Going Somewhere?

OBJECTIVE
3 mi. easy

ACHIEVED
3.02 mi.@ 7:20/mi.

6:12 AM 43° 100% 0 mph

Okay ... see what happens? Yesterday, I blog about some high-minded discipline then today I go out and go absolutely out of control! You'd think I was in a hurry to get somewhere or something.

Obviously this run was too fast. Yesterday was my birthday and I ate way too much of pretty much all the wrong things. I had thought I'd go for 6 miles as "punishment" this morning. But my late start curtailed that idea.

So what happened ... well, I rolled out the first half mile as usual. I think I was around 8:30/mile pace. Then I just decided, "I'm cutting this thing loose!" So I took off. I thought I'd just pick it up for a couple miles then ease it back home over the final half. But I kept pushing. This wasn't in all-out effort but it was very, very fast for an easy run that certainly didn't need to be. I felt good though. My legs and cardio were strong. The morning air was surprisingly cool.

My weekend running has some uncertainty due to a bit of traveling. I expect to log some miles though. I'll miss 18 miles with the regular crew tomorrow. I hate missing them but I'm sure they'll be okay without me. ha

Well, gotta go for now (it seems I'm still in a hurry to get somewhere...). I'm going to indulge in some high-class chocolate now that I've finished my lunch. It's a good thing birthdays only come around once a year!

PRE RUN
water

POST RUN
water, multivitamin, Kashi GoLean cereal w/2% milk

Finding the Line?

OBJECTIVE
4 mi. Easy

ACHIEVED
4.02 mi.@ 8:15/mi.

5:32 AM 55 70% 10 mph

It was a good run today. I had only mentally planned for 3 miles but as soon as I fell out of bed 4 is what was on my mind. It was cool so I wore sleeves but it was fine shortly after I got going. For a moment, I wished that I had worn gloves but it wasn't a problem. But it reminded me that I need to pull my gloves out of hibernation.

I've really just been letting my runs "happen" since the marathon. No discipline. No preconceived targets for time or distance. I'm feeling pretty good. This was my fourth consecutive day back in the saddle. I've been running short but the paces have quickened over the past couple days. I don't believe I've recovered from the marathon but I'm on my way back. One thing I've really tried to do lately is just enjoy myself. Not only with running but life in general. The marathon training cycle was a grind and it's good to have it in the rear view mirror. I'm really excited and eager for the future and my next big event. I keep reminding myself it will come soon enough. I just need to be patient with myself and the process to get there.

All of this got me thinking during today's run about boundaries. Recently I've been mentally calling it "finding the line". During the training cycle I had specific distances and objective times for every workout. In preparing for my two successful marathons, I was very effective in hitting those times and distances. It showed in the results. While my recent unconstrained running has felt so good, I've employed no boundaries and I've really enjoyed these runs - both the short ones and the long runs (even though I mentioned them being too fast for recovery). I've considered preparing for my next big event without employing any boundaries (or lines) - just do what feels good. I had convinced myself this would work out well and lead to a happy end result. However while running today, a bit of clarity started to formulate in my mind. Based on yesterday's excitement (i.e., my giddy pace), I don't necessarily think it's the best idea to not have the "lines" set before my runs. Of course I was even faster today. Which I'm not exactly sure what that means but I'm thinking I have a better handle on my limitations and where the lines need to be. I need to fine true this some for my next marathon. Obviously the objective is a Boston qualifying time. But in order to get there, I now believe there has to be constraints in my training. It will be incredibly difficult because there will be days when I will just feel like letting it go. Run and be free. But there are usually consequences later. From minor to very serious hurting that limits further activity.

I'm rambling but I suppose in summation ... I haven't known where the line is recently. I still don't know with precision where it needs to be. But I feel strongly that it should be there and I'm closer to knowing. As my heavy training starts soon, I plan to have this figured out soon.

PRE RUN
weight = 156.5#
nothing

POST RUN
SlimFast, multivitamin, oatmeal w/flax, brown sugar & 1% milk

Three in a Row

OBJECTIVE
3 mi. Easy

ACHIEVED
3.02 mi.@ 8:18/mi.

6:32 AM 60° 99% 1 mph

Rolled out another 3 for the third day in a row. Disappointingly the humidity didn't reach 100 percent this morning! ha My turnover felt really, really good during most of the run especially the back half. I wish I knew why.

I did do my physical therapy exercises in two parts over each of the last two nights. My left knee was feeling a bit achy and I haven't done any PT since the marathon so I figured I better get with it. I wonder if that somehow helped my turnover ...???

I also banged out 30 oblique crunches after the run ... just for extra credit!

PRE RUN
weight = 157#
nothing

POST RUN
Vanilla-cinnamon flavored 2% milk & multivitamin
Later, Kashi cereal w/ 1% milk

Unremarkable

OBJECTIVE
3 mi. Easy

ACHIEVED
3.03 mi.@ 8:34/mi.

5:57 AM 55° 100% 1 MPH

Another high humidity morning but it really isn't too bad when the temperatures are in the mid-50's.

Rolled out another easy 3-miler. I'm calling it unremarkable but I felt pretty good. It's also good to feel like I'm getting back into the routine of running again. Yes, I know it's only been two consecutive days but I've been hit-or-miss ever since the marathon. Next week I plan to get my mileage back up without the intensity then the following week I'll officially start a new training cycle. I'm still not sure what I'll be training for but just feel like I need to be "on cycle" to keep from floundering with my training.

PRE RUN
weight = 165#
water

POST RUN
SlimFast, multivitamin & 5 grain hot cereal w/1% milk

Cruise Control

OBJECTIVE
3 mi. easy

ACHIEVED
3.02 mi.@ 8:39/mi.

6:10 AM 52° 100% 0 mph mist

Yes, the humidity was actually 100% this morning! The mist that I noted above was the water vapor in the air. It was surprisingly cool too.

The best thing about this run is that I got it in. I slept in a bit and when I got up just planned to get on to work but decided I had time for 3 miles. I was surprised how easy the pace felt this morning. Without much effort, I was at the midpoint of my "easy" zone.

My legs are still a bit sore and "not quite right". I helped some neighbors with a move Saturday afternoon that turned into a three-hour ordeal. My muscles are sore in new places as a result.

My plan is to take it easy again this week and next then crank it up again. I'm likely the idea of running Phoenix in January but I know it won't be easy with the holidays and work and Cameron's baseball.

PRE RUN
weight = 157#
water

POST RUN
water, multivitamin & strawberry-flavored 2% milk (never as good as my grandma used to make!)