I haven't written much here (or anything) because I haven't felt great about how the running has been going. Between a pair of sinus infections, some cold and snowy weather and regular malaise, I've been struggling with consistency.
So what's the plan?
Get consistent. Period.
That's pretty much been the plan for the past two weeks and although my mileage hasn't been anything to go crazy over, it's getting consistent. In the past three weeks I got out for 19 runs. The best part about this is that they are all right around 10-plus miles at 6:45 to 7:00 pace. Again, that's not great, but it's putting me on schedule to get started on some serious work this summer.
Meanwhile, part of my struggle with consistency -- I think -- is attributed to my diet. In taking some self-inventory in this regard I decided to go as organic as possible, and no eating after 8 p.m. Because of this, I've sworn off practically all the food served at the ballpark, which isn't too difficult since it's not very good and the vegetarian options leave a little to be desired.
It's funny because it's true:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ua129pv-eKE]
Anyway, here's what was missed over the past four weeks (in descending order)...
April 2 - 8
Monday -- 9 miles in 60:37
Ran in FDR Park and around the ballpark after writing about Brett Myers. It wasn't ideal (the running not writing about Brett Myers -- though that wasn't ideal either), but I'm pleased that I got something in. I think I had a pretty good pace going through the park.
Tuesday -- 11.5 miles in 1:21:12
I got my ass kicked. My legs were tight and tired the entire time, though there was a little stretch where I ran a good pace.
Wednesday -- 10 miles in 68:22
Started out very slow, but picked it up. My legs still feel tight and I have a weird pain on my right ankle, but I've been running OK. Once I get going I feel good.
Thursday -- 9 miles in 63:47
I actually stopped twice before I started. Finally I pushed myself out the door and felt pretty good once I got going. Of course I didn't run very hard and didn't feel too loose, but I got one in. That makes me feel good.
Friday -- 10.5 miles in 1:13:25
I've been really sluggish at the start of the run but I feel good when I get going. The thing is I still feel kind of tight. I think I need more sleep -- I was up all night with Michael.
Saturday -- 11 miles in 1:16:11
It was another blustery, cold day so I stayed off the roads and the field and ran back in the Brick Yards. The loop gets a bit repetitive, but the surface is soft and the climbs are fairly challenging.
Sunday -- 6 miles in 42:00
Didn't have much time to run because of our Easter festivities all over town. Plus, it's still really cold. It's actually oddly cold. Despite that -- and my tight, slow legs -- I'm enjoying the low-key approach. My mileage isn't anything to go crazy about, but I'm building some consistency, which will help when I decide to crank it up again.
Weekly total: 67 miles
Week of March 26 to April 1
Monday -- 15 miles in 1:41:17
Felt really, really strong. Actually, I felt better and faster as the run progressed -- I haven't had one of those in a long time. Later, we went to Taj Mahal with the Wanns, which is always fun. Mike and Michelle Wann (and Christopher) are as great as they come. A good time was had by all.
Tuesday -- 9 miles in 62:10
It was kind of hot today. It might have made it to 80 degrees. Needless to say, I sweated a lot and my legs were a little dull. My calves are still spasming like crazy -- I should call my ART guys.
Wednesday -- 10.2 miles in 69:33
Ran pretty hard in some spots, especially the hills. I definitely could have kept on going, but right now the aim is to stay consistent and not kill myself. We'll do that later.
Thursday -- off
Friday -- 13.3 miles in 1:29:07
Got back on Baker Field and it was a lot of fun. My stride got shorter around 9 to 10 miles, but it was still a good run. It would be great if they were all like this.
Saturday -- 11.7 miles in 1:19:21
Felt pretty good again. It was a lot like yesterday.
Sunday -- 10 miles in 69:09
My legs were tight and it was a little cool because of the rain, but I enjoyed it. Running is fun. I could have gone much longer.
Weekly total: 69.2 miles
Week of March 19-25
Monday -- 7.2 miles in 51:42
First day back after three days off and I really felt it. I'm such a slacker and now I'm paying for it.
Tuesday -- 8.8 miles in 62:00
The plan is to build up slowly. I'm definitely out of shape and if I jump into it too quickly I'm going to get hurt and have a few setbacks, so the plan is to take my time, stay consistent and get ready for some hard training in the summer and early autumn. Consistency.
Wednesday -- 10.1 miles in 1:11:53
Ran a little longer and a few more hills and felt a little tight in my calves. Other than that, my lungs felt good and the distance was easy, but I feel as though I have no speed and that I'm a little heavy.
Thursday -- 10.1 miles in 69:41
Decent run. I picked up the pace in a few spots, like when going up the hills, but otherwise it was effortless. My legs are still tight and tired, but the rest of me is OK. My diet has been cleaned up and I can really tell.
Friday -- 10.1 miles in 68:18
Felt pretty good and could have run much longer. I went out in the rain and later in the afternoon when Ellen came home from work.
Saturday -- 9.3 miles in 1:13:56
Ran the first 5k with John May and the final 10k by myself. Both parts of the run were fun and it feels like I'm starting to get some strength back even though my calves are very, very tight.
Sunday -- scheduled day off
Weekly total: 55.6 miles
Week of March 12-18
Monday -- 12.6 miles in 1:26:06
Just ran around and did a bunch of hills. Went to a bunch of different neighborhoods just to mix it up a little bit.
Tuesday -- 10 miles in 68:34
Felt pretty crappy midway through the run. My legs were tight and I was bit overdressed -- it got pretty warm out.
Wednesday -- 9.3 miles in 63:34
My legs felt like garbage during the entire run. They just wouldn't loosen up. After the run, my quad spasmed for hours. It was pretty weird.
Thursday -- 11.4 miles in 1:17:12
Felt good and reasonably strong throughout, but tired around the 60-minute mark. Either way, it was a decent run and it was good to get back on the field for change. With teh snow coming it might be a while before I can run there again.
Friday -- snow
Saturday -- cold and snow
Sunday -- lazy
Weekly total: 43.3 miles
Week of March 5-11
Monday -- 13 miles in 1:25:38
Started out feeling slow and heavy -- and the wind didn't help much either. But near F&M I started running hard and didn't stop. I suppose I used the tailwind (when I had it) and kept my head squared and ran. Honestly, I'm pretty surprised that I went as fast as I did.
Tuesday -- sick/sinuses
Wednesday -- More sinus trouble
Thursday -- more of the same
Friday -- 10 miles in 67:07
First time out after taking days off because of the sinus infection/cold. I felt good and bad during the run. Good for getting out there and hitting the rounds, and bad because I'm having trouble breathing with the congestion and everything else. When I woke up in the morning it hurt to swallow, but I wasn't going to take another day off. After the run was over I was glad that I got out.
Saturday -- 17.5 miles in 2:35:50
Ran the first 5+ by myself and felt pretty good, and then ran the last 2 hours with John May through the city. It was my longest run since a 20-miler in December. The pace was slow, but it was fun being out there running. My head is still stuffed up, though.
Sunday -- 9 miles in 61:27
Went out and ran and had fun. Could have run longer, but I want to put together a solid week. Plus, I don't want to push it after being sick most of the week or with my calves aching the way they have been.