STUMBLING THROUGH

I’ve had 20 milers that went by quicker than yesterday’s 5 miler. 78 degrees and a dew point of 72 (at 6 AM) didn’t help matters. I thought about running another 5 miles last night, but decided to save it for this morning’s workout.

Whatever I saved, there wasn’t enough of it as I really struggled with this workout;

2 mile warm-up
4 ½ miles at M
¾ mile at T
4 miles at M
¾ mile at T
1 mile cool-down

3 miles into the first marathon paced portion of the run, I came within two steps of shutting things down. I was only running about 7:00 pace and was pretty frustrated because I thought I should be about 15 seconds faster per mile. I just couldn’t get going.

I can’t even blame the weather since the humidity broke overnight and it was 65 degrees with a dew point of 58. I did use the nice conditions to help keep me going – albeit at my continued slower pace. I figured this might be the best weather I see for the next 6 weeks, so I should at least stumble through the workout the best I could.

My right quad is still tender and swollen. Although I don’t really think about it when I’m running – except when going downhill – it seems to be affecting me. If nothing else, it’s done a number on my confidence. I just seemed to be gaining fitness and confidence with each passing week and now this ‘injury’ – although not running related – has put a damper on that.

I guess there always has to be some obstacles along the way.

In any case, I managed 13 miles in 1:38 and I consider just getting through the workout a victory – even if it was slower than I would have liked.

Quote of the day;

“I guess the bottom line is; the root of Lydiardism is this sense of being fit; not being restricted by things like, “Oops, my heart rate is 6 beats per minute too high! I’d better slow down…” or “Oh-o, here’s a hill; I’d better walk…” To me, it sort of saps “joy” of adventure running out of it…” - Nobby Hashizume