The Past Two Days

I guess I have some catching up to do. Yesterday I made my way into town to check out the Boulder running company. I have to admit it's quite the store. It has everything imaginable. It was midday on a Saturday so I knew it would be busy. I thought Road Runner was busy on a Saturday. I walked around checking out the shoes, gear and accessories. I found a really nice running log by Matt Fitzgerald, a nutritionist that has some great books out there. I always complain that logs are not put together correctly but this one does a wonderful job. It has a section for scheduled training-lots of room I might add and a diary for what's actually done. If I were to put a log together it would be comparable to this. I recommend picking one up. It's called " The Runners Diary" unique I know. It was a really nice day in Boulder. I'd say mid 40's with mostly sunny skies. I asked an employee If he could locate me in the direction of some local tracks accessible to the public. He handed to a map of the boulder area that includes a good amount of trails in Boulder and a layout of the city. I found Pots Field which is the CU track located off 33rd street. The track was clear of snow, a mondo surface and the Boulder creek path just behind. I wasn't feeling so great. The Aleve I've been taking for pain is really fucking up my stomach. It contains Naproxin which to be honest is eating your liver alive. Anyhow, after jumping a small fence I was on the track.

First workout at altitude-

I warmed up for 18 or so minute and returned back to the track. Did some drills/ strides and started the workout. My left leg was hurting while warming up, but was thinking it would get better as I starting the workout. I knew my lungs would be burning so the pain would subside. Quarters and 200's with good rest was the workout. I wanted them to be rather quick, but didn't put a time on it since I've never worked out at altitude. Boy was I in for a real treat. I slipped on my lunar racers and was off. After coming though 200 meters in 32 I knew this was different. I was breathing rather hard, really working to hit 63. Gasping for air as I jogged a lap. Each lap jog was just over 2:00. I started the next rep only to manage 64. I couldn't believe it! This was a real bitch. I give those that have to deal with this all the time a lot of credit. I know it's my first workout since starting back and I'm more than a mile above sea level but damn. I felt like I was running 58 or 59's. I hit the next two in 64/65. I then ran 4 200's with 200 jog. I thought those might feel better but they still sucked. Hit those in 32, 31, 31, 30. As soon as I caught my breath, I slipped off my flats and did a short cool down on the BCP. I was exhausted and all I wanted to do was get back home and relax. Later that night my left hip/gluts/quads were acting up. What else is new... Guess they didn't like the idea of working out today. I decided around 8pm to lay down on an air mattress, and was soon out till 8am this morning. Guess the week is catching up with me. Tomorrow is a new day!

The long run-

Over the years I've dreaded the ever so important long run. The reasoning behind this is a very good one. Most of the injuries I've endured are those involving a chronic pain. A pain that's tolerable but really tests the person you are. Until this summer/spring I couldn't train to my potential cause I knew what the outcome would be. The glimpse of great things has always been there and that's what keeps me going. I've been through much worse than the physical pain that runs up and down my left leg. That's what life is all about. How much you can take, how much you are willing to give up in order to prosper and achieve all the things you want from life. That's why at 25 I can't give up this crazy sport. Cause I know what I'm capable of.

I knew early this morning when I was lacing up my running shoes that this run was going to be a pain in the ass. That's literally what is was... Starting out my left gluts, quad and hip were bothersome. It was just something that I'd have to tolerate like I have so many times in the past. The good news was the weather was beautiful as was the view. I was also feeling great aerobically, clicking off 6:20 pace miles on the rolling dirt roads of Boulder. Soon I was 45 minutes in and decided to take the Res, which is the long way back to get in 13.5 miles for the day, making 70 for the week! Very please with my training for the week. I don't know if I'll try to get in two workouts for next week. I may just continue getting my runs in. I have to see how everything's reacting. That's the important thing. I'm trying to plan out the next few weeks but it's tough not knowing how my legs going to react. If it's still an issue once I get get in town I'll probably scratch racing until it's better. I want to fun fast this year, I must be healthy in order to achieve that goal. It's a long season and maybe someone is trying to tell me something. Enoch and myself are going into town to grab some food and a few drinks... Hope everyone enjoys their night! Training poster below-

1/9/10- 2.5 miles warm up + 4 x 400 W/ lap jog + 4 x 200 W/ 200 job + 2.5 cool down.
1/10/10- Long run... 13.5 miles/ 1:27:00