A bit of an odd week this week.
Sunday started with a decent 12. Did it on the treadmill due to cold (33 degrees), heavy rain in the morning. Didn't want to wait until the afternoon to get in the run (had some chores that I had to get completed); but, really not up for a long run in miserable conditions. So, hit the 'mill. Ran pretty well through 10. But, during the last 2 the lingering effects of the cold and flu symptoms that I've had caught up with me and made for a tough last couple.
Was on the road pretty much all week. Left Monday morning and got back late Friday afternoon - hitting Helena, Butte and Bozeman. Did get to go on a run with Jeff Thomas. Spent one night with Jeff and Lyla. Also spent a night in Bozeman with Kelly and Liz Fulton. Plus got to see my parents in Butte and Zoe in Bozeman. And, on the way back home on Friday, was able to stop and say hi to Nicole Hunt and the boys (Eon, Ember and Roam). So - the travel had some pretty decent upside.
Had planned a 2 X 2-mile with 800 workout for Wednesday. That day found me in Bozeman. It was a warm day - probably on the order of 55 degrees when I headed out to run. The trails were a bit muddy and wet; but, footing was okay. Right from the get go, felt heavy and sluggish. Don't know if it was the altitude; or, the slight upgrade on the way "out". But, decided to give it a go anyway. Got some work in. Not quite the quality that I would have liked. [Goal was 13:05 to 13:20 for each 2-mile segment. Only able to hit 14:00 on the "out" section. Better coming back in - 13:06.........but, some of that was aided by the net downhill over that segment.] But, did get some quality work; and, some days there's value in fighting through a less than stellar workout rather than bailing out at the first sign of trouble. Sure, there's some physiological value. But, there's a bigger mental/psychological benefit. Some times you just have to "suck it up" and work your way through the bad spells. Those bad spells are bound to occur during races...............so, it doesn't hurt to get used to fighting through and coming out the other side.
On Friday, the schedule called for a 5-mile temp run. Goal pace was 6:45 to 6:50. Felt much better than Wednesday - even the warm-up felt okay. A bit of a breeze going out. But, still pretty close to goal pace. Right onto goal pace coming back in over the last 3.5 miles. Hit 34:06 for the 5-miles ............. 6:49 pace. Mostly controlled effort. Didn't feel that I was "going to the well" at any point. So, really pretty pleased with how it went - especially considering Wednesday's effort.
Ended up with 49 miles for the week. Right about where I had hoped to be for the week.
The effects of the cold are pretty much running their course. Looks like I should be able to get some rest - especially as we hit the holiday season. So, hopeful that things will come together over the next few weeks and I'll be able to sharpen up and ready to hit the sub-1:29 needed for guaranteed entry int NYC. 35 days and counting.
See you on the roads, tracks and trails
The Muddy Buzzard
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