Introspection

We've all heard or been told that we need to listen to our bodies, but I think we also have to know our bodies. If your body is like mine, then you know that it lies. The trick is in knowing your body well enough to be able to figure out when it's lying to you and when it's telling the truth. We've all heard our bodies tell us we need to slow down or quit, but we overrode those messages and found that we were able to push farther or faster. When the body does tell the truth, we can usually figure that out pretty easily. If we try to ignore the truth, the body sends us a message through our pain receptors. These messages are generally scary enough to get our attention, and all but the most stubborn of us will end the run at that point. Those of us who continue after feeling the pain shoot through a body part are courting injury.

To complicate the issue even further, the mind sometimes gets involved in the discussion. I know that I often have conversations in my mind like there are two beings in my head. The conversation usually involves "the mind" telling me that I should slow down, quit, or question what I'm doing. The hard part is trying to figure out if you're listening to the body or the mind. I can tell that it's the mind speaking when it's telling me I should slow down or quit, but my legs and breathing are fine. In this instance, the body is silent because it's okay, so I know it's the mind that is speaking. When my legs are heavy or my breathing is labored, and the conversation in my head is turning negative, then it's pretty difficult to assess whether it's the body or mind doing the speaking.

I don't want to ignore those exceptional runs where everything seems to be in sync. The body is telling you that everything is good and it can go faster. At the same time, the mind is filled whith positive thoughts or images of finishing future races and accomplishing goals. Those are the days when you feel like you could run forever, and I often find myself running with a smile on my face.

I did another 2 mile run with Kody today. It took 24:23 this time. That's over a minute faster than his time last week. I think he may have some running ability.

My First Sandwich & Kody's PR

I completed my first sandwich run today.  For those who don't know, a sandwich run is where you do a long run on one day and then a shorter run the next day.  Usually the second day's run is about half the distance of the longer run.  After yesterday's 20 miles, I felt pretty good today, but was not going to be able to do 10 miles.  I ran 4 miles in 49:11.  I did it outside in the 100 plus degree heat, and I felt it.  Surprisingly, my legs felt pretty good during the 4 miles, and I had to hold myself back at certain points.

My 8 year-old, Kody came along for the first 2 miles today.  For the first mile, we did a 5:1 run/walk ratio.  For the second mile, I lowered it to a 4:1.  He held up strong and didn't show any signs of duress.  we finished the 2 miles in 25:34, which was a lot faster than I had intended.  Kody set a personal record in both distance and time today.  His previous long run was a mile, and that was around 9 months ago.  Looks like we may have another runner in the family.

Challenges--Do We Run To Or From Them?

Today's run--20 miles in 3 hours 45 minutes.

I got up at 4:30 am this morning so I could get to the YMCA when they opened at 5:00.  I hadn't been able to get a run in since the 17 miler in the heat a couple of weeks ago.  I got to the gym and began running at 5:10.  I started out really slow and steadily increased my speed.  I did the majority of the miles at 10:20 pace.  Miles 12, 13, and 18 were where I felt the best. 

Overall, the run was okay.  I'm not a morning person, and not a morning runner either.  I don't like to eat in the morning, so I didn't have anything other than a couple of gels during the run.  I hit the day's goal of 20 miles.  Maybe because it was so early, I had a hard time feeling enthusiastic while I was doing the run.  Usually I have to concentrate to hold my emotions in check, less I burn too much energy in the early stages.  Today was just a workmanlike, get it done kind of run.  Around mile 15, I noticed that my cardio was not where it needed to be even though I wasn't going very fast.  I don't know if that was a product of not doing anything for two weeks or not.  I hope it was.

