Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Like a Zombie
Today's Run: 4.5m
Run Time: 43:23
Total Miles to Date: 91.2
Thoughts on the Run:
It was a fitting run for Halloween, because I felt like a Zombie.
I still hadn't fully recovered from the long run on the weekend - my legs were sore, and I was coughing quite a bit. I had caught a cold that I managed to run a 10K through and do more training, but the cough just won't let go.
So, I made the executive decision that I would try one more run and then if the coughing persisted, take several days rest to fully recover.
I set out on my run intending to do 5 miles. It was evident early in the run that it would be a struggle. I was completely out of breath when I hit the first hill and felt like when I first started running. I decided to focus on what I do best in times like this: consistency. Just keep moving. So, I pushed through and managed to make the full hill without stopping.
I also decided to focus on what I believe is the cause of the persistent cough: breathing through my mouth. I started intentionally breathing through my nose. It actually made for a very pleasant run. There were times where I just couldn't seem to catch my breath without breathing in through my mouth, but for the most part I was able to use my nose to inhale and hopefully stop pulling dry, cold air into my lungs.
After cresting a second long hill, my body just began to feel like jelly. I decided it would be a great accomplishment just to finish the run, so I changed my goal and instead of cutting into the various neighborhoods, chose to simply complete the loop for a 4.5 mile run. This would not just shave a short 0.5 mile from it, but would let me finish the run completely downhill as opposed to the 0.5 loop that has several little uphill sections. Psychologically, it was the kick I needed to push through.
I made it to the end and was surprised to see that despite feeling miserable and really feeling like I had a lousy, forced run, I completed it in 43:23 or at a 9:40 minute mile pace. Not bad! I was actually excited.
It was ironic that despite this being one of my shorter runs, it actually felt like I had run another 10 miles. My chest hurt, I was out of breath, and my legs were sore.
It was good training but I also decided, "Okay, time to rest." I'll be taking the rest of the week off until my 10-mile run on Saturday. Hopefully that will be enough of a break to let my body get over whatever cough I've picked up and also to hit a new PR on the 10-miler. It will be at Kennesaw Mountain again, probably with the Gatorade Endurance since I doubt my order of Ultra will get here in time, but since I'm doing the flatter side I'm setting a 10-minute mile goal to finish in 1:40.
We'll see! I may not post again until the weekend.
After my run, we went to visit our good friends. We passed out candy, walked with the kids, then had chili made with buffalo meat and some beers. It was a nice, relaxing evening. I feel much better today but still look forward to some more rest to start hitting the next tier of mileage.
I was beating myself up for relaxing a little and then I saw my stats - 90 miles in the month of October. Not bad!
Until next time,
Jeremy Likness
Run Time: 43:23
Total Miles to Date: 91.2
Thoughts on the Run:
It was a fitting run for Halloween, because I felt like a Zombie.
I still hadn't fully recovered from the long run on the weekend - my legs were sore, and I was coughing quite a bit. I had caught a cold that I managed to run a 10K through and do more training, but the cough just won't let go.
So, I made the executive decision that I would try one more run and then if the coughing persisted, take several days rest to fully recover.
I set out on my run intending to do 5 miles. It was evident early in the run that it would be a struggle. I was completely out of breath when I hit the first hill and felt like when I first started running. I decided to focus on what I do best in times like this: consistency. Just keep moving. So, I pushed through and managed to make the full hill without stopping.
I also decided to focus on what I believe is the cause of the persistent cough: breathing through my mouth. I started intentionally breathing through my nose. It actually made for a very pleasant run. There were times where I just couldn't seem to catch my breath without breathing in through my mouth, but for the most part I was able to use my nose to inhale and hopefully stop pulling dry, cold air into my lungs.
After cresting a second long hill, my body just began to feel like jelly. I decided it would be a great accomplishment just to finish the run, so I changed my goal and instead of cutting into the various neighborhoods, chose to simply complete the loop for a 4.5 mile run. This would not just shave a short 0.5 mile from it, but would let me finish the run completely downhill as opposed to the 0.5 loop that has several little uphill sections. Psychologically, it was the kick I needed to push through.
I made it to the end and was surprised to see that despite feeling miserable and really feeling like I had a lousy, forced run, I completed it in 43:23 or at a 9:40 minute mile pace. Not bad! I was actually excited.
It was ironic that despite this being one of my shorter runs, it actually felt like I had run another 10 miles. My chest hurt, I was out of breath, and my legs were sore.
It was good training but I also decided, "Okay, time to rest." I'll be taking the rest of the week off until my 10-mile run on Saturday. Hopefully that will be enough of a break to let my body get over whatever cough I've picked up and also to hit a new PR on the 10-miler. It will be at Kennesaw Mountain again, probably with the Gatorade Endurance since I doubt my order of Ultra will get here in time, but since I'm doing the flatter side I'm setting a 10-minute mile goal to finish in 1:40.
We'll see! I may not post again until the weekend.
After my run, we went to visit our good friends. We passed out candy, walked with the kids, then had chili made with buffalo meat and some beers. It was a nice, relaxing evening. I feel much better today but still look forward to some more rest to start hitting the next tier of mileage.
I was beating myself up for relaxing a little and then I saw my stats - 90 miles in the month of October. Not bad!
Until next time,
Jeremy Likness
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