fatigue or just malaise?


I did not want to run this morning.  Not at all.  In fact I woke up in the middle of the night and basically told myself that I was done with running.  Forever.  Kaput.  I even fell back asleep believing it.

This morning when I woke I felt pretty much the same.  I dawdled and fidgeted. I played with Captain and considered going back to sleep.  And then, begrudgingly, I put on my running shorts and a shirt and stumbled into the living room to put on my shoes.

My run was kind of shitty.  Generally after a mile or two you get in a groove and it becomes bearable.  But this morning I was cognizant the whole time of how miserable I felt.  I just couldn't get into a groove.  When I got to the Hill (no longer to be named Hell Hill, we've made friends) I tried to lengthen my stride and pump my arms (much like, I imagine, a Gazelle).  I cruised up about 1/4 of the hill and then my lungs exploded causing me to tone it down a bit.  I made it out of the park and ran up to the museum and did my stretch.

But get this.  My run was a sub 10 minute mile.  9:40 to be precise. This was a personal best for me.  And it sucked the whole time!?!?

So is this fatigue that I am feeling or just a runners malaise?  I am definitely getting into the higher mileage portion of my training.  Is this fear?  Am I putting off the inevitable because I know the inevitable is going to SUCK?  I guess i'll know tomorrow morning.

eesh.

gamer


I went on a boat!

We sailed to Fishers Island on Sunday and spent the night.  I went swimming, paddle boarding, I was stung by a jellyfish and I drank at the single most horrifying bar ever; The Pequot. https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-pequot-fishers-island-3

I also got very sunburned.

Needless to say my run this morning was not an altogether pleasant experience, although I did run a sub 9 minute mile at mile 2.  It was nice and cool this morning and the sun was shining.  I finally wore my new Asics G-2000 4's again and miraculously survived without blisters  So, all in all, I can't really complain.   But I had a chip on my shoulder.  Definitely had a chip.

Because this weekend made me think a lot.  It made me think about the limitations I set for myself.

There was a lot of picture talking on this trip and I was really upset when my buddy took a picture of me and texted it to me.  I looked really out of shape.  It really shocked me.  I mean, I know I am not skinny by any stretch of the imagination, but I thought I was getting a little more svelte.  I was upset.  I have to admit it.  Pretty bummed.

I have been running for 8 months now (give or take a week or two) and I am still struggling with weight.  It's very frustrating.  I guess I imagined that running would be a cure all for all my ills.  And in some ways it has been, but I think its time to raise the bar.  I want to start incorporating some sort of high intensity training into my routine.  Running seemed impossible to me and I have, so far, been able to keep up with it.  The HIIT stuff has to start now.

I am fairly petrified at the thought of working out, but it may now be time to overcome that particular fear and get to it.  I imagine there is plenty of stuff on youtube to get me started.  But the weight is going to come off dammit.  I don't think I need 6-pack abs, but something needs to change and change now.

Although 6 pack abs would not be so bad either...

hotsauce


I thought I would share this hotsauce recipe.  Its great on oysters and cold roast chicken... and pretty much everything else.

Dave’s “ouch-ee” sauce

Yield - 2 Cups ish (keeps for 2-4 days refrigerated) 

3 tomatillo’s – papery skin off & stems removed

1 serrano pepper - stem removed

1 jalapeno – stem removed

1 habanero – stem removed

3 cloves of garlic- peeled

1 shallot – peeled

1 bunch cilantro – tough stems removed

2 limes – juice only

*Agave or simple syrup – to taste

Salt and pepper – to taste

3 T Olive oil

Directions

Wash chilies well.  Place chilies, tomatillos, garlic and shallot in a sauce pan with plenty of salted water.  Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer.  Cover pot and simmer chilies for 25 minutes until everything is cooked through.  Strain ingredients into a colander and place on a plate and then transfer to the fridge until all ingredients are cold. 

Transfer cold items and the water they have release to a blender.  On low speed puree smooth.  Add cilantro and blend well.  Season with salt and pepper to taste and balance heat with agave or  simple syrup.  Add lime juice bit by bit until acid is balanced. Add olive oil and give one final blend.  Do this as quickly as possible to keep sauce nice and green.  Over blending will heat the chlorophyll and cause the sauce to turn brown.

* you can also use some diced pineapple for sweetness in lieu of agave or simple syrup. Add 1 T at a time until balance is achieved. 

old friend, new run


I went running with a friend that I met TWENTY YEARS ago this morning.

She had just come back from running the Dublin Half Marathon so I was a little terrified of running with someone I considered rather seasoned in her running.  We met in front of The Brooklyn Museum and after catching up a bit off we ran.

