How Much Discomfort Can I Tolerate?!

Weather - 78 degrees, sunny.

I'm loving the warm days, and am feeling good in my training runs. Today I ran mostly easy, but threw in some fartlek style speed-ups in Busey Woods, and I finished off the workout by running 1200M to Cardinal as fast as I could. I felt better today running all out beyond my threshold than in previous attempts, so my body is beginning to adjust to the strain.

When I got to Cardinal I did my normal set of bike intervals, and I felt stronger than the last session, which is when I was on a training downer. I think I am again moving up in intensity and energy level, I'm not sure how long it will last, but I will enjoy it as long as possible.

After the bike intervals I did 4 sets of strength exercises, stretching, and 10 minute walk home.

#198

z.m. - #111

Weather - 85 degrees, sunny.

More exercise than usual today, although not by plan.

I need to renew my driver's license so I rode my bicycle into the far end of Champaign, which is about 7 miles from my home. When I got to the renewal facility I found that it was closed on Mondays. I shrugged it off and began my return trip back into Urbana. About 1/4 mile from the facility some college-aged kids swerved their car next to my bike and shouted "!@#$%^^&%$#". As they drove off I could see they did it for amusement, rather than anger, so I shrugged that off also, and laughed to make myself feel better. When I reached Prospect I ran over a large object, and 1 mile later my back tire went flat. I had about 4 miles to go, but the bike shop was on the way, so I walked another half mile and dropped off my bike for repair. I can fix a flat tire, but not very well, because more often than not, a couple of days after patching the tube, it goes flat again. Not wanting to go through that kind of hassle, I'd rather pay $15 and not have to worry about it.

When I got home I was surprised to find myself full of energy, and ready for a run. I quickly changed and went back out into the sun, this time in my running shorts and shirt. It felt good to sweat as I ran 5 easy miles, and the final half mile I ran all out. 

After the run I stretched, did 4 sets of strength exercises, and a 35 minute walk home.

I mowed the lawn a couple of hours after the run, and now I am going to walk the dog. It is great to be fit!

#199

z.m. - #112

Weather - 72 degrees, clouds, rain.

Taking it easy today with 4 miles of running. Tomorrow will be a hard track session. Friday I am planning to do a 90 minute long run with some fast running segments.

Picked up my bike from the shop today.

#200

z.m. - #113 

Weather - 80 degrees, raining, humid.

A challenging day for a track workout. I joined 2nd Wind for 6 x 800m intervals with 7 minutes between starts, so plenty of rest if I could run under 3 minutes for each 800m. We started with 4 x 100M accelerations. The first 3 intervals were done in a humid rain, then it cleared for the last 3, but the humidity seemed to be even heavier. Here are my times :

1) 2:47 2) 2:48 3) 2:54 4) 2:58 5) 2:57 6) 2:58

My goal was to simulate the final 800M of a race, so I was not holding back for each 800m. It makes sense that I was slowing down with each rep, but I was pleased that the last 3 leveled out at just under 3 minutes. Overall I am happy with my effort, although I feel I could have run a bit harder towards the end, but the pain of oxygen debt once again intimidated my mind. I need to keep working on it.

#201

z.m. - #114

Weather - 88 degrees, sunny, humid.

A hot day made for a pleasant easy 4 miles in the park and woods. 3 sets of strength exercises, stretching, and 35 minute walk home.

#202

z.m. - #115 

Weather - 83 degrees, sunny, humid. 

Did a 2 hour long run today, I handled the heat better than last week, ran a slow even pace, fearful if I ran too hard  I would crash. I ran loops in the park, then went to the arboretum and ran up the hill 7 or 8 times, then back to the park. There is a water stop at the midway point in Carle Park, and the spray fountain in Crystal Lake, every 20 or 30 minutes I was soaking my head and arms with water. I love running in hot weather, I can't think of a better way to spend my birthday.

#203

z.m. - #116

Weather - 73 degrees, raining.

Rained the whole 5 miles, it felt great because of the warmth. I surprisingly was not sore, and had an abundance of energy. I was expecting to be down and out because of yesterday's 2 hour run. I guess my body is telling me that 2 hours of running is now an acceptable level of stress.

One positive use of this journal is the ability to go back and read how I trained leading up to a successful race. I thought I had tapered down quite a bit the week before my 5k PR in early April, but reading the entries, I did 16 hill repeats 10 days to race, a hard track session with 1 week to race, and bike intervals 4 days to race. I had forgotten about those tough sessions, so I am planning to continue working hard with the Mingo race only 1 week away. Tomorrow hill repeats, although I am thinking of limiting myself to 10 reps, because some residual stiffness from yesterday's long run may surface tomorrow. I will plan to do bike intervals on Tuesday, and then short easy runs leading up to the race. I am feeling strong right now, I hope the rise in fitness will continue.

Afterward 3 sets of strength exercises, stretching, and 35 minute walk home.

#204

z.m. - #117