How Much Discomfort Can I Tolerate?!

Ran 1 mile to Brookens, then did 12 sets of strength exercises, 30 minutes of hoops, then outside to run 2 more miles barefoot in the grass fields next to the gym. 

Weaver Park is adjacent the Brookens fields, and I noticed that they had cut a grass pathway through the wildflowers, so I ran in the rough, weed-filled stuff and admired the summer colors. 

I am finding that barefoot running is my preferred type of recovery run. Once the shoes come off my lethargic legs have more spring and life. Considering how long I was on my feet yesterday, my legs felt good today, no soreness.

Not sure what I will be doing this week for training. Devil's Lake 50k is 2 weeks away, so I will just run as I feel.

Did not have much energy when I started my run, so I decided it would be fun to jog around the paths at Busey Woods. By the time I arrived I was feeling better, so I decided to do one of my favorite speed workouts - 800-900m hard on the trails, then a 400m boardwalk jog. 

I had not done this workout since last summer, so I was happy to be trying it again. Last year I would give 75-85% effort, and it would leave me feeling spent and exhausted.  Today I decided to continue with what I had been doing at the track, which is to give 60-70% effort. My normal pace for medium/long runs is 30-50% effort.

I did 5 loops, I could have completed a couple more, but in keeping with a more moderate approach, I preferred to stop too soon, rather than too late. As I sit here writing this I have a sense of strength and well-being that I probably would not be feeling had I gone harder and expended more effort.

I have been making an effort to listen to my body, and to heed its abilities and preferences. No use forcing things, and my body is liking me for it.

My legs had some pop in them today, it is fun when training has positive effects. Tomorrow I plan on going to the track for a moderate speed session, so just 3 miles today. 

I have decided to practice short to medium runs until the 50k on July 11th. The light speed work is doing me good, so I will continue with it when it seems appropriate.

I am starting to think about race strategy and goals, so the mental game now starts.

I ate too much this afternoon and felt bloated at 6:00pm when the track workout started. I did what I could, we did 400m, 600m, 800m 1200m, 800m, 600m, 400m. The first half I was taking it easy, my energy was way down. I picked up the intensity during the last 4, but it was one of those sessions where I would rather be walking. When I eat too much before a session that is usually what happens, so it is not surprising. My legs felt good, though. 

I am planning on one more moderately hard session before the 50k. Friday or Saturday I am going to run to the golf course at nightfall and run up and down the steepest hill in town. Instead of a long, slow session, I plan to run it hard, and finish in less than 30 minutes. 

Next week all easy runs.

Takin' it easy, easy, easy....

Walked to Brookens and did 8 sets of strength exercises, then went out into the field next to the gym and ran up the hill at full effort 8 or 9 times. It felt good to try some hard sprinting, I was surprised I was able to do that many without getting too tired. After the sprints went jogging in the wild flower field adjacent the hill.

Later in the day rode the bicycle 12.5 miles to Sidney with  Rachel. We stopped at the Dairy Barn for ice cream, then turned around and rode 12.5 miles back to town.

Walked to Brookens in the rain, did 8 sets of strength exercises, 30 minutes of hoops, then walked back home. Put on my running shoes and ran to Busey Woods, did a loop in the sloppy mud and pouring rain, then headed back home.

I got a race packet in the mail yesterday for the Devil's Lake 50k. There was a map and a detailed course description. Lots of hill and bluffs, and some off trail running, which probably means I will be covered in ticks and poison ivy when I cross the finish line :)  I'm looking forward to the challenge.