How Much Discomfort Can I Tolerate?!

Planned to run 5 miles, but time flew by and I ended up running 8. 

The sun pummeled me today. 92 degrees and humid made for a 15 round fight which left me battered and dizzy, but I finished standing, and that was the objective.

When I got out to the South Farms the wind was blowing me around, there was no shade cover, and the sun licked my salt streaked shirt. Fortunately there are water pits every few miles, so I was able to soak myself frequently, which allowed me to continue running with decent form.

At mile 13 I stopped at Strawb's and ate a banana, 7 chocolate almond energy chunks, a cliff shot gel (My first gel ever, I liked it!), 12 ounces of juice, and 2 chunks of honey candy. I then made my way to Busey Woods so I could run a few loops in shade.

I am happy with today's effort and results, it is going to help me in August when I am running the 8 hour Howl at the Moon race.

Legs felt good, but energy level was predictably low, so just an easy 3 today. Also did 6 sets of strength exercises and stretching after the run.

The weather cooled to 58 with clouds and a bit of rain, so I took off hoping to run the South Farms loop. The first 6 miles I had low energy and I kept slowing the pace to find a comfort zone. After I got out of the corn fields at mile 7 I woke up and cruised the last 5 miles at a quicker pace. This is the first time the second half of the SF loop felt easier than the first. 

Quite an adventure today. I picked up where I left off from yesterday's final 5 miles - fluid legs and high energy - so I decided to do a South Farms loop with a favorable 70 degree blue sky guiding my way. At mile 5 I found a thick manilla folder laying in the middle of Illinois Street, so I picked it up and examined the contents, finding business documents and an uncashed $2500 check which was dated today. I decided to make a detour and ran 1 mile home and phoned the business to let them know I had some of their cash.

I resumed my run and had a few low energy bouts, but they lasted only briefly. Out on the South Farms I found a nice rhythm and got into a groove. At the MBK water pit I saw a woman in hystrics and tears telling her wobegone boyfriend that he makes her miserable. I recalled the times in my life when relationships were coming to an end, and I had to shrug and keep on with my run.

At mile 12 it felt as if things were just getting started, so I decided to run home to refuel. Rachel told me that the owner of the company stopped by the house and was happy that I had called about his missing folder. I felt happy about my good deed, and after eating fruit/nuts and drinking V8/water, took off for more running fun.

I ran back to Busey Woods and started doing loops. The pathways were a bit muddy, but nothing too terrible. Just before mile 20 I swerved around some water and tripped on a  downed tree branch. I landed on my right knee and sliced the lower side section open. I quickly got up, which could have been a mistake because I fell awkwardly, but I seemed ok. My knee was bleeding and I was covered in mud. I was 500m from the Nature Center, and having once worked there, I knew I could get first aid supplies. I talked with Allison and she gave me what I needed. After cleaning and bandaging the wound I decided to finish the run  with one more loop, and then a mile back into town. I still had a lot of energy, and felt I could go 30 miles if I wanted to, but I decided this was not the time for that kind of distance. I ran comfortably hard the last mile, and when I got home I bathed and recleaned the wound.

The cut has caused the side/bottom of the knee to swell, but it is at a part of the leg where pressure from running is minimal. Hopefully the swelling will go down in a few days and will not interfere with my training.

2 miles to the arboretum, then 20 minutes barefoot in the grass loop. After the run 3 sets of strength exercises and stretches. 

My legs were not sore from yesterday's adventure, and my knee gash did not bother me. I feel my fitness improving from week to week, but I can still make a lot of improvement with my cardio and weight. Running should only get easier as the summer moves along.

Getting some decent rest in, I'm feeling good and my legs are coming along nicely. Tomorrow if my energy is good I plan to run 60-90 minutes of hills.