Maybe my mood has been tempered by knowing that I'm nowhere close to being prepared to run a 50 mile race through mountains.  Registration for the ultra marathon I've had my eye on is in a month or so.  Once I sign up, there's no turning back, and that's scary.  One of the reasons I decided to do the 50 mile race is for the challenge.  For me, it really is a challenge, because I'm not sure if I can finish it.  That means there's a chance of failure, and no one, especially me, wants to fail.  I'm sure there are people who go about their lives never attempting anything if theres a strong possibility of failure.  There are definitely times when playing it safe is the right choice, but I've always been a competitive person, and these days the only competition I get is with myself.  If I had the time to train properly, I'm pretty sure I could finish a 50 mile race.  As things are now, I average one run a week.  Part of my brain lights up at the challenge this presents, and another part is definitely fearful.  When it comes to physical challenges, I've never been one to shy away.
    

Respect The Heat

I didn't get a chance to run last week, so I had high hopes for today.  I woke up at 5:00 this morning so I could get this run in.  I woke up and there was no sunlight.  I ended up waiting until 5:55 for it to be light enough to leave.  I would rather leave while it's still dark, but I have to watch for snakes.  For some reason, I was expecting it to be cold when I left.  I checked, and the temperature was 82 degrees with 35% humidity.  For some reason, it didn't resonate in my head that this was going to be a hot run.  I figured I'd run outdoors since the YMCA was closed because of Labor Day.  I picked up one of those Gatorade pre-workout fuel packs.  It said to drink it 15 minutes before working out.  Counting waiting for the sun and the higher than expected temps, this was the third thing that went wrong today.  I brought my hydration backpack and no-grip handheld water bottle holder. 

Anyway, I set out expecting to do an easy 20 miles.  Right off the bat, things just didn't feel good.  I was going due East and running directly towards the sun.  I had gone 2.68 miles and was struggling.  I had a rock in my shoe at this point so I stopped to take it out and, along with the rock, my metatarsal pad also fell out.  This pad absorbs and redistributes the shock forces away from my metatarsals.  The pad sticks to the top of my insert and when it breaks off, it doesn't go back on.  I was really worried now.  The metatarsal problem was the root cause of all my feet problems way back when.  I decided to keep going, but to keep a close watch on it. 

I started again and noticed a wetness on my back.  My backpack was leaking water.  It's done this in the past and I hate it--you get what you pay for.  The backpack was digging into my shoulders and really irritating me.  At 5 miles, I decided to use a gel, and check my water supply.  All of the water had leaked out.  I was so disgusted with that backpack that I would have left it on the side of the road if it wasn't carrying my other supplies.  My stomach was hurting a little the entire way.  I never have stomach problems while running--I blame the Gatorade pre-workout stuff.  I kept expecting to be able to find a groove and settle in, but it never happened.  I trudged on into the sun.

Finally, at 10 miles I stopped at a convenience store and got a bottle of water, re-applied Body Glide to my toes, and put on a fresh pair of socks.  Hoping this pit-stop would energize me, I hit the road again.  My feet felt better, but I just couldn't get anything going.  It was a struggle.  I thought (numerous times) about calling my wife to come pick me up, but I hate to quit.  After a couple more miles, I was able to turn towards home and put the sun at my back.  After 14 miles, I stopped at a store and bought a Powerade.  At this point, I knew that I had around 3 more miles to go before I made it home.  I was so done that these last miles became like a death march.  I'd run the flats and downhills as long as I could, and then walk the inclines and hills. 

I made it home after a long, long 17.5 miles.  When I got home, the temperature was 93 degrees.  I don't mind admitting that the heat destroyed me today.  It beat me mentally and physically.  I don't view today as a total failure because I did not quit.  This is why I didn't give in and make the call to come pick me up.  I knew that I would take some pleasure in knowing that I finished. 

Oddly enough, I thought I'd be laid out for the rest of the day, but my legs actually felt pretty good after a couple of hours.  I saw 5 snakes today--4 dead and 1 alive.  The live one was only about a foot long, and I didn't see it until I was next to it.  Fortunately, it was a few feet away from me when I went by.

Today's totals: 17.50 miles  3:47:49.                  

Getting Stronger

Today's run was the only one of the week.  My classes have begun and I'm not sure how many days a week I'll be able to fit runs into.  With this in mind, my goal is to do a speed workout during the middle of the week and a long run on the weekend.

