… and I have no idea how I’m going to make it. Oh sure, I’m strong and I’m putting in the work, but this damn hip strain/inflammation is driving me crazy. Yeah, I can and have been running through it, but runners are compulsive, obsessive and whatever the hell else –ive there is. As a result, it’s no fun doing the work and then hoping that all the recovery and rest stuff sticks in order to do it all over again tomorrow.
That’s the thing – tomorrow’s run is always in the back of my mind. Of course most of the time I take the tact of, “I’ll worry about tomorrow when it gets here,” as far as running goes, which is good and bad. It’s good because it makes that day’s workout that much more satisfying when completed. However, I guess it’s not always the best for long-term health.
Anyway, my hip hurts, I need to lose 10-to-15 pounds and I need to add a little bit more intensity to the miles I rack up. Hills are fine, and the fartlek/surges work, too. But for some reason it seems as if something is missing in terms of quality.
So that’s what’s going on as far as running goes. Meanwhile, it appears as if there will be slightly less volume coming at the end of next week. That’s when my wife will be induced into labor to deliver our second son since it seems as if her cervix and the boy are quite content just where they are.
Either way, it’s going to be an interesting week to be sure.
Here’s what happened last week (Aug. 13 – 19):
Monday – 20 miles in 2:14:55
I nearly didn't go out at all and spent some time figuring out where and when to pack it in and head home. But, as it always happens, I settled in around 5 miles and kept a fairly steady pace the entire time. I even ran some hills.
The trouble was with my left groin or abdominal muscles, which nagged me the entire run. It didn't hurt or hinder me, but I definitely felt it. I think it's time to get in for some ART.
Anyway, I did the first 5 in 33:10 and got the work in. Crazy, huh?
Tuesday – 15 miles in 1:42:58
I don't know what the hell happened here. I put the pedal to the metal and was barely able to run 6:50s. I hope this has more to do with me running 20 miles yesterday than it has to do with my achy hip -- yes, today it was my hip and not abs/groin, though they were tender, too.
Anyway, I feel very strong. Actually, the distance is extremely easy. It's just that I have no speed at all right now and I'm afraid to jump into too many uptempo workouts with my hips/abs/groin in the shape they're in.
splits:
1st 5: 34:19
2nd 5: 34:27
3rd 5: 34:11
Wednesday – 16 miles in 1:46:26
Felt a little better in my left hip/groin/abs than the past two days, but it's still not 100 percent. Moreover, I lost some speed/concentration toward the end of the run.
Either way, I'm pleased that I got the work in with a minimal amount of discomfort. Hopefully this little muscle flare up will work itself out soon.
splits;
1st 3: 19:42
next 2.2: 14:05
middle 5: 33:18
last 5: 33:45
Thursday – GOOSE EGG
Took a big fat ZERO today. I went out for 4-minutes and 5 seconds before stopping my watch and walking home. With the cold, my tight hip and some old-fashioned tiredness, I decided I was running myself into the ground and took the day off.
Instead, I ended up eating and making an appointment with my man Siegenthaler for some ART.
Friday – 15.3 miles in 1:45:30
My hip is driving me crazy. It's tight as hell and takes a long time to warm up. However, despite the bum hip, a nagging head cold, oppressive humidity, a baby on the way and some standard malaise, I still pounded out a few miles today.
Hopefully I can go longer tomorrow.
Saturday – 16 miles in 1:49:40
More of the same, though I'm not sure if my slowness is coming from my cold, my sore hip or both of them put together. Either way, it wasn't what I would call a grind, but when I got around for my last loop I was finished mentally. Sure, I could have cranked out 20, but there was no point to that today.
splits:
1st 5: 33:53
2nd 5: 34:16
3rd 5: 34:16
Sunday – 18 miles in 2:01:56
I started out a little tight, but once I loosened up I felt pretty good, or at least much better than the last two days. I'm still very strong when it comes to running pure mileage, but I definitely have some work to do... namely with my core and with eating too much. If I can get under 160 I'll be hard to beat.
Somehow and some way I hit 100.3 miles for the week. Freak, machine, or stupid?