Last week I resolved to update Knob everyday this week. I was going to get disciplined, get creative and forge ahead. I had the first post written in my head already: “The week that was, the week to come.” Obviously I have failed. Yesterday came and went and this albatross sat in my guilt-ridden mind. Oh well.
Since the last post and that tempo run downer I have had some good days and some bad days. I’ve been running doubles for the last few weeks when I can, maybe two or three or four days a week, but still only in the low 50s per week total. I figured doubles were an easy way to creep the mileage up, but not have to do much in one session. I usually just throw in an easy three miles in the morning. Last year around this time I was averaging in the high 30s (seems laughable now that I thought I was working hard), and now I’m in the 40s on average. So not too much difference. And since I’m slow, I’ve learned that more mileage is the only way I can survive.
Before we get to this week, a recap of last week. Monday was a very nice firecracker over the Bouldin route. Ran/felt good. Tuesday another positive effort with 4x2K at Zilker. It’s really about 1950m but my times were the fastest ever, but I think it was the company I was running with (Eric and Sam, strong runners both). Thursday was a track workout (4×600/400/200) and I just don’t like track workouts. I’m not fast. I’m slow. And it shows on the track. I do ok on the 600 and 400, but the 200 is all molasses and elbows. Embarrassing.
Thursday afternoon the family made it out to Enchanted Rock. Did Jessica mention it or post any pictures? Never mind. It was a happy time, but my shinankle tendons got pretty sore on the ol’ rock. Joshua also took a pretty good tumble down the side of a boulder, but the six-year old was as tough as the rock itself and came out a little dazed, slightly scathed, but in one piece.
Anyway, on Saturday I made it over to the Daisy 5K as a spectator. Looked like a tough race as most everyone was just slightly disappointed with their time, which in most cases was a few seconds slower than what they thought they’d run. But watching it made me wish I was racing, so I went home and signed up for a 5K this Saturday. There’s no course map and they say it’s an “out and back with a little hill” but I hope they’re not just being coy since it’s pretty hilly out there. Whatever, I figured I needed some race practice before the Capitol 10K. I’m fully expecting the Cap10K to be as painful as ever and thought I’d better get used to a little agony before I dive in.
Speaking of the Cap10K, another Firecracker yesterday over the 10K course and I tried to push it but faded pretty badly near the end. I’ve noticed that I don’t want to push like I used to. In the past I never would have slowed down at 4.75 miles of a 5 mile push, but these days I just think, “eh, whatever, it’s only a quarter mile.” Kind of disturbing.
Wilke today for the first time…. since Summer? I was kind of dreading it all afternoon at work, and in the midst it was excruciating, but it was a good excruciation, the kind that puts hair on your chest and hopefully makes you stronger. (So “excruciation” passes spell check … I thought I was making up a word.)
That’s all the narcissism for now.
welcome back knob. i’m a little surprised that excruciation is a real word too, but i looked it up and there it was.
going from 30’s average to 40’s average might be in the range of a 33% increase in mileage (or after re-reading…high 30’s to 40’s might be a 20% increase???? . Quite a difference I’d say either way. And it sounds like you’ve healed. good news all around.