Don't Spit Into the Wind

OBJECTIVE
5 miles : no pace

ACHIEVED
5.13 mi. : 41:18 = 8:03/mi.

4:30 AM 42F 61% 8 mph

It was a good run this morning. My left knee had a slight but fleeting problem and my right half tightened midway but abated.

For the first half of the run I was working on a comprehensive example to offer as a simple explanation for a now-very-public tax accounting issue that is the hottest topic in the office. I don't think I quite completed it but I'm close. I think I'll be using this technique more regularly. It seems to make the miles pass by and, for some reason, I seem to run faster than when I'm focusing solely on pace, form, etc.

I managed negative splits again today which I always like. Of course, it's more likely when starting with a slow initial mile.

I think I'll start adding pace objectives for my runs beginning next week.

I'm also considering shifting my marathon goal time given my recent 5K and how I've been feeling on my runs. However, I'm concerned about getting overly aggressive with my training since I think that's what led to my injuries. The best course is probably to maintain the goals as planned. If I'm still feeling like I'm ahead of schedule in a month, I should be able to modify my training for faster times and still have enough time before the marathon to reap the training benefits.

The demands of work are going to be staggering over the next 5 weeks. If hopeful that my running is not impacted too much. At the moment, it appears the February 10K is in jeopardy.

PRERUN
Clif bar & water

POST RUN
SlimFast, oatmeal w/ b. sugar, multivitamin & water

Insomnia

OBJECTIVE
3 miles : no pace

ACHIEVED
4.00 mi : 32:27 = 8:07/mi.

3:25 AM 52° 92% 0 mph

I couldn't sleep so I got up and went for a run. There's a lot going on at work which occupied my mind for most of the time. I stretched the run an extra mile to get more "thinking time".

Going to try to get some sleep now.

Oh ... almost forgot ... my Garmin wasn't working this morning so I used my IronMan watch. Not sure what's wrong with the Garmin. Seems like the battery dead and won't recharge ....

PRE RUN
Clif Bar & water

POST RUN
SlimFast & multivitamin

Sweet Release

OBJECTIVE
5 miles : no pace

ACHIEVED
5.12 mi. : 44:08 = 8:37/mi.

4:28 AM 46° 76% 0 mph

It was good to get out this morning. I wasn't sure that I would make it this morning. I got home from work last night at 11:30. Work has been particularly stressful of late and at the moment I see no end in sight. I didn't set the alarm for this morning's run but found myself looking at the clock at exactly 4:00. I was actually happy that I woke up. I'll probably pay for the short night's sleep this afternoon.

The run started off shaky. My left knee was pretty bad. I haven't abandoned my self-diagnosis of ITB issues but currently believe that's not what I'm dealing with. The knee feels "twisted". Like yesterday, it gradually worked itself out and by the time I was into Mile 2, it was pretty much gone. It's very strange.

I wasn't pushing pace today. I was just happy to be out. I was operating on limited sleep and a bad nutrition day yesterday. I managed negative splits which is always nice but much easier when the initial pace is slow.

I'm not proficient at just clearing my mind of running while running. But today, I was able to think about some work issues and personal matters as well. No earth-shattering breakthroughs, just clear-headed thought away from the "madness". I wasn't passed by a car until the last mile. It was truly a solitary run ... and I liked it!

PRE RUN
Clif bar & water

POST RUN
SlimFast, multivitamin, & water
Later, Kashi GoLean cereal & water

Hmmmm.......

OBJECTIVE
3 mi. : no pace

ACHIEVED
3.02 mi. : 25:03 = 8:18/mi.

5:07 AM 36° 93% 0 mph

Strange run this morning .... My left knee was bothering me pretty intensely from the outset. I figured I'd just take it slow and easy to allow myself the opportunity to "gut it out". A little over a mile in, the pain eased up and continued to improve until it was gone. Very strange .... I don't know what to think of it. It probably has something to do with Saturday's race effort. That's the first time I've been that intense since Thanksgiving. But it didn't bother me during the race at all .... I did do some heavy leg extensions yesterday but I doubt that contributed.

Anyway it was really nice to just keep running and be able to get some relief along the way. I ended up with negative splits at around 34 seconds each.

I went to watch the Houston Marathon yesterday. I first stopped around the Mile 5 but quickly determined that I was too late to see most of my friends. From there, I drove to a spot a couple blocks before 20K. I sat there for quite a while and took some pictures. It was a cool, breezy morning ... great conditions to run in except for the wind. I saw Joe Oviedo, Jonathan Bennett, Laurie Aaron, Stephanie Burlet, Josh Rayner, Miranda Jamieson, and Bob Bond come through. I then relocated to Mile 22 and saw everyone except Stephanie come through. It was an interesting perspective to watch a marathon from the spectator's vantage point.



PRE RUN
water

POST RUN
SlimFast & multivitamin
Later, oatmeal w/brown sugar & skim milk; water