.  You are an inspiration, and Alex asked about Mr. Poutine when I told her that I saw you.  No making fun of my Barney suit, though.  >:(

Ran home from work tonight.  Left slightly later than I would have liked . . . nothing like daycare closing time to motivate you for a faster run time!  hehehehe

Found the toughest part of the run to be the end, when I needed to bend right down to put on Alex and Jamie's snow pants and boots . . . all without cooling down or stretching!  Talk about brushing with injury. 

Checked out a couple of hills in the park for the Marquis on Sunday.  Spring Rd looks pretty icy, although there is a single, dry track on one side.  The trail portions are short, but are sure to be treacherous during the race.  I may take a slow cruise up and down them to test footing tomorrow morning.  And to make sure I don't miss any turns when I'm on the course. . . :-)

Did 6k in and around High Park, following the route for the Marquis de Sade race tommorrow.  Made a couple of wrong turns, ended up with a bit of "muddy feet" as I tried to find the track through at one point. 

It should be a great race, I'm looking forward to it.