Frustrating Week

Frustrating week. Monday started well with a BLTS workout with Jodi. That's Bike to Lifetime To Swim. 45 min MTB, a swim in the crisp, clear, late-season water in the outdoor pool, then MTB back home. Legs weren't even that fatigued after the 21 miler.

But then... headed to the track on Tue to take the Yasso 800s to the next level and my right foot was not liking the idea. Being cautious, i headed home. The next night i tried again. This time, a brand new injury reared its ugly head below my left ankle. If i don't type about it, maybe it'll go away, i thought.

Thursday my workout was walking (mostly) around the zoo. Friday, no run. i headed home and sat on the couch with a bowl of cereal and looked up at the show Mike was watching. Ironman Kona 2005. Great. OK. i finished my bowl and headed to the club where i substituted an hour on the StairMaster -- 378 floors, 3.5 "Sears Tower's."

Saturday things picked up when Jodi and Mike and i headed out for the 44 mile Bread and Butter Ride. Perfect day for it. Felt good to be working hard, especially as Mike threw in a breakaway just before Ashland, leaving Jodi and i having to work hard to catch him just before the climb up to the outlet malls. Somehow Jodi powered by and rode to the top of the 3-tiered mountain with a ten second lead and the rights to the polka dotted jersey. We all coasted in the rest of the way, pleased with our efforts.

Today was a scheduled 12 mile run. Started around Lake Z with Mike running for 6 minutes and walking for 2. Repeat. All the way around. 7.4 done. Mike is recovering from a serious achilles injury, so 7.4 was solid for him. i needed a little more, so i headed out for one more loop around the big side. 1.5 out my "new" injury flared up, so i turned around and walked back with a little running at the end. Still got about 10 and i'll take it.

So, now both my feet ache and not sure if i should mix in more rest or go full steam ahead into this upcoming weekend's 20 miler. i think i'll sleep on it.

Loess Hills Ride and Lake Z 20 miler

Ended up skipping my Monday pace run as my foot was not in good shape after the 19 miler. Didn't get my two swims in either. On the plus side, MTBed to the shrine with Jodi and Mike, ran fartleks with Jodi, and snagged a long bike and a long run over the weekend.

The Saturday trek was Onabike, "Western Iowa's Largest 1-Day Ride." Had a choice between a flat 29 miler and 63 through through the Loess Hills. Mike, Jodi, and i chose the latter. We were all up late Friday night while celebrating Jodi's birthday at Gallup where i worked on the monthly code release and Alicia joined us for two tight Scrabble matches, but we made it up early enough to drive north 90 minutes for the start and a police escort out of town. Crowded flats gave way to some fun rollers as the pretty countryside rolled by. Was this Ireland? We stopped in Pisgah for some loose meat sammys, lemonade, and cookies. Then, we posed for a pic before descending Murray Hill. It was the longest ride of the year for all three of us, so we were glad to be done.

On Sunday, Jodi and i arrived at Lake Z before sunrise to finish our long run before church. Jodi hiccuped the entire first mile but overcame to run the first 12 with me. As steam rose from the lake, nature abounded: fish jumping high into the air, 4 deer just steps away from us, and a swan slapping the still water with its wings on takeoff. i finished with 20.75 miles, my final 4 the fastest.

Goal for the week: stretch my left foot by rolling its arch over a tennis ball. Been bothering me lately.

Running in the Rain

Saturday: 19 miles in 2:31:49 (7:59.4/mile avg). Most of the run was in the rain, which i love. During the hardest downpour was the biggest smile on my face. Enjoyed a classic runner's high at mile 3.16. Started training with Gatorade Lemon-Lime Endurance Formula since that will be the drink of choice in my race. Thought my stomach wouldn't welcome the change, but no problems at all. My foot, however, has been aching since the run and the tough training has just started. Hoping for the best.

Sunday's workout was picking up trash on the side of the roads outside our subdivision for two hours (75 smashed Busch Lite can/mile avg).

Pace run scheduled for today. Not sure if i should five in or be cautious and spin instead. This weekend holds a 63 mile bike ride in the Loess Hills and a 20 mile run somewhere.

Training with a Porpoise

Yesterday was a pool workout: Easy 3x500m. On the last set i started into something i call "Porpoising" or "Dolphining." i'm guessing these words are already taken to mean leaping over waves, like when one is making his or her way over waves into an ocean. For me, it simply means a playful, free swim, going wherever the current (well, the black line at the bottom) takes me. It also means focusing on my form by feeling where my dorsal fin (ok, my back, arms, head, legs) is in the water. Last night when i did this i "played" with my stroke and found when i made a little tweak-- rotating just a tad more on each side -- i was able to reach out a little more, use my back muscles more than my arms, and decrease my stroke count by 2 per length.

Two related notes:
1) It needs work, but i can do a so-so impression of Flipper.
2) Learning moment: there are differences between dolphins and porpoises.

Today's pace run had mixed results. My goal was to warm up, then run 3-5 at marathon goal pace (around 7:30). Thankfully, Ryan was there to push me, but pace mile 4 really tailed off and i had to walk/jog in the cool down. At the top of the Ped bridge i remember thinking that maybe 30 years of running is enough and i should just be done with this. Sure, i did have a tough hill workout 2 days ago, but still frustrating. Hoping i can be more positive than negative moving forward.

Related note: 1) On the run, Ryan mentioned he was hit by an SUV this morning while on a bike ride. He's OK. Glad for that.

eat, breath, and sleep

Been running for 30 years pretty much on the dot. There will be a time to savor that milestone, but with Chicago 2009 fast approaching, i really need to eat, breath, and sleep running right now. Problem is: i mostly feel like sleeping it.

Tonight got on my horse and ran 10 hill repeats up Dodge ST between 17th and 19th. No traffic lights to deal with and to help prepare for Chicago there was plenty of jackhammering, traffic noise, and cement.

Seems like my legs are tired for 95% of my workouts. Has it always been this way? 30 years ago i'm guessing i was quite a bit more fresh. But here i am, taking a shot at BQing -- perhaps for the final time -- and somehow still enjoying it on some level.