Now its getting really serious

October 1 – October 7   Total Mileage – 29.1
Weight - 212.25

Coming back after a week off was rough.  The 5k hurt, the 7 miler hurt, the 4 miler was ok ( I ran that one as a speed workout) and the last 3 miles of the 15 mile run were painful.  15 miles…as a training workout…no aid stations, no medal, no cheering…

I could not have asked for better weather yesterday.  It was 55 degrees outside when I started and 65 degrees when I finished.  I have discovered that I have a few different distance “walls” that I have to contend with.  For no apparent reason miles 2 and 3 are rough.  Does not matter how fast / slow I go out; those two miles are always a pain.  By mile 3 I get into a good rhythm and find a pace.   All goes pretty smooth until mile 11 or the 2 hour mark.  I’m not sure why, I’m not entirely sure how to correct it (other than to continue to add onto mileage) and I can only hope that the adrenaline that comes with race day will be what gets me through. 

Yesterday’s run came with an additional challenge, allergies.  The pollen count is high here in the Sacramento area and brings me nothing but sinus pressure, a stuffed up nose, and itchy eyes.  (That and my voice drops another 4 octaves – very Barry White.)  Running with a decreased breathing capacity probably is not the best idea but I figure that since I’m running a race in December, there is a good chance that I am not going to be 100% healthy.

Anyway, all was well for the first 11 miles and then I could feel my pace start to drop off.  By 13.1 miles, I was up over 12 min per.  Miles 14 and 15 were above 13 min per.  I labored through those last two and am glad to say I have a new distance PR.  If all goes according to plan I will have a new distance PR next weekend too (16 miles is the next distance).  It’s pretty much going to be like that from here on out. 

Looks like I'll be running in the Clydesdale division after all.  I've been holding right around 210 - 212 for months now and just can't seem to get below.  I'm going to try to switch things up and see if I can't jump start the old metabolism for one last push.