Locomotive Breath

This has been an intense past couple of days. Things finally calmed down on Friday but, I definitely was starting to feel a little burnt out. Not from running rather, from work. The pace has been very intense and very demanding. Mentally I've been working through a few things and that hasn't helped with my focus.

Thursday was intended to be an easier day to recover from the harder effort on Wednesday. I woke up Thursday stiff and feeling very tight in my legs and butt. This told me a few things, running when I woke up was not going to be worthwhile. I also knew that recovery was worth it's weight in gold with the a hard run coming Saturday.

Thursday Workout
It had been a really long week and I made a point to get to the gym at normal time. I got up to the treadmills and my favorite one was calling my name. I had my thermal water bottle and my sports beans all set up. Having not had food since lunch I needed a little snack. Those 8 miles were super interesting. I just got really lost in thought and I was able to push the pace and just "be". I thought about writing this post directly after I was done running. I got lost in the moment and got into that very comfortable pace and position. I was able to just push it down to about 6:40 pace for the 8 miles.

I remember getting off the treadmill and had to snap back into reality. I seldom get so into a run that I can literally push everything away and make my world quiet.  It was a good feeling and I hope I can continue my focus on more runs.

Friday Workout
 I talked to rob by text afterwards and told him I had a good run; he asked how I felt and how my legs were holding up. His feedback to me was to see how I felt in the morning. I got up on Friday and my legs felt surprisingly fresh. I'm finally starting to feel like I am making some gains again. One of them is big on recovery. I've found that a diet with lots of greens and water has been really good for me. Greens are extremely good for you and can be whipped up into any dish. I'll try and post some food dishes on here soon.


My original plan was to run the 10 on the schedule. However, I woke up and I just really felt like I needed more sleep, knowing I had 18 to run today. I still got up and put 6 miles in and got home. IT was an excellent morning for a nice cool run. The best part was the french vanilla coffee I had when I got back to home base. Waking up with the smell of the lake and sunrises in the morning are something I'll never miss.





In case you did the math, I only got 6 in. I had planned to split up the run since I split them up. After getting off of work. I simply got too busy going through my day and by the time it came to dinner. I really just wanted to chill out. I decided to scrap the run and have a good dinner instead. Delicious teff flour quesadilla with rice, squash and tempeh NOM NOM NOM!


Saturday Workout
Today was rough. I had high hopes after the first loop. That was until I tried to get my turn over going, I simply couldn't get my legs turning over. The reason why would become apparent much later to me. Food food food. I continue to struggle with eating. I try to get out the door too quick it seems.

I put down half a banana and some nutella and ran out the door. literally.I only took in another 200 calories the rest of the run. Which was dumb...I burned almost 1800. I needed at least 500.


By the time I hit 16 I was done. I had hit that low point/ that wall and that last mile felt like a death march. I was sure I was in the 8:00's and surprised to be under 7:00.  I was happy to be around 6:08 but was not what I was looking for.


Today's workout was supposed to be 5 miles up 8 at sub 5:55 and 5 down. We can clearly see I failed at the middle 8 but once I knew the wheels were going to fall off I tried to hang on the best I could. I think I did remarkably well considering my stupid fueling choices.Honestly. I'm very happy that the last 5 were 6:40's average. 







There have been a few things have developed as some aches and pains. One that I feel all to many runners deal with. Back pain, my lower back has been killing me lately. I have been working on strengthening it but, I  think I need a  better chair at work and work more on my form when running.


I'm tapped otu and ready to crash. maybe tomorrow I'll work on getting some recipes up.



Ian Anderson - Master of the Jazz Flute!