Running with a pro

Happy Thanksgiving, all. I had intended to run a trail 5k this week while visiting friends in northern Indiana, but for reasons that would interest no one, it didn't work out. However, I have been running every day with my friend Michael, a former professional triathlete.

I feel pretty good about my training, but I have also been reminded why I am not a professional athlete. It's been a bit discouraging, actually. I am now the fastest I have been since high school, having run a 19:12 and a 19:16 this year. Michael hasn't trained in three years. Yet each day we have gone out for a 5 to 8 mile run, each day I have churned away as he lopes along easily beside me, and each day I have finished the run gasping and sore, a stitch in my side and my tongue covered in dry cotton, as he, without discernable effort or discomfort, has gone looking for food and drink. Fortunately, I earn a living doing something other than running.

I will race again on December 6 in the Montgomery Jingle Bell run. I am hopeful that the cool weather will keep my engine cool enough for 6:06's.

Another Week, Another 5K...

My goal this week was to run another 5K on Sunday, the Larry Robinson/Alex Milotis 5K, here in Andover. Knowing there would be hills (without knowing the course), I was sure to continue my training this week with not just speed work, but with some significant hills mised in, too. I was able to insert some floor exercises, as well; these were light considering I missed at least one and a half weeks of them.



Monday - 3 miles easy

Tuesday - 8 miles with fartleks and hills

Wednesday - 5 miles with fartleks and hills

Thursday - missed the day

Friday - 5.5 miles; 2 x 800, 2 x 400, 2 x 200 (@ 83 sec)

Saturday - 4 miles medium

Sunday - 5.5 miles including Larry Robinson/Alex Milotis 5K Race

TOTAL = 31 miles



On to the race. I had stated after I set a PR at 18:37 that I wanted to be able to hit under 18:50 in order to validate the my goal. The Larry Robinson/Alex Miliotis 5K was hillier than the course in which I set a PR. The wind was blowing quite a bit, too. I ran an 18:54, above my goal, but still under 19:00. The split times were weird and I think that the actual mile markers were slightly off. Apparently, I ran a 5:40 2nd mile and was not even winded, and then still had enough to run hard up the slight hill to the finish. At any rate, splits aside, goal aside, I am still under 19:00, and for that I am proud.

Another Bounce Back Week...

If you remember reading, I have recently hit a few stretches when something prevents me from a comprehensive, full week of training and then I bounce back with a good strong week. Mostly, the pressure of not losing the effects of the work put in is my overwhelming motivation. Thus, I knock out three speed work days, a long run of sorts, and a 6-day week. Well, the last two weeks followed this paradigm. Two weeks ago, I only got in a few days running. This past week:

Monday - 3 miles fast
Tuesday - 8 miles with fartleks
Wednesday - 4 miles medium
Thursday - 5 miles fartleks, including hills

Friday - 5 miles including 2 x 800, 3 x 400 (@ 83 sec)

Saturday - 13 miles, including hills

Sunday - rest

TOTAL = 38 miles

It is now important for me to have success and progress early this week - some floor exercises, speed, hills, and distance - so that I can taper to a potential 5K race this coming Sunday morning. If I do this race, it is the one that I target to confirm my previous time. I will keep you posted.