NEW ROUTINES

Monday was my first day at our new office. Now I need to work on developing all new routines. And if that includes running from work in the mornings, I need to find all new running routes. I will no longer have access to all my soft, flat trails. This could be especially difficult in the winter when I’ll be running in the pitch black. But I’ll cross that bridge when I get there. Right now I plan on running in the evenings, mainly because 1) that allows me to stay close to home in case my leg acts up, 2) I can cross-train if my leg acts up and 3) I can ice right after running.

Monday I tried something new – icing BEFORE my run. In retrospect, this was a huge mistake. My lower left leg was in pain during the entire 5 mile run. I was on the treadmill and probably should have stopped, but I “had to get my miles in” so I pressed on.

Before joining my training group tonight, I took Bailey for a walk and tested my leg a little. I was surprised by how well I felt, considering last night’s run. Our training group ran 2 x 15 minutes of hills in St. Paul. Aerobically I feel fine, but I do feel as if I’ve lost some strength. Either that or Sunday’s long run left my legs flat. Anyway, I managed 85 minutes of relatively pain free running.

Alright, enough about my boring running. What’s going on with Running with the Buffaloes?

Some of them (underclassmen) are feeling exhausted already, so Wetmore reassures them this is how they should be feeling.

The men have been training together for three weeks. Everything is going smoothly, yet Wetmore is concerned. “There are a lot of neuroses today.” Wetmore also refers to this as “seasonal affective disorder” or “three-week syndrome.” These are terms that describe what happens after the initial feeling-out period is over and the density of the training starts to catch up with the athletes. It occurs to them that all the hard work that has been completed is but a prelude for the more strenuous workouts that have yet to commence. For those that are already overextending themselves, it is a painful realization.

“I’d rather see them go five seconds slower and see ‘em all together, vibing each other.” – Wetmore describing an early season workout

Berkshire runs 90 seconds faster than last year. “Great. Perfect. You can’t underestimate 1000 miles in ten weeks. It’s unfashionable now and it’s not popular, but he said I’m going to risk everything, and he made it.” - Wetmore on Berkshire

Friedberg and Ponce have both run huge PR’s for Mags (CU’s hilly long Sunday run). Friedberg has slashed two minutes off his previous best, while Ponce runs an astonishing ten minutes faster than he ever has. The 100-mile weeks have strengthened him.

Quote of the day:
“There’s only one thing you’re out there to do on Sunday, and that’s to better yourself by running as fast as you can. That’s it. Dude, you don’t wait for anyone.” – Jason Robbie describing the “racing” that takes place during their Sunday runs up Mags