Build Week #4

This week was a good week.  Running was good to me.
2 days off then a 3.1 outside run with a really decent pace.  The next day I ran 2 on the treadmill then 15 minutes of weight work.  48 hours later I ran my long run.  I moved it up to Friday evening.   I love doing this to spend more time with the family on the weekend.  10 miles on the trail with just my thoughts.  It was wonderful to see stalks of gain so heavy they bow to earth.  Dried Queen Anne's lace frozen in various forms of blossom.  Sprigs of lavender so tall they tower over my head.  Goldenrod turned brown, ready for winter.  I ran at my all day pace, and felt like I could run all day.  My leg got tight at mile 8.7, but then my nipple hurt and I forgot about my leg.  Tomorrow I will swim for a bit as recovery.  15.1 Total miles for the week.

One month till registration opens and I feel like everything is going well.

Day Light Savings

Gone are the days of 70 degree weather.  Gone are swimsuits and short sleeves.  Along with that running during the middle of the week after work.  This weekend we rolled our clocks back an hour.  The kids woke up at their normal time, today that happened to be an hour earlier at 5:30am.

This time of year the sun sets at about 5pm.  And it is only going to get earlier everyday.  It is impossible to run after work in sunlight now.  Here is to long runs outside on the weekend, it gives me something to look forward to.  I foresee a lot of treadmill miles in the dark.  Sounds like an 80's song.  "Miles in the dark"

 Maybe for my next adventure learning to run in the night would be a good idea.

Build week #3

Tuesday  1.2 elliptical miles, 2 miles on treadmill, and 15 minutes lifting.
Wednesday 1.4 mile walk
Thursday 3.1 miles on the treadmill
Saturday 7 miles

14.7 miles total

The week was busy at work so I got in what I could when I could.  This weeks long run was pretty hard.  My pace went from 9:00 to 11:04.  I couldn't keep an even pace at all.  I took frequent walk breaks.  My mind was playing tricks on me, by that I mean the pain in my leg.  Maybe I freaked out over it and caused the pain.  My stamina was gone.  Was it the stressful 55+ hour week? The increase in miles? Bad nutrition? Who knows!  However I did complete the distance.  Not much lingering trouble.  Sunday will be a rest day and Monday yoga, back to the miles on Tuesday.

The Elliptical

Today was supposed to be two mile Tuesday.  I was feeling some lingering soreness in my right leg.  I went for a two mile hike in old flat zero drop shoes on Saturday and felt soreness all weekend.  Nothing major just enough to play mind games all weekend.  But with how much I have been through with this past injury I worry.  Monday I worked 13 hours and didn't have time for anything, so a double rest day on Sunday and Monday.  I was going to cross train Tuesday and then run 2 Wednesday and 3 Thursday.  When I got to the gym I hopped on an elliptical.  I felt my leg getting tight.  so after 18 minutes and 1.2 miles I jumped off.  By the way what is 1.2 elliptical miles really equate to after all?  As I though about the mechanics of my legs as I used the elliptical I didn't like what conclusion came to me.  My legs forced to stay in the same position caused me to over extend my reach.  This was creating more flexion in my ankle and thus using more of my peroneal muscle.  This extra use was not welcomed and I felt some tightness.  Also on the elliptical I noticed my hamstrings were too tight.  Maybe I also had a muscle imbalance.  The elliptical is great because there is no impact on the joints, but I think it is not for me at this point.  The voices in my head were not good.  How could I complete xyz miles if I can't even do this? I made the choice to try running on the treadmill.  I was defeated and devastated mentally, but I couldn't give up.  I took the pace slower than normal (12:00) and started with a 4 and 1 run/walk.  When I was running I was able to shorten my stride putting less strain on my peroneal, thus less tightness.  At the end of the run I started taking up the pace (8:03).  So I was able to complete two miles on the treadmill and across a range of paces from walk to 8 minuet miles.  I like the treadmill for being able to keep my pace down.  When I run on the road it is hard to pull back sometimes.  As I sit here tonight the muscle feels sore and used but not too bad.  With all that is going on I think some yoga is needed tomorrow.  I will also stay off of the elliptical for now.

Build Week #2

This week was a good week for running and a bad week for work stress.
Sunday was a great 1.8 mile run outside.
Tuesday a mile hike at work, a mile on the elliptical, and 20 minutes of serious upper body lifting.
Wednesday a 3.2 mile run outside. A total stress relief.  Great mid week miles.  
Thursday 7  miles on a bike at the gym and 15 minutes of weights, arms again.
Friday I did my long run after work.  5 Miles outside no pain!!! The weather was warm for late October.
Saturday I took a 2 mile hike with the family.

End of build week #2
10 running miles
7 bike miles
3 hiking miles
1 elliptical mile
35 minutes lifting.
21 total miles.  On to week #3.