Bighorn training week 7 wrap-up
Today I completed the last run for week 7 of my training program. It also marks the end of the second build up period.
The 3 week progression for this period was: 36 miles, 43 miles, 51 miles for weeks 5, 6 and 7, respectively. You can see details in the on-line training log.
During weeks 5 and 6 I was feeling good and was doing my runs too fast, about 1 minute per mile too fast. By the end of week six, I was feeling really fatigued. My diet was also slacking. The hard runs and crappy diet equated to trouble.
I refocused on my diet (more veggies, fruit, etc) and forced myself to run slower during week seven.
Fortunately, it seems to be working. I’m no longer useless if I get less than 9 or 10 hours of sleep, and I feel like I have more energy, despite having a hard running week.
All things considered, though, I’m glad next week is “easy week”. Running 6 miles mid-week with shorter runs on the weekend will be a nice change. I’m scheduled for 36 miles, but may do only 30. I don’t want to get into a position where I’m taxing my body too much. I still have 5 months of training!
Lesson learned for the week. Bring food and water on longer runs.
It has been a while since I’ve done longer runs. The 17 mile run on Saturday, in the sun, in 74 degree heat, got pretty ugly near the end. I was pretty dehydrated, and my stomach was growling like a pit bull. At one point I considered stopping to eat some leaves off a bush or something. Hah. It’s fun how the mind wanders, isn’t it. I kept thinking, “When I’m done with this run, I’m going to eat an apple, drink orange juice, eat a banana, drink a ton of water, eat a pizza”, blah blah blah.
But, sunny and 70’s in January! It was hard to get too down! There were plenty of sights and sounds along the canal to keep me busy. Man I love the canal. Not a very taxing place to run, and lots of unbelievable scenery.
Rock,
Bill