How Much Discomfort Can I Tolerate?!

Weather - 27 degrees, cloudy. A reasonable day for running, which was nice because I planned on doing a harder than normal workout. Ended up with 10.3 miles, 4 of which were run through 6-7 inches of snow on the golf course and through Busey Woods. When I left the snow at about mile 7 I ran 1 mile at threshold pace, and after a brief recovery I ran 8 x 40-60 second strides. I ran them fairly strong, everything felt good and in control, then I finished the run with about an 800 meter sprint. After the run I did 4 sets of strength exercises, stretching, and 10 minute walk home.

#79

Weather - 46 degrees, foggy. Beautiful fog made for an interesting run, but the warm temperatures made the snow melt, creating high water in the streets. Other than wet feet, it was an enjoyable time today. 

#80 

Weather - 32 degrees, clouds, rainy. Started the run with 40 degree temperature and no rain, but I decided to wear shorts because it seemed like rain was possible. Ran 2 miles to the arboretum and then did 12 x 100m hill sprints. Felt in control for all of the sprints, when I finished I still had a lot of energy, so I ran another 7 miles, 3 of which were at threshold pace. This was one of the better workouts I have had this winter. I am surprised that I have been recovering well because I am taking no days off from running. Yesterday's 8 easy miles felt difficult, which was caused from the previous day when I ran a solid workout of 10 miles with 8 strides. Tomorrow I will probably feel like crap, so I will run 6 or 7 easy miles, and hopefully that will allow me to make a nice recovery. When I finished the run the temperature had dropped to 32 degrees and it was pouring rain.  I was 40 minutes from home at Crystal Lake Park, and I did a very fast 3 sets of dips and stretching, then began a tough walk home, feeling happy because of the strong workout session.

#81

Weather - 31 degrees, clouds, wind, snow. An easy 8 miles through the flooded streets of Urbana. Crystal Lake Park was swamped with water, so I had to alter my normal route and ended up on the university campus. I finished the run at Brookens Gym and did 6 sets of strength exercises and stretching, then 15 minute walk home. 

#82 

Weather - 28 degrees, gray skies. Felt relieved to run an easy 6 miles, I was surprisingly fresh and energetic. After tomorrows 14 miler I will have my first easy week in a while - 7 days of daily mileage no greater than 6 - I am curious to see how much fitness and strength my body will add from the ease and rest.

#83

Weather - 38 degrees, sunny with a few clouds, some wind. A nice day for a long run, warmish for late winter, and the sun was out. I felt good the whole way, I was reminded of my summer long runs this past year - how they would feel like adventures, so much would go on, mostly inside my mind. When the run is finished I feel like I have been through a battle of some sort, and although the body is a bit worn, I am feeling elated and happy. I feel I have earned the upcoming easy week of running, the rest will hopefully further my fitness, and I will be curious to see how I respond to the 9 mile trail race next Saturday. After the run I did 5 sets of strength exercises and stretching at Brookens Gym, and 15 minute walk home. 

#84 

Weather - 32 degrees, sunny. Felt a little stiff for the first couple of miles, but then I loosened up. It was a strange sensation to run 5 miles, just as I was finding my rhythm the run was over. Afterwards blueberry pancakes with maple syrup.

#85