Today I went to work for about 2 hours, then ran 5 miles at around 12:30 just because I wanted an endorphin fix. A couple of relatives came over for the rest of the afternoon and I ended up going back out to run 7 more miles with Ash at 7 PM. It was a bit chilly, although the fierce breeze that caused me some problems earlier in the day wasn't too bad this evening. My leg felt pretty good too, but it started to ache somewhat after 45 minutes. Otherwise I would have run 8 miles. Andy had to stop once to adjust his leg brace (which looked hilariously awkward) and both of us nearly ate snow several times due to slippery ice.
An hour or two before heading out for run number 2 today I received a text message from Richard, saying that he was about to go out for a run. He said motivation was getting difficult and that training solo was proving to be a mental challenge. I told him to stick with it. I've been having motivation issues as well after just about a week and a half since the semester ended. I even have Ash to haul me out there every day, and yet I find myself looking for excuses to skip it. Sometimes the mind can be so...weak and pathetic. Once I get going though I'm usually good. It's just that first step, and even worse, getting out of bed. I often tell friends and family who ask me how I can run so much that the most difficult part is simply putting on my shoes. The actual run is usually much less difficult than I imagine it will be.
There's only one week until official track practice begins. I should be fine as long as Ash keeps running with me over the next few days, and once practice starts there'll be no difficulty in going to work out. It'll be much worse for those like Richard who won't be around until the end of January. I'll have to keep texting him with little encouraging messages to keep him training. If I can make one teammate better simply by motivating him/her to get out and run...then I've served my purpose.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Semester "Break"
Since the semester ended last week I've been running with Andy every day. Neither one of us wants to go it alone, and I'm pretty thankful to have a training partner. Yesterday we did a 4 mile tempo run on the treadmill. I ran the first two miles at 6:15 pace, then took a bathroom break and finished the last two starting at about 5:50 and working down from there. It was somewhat of a mental boost realizing that I'm in a little better shape than I previously thought. I was also worried about my peroneal tendon, which has been slightly sore the past few days. It's the same one I pulled way back in August, during camp week. I doubt it's related to the same injury however, since it was fine the rest of the season.
Today I met at Ash's house (as usual) and we jogged about half a mile to meet up with Kyle Steiner. Haven't run with him since summer. That man is a beast. Apparently he's trying to recover from some knee problems so he can get back to training for a double decathlon. The run wasn't terrible, although my stomach has given me issues the past couple days. I did about 58 minutes total, but we weren't going real fast. It was probably between 7.5 and 8 miles. Planning to run tomorrow morning and then maybe again in the afternoon, depending how the peroneal feels. Russ has us doing double days now, and the actual season hasn't even started yet. If everything goes according to plan I'll start practice January 4th at 70 miles a week, which was my peak mileage at the height of the previous season. Here's to hoping the body can keep up.
Today I met at Ash's house (as usual) and we jogged about half a mile to meet up with Kyle Steiner. Haven't run with him since summer. That man is a beast. Apparently he's trying to recover from some knee problems so he can get back to training for a double decathlon. The run wasn't terrible, although my stomach has given me issues the past couple days. I did about 58 minutes total, but we weren't going real fast. It was probably between 7.5 and 8 miles. Planning to run tomorrow morning and then maybe again in the afternoon, depending how the peroneal feels. Russ has us doing double days now, and the actual season hasn't even started yet. If everything goes according to plan I'll start practice January 4th at 70 miles a week, which was my peak mileage at the height of the previous season. Here's to hoping the body can keep up.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Ice
Another day, another run...but this was the coldest one of the season so far. The temperature was a balmy 1 degree as I drove to school this morning, with wind chills around minus twenty. I ended up running with Ash late this afternoon. We bundled up pretty well and weren't too cold after the first mile. It got dark but that's just part of the experience. 7 miles went pretty quick.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Slush
Today I had typical Tuesday classes until 3:50, so I missed the main group of guys and planned on running by myself. I also failed to turn in a certain assignment today and have been in a crummy mood much of the day as a result.
After class I went out to the car and got my gear, making it to the field house just as Emily and Beth were getting back. They said it was messy outside and that drivers were getting frustrated because of the poor road conditions, so I decided to run on the treadmill to avoid dealing with the snow in the dark. Just before I went up to the fitness center, however, Ash called me up and asked if I wanted to run with him in Grafton. I said sure and headed over there along the safest route I could find.
Andy and I headed out the door sometime after 4 PM, when it was already getting dark. The snow had more or less stopped at that point, but enough had accumulated on the ground to make things interesting. We criss-crossed the avenues for about half an hour and then took the "extended bank" route down First Ave to Falls Road. Each of us slipped and nearly fell at least once but there were no real problems. Afterwards I stretched quickly and went home to eat dinner and shower before returning to campus for some tutoring in the writing center. I also did a bit of research (actually more like a ton of research) and drove back home at 10. By then a blizzard had rolled in and the conditions were terrible. Slush is falling from the sky as I type this and nobody is sure if we'll be having classes tomorrow. I hope we don't since I could really use a full day to study. Either way though I'm sure running is going to be a blast.
After class I went out to the car and got my gear, making it to the field house just as Emily and Beth were getting back. They said it was messy outside and that drivers were getting frustrated because of the poor road conditions, so I decided to run on the treadmill to avoid dealing with the snow in the dark. Just before I went up to the fitness center, however, Ash called me up and asked if I wanted to run with him in Grafton. I said sure and headed over there along the safest route I could find.
Andy and I headed out the door sometime after 4 PM, when it was already getting dark. The snow had more or less stopped at that point, but enough had accumulated on the ground to make things interesting. We criss-crossed the avenues for about half an hour and then took the "extended bank" route down First Ave to Falls Road. Each of us slipped and nearly fell at least once but there were no real problems. Afterwards I stretched quickly and went home to eat dinner and shower before returning to campus for some tutoring in the writing center. I also did a bit of research (actually more like a ton of research) and drove back home at 10. By then a blizzard had rolled in and the conditions were terrible. Slush is falling from the sky as I type this and nobody is sure if we'll be having classes tomorrow. I hope we don't since I could really use a full day to study. Either way though I'm sure running is going to be a blast.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Winter
Yesterday may have been the second worst run of my life. I set out from home and headed for CUW, making it the four miles without much trouble. I then proceeded to practice some steeple jumps and talked to Russ for about 5 minutes before heading for home. About one mile later I started getting sick, and when I was 2 miles from home I was forced to stop. I ended up walking the rest of the way home in the 35 degree weather and developed hypothermia. Standing under a hot shower while shivering is not right.
Later that night was our XC banquet, which helped lift my spirits a bit. I was voted for the team motivation and monster awards, which I probably did not deserve as much as a few other people.
Today's run was much better however. It was the first "snow run" of the season, as we trekked through about an inch of slush that had accumulated overnight and throughout the day. Numerous snowballs were hurled at each of us (Twiet especially) and Jon threw Ben into the ditch a couple of times. There's a snowstorm predicted for tomorrow, so I'm hoping we can fit in an epic battle or two in the near future.
Later that night was our XC banquet, which helped lift my spirits a bit. I was voted for the team motivation and monster awards, which I probably did not deserve as much as a few other people.
Today's run was much better however. It was the first "snow run" of the season, as we trekked through about an inch of slush that had accumulated overnight and throughout the day. Numerous snowballs were hurled at each of us (Twiet especially) and Jon threw Ben into the ditch a couple of times. There's a snowstorm predicted for tomorrow, so I'm hoping we can fit in an epic battle or two in the near future.
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