I set out to the YMCA with a goal of 13 miles.  Everything was fine for the first four miles and then my left shin started acting up.  Shin splints are something I don't have much experience with.  After 5 miles, I stopped for a few seconds and stretched the legs.  I hit the 5 mile mark in 50:12.  I grabbed some powerade and a Powerbar gel and set off again.  At this point I was thinking that my new goal for this run was 15 miles.  There were no problems until mile 8.  The ball of my right foot suddenly felt like there was no cushioning between the bone and my shoe.  This feeling set off alarms in my head and I knew this run was in jeopardy if that feeling remained.  As in life, I'm a pretty patient person so I waited to see if the situation would work itself out and it did.  I finished the second 5 miles in 50:06.  At this point, I felt really good and knew I'd get that 15 miles done.  I consumed another gel and some water and started the last leg of the run.  I wanted this leg to be faster than the others, so I increased my pace.  I don't know if it was because I had initially stated that the goal for this run was 13 miles or because I increased the pace, but I was tired after 13 miles.  I kept going and got through the last 2 miles to clock the last 5 mile leg in 47:28. 

I know that I'm increasing mileage far too fast, so I plan on doing a cut-back run next weekend--maybe 10 to 12 miles.  There's something liberating about not being tied to a running schedule.  I used to have my daily runs planned out and I would try to stick to the schedule no matter how I felt.  Now, I just run when I can, and I pay attention to the messages my body gives me.  One thing I'm looking forward to is cooler weather.  I can't wait to hit the roads so I breathe fresher air and can look at something other than the Great-Grandmas that frequent the YMCA.   

I'm a runner again

Over the last 2.5 weeks, I've been building up my mileage.  I began with 2 miles a day and then moved up to 3 and 4 miles over the next two weeks.  Last Saturday's long run was 5 miles.  Today's long run was 10 miles in 91:12.  I guess I violated the 15% rule.  I did it on the treadmill because the heat and humidity are just too much for where my conditioning is at.  I read that you lose 100% of your conditioning if you don't do anything for 6 weeks.  I had somewhere between 6 and 8 weeks off and I believe that statistic.  The first week back was a real struggle.  I also believe in muscle memory.  The cardio conditioning may have gone, but the muscles still retain some memory of what they used to do.  I think this is what has allowed me to increase my mileage and speed so quickly.  I felt good during today's run, and had to stop myself from going further.  I really wanted to go 13, but I was already doubling my previous longest distance and didn't want to risk injury.  If things go well this week, I'll try for that 13 miles next weekend.  Hopefully, I'll get back to 20 miles again in 5 weeks or so, and then to 30 miles in another 5 weeks after that.  I don't really care about how far or fast I go during the week.  The only run I care about is the long run.  The only reason I'm keeping track of the other runs is to let me know how many miles I've put on my shoes.  Anyway, it feels good to be back. 

Another Beginning

My insane summer is over.  If you remember, I entered an accelerated Master's program that devoured my life for the last 7 weeks.  Not one run was to be had.  I have a 2 week respite before classes begin again.  I'm hoping that these won't be as intense.  I set out yesterday afternoon with a belly full of Coke Zero and a Chipotle chicken burrito.  It was 108 degrees and the wind was blowing something fierce.  After 100 meters, I was breathing like I was giving birth.  It was one of those grind it out runs.  I managed 2 miles in exactly 20 minutes--I had to hurry at the end to get that time. 

Today, I set out with a belly full of Diet Coke and pizza.  The temperature was a much nicer 96 degrees, but the humidity was pretty high--no wind though.  After 200 meters, I was winded, but kept the pace up.  This one was also difficult, but didn't feel as hard as yesterday--possibly due to the lack of wind and heat.  Anyway, today was the same 2 mile course, but I finished it in exactly 19 minutes.  That's pretty weird to have back to back runs end on exact times like that.  I have no plans other than to try and increase distance.  I'm still planning on running the Old Pueblo 50 miler in March.  I'm going to try and catch up on reading your blogs too.