We ran 4 1/2 miles.  It was hot.  I once again surprised myself with the amount of sweat I produce.  I felt loose and I also felt like I was picking my feet up with a little more gusto than usual.  I felt good!  Sweaty as balls, but good.  Then my friend informed me, about 2 miles into our run, that my pace was somewhere in the 9:00 mile range.

I was shocked.

This made me ponder two thing; 1) am I getting faster? and 2) Does running with a partner push me to run faster?

I guess there is a 3) as well; do I run slower when there is no one there to push me?

Interesting queries all.

I did also take more time to stretch before my run which is something I never do.  This may have something to do with the way I eased into a faster pace?  I truly have not one clue, but I may try stretching a little before more and see what comes of it.  I will say that for once my legs didn't feel like splinters for the first 2 miles.

I am very happy that my growth as a runner seems to be on the incline vs a plateau.   I know the flats will come and i'll have to work through them, but so far so good (knock on wood).  I also realize that the real trials will come with injury and the subsequent recoveries.  Until then though I will keep on trucking'.

2 miles tomorrow and another 4 Thursday.  6 miles this Sunday!

Peace out nerds.

yuck


5 miles in the Pocono's this morning.  Very hilly, very hot and very humid.  It was very slow going and my time was pretty terrible.  But I felt good about my run.  I felt strong.  I rolled my ankle a bit with about a mile to go and kept running through the pain until my ankle felt better.  It feels fine now.

That first mile is always tough for me.  Everything hurts and I just want to turn around and go home.  After about the second mile the pain starts to go away and all is good.  I tried a GU Gel this morning at about mile 3 because I wanted to see what kind of energy it provides.  I couldn't really tell, but I didn't feel as fatigued as usual at the end of my run.  I never eat before runs, though I will plan on eating a bagel with peanut butter before my 9 and 10 milers (and my half).

I head back home tomorrow. I may have to add a day of stairs or something to my training.  I want to burn some fat.  I want to lose another 10 pounds (at least) before the half.  It's very frustrating.  I am probably going to have to cut down on my beers.   Sigh.

The Mets are not doing so good.  They beat the Padres last night and Matz is pitching really well today.   Its been a tough season.  It has been stressing me out a bit. Thank god football season is around the corner.

knees and the foibles of gravity


I have started ending my runs (week 3 of training by the way) by sprinting up 3 flights of stairs near the Brooklyn Museum.  It is TOUGH.  I think it will get me mentally prepared for whats to come AFTER The Staten Island Half, when I start to incorporate stair training and sprints and tempo runs.  Not really looking forward to any of that, but what the hell.  Its the only way I will get any faster and probably the only way I will start to actually lose any weight.

My patella has been bothering me all week.  Not terribly, but sometimes after runs when i'm walking I get a sharp pain in my knee cap.  It hurts like the dickens.  I think I am going to have to start incorporating some burpee's and lunges to my regime to start strengthening my legs and knees.  It could also be related to a tight IT band.  I will try a few different things and see if anything works.

My run this morning was like running in a sauna.  I felt like Rocky at the end.  I sweated through everything.  The heat and humidity are brutal.  I am ready for October already.  This Saturday it is supposed to feel like a humid 108 here.  OY.

I head down to Charleston in September for some food and a nice long trail run or 2.  Stuck up here for the time being.

slow and sweaty wins the race


Four miles today at a 9:50 pace.

Definite improvement since January and the 15:00 miles.  It was a terrific run.  I ran through all the morning soreness and managed to keep up a pretty good pace.  I sweated what felt like a gallon of sweat and have to say that it is a GREAT feeling to come home drenched.  What a nice feeling of accomplishment.

I skipped riding my bike ride into work today because yesterday my legs felt pretty tight after my morning run and during my bike ride to and from work.  Giving the legs a day of rest.  I am now off until Sunday when I will attempt 5 miles for the first time since before breaking my toe.  I'm looking forward to it.

I have been looking into "scenic half marathons" on the old interwebs and 3 stick out in particular; The Key West Half Marathon, The Bermuda Half Marathon and The Bar Harbour (Maine) Half Marathon. http://www.runnersworld.com/bucket-list-races/9-best-destination-half-marathons/slide/2
I think any of these would be a treat and a great excuse to get out of town!  But I digress, lets get through The Staten Island Half first.

Not much too report.  Second week of training almost done and I feel good.  My weight is still lingering around 210, but I am eating lot of fruit and salad and hope that with longer runs come a big spike in my weight loss.  I am gunning for 185!  I should't put too much thought into it, but if I'm going to make the effort it would be nice to see some results.

Long run Sunday and beach Monday.

Living the dream.