How Much Discomfort Can I Tolerate?!

Weather - 75 degrees, sunny.

Ran 1.75 miles to the arboretum then ran 1.5 miles barefoot on the grass loop. 

After the run 3 sets of strength exercises, stretching, and 25 minute walk home.

#324

Weather - 77 degrees, sunny.

My body must be adjusting to running with insufficeint oxygen, because today is the best I have felt in weeks. I ran easy to the woods, then decided to go moderately hard on my normal 3/4 mile loop. I was able to hold a pace of 7:00-7:15 for 3 loops without too much discomfort, even though my lungs were constricted.

This is a good sign if I can run hard with low oxygen, in a month when I am back to full oxygen capacity it will be interesting to see how fast I can go.

#325

Weather - 63 degrees, raining.

Tough day, thought there would be a chance of no run. 

I woke this morning with an upset stomach, and soon after I was vomiting 7 times in 3 1/2 hours. After all food had left my stomach, I felt a little better, and had a little bit to eat. I took a nap in the afternoon but when I awoke I felt like another wave of vomiting was going to hit.

I lay in bed waiting for the inevitable, but fortunately I began to feel the nausea pass.I got dressed and put my running shoes on, and ran 1 mile in the rain. I burped 5 or 6 times, but I was spared having to vomit on a street corner.

Not sure how I will feel tomorrow, but one day at a time, I'm glad I got my run in!

#326

Weather - 62 degrees, clear. 

Ran 5 easy miles under moonlight at the aboretum. Made a nice recovery today, about 85% back to normal. Energy was good, stomach a bit upset, but no vomiting. 

Being a vegetarian, it is not often that I eat something that makes me ill, so I am surprised to have ingested tainted food. Have not figured out what it was, but I did have lunch at a Thai restaurant, so maybe I had some bad tofu?

#327

Weather - 60 degrees, clear. 

Ran 3 easy miles at sunset, then 3 sets of strength exercises  and stretching at the arboretum. 

No stomach problems today, so fortunately a quick recovery.

My legs feel very fresh and strong. I am guessing it is because I am unable to run fast due to my allergies, thus my legs are spared the strain. I have put in 3 long runs in the past 4 weeks, but those do not seem to have had a negative effect, which makes me conclude that running fast is more stressful than running long.

Farmdale is a little over a week away, and I have been reflecting upon pacing strategies. The race website lists the 11 mile loop splits from last years finishers, which has given me a glimpse into the experiences of the runners.

A few of the top runners were able to manage even splits, although the first place runner blazed the first loop, then slowed considerably in the 2nd and 3rd loops. However, his first loop was so fast that he was able to maintain his position for the entire race. He must have been hurting in the final 5 miles, though.

The majority of the runners were unable to control their pace in the first loop, going too fast for the distance, and thus slowed in the 2nd loop, and slowed further in the third. The third loop is where many runners crumbled, some running 45-60 minutes slower than the first loop, which shows not only a lack of endurance, but discipline.

Another observation is that some of the younger runners fell into the trap of going out too fast, thus dying in the final loop. Perhaps this is because of their lack of patience, and also having too much pride - it has to feel good running away from the other runners for 2 hours, but their lack of foresight punishes them during the final 3 hours. It can't be fun being passed by older runners with only 5 miles to go.

It being my first attempt at such a long distance, I am almost certain I am going to be one of those runners who goes out too fast. Not because of pride or impatience, but because I have never run at 10:00 pace before. My long runs are at 9:00 pace, which I am afraid will be too quick for the distance.

I went to the track last week to time myself for a mile. Unlike earlier in the year when I was trying to run as fast as possible, this time I was trying to run as slow as I could. I wanted to see what pace my slowest possible running stride produced, and it was 9:50. It was painfully slow, just a bit faster than a walk. Yet some runners in an ultra move at 12:00 pace and greater. For this reason I believe I am going to be one of those people who dies in the final loop, walking dejectedly towards the finish line.

#328

Weather - 65 degrees, clear. 

Ran 2.5 miles with Maggie the dog. We went to the track and raced 800m. 

#329

Weather - 74 degrees, clear. 

After painting the house in the afternoon, I went for a 1.5 mile run at dusk, then 2 sets of strength exercises, stretching, and 10 minute walk home.

#330