This continues to be a strange season in my running life.
Yesterday I came home and wasn’t feeling well. I had a bit of a sick headache. My thought was to perhaps skip my 5 mile run for the day and just walk a few miles. By the time I got home I felt better thanks to my Lovely Wife suggesting I drink some chocolate milk. I guess it was low blood sugar. Anyway, I decided to go out for my run.
It went really well. In fact it went much better then Tuesday’s run. I did have my ACV before I went out as usual, but the run was stranger then my runs lately.
I ran easy. I decided to not push myself. I told myself to just take it easy and get a slow 5 miles in.
As I ran, I noticed my pace improving. I wasn’t pushing myself. In fact I was trying not to push. The more I relaxed, the faster my pace got. There were actually a few times where I got below 7:00 pace – and I didn’t feel like I was running very hard at all.
In the usual places I got a bit tired and did have a phone call during my run, but I felt strong and well for the whole run.
My last mile (almost a full mile – I don’t care much anymore about the last .05 of a mile) I ran at a pace below 8:00. I was, however, pushing more at that point since I knew it was going to be a good run for me.
It was a good run. 8:23 pace overall.
Here is a breakdown:
I really don’t know what I am finally doing right. I feel good while running. My hip is doing well. My pace is getting better and my VO2 Max seems to be improving greatly.
I have had thoughts of increasing my mileage, but I am good with 5 miles a day and 8 – 12 on my long day. Rhythm is important and I feel like I am developing one. In fact, this was pretty much my whole training for my marathon. 5 miles a day during the week and 10 – 20 on the weekend.
So things are moving in a positive direction… Thankfully. My weight is also down. I was up above 190 for a bit, but am now at 187. Hopefully that will continue to go down.
My half marathon is in just over 3 weeks. I plan on getting in an 11 or 12 mile run this weekend and 13 the next.
This could be a very interesting race for me. I’m beginning to actually look forward to it.
Tom