How Much Discomfort Can I Tolerate?!

AM

Weather - 62 degrees, sunny.

First morning in Door County was beautiful. Drove to Peninsula State Park and ran 5 easy miles on a segment of the Sunset Trail.

PM

Weather - 80 degrees, sunny.

Returned to Peninsula State Park with my wife, and we traveled the Sunset Trail, her on  bicycle, me on foot. My plan was to run 2 x 4 mile loops, starting at Nicolet Beach. The first loop I felt energetic and ran one of my best sessions of the year - 4 miles between 6:15-6:30 pace. Rachel was having trouble keeping up with me.

When we finished the first loop I took a plunge in Nicolet Bay. I can't think of many things which are more healthy and refreshing than jumping into a cool lake after a hard run.

The second loop I took it a little easier, averaging about 7:15 for the 4 miles. This time Rachel got her revenge and I trailed her most of the way.

#275

AM

Weather - 63 degrees, sunny.

4 easy miles at Peninsula Park. Not sore from yesterday's double session.

Afterward 4 sets of strength exercises at Nicolet Bay.

PM

At the library now, planning to travel to Whitefish Park this afternoon to run up and down sand dunes.....

The dunes were beautiful, but closed to hiking and running, so I decided to run 4 barefoot miles along the beach. It was very pleasant getting the feet wet while listening to the pounding surf.

After the run a refreshing jump in the lake to end a great day.....

Tomorrow morning if I am feeling good I will plan to run 15-20 miles at Peninsula Park.

#276

AM

Weather - 58 degrees, sunny.

Perfect weather for a long run. Started at 6:15am at Peninsula Park, finished 2 hours 30 minutes later. Ran 2 x 9 mile loops through woods and meadow. Very soft trails, the scent of pine and hemlock permeating the fresh air. Felt good the whole way, kept a consistent pace, did not get tired. My right achilles had a slight twinge/ache at mile 12, but after stretching it felt fine.

After the run I jumped in Nicolet Bay and let the water cool my fatigued leg muscles.

Hiked 4 miles in the late morning at Newport Park with Rachel, it felt good to stretch the legs with an easy activity. 

PM 

Weather - 68 degrees, sunny.

Ran 4 easy miles at Peninsula Park. Legs stiff for the first mile, the last 3 miles felt normal, was able to run 7:30 pace easily.

#277 

AM

Weather - 57 degrees, sunny.

Weather is too fine! Surprisingly my legs felt normal this morning, so I decided to run 1 x 9 mile loop at Peninsula Park. The Hemlock Trail is my favorite so far - silent woods, big trees, plenty of solitude, and a soft mossy surface make for enjoyable running.

The final 5 miles I experienced that peculiar sensation which occurs after a long run - supercharged respiration - I was able to cover the 5 miles at 6:45-7:00 pace with easy breathing, it felt too easy.

Afterward I jumped in Nicolet Bay, swimming for 10 minutes. Then 3 sets of strength exercises and stretching.

PM

I am in the library at Sister Bay, will now drive to Whitefish Dunes with Rachel for some beach running and swimming. What a great day so far....

Weather - 78 degrees, sunny.

Drove to Whitefish Dunes and found some accessible dune trails. Ran twice up Mt. Baldy, then did two loops of an unbelievably lush landscape redolent of sweet pine and drenched in golden summer colors.

When I hit the beach my energy was not expended, so I ran 4 miles along the shore barefoot. As I ran along at an effortless 6:45 pace, I realized that this day was one of the most spectacular of my life - running 9 miles through forest trails in the AM. Boating on a sundappled lake with Rachel in the late morning. After a nap more running through beautiful dunes and then barefoot flying along water's edge - it was not only the immense and differing beauty that was enveloping me, but the supreme state of health and fitness that I was experiencing. The ability to run and run and run without getting tired or injured is a blessing.

To end this special day Rachel and I had a great dinner at Mission Grill, I broke my vow of vegetarianism for one day and ordered fish. It made my body feel a bit odd, but it was good nonetheless.

#278 

AM

Weather - 58 degrees, sunny.

1 x 9 mile loop at Peninsula Park. Energy a bit on the wane the first 4 miles, then I started feeling normal and ran at an easy 7:45-8:00 pace for 3 miles. My body took over and decided to run the final mile at 6:15 pace. It was a thrill to pass two people riding bicycles on the trail as I neared the lake.

After the run I jumped into Nicolet Bay and let the cool water soothe my legs. I then did 3 sets of strength exerecises and stretching.

Will soon drive back to Whitefish Beach and do some more dune and beach running. My energy has been endless this week....

PM

Weather - 78 degrees, sunny.

Ran 6.5 miles on the back dunes trails, twice up Mt. Baldy, then 2 miles barefoot on the beach. Was starting to feel fatigued the last mile, so will run a short loop tomorrow to help my legs recover.

After the run jumped in the lake and cooled off my legs, it felt great.

#279

AM

Weather - 62 degrees, cloudy, humid.

4 easy miles at Peninsula Park. Felt ok, legs not sore, but energy is finally beginning to wane. Will probably run 4 more this evening.

First day of humidity here, I sweated more in 4 miles than my 18 mile long run a few days ago.

After the run 3 sets of strength exercises and some stretching.....

PM

Weather - 75 degrees, sunny.

Recovered nicely for the evening run, ran 7 miles at Peninsula Park. Legs a bit weary from the higher than usual mileage, but no soreness. 

After the run jumped in Nicolet Bay to cool the legs. 

#280

Weather - 68 degrees, raining.

Final run in Door County was a good one - 10 miles at Peninsula Park in rain. Ran on the forest trails from 6:05-7:30am.

Rachel and I stopped at the Sister Bay Cafe for breakfast before leaving town. While eating 3 big pancakes I mentioned to Rachel that my total mileage for the week was 99.50 miles. I then jokingly told her that the holy grail of training was a 100 mile week. Rachel asked for the car keys, and as I handed them to her, I asked her what she needed them for. She replied, "you are not leaving Door County until you run 1/2 mile more so that you can reach 100 miles." I laughed, and readied myself for a short 4.50 minute run along Sister Bay on a full stomach.

I never thought I would have the strength to run 100 miles in a single week, and even more odd is I am not sore or tired from it. It feels like I ran a normal 50 mile week, nothing special. I think if I would have set a goal of 100 miles this week, I would not have reached it, but having instead followed how I felt for each run, I was able to get there without trying. Each run was a joy, a challenging struggle, but not a strain. I think I am finally learning how to run.

#281