rough patch
there are times, during training and racing, that things just don’t go (or feel) right. within running circles, it’s referred to as a “bad” or “rough” patch. as of late, i’ve been working through a rough patch.
back on the 19th, i ran a hilly route out to the Retzer Nature Center then ran a bit on the wooded trails and headed home. the next morning my right shin was rather sore and i didn’t have much range of motion. no big deal, i could use a day off. the next day i figured i’d gear up and get in some easy miles. after slowly jogging for 2 minutes, i opted to make a 180 for home and grabbed an ice pack for the shin. after my second day without running, i was able to get my rear out the door for some easy miles. for the most part, the run went well as my shin didn’t bother me – – but a new pain showed up in my upper right hamstring.
perhaps i’m out of warranty (being over 30,000 on my odometer) or am in need of a rotation of sorts; but i’m beginning to feel more and more like the tin man who was in constant need of that can of oil to move fluidly. regardless, this week i kept the pace easy and took the time to stretch a bit after i run. as of now, the hamstring is getting closer to 100%. i even had enough spring in my step to avoid a wee little foo foo dog who was trying to chase me down during my run tonight. earlier in the week, he might have caught me. 🙂
8/16 off
8/17 6 miles (easy)
8/18 6 miles (easy)
8/19 6 miles (easy)
8/20 off (right shin)
8/21 off (right shin)
8/22 6 miles (easy)
8/23 6 miles (easy)
8/24 7 miles (moonlit miles on the glacial drumlin)
8/25 7 miles (more moonlit miles on the glacial drumlin)
8/26 5 miles (easy)
MTD – 150.25 miles (21 runs in 26 days)
YTD – 1268.5 miles
Odometer – 30,776.5 miles
weekend wanderings
i’m slowly getting back on track for logging two thousand miles (plus) in 2010. with 138 days remaining in the year, i’m twenty four miles behind the “pace” i’d need for two thousand on 12/31.
the recent double whammy of heat & humidity finally broke today so i took advantage of it with a long run. the extra bonus of my evening constitutional was that there was enough wind around to keep the mosquitoes at bay.
9/12 – off
9/13 – 7 miles (easy – – in the rain)
9/14 – 10 miles (easy – – with dad)
9/15 – 15 miles (to Wales and back on the Glacial Drumlin plus 2 more miles closer to home)
MTD – 101.25 miles (13 runs in 15 days)
YTD – 1219.5 miles
Odometer – 30,727.5 miles
change up
as of late, i’ve been easing back on the miles during the work week and aiming to move up the miles on the weekend. the intent is to get some longer runs done on the weekend to prep me for a longer race later this fall.
i haven’t settled on a specific event yet but am considering the Chicago 50K or the Haunted Hustle Marathon in Middleton, WI. both are being held the last weekend in October so the weather should be ideal.
as far as “tune-up” races this fall, i’m considering the Badgerland Striders Half Marathon on August 28th and Al’s Run (8K) on October 9th.
in the meantime, i’ve been sweating it out in the evenings with the humid conditions that august always brings. in the back of my mind, i know i’ll be wishing for these conditions when january & february roll around.
8/1 – off
8/2 – 5 miles
8/3 – 7 miles
8/4 – 5 miles
8/5 – 8 miles
8/6 – 5 miles
8/7 – 13 miles
8/8 – 8.25 miles
8/9 – 6 miles
8/10 – 6 miles
8/11 – 6 miles
MTD – 69.25 miles
YTD – 1187.5 miles
Odometer – 30,695.5 miles
you versus
while i quietly sat on my couch, watching the final time trial of the Tour de France, the channel carrying the coverage cut to a promotional segment after a commercial break. it’s rare that anything really stands out for me while watching television, but the familiar sounds of Metallica’s “One” being covered by the cello-metal band Apocalyptica combined with the visions of a few of my favorite non-running sports (cycling & hockey) in addition to a motivating speech – – and you’ve got momentum.
i was able to muster 200 miles in july. while i haven’t started doing “long runs” per se, i have been getting very consistent with getting out the door. the 10K race early in the month was also a boost to my confidence that i’m starting to round back into form without major flare-ups from my right achilles.
7/21 – 6 miles
7/22 – off
7/23 – 6 miles
7/24 – 9 miles
7/25 – 8 miles
7/26 – 8 miles
7/27 – 10 miles
7/28 – 6 miles
7/29 – off
7/30 – 10 miles
7/31 – 9 miles
MTD – 200 miles (26 runs in 31 days)
YTD – 1118 miles
Odometer – 30,626 miles
pink watch
this past weekend, we were up north at my in-laws cottage. the only thing i forgot to pack was my GPS watch. my eldest daughter, Jade, was kind enough to lend me her pink digital watch as a replacement for three of my constitutionals. the only condition on the loan was that i had to return it to her – – clean.
7/12 – 6 miles (easy)
7/13 – 9 miles (rolled past 1000 miles year-to-date)
7/14 – 5 miles (easy)
7/15 – off
7/16 – 7 miles (east side of milwaukee)
7/17 – 7.5 miles (up north)
7/18 – 9.5 miles (up north)
7/19 – 9.5 miles (up north)
7/20 – 7 miles (east side of milwaukee)
MTD – 128 miles (17 runs in 20 days)
YTD – 1046 miles
Odometer – 30,554 miles