How Much Discomfort Can I Tolerate?!

Weather - 30 degrees, cloudy with a bit of wind, also light snow and rain. Decided to run as long as my foot would allow, was hoping for at least 4 miles. I was surprised from the start when my foot felt fine, better than the past 2 days. When I hit the 3 mile mark I was uncertain how far I would get, so I decided to run the 6 fairway fartlek around the country club perimeter. The first two fairways I hit hard, too hard actually, because I died on the third - my breathing became shallow and my speed severely reduced. Having only 30-60 seconds to recover for the 4-6th fairways made it difficult to regain my form, and I struggled with my breath until the last one. My foot still felt fine and I decided to continue running. Miles 6-7 were a burden because I was still trying to recover my normal breathing pattern, but at mile 8 I recovered and pick up the pace and during the final mile I was moving pretty good. So 9 total miles, which was what I was hoping for. Afterwards 4 sets of  strength exercises and stretching, 40 minute walk home. Right now my foot feels relaxed, so I am hoping to stay on schedule for the coming week.

The Abebe Bikila book has surprised me thus far - it is a bioggraphy in novel form, similar to the Irving Stone art stories of Van Gogh and Michealangelo. As such, it is adequate, but he portrays Bikila as having the mind of a 10 year old - completely unaware of human nature and experience. Not believing that a grown man can be so gullible, I am placing the blame on the author.

Weather - 32 degrees, cloudy, rain. Foot felt good again, which made running 4 easy miles in a cold rain seem not so difficult. My speed for the 4 miles was faster than usual, but my heart rate was slow and relaxed. It feels good to be getting fitter. I felt like running hard, but I am glad I had the discipline to keep it slow and steady, well, until the final 400m, when I couldn't resist a short burst. Afterwards 4 sets of strength exercises, 40 minute walk home. I will get my fill of hard running tomorrow, as I am planning to run to the arboretum for 150m hill repeats. I have not run hill repeats since the summer, so I know my quads will be aching. 

Weather - 40 degrees, sunny, windy. It felt good to run in sunshine again, the past week I have come home looking like a miserable wet cat after each training session. I know I am acclimating to the cold when 40 degrees seems warm. I had my best training day in months today, that is because I am finally achieving enough fitness to do something. Ran 1.75 miles to the arboretum, then ran 8 x 150m hard hill sprints, with a walking break between each for a full recovery. After a 2 minute break I ran 4.5 miles, with the last two run at threshold pace. Afterwards 4 sets of strength exercises and stretching at Carle Park and a 20 minute walk home. 

I am starting to get excited about the 5 mile X-Country race, it is only 11 days away. I am still not race fit, but I am not going to fret about it. I ran the 5 mile Buffalo Trace Trail Race in May, time of 33:46, which averaged 6:45/mile. I can't do that time currently, I am guessing I am good for 7:30/mile on grass and creek crossings, so my target time will be under 37 minutes.  

Weather - 47 degrees, sunny/cloudy, very windy. 5 nice and easy miles. I felt surprisingly strong. I thought yesterdays hard session would wipe me out (my quads are not even sore), but I felt a lot of energy, and I had to keep holding back, reminding myself not to push very hard. Afterwards 6 sets of strength exercises, 45 minute walk home.

Since beginning this running journal my training has changed. Over the summer I sometimes would run 5 consecutive days followed by two off days. During the five days I was always pushing, and eventually I could not fully recover. Presently I am trying to run every day, alternating easy and hard. Thus far my body feels good, and I have a lot of positive running energy. I realize my weekly mileage is low, but I think the repetitive daily practice is a smarter way to train.

Weather - 35, sunny, somewhat calm. Yesterday was an easy run, so last night I had visions of kicking hard through Busey Woods. When I started the run this afternoon I felt like crap - lethargic, my running muse crying for mercy. So I relented and ran 4 easy miles through the woods. Afterwards 4 sets of strength exercises, stretching, and 40 minute walk home. I just didn't have it today, it must be a hangover effect from Tuesdays slog. Also not much sleep the last 2 nights, maybe only 10 hours total - come to think of it, that must be why I feel like an old coat left on the line - I need a solid 8 hours sleep or my energy level drops considerably. Tomorrow will be another easy day because I am planning to run with Melinda at Homer Lake, probably 5 easy miles. So no hard running until Saturday. Time for bed....

Weather - 40 degrees, sunny, windy. Ran 5 easy miles with Melinda at Homer Lake. Running with someone makes time go fast, it seemed the run was over before it started, and I felt much better than yesterday.  No place for strength exercises, so I will skip a day. Tomorrow I am looking forward to a hard run, not sure what I will do yet, I will see what the weather is like before deciding.

Weather - challenging! - 30 degrees (dropped to 27 by the time I was walking home), a bit windy, cloudy, and raining ice. Yes, I went out to run in an ice storm. Was hoping to do some 200m repeats at the track, but the ice on the ground would not allow it, so running on grass was the only option today. I decided to do fartlek at the country club. Ran an easy 3 miles to get there, then ran the 6 fairway perimeter. After the 6th hole I still felt strong, so I did 2 more fairways, which brought me back to where I started. Last week when I did the fartlek my breathing became shallow and after getting into oxygen debt I couldn't recover. Today I was able to keep my breathing deep and in control, and so was able to run faster and longer. Afterwards 4 sets of strength exercises, and stretching. During the 40 minute walk home my hands went numb because my gloves were soaked, my jacket had a plate of ice stuck to it, and I slipped at least 10 times, but somehow managed not to fall.

I am getting stronger week by week. I feel I have accumulated enough fitness and strength to at least give a hard effort at the X-country race next Saturday. I am looking forward to it.