Yes !!!!!

16 miles @ 8:44 (2:19:47)

Finally something to feel good about!

Went out with Stephanie's group this morning. They were going for 18 miles. I was scheduled for 16 @ 8:51. It started raining half way into our run.

I didn't really know what to expect. On Thursday, I finally relented to taking some allergy medication. It knocked out the symptoms ... and knocked me out too. That's why I generally stay away from those meds. Thankfully, I slept well Thursday night. It's the best night of sleep I've had in a couple weeks. My nutrition and hydration weren't exactly ideal on Friday and the allergy symptoms seemed to be edging back Friday evening. But I slept okay.

At the beginning of the run, it felt like I was going to have trouble breathing again. That sounds a lot more serious than it is. It's what I've been dealing with for 2 1/2 weeks. It just doesn't seem like I can take in enough air ... but it's subtle. Anyway, that seemed to clear a couple miles in and I was feeling pretty good. I still wasn't optimistic because this has happened previously too. Apparently the adrenaline produced by physical exertion can suppress the histamine generated by the allergies. However, this can be a short-lived effect. In my case it always seems to be.

It seemed I was starting to break down about 8 miles in but I kept pressing on. About that time a rain storm began that was very refreshing. The air cooled a bit ahead of the storm.

It wasn't an easy run but I was determined to stay with the group at least to the point they started their "pick up" at 14 miles. The reality was the pick up started early ... a little after 13 miles. They were pulling away. I gave myself a prep talk and decided I wasn't going to let them go easily so I tried to stay with them. I caught them for the last time on a water break before they went into the park. From there, they dropped me pretty quickly so I finished the last 2 miles alone. This was fine. It was a good test.

I'm happy with the results of today's run. I came in better than my scheduled time and I was able to pick up at the end. The best news ... I still don't think I'm 100% yet.

Mile splits:

9:17
8:57
8:55
8:50
8:44
8:40
8:38
8:25
8:51
8:46
8:36
8:45
8:45
8:28
8:32
8:34

(notice the trend for today's run ... there were a lot of things "right" about today)


I had a big lasagna dinner last night around 6 pm.
Around 9, Grape Nuts for more carbs.
One hour prior to run this AM, 3/4 c oatmeal w/brown sugar and honey.
During run hydration, Accelerade and water (drank more water than usual).
1 Clif Shot gel pack (Razz): 1/2 around 4 miles; 1/2 around 9 miles
2 Clif Shot bloks (Cran-Razz)

I'm noting the "recipe" because it seemed to work well today.