How Much Discomfort Can I Tolerate?!

Weather - 75 degrees, sunny.

My wife and I left town this weekend and returned to the place where we met 20 years ago, Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL. I was sickened when the mass shooting occurred there this past year, and I can't seem to feel the same way about the school because of it. But the place has not changed much, other than a slew of trashy strip malls on the outside of town, which are easily avoided. The town itself is still its sleepy, quiet self.

I woke up early this morning and left the hotel with the intention of running an easy 5 or 6 miles around campus. But I got lost in nostalgia and was visiting all the places which meant something to me - the small woods behind my dorm, the center of campus, and the bike trail that follows the Kishwaukee River. I ended up running 2 hours at a leisurely pace.

This was supposed to be an easy day, and in a way, it was, although I am not sure if running 2 hours can be considered rest the day after running a 5k. Tomorrow I am planning to do an intense hill workout, maybe I should wait until Tuesday before subjecting myself to further strain.

In the late morning we went to Lake Shabbona, about 15 miles southwest of Dekalb. I spent a lot of time hiking and reading there when I was a student, so it was a treat to see the place again. The day was beautiful, warm and windy, with no humidity. We walked a quiet trail in our bare feet, gazing at a landscape of shadowy green trees, undulating gold fields filled with flowers, and weaving rows of tilled farm land.   

#240

z.m. - #153

Weather - 86 degrees, sunny.

Decided to run the hill workout today - 100m at 5k pace to the base of the hill, 100m hard up the hill (regular form on odd repeats, bounding on even), and 250m downhill sprint. Recovery was a 300m jog. Was able to complete 24 reps, the most I have done this year. My last hill session was 22 reps on June 23rd. I did not have a set number of reps that I planned to run, I just wanted to keep going until my form corrupted from fatigue. It appears that my body can increase its strength by an average of 2 reps from session to session.

I was proud of this workout, not only because of the number or reps, but because I ran it in noon time heat with no water.

Afterward 3 sets of strength exercises and 20 minute walk home.

#241

z.m.- #154

Weather - 86 degrees, sunny, humid.

Felt good to run short mileage in the park and Busey Woods. Cooling off in the fountain was refreshing.

Afterward 3 sets of strength exercises, stretching, and 45 minute walk home.

#242  

z.m. - #155

Weather - 90 degrees, sunny, humid.

Decided I was fresh enough for a track workout with Second Wind this evening, so no tapering down for the 10k this Saturday.

Another good turnout, 10-12 people, and everyone put in a great effort in the heat. The clipboard called for pyramid intervals. Here is how I did :

200 - 37, 37, 35, 35

400 - 81, 82

800 - 2:57. 3:02

400 - 85, 79

200 - 37, 36, 35, 35

The only off interval was the 85, but then I pulled a 79 without even trying too hard, so I guess that makes up for it.

My 200 times are an improvement from the spring, when I was running 38-40. But since the resurfaced track has no lines painted yet, it is possible my times are a second or two off. Because of this I added 1 second to each of my 200 times just in case I was coming up short.

I will be riding to Mattoon with Mike this Saturday, he was at the track session tonight, so I guess we are both going to be somewhat fatigued on race day.

#243

z.m. - #156

Weather - 88 degrees, sunny, humid.

4.25 easy miles around the park and Busey Woods. Other than a bit of fatigue in my legs, I felt good.

Considering the number of hard workouts I have done this week - 5k race, 2 hour run, 24 hill repeats, and a track session in 90 degree heat - I feel as if I have just run easy all week. Pretty amazing to be this fit - what will I feel like in 6 months? The only requirement is to stay healthy.

#244

z.m. - #157 - This is the last day for meditating, I will take a break and see if I can maintain my sense of inner balance. If not, I will start up again.

Weather - 90 degrees, sunny, humid.

Another hot day, I went out and ran 5 easy miles at noon at the arboretum, 1.5 miles in bare feet. Notwithstanding the heat and humidity, I had a lot of energy and felt like running 8 or 9 miles, but I decided to save it for tomorrow's 10k.

Afterward 3 sets of strength exercises, stretching, and 15 minute walk home.

#245

Weather - 86 degrees, sunny, humid.

This is a day that turned out differently than expected. 

I woke a little before 4am, and was out the door at 4:45am, riding my bike to Mike's house, about 8.5 miles away. The ride was quiet and dark, about 30 minutes into the ride a dull gray light illuminated the streets, and then it began to rain.  

When I arrived at Mike's house I waited in his driveway for about 10 minutes. At 6:00am I rang his bell, and a man dressed only in boxer shorts opened the door. I realized then something was wrong.

I checked the house address and realized that I had turned onto Crestview Road, instead of Crestwood. I guessed that Crestwood had to be close, and it turned out to be 4 blocks away. I arrived at Mike's house at about 6:05am, but he had already left for the race.

Dejected, I rode home in the rain.

Later in the day I ran 5 easy miles.

This week will be all easy days, a time to let my body repair itself and become stronger.

I am running the Bix 7 mile race next weekend. That is, if I can find my brother-in-law's house.

#246