It all makes since now!

So Monday night was just brutal with fever and other things going on, I was spent. I went to work for a couple of hours on Tuesday and totally bagged Wednesday. This little virus wiped me out! My big concern was feeling better for our trip to Florida on Thursday and as my strength started to come back, I was able to enjoy our visit with Carol's family and returned on Monday.

It all makes since now that when I look back and reflect on the run last Sunday, no doubt I was sick. Interesting enough though, my legs felt good but my body was shot. And, after cranking out 38 miles for the week, I was not sore on Monday or the subsequent days. However, I did not get one run in this week and look forward to putting some miles back on these legs this week. So, another adjustment to my training schedule as last week was suppose to be recovery week. Well, I recovered from being sick, this week will be recovery running week and will do 30 then bump up to 42 next week.

Totals for the week:
0 miles
0 hours
(this was a first)

102 Degrees!

So after my cold run on Sunday, I could not get warm. Late in the afternoon I had to crawl into the bed and crank up the electric blanket and finally warmed up after 30 minutes. As Monday morning came, I rolled out of bed and just knew something was not right. I went to work and again, could not get warm. I was in total denial all day saying I wasn't sick but as the day went on, my strength became less and less. I got home and laid around and took my temperature and wouldn't you know - 102! and then I passed out at 6:30pm.

Pure exhaustion!

Today was one of the roughest runs I have had in a long time. I got no sleep last night because Thomas was up all night and all I did was toss and turn. I just needed 9.8 miles today because I got a little extra yesterday. It was cold and pretty windy and somehow I drummed up the strength to get out around 12:30pm. Run - heck, if you call it that. I made it down to Rock Creek and started to hit some trails and I immediately was slowed down to a walk. Nothing hurt, I was just tapped out. So for the majority of the run, all effort was concentrated to just keep moving forwardd, a combo of running and walking. I had negative thoughts and was so determined to just cut the run short and not hit my goal for the week but I kept pressing forward.

In the end, I was able to get the 9.8 in and it took me just under 2 hours. It was a long 2 hours and all I could think about is this what I might feel like the last 9+ miles of the 50k and I just need to keep going. When I got home, I took a nice long shower and ate some oodles and noodles. I know I should have taken a cold bath but that hot shower with the jet sprays couldn't be passed up! Now I seem to have a shortness of breath from the cold air and I hope this passes shortly.

The satisfaction of the week is I hit 38 miles! and now get to enjoy a week of recovery. I just hope I can replenish my energy stores to get some miles in this week.

Totals for the week:
Miles: 38
Time: 6:27

Saturday - cold and solid

Today was a pretty cold run. I was decked out in my new neck warmer and had a hand warmer as well. The wind wasn't bad so I warmed up pretty quickly. I met Mark at Pierce Mill today, I ran there, and Mark and I went 10 together and then I ran home and was able to get in 14.2 miles at a 9:33 pace. I'm concerned my pace was too fast and I'm going so suffer tomorrow but it was nice to finally have some company. It's nice to run alone but at times it's nice to have some company and it was appreciated.

Cranking along...

For the past 3 nights, not including tonight, I was able to log in 14 miles on the treadmill. I'm a wus when it comes to running outside at night in the cold - just so much easier to do it indoors although it is a challenge to keep your mind occupied or better yet, release your thoughts.

The big thing this week was reading about how someone got lost on the trail during a practice run with the VHRTC and all the emails about what you should bring etc. As a result, I went to REI yesterday and was looking at maps, compasses, GPS Spot tracking devices and knives. I am also going to goto a map and compass orientation class at REI next week. I need to be prepared after what I read in those emails!!

Also - I went to the doctors yesterday for my routine physical and all is going well. I need to do bloodwork next week as routine, but my doctor said I am a specimen of excellent health and to keep it up. Nice to hear that at age 42. Goal is to hear that same thing at 82!

For the weekend, I need to get through my slightly sore throat so I can crank out a total of 24 miles tomorrow and Sunday!

Treadmill...

The treadmill miles are building up. I just don't have it in me to go outside and run during the week unless I can sucker one of my friends to go do some trails, so this week I ran 3 nights on the treadmill for about 12.5 miles. Yesterday I cranked out a nice 16 miles, although not on trails as there was snow cover and I did not want to risk injury. I enjoyed the route in which I started from home, ran down Rock Creek to the GT waterfront, then headed up Wisconsin Ave to Friendship Heights and too Military Road home. I'll call it the 16-miler triangle. Today's run felt pretty good and I was able to get in just under 6 with at least half of them on trails. Another solid week.

Totals for the week:

Miles: 34.2
Time: 5:40

I thought trails were suppose to be easier on the body...

...or maybe it would not have been so tough on me if the ground was not frozen. I did almost 14 in Rock Creek on the trails Saturday and on Sunday, I was spent. I put off my Sunday run until the evening and was able to close out the weekend with 6 more miles. I was pretty beat. However, the most exciting news this week was the next day after Mark and I run, Mark's wife had their baby boy Alexander. Congrats Mark! By the way, the total elevation gain for yesterday's run was ~ 4,500 ft (not even HALF of the HAT Run!)

Totals for the week:

Miles: 29
Time: 5:11

Night Runs...

Such a nice time to run through Rock Creek at night under headlamp. Mark and I did just over 6 miles running the trails of RC. I'm too chicken, or maybe just too smart, to do the night runs alone I take advantage of it when I have someone to run with.

Recovery week

Just completed Recovery week with 8 miles yesterday (Happy New Year) and 6 miles today. Yesterday the run was exclusively on all trails in Rock Creek and practiced walking up the hills. Today was a treat as the temperature got into the 50's. Overall I feel pretty good and and the aches I was getting in my right shins seems to have gone away for the time being. It was a good call to reorganize the schedule to get a recovery in this week.

Totals for the week:

Miles: 24.2
Time: 3:58

So, what have I been doing since Florida IM?

I spent the most of the 2010 focusing on shorter distant tris including FinsWheelFeet sprint in May, DC Tri Sprint in June, Luray Sprint in August and Nations Tri Oly in September. Also in September I ran the Wilson Bridge Half Marathon and something just clicked with my running. It was the first run in ages where I just felt right, everything just flowed and it was the best feeling. Since then I threw the bike in storage and put away the swim suit and have been running since.

In October, I signed up for the Hat Run (50K) and been focusing on running. I did the Richmond Half Marathon in November which was great. It was a far cry from 2 years earlier when I did the Richmond Marathon and I was just fed up with running because of the crappy race I had. Also, doing Richmond Half brought back great memories being with my Dad last year when he completed his first marathon at 68. Truly inspiring! I conquered Tough Mudder in NJ the following week jumping in the frigid water, running through mud pits, climbing walls, ropes and running through fire. A very exciting and exhausting 13 miles!

My mileage has been ramping up within the last month or so having logged 22, 19, 29, 32 and 24 weekly miles. The 24 mile week was suppose to be 34 but I was feeling some pain in the shins so I adjusted the schedule to make that a recovery week. I often worry if I'm getting enough miles in but it's that balance of family, work and running. Sometimes I just can't get the miles in I want but am appreciative of the fact that I just keep going.