I used to blog regularly about my running. When my enthusiasm and passion for running waned, my blogging died with it. Maybe they died in concert, me just losing passion for the hobby. Back then I was continually improving, getting faster, increasing mileage, running new workouts, finding new insights, setting new personal records. Although, looking back, I think some of my best writing, ahem blogging, had less to to with running and more to do with … uh, not running? Anyway, as my interest in running somewhat returns, I thought I’d somewhat return to blogging as well. So as not to overwhelm myself, or you, my dear reader, I landed on a plan to recap my running weekly, rather than update daily like some lifeless training log. So, onward to the lifeless training log…
I haven’t been sleeping well through the Covid-19 quarantine (and probably before), and last Sunday was one of the worst nights yet. Finally at 5:30am I decided to just get up and go for a run. For whatever reason, the lack of sleep didn’t deter me and I actually felt pretty lively, so I decided on a five mile progressive tempo run over and back the one hill near me. The hill is about a 230ft elevation gain so nothing terrible, but certainly noticeable. Anyway, did the 5 miles in 38:45 (7:45 pace) with the last two miles at 7:09 and 6:54. My 5k pace right now is about 7:25, so maybe this was more than a tempo run, but I really believe in running by feel, and I remember feeling strong and steady. I was pretty jazzed after the run, and it’s sessions like these that build mental momentum. The sunrise from the top of the hill spurred me on, the weather was perfect at about 57 degrees, I only saw one or two other runners, so this was a great way to start the week.
Tuesday I was still feeling pretty good and loped out four-plus miles at a little over eight minute pace, while Wednesday it caught up to me and I kind of struggled at the same four-plus miles at nearly nine minute pace. Thursday I took the day off and did some hiking and fishing in the foothills with Jessica, including a three-mile hike up a pretty steep trail in Coal Creek Canyon State Park.
Friday I thought I’d do the same five mile progressive tempo over the hill, and struggled on this one at 39:26, with my last two miles at 7:11 and 7:23. I think my legs were just feeling the new ramp-up of mileage (still low, but up for me), and maybe the lack of sleep is getting to me too. Although I’ve noticed I’m sleeping better now that I’m running more.
Saturday was a terrible seven mile “long run” in the heat and wind and blowing dust and cancerous sun that Coloradoans just get used to. I ended up running about an hour, or 8:38 pace, but it felt much slower than that. I shouldn’t have run in the middle of the day at 1:30, and I had to do some laps in the pocket park in front of my house to finish off the mileage, so it was one of those days you just grind through to get it over with. After that monstrosity, I thought I’d take today, Sunday, off, but I was feeling pretty good this evening after an afternoon bike ride, so decided to chomp out an easy three miles. Pace was pretty good, but my foot is a little wonky so maybe an off day was called for. We’ll see tomorrow.
Anyway, after typing all this up, and reading it over, it’s pretty fucking boring, so I don’t know how long these weekly running updates will last. I need some new material, but at least it has me writing again. Cheers.
