Well, this was an interesting week. Lots of events combining to rachet up the stress level, which in turn led to less sleep and more agitation. My poor mother tried to get a hold of me for two days but I was so busy dealing with things going on around me that I didn't have a chance to call her back until last night.
So my training schedule was a little wonky. I wanted to get my runs in, but at the same time I wanted to get some rest, and my body was a little achy from the strange sleep patterns. I did get a 4 mile run in on Tuesday, which felt very good. I kept to a steady 10:00/mm pace. I had to squeeze this run in after work, and more and more I realize that I just don't perform as well after work. I am not sure if it is because its "after work" and I am tired mentally as well as physically, or, if it is just because it is the 'evening' and my body is just not used to lots of activity at 7PM.
I wanted to get in a run or a walk on that Wednesday as well -- ya know, a run on Leap Day. With all those people at Disney World that day (a special day there where the park was open for 24 hours), I thought I would feel better by doing a run since I couldn't be celebrating with The Mouse. But, I woke up on Wednesday with twinges in my right hip and left calf (which weren't there when I went to sleep). Makes me wonder what I dreamed about that night... LOL Oh well, I figured I might as well just make Wednesday a Rest Day.
So Thursday morning I got up and put in another 3.97 miles at the club, running the first 3 miles at a 10:30/mm pace and the last .50 mile at 8:32/mm pace. I was very happy with that run. Just reinforcing my feeling that morning runs are just better for me.
Today, I will be attending a youth retreat all weekend -- something I do several times a year. It is always an uplifting experience for me as well as the young people who participate and staff the event. But it means no weekend Long Run for me. So today, I had to get up at 4AM so that I could get ready and get to the gym at 5AM for a 10-miler. And of course, I did not get to sleep until midnight so getting up at 4AM was just that much harder. Many thanks to my wife for making me get out of the bed.
The run started off rocky. First, I got in the locker room only to find that I had left my iPad in the car (I wanted to watch X-Men First Class during my run). So I had to go get that. Then, as I left the locker room the second time, I realized I had left my GU. So, had to go back to get that. Ten minutes waster because I kept forgetting things. Finally, I got to the Treadmill and started my run. The run itself went pretty well -- watching the movie was a nice change of pace for me (and it helped wake me up).
After the first 5K, I dropped into a 1-2 mile run (at a 12:00/pace) followed by a 1-minute walk (at a 17:00/pace). My body was tired due to the lack of sleep and I didn't want to 'force' it to do too much. It was a comfortable run and when all was said and done, I had run 10.35 miles. And, I watched the entire movie too!
After the run, I showered and have a very good breakfast with my buddy Mike. Then I drove him to O'Hare on my way to my office. Mike is competing in the Little Rock Marathon on Sunday. Go Mike!!!!
I am really glad that I was able to get that run in. I feel much better and my mind is a lot more at ease. That is a good thing as I head into a retreat weekend.
Total miles for the week: 18. Given the nature of this week, I will take that as a good mileage target. Next week will definitely be over 20. Weather forecasts say it might be in the 50s next Wednesday. You know what that means? I get to take my run OUTSIDE!!! Excellent!