Enjoying the Miles

I have learned many lessons through my time running, and that does not appear to be stopping any time soon. I think I bumped my miles too quickly. My soleus started cramping on runs and it was difficult to run. It was fine until about 6-8 miles in, and it would just say, "enough is enough." So, I backed off the miles for a week logging somewhere around 35, and am upped it 10-15 the following week. I decided to run twice a day, most days, and get in runs ranging from 5-8 miles each run. This allows me to keep up speed a bit better and get in great miles that will pay off later!!! I think the main problem is accepting the altitue. I can run around 6:15 -6:30 pace right now and (last time I checked) be running around 145HR. That is a very easy, reasonable effort, but it does not seem that my muscles recover as well as I would hope. So, I can go 5-6 miles at lunch now, run 5:45-6:00 pace and hold a more honest effort while not needing as much recovery. I don't yet know if it equates to cheating the system, but I'll take it! The bummer for me is that I HAVE to slow down on the long runs. I love getting out there and just going how I feel. 6min pace, 6:30 pace, whatever. Now, if I am going over 10 or so, it seems I need to slow it down a bit and just get the distance in the legs. This is a bummer!!! I can run 20 right now at that pace and feel like I was just out for a casual jaunt. The hope is that I will continue to get stronger and the pace can come down for the longer runs.

Adrienne is training well and will be upping her long run here in a couple weeks. It is nice that we have a lot of time before our long race, and I think it will benefit her body to be on this longer slower training schedule. She is enjoying the running and we have already been on some fun adventures together. Crossing Bear Creek on the 3 creek run in the middle of run-off season can get a bit crazy!!! :)

I feel it is easier to take the lessons I have learned in running and apply them to other people's schedules. That is probably where pride comes into the equation for me. I have learned that lesson quite a few times, it just never sticks :/

Finch