How Much Discomfort Can I Tolerate?!

Weather - 32 degrees, cloudy, windy.

Was planning to resume my long distance training today, but I forgot that a race can sometimes take a few days to recover from.

My left thigh, above the lower quad, is sore, most likely from the hills and the faster than normal running pace. It should be cleared up in 2 or 3 days, so I will wait patiently until I can hit the South Farms road again - I miss the South Farms, and running long.

After the run I did 3 sets of strength exercises, stretching, and 30 minute walk home.

#415

Picture I worked on yesterday after the race  :

 The Fairgrounds

Weather - 27 degrees, cloudy. 

Ran 1.75 miles to the arboretum, and then practiced form running.

When I run barefoot I find it easier to run with a mid-foot strike, which is more efficient than the heel strike which I can't avoid when I am wearing shoes with the clunky heel. 

After receiving a message on my photo blog from a runner I do not know, I was inspired to finally change the style of my running shoes. Since I run 80% of my runs on grass/dirt, I decided to buy 2 pairs of minimalist trail running shoes, and 1 pair of cross country spikes for when I do trail races. 

My main hope is that they allow me to run more freely and with better form. I also believe the low heal on these shoes will make it easier to get a firm footing on the ground.

When I think about it, what is the point of cushioned shoes if most of my runs are on soft trails?

After the run, 3 sets of strength exercises, stretching, and 30 minute walk home.

#416

Weather - 30 degrees, cloudy, icy.

Lots of ice on the roads, but no spills today.

My legs felt good walking to work this morning, so I was hoping to run 13 miles today, but when I started my run in the afternoon I could still feel a bit of soreness in my left thigh, so I smartly stopped after 3 miles.

I did some strength exercises after the run, then walked 30 minutes home. 

I can feel my energy building for the next phase of training, which is hill running. So this month I will ease into it, running slow/moderate hill loops at the arboretum as part of my middle and long distance runs.

After 4-6 weeks I will then run the hill loops at a more intense pace, along with downhill sprinting.

#417

Weather - 24 degrees, cloudy, icy, very windy.

Tough weather, tougher run - a good way to start my official opening day of ultra training.  When I think opening day I think 45 degrees, windy, and Mark Grace hitting a 9th inning opposite field game winning single at Wrigley Field. 

I planned to run my usual 13 mile South farms loop, with the added bonus of 10 x 100m arboretum hills at mile 5, and 10 x100m  arboretum hills at mile 13. The addition of these hills would change the dynamic of the workout from easy to hard. 

I was feeling pretty good at the start of the run, my left thigh felt 95% healed from Saturday's race, so I decided to go ahead with the workout.

When I was trying to get to the South Farms road a nasty 25-30mph western wind was hitting me in the face, and when I finally turned south on the road, my right eyelid almost froze shut. I was happy to get off the road today, but I was satisfied to do battle with it because I need to constantly work on my strength of mind and will.

I was faltering a bit heading back to the arboretum during miles 11-13, so when I reached the hill for the second time, I was spent, but still needed to do the 10 hills, followed by one more mile through town to Jimmy John's.

I was not surprised to be feeling so low when I reached the hill, I was expecting it, and was hoping for a tough go of it. I need to practice running when I feel I can't run another step.  If I can get good at dominating the low energy phenomena, I think I will know how to run an ultra.

Hills 11-14 made me feel low, awful, cold, and miserable. I kept wanting to quit, but concentrated on the old ultra mantra of "one step at a time".

When I changed my music selection to Run Lola Run on  hill #15 I immediately felt my energy return, and I finished off the remaining hill repeats feeling pretty good.

The last mile felt decent, and I was happy to get my sandwich and enjoyed the cold walk home.

#418

I worked on this photo yesterday :

11:11 - Running to the Zendo

Weather - cold, dark.

Yesterday I accidentally ate yogurt that was 26 days past the expiration date. Today I walked to work with a bad feeling in my stomach, and 30 minutes later I had to return home. When I arrived at home I vomited, vomited again, and by evening had vomited 12-13 times.

Around noon my brain seemed to be shutting down, I could not keep my eyes open, and I felt like I was going to pass out. I thought I should call an ambulance, but instead called my wife and she came home to watch over me.

In the afternoon I gave myself a 0% chance of going for my daily run. This was a worse feeling than the sickness. To throw away over a years work because of old yogurt, that is sickening!

At 8:00pm I vomited, but I felt a little better after that, and realized I could stand up without feeling like I was going to pass out. I quickly put on my running clothes and headed out the door. I was planning to run 1 mile, but after a few blocks I felt like I was losing my balance, so I ran back home for a 1/2 mile run.

I didn't care how sick I was, I was very happy that I was able to run a few steps and keep my running days alive.

#419

Weather - 40 degrees, sunny.

Felt much better this morning. Was able to walk around the house with little discomfort. Ate a breakfast of oatmeal, banana, cliff bar, some juice and water. At lunch had some chicken-less noodle soup and crackers.So far everything is staying put.

In the afternoon I ran to the arboretum, did 3 sets of strength exercises, stretching, and 30 minute walk home.

All of the wretching yesterday stressed my lower back, so I was having trouble running and walking. This usually gets better within a few days with exercise and stretching.

#420

Weather - 28 degrees, cloudy, icy, windy.

More ice on the streets, but I mainly ran on grass at the arboretum, so nothing too hazardous. 

Strength is 70-80%, and energy is good also. My legs feel fresh from all the rest, so I am looking forward to some long distance runs once my body recovers its balance.

#421

Picture I worked on today :

The Railyard in December