no day to push it

goal race: Buffalo Marathon 5/29

thursday

A busy day led to another night run, didn’t get to head out til 8:30.  We’re on the low end of the recent temperature rollercoaster ride at 12 degrees F when I stepped outside.  Luckily very little wind.  The chill didn’t help the fact I wasn’t feeling great, possibly on verge of coming down with something, so cut the distance down to 9 miles from what I’d wanted to do.  No need to go too far to the well at this early phase of training.  A sluggish run, but didn’t feel any worse when I reached home.  Get a good night rest tonight and see what I can get in tomorrow, and stay healthy for a good tempo run at Saturday’s 10 mile race.

fartlek sandwich

goal race: Buffalo Marathon 5/29

wednesday

Yesterday ended up being a rest day for various factors.  The snowstorm dumped nearly a foot in the city, sidewalks impassible and was going to be dicey competing with traffic on the roads; and physically didn’t feel better than during Monday’s run, feeling run down, and the fatigue seemed to intensify the various current feet ailments: blisters, calluses, split toenails, black toe…was a good day to stay off my feet…

Today was better, both the weather and body (feet included), the 30 degree temps cleared away much of the snow, allowing for normal strides on the roads and my favorite spots in the park.  The refreshed mind and body got me going on an unplanned 7 mile tempo run varying between 6 – 6:30 minute mile pace – really a fartlek since it was unplanned – sandwiched by a couple of soft ‘rolls’ of 5 miles to and from the park, 17 miles for the day.  

The run felt great.  I think I’m letting out all the pent up miles from the past couple of years of training for shorter races and track workouts that had limited the long runs.

grinder

goal race: Buffalo Marathon 5/29

monday

A tough 12 miler this afternoon through the park on a day back in the 30 degree mark.  I think the frigid temps of the past couple of days took a toll, and today was the result.  Got some groove back in the stride for a few miles, but mostly a grinder.  Felt it at the finish, no one had to tell me I had just had a workout.  It’ll be relatively warm the rest of the week, but we’re expecting a decent amount of snow the next couple days.  Will see what kind of run(s) I can get in the snow tomorrow.