Knackered

“Like a bag of smashed assholes”

I feel fucking shattered. It all started a few days ago when Hicham asked me if I was interested in joining him for the Thursday night 10-miler with Paul O'Callaghan’s group. As I had originally slated a 50’ tempo, I thought this would be a good opportunity to run with the group (an invitation that had been extended on numerous occasions).

The first two miles were relatively uneventful. I was familiar with that portion of the route, and although it was undulating, I felt controlled and comfortable. It was shortly after the two-mile marker that the road went skyward and I, despite my resolve, went backward.

I had my ass handed to me on a silver platter this evening.

Hicham left me around the 4-mile marker, with Kevin and Marilyn catching me at the turnaround. I tried to stay with them but without strength in my legs, I lost huge chucks of time over the smallest rises. The run is a mountainous monstrosity.

Being seriously gapped and running only on vapors I decided to shut it down after 50’ and hobbled back to the start. It was during the cool down that I seriously questioned my resolve to continue with the marathon training. My only consolation was Marilyn informing me that it took her three attempts to adjust to the run, and that she questioned whether the workout had any value whatsoever after her first effort. I couldn’t agree more.

Training:
Wednesday: easy/hilly 43:08
Thursday: 1:13:38 with 50’ tempo

Pamplona

After being ill for five days I knew I was on the mend when this morning I started daydreaming about running. Looking back, I'm not sure what triggered the event, but as I was eating my breakfast I started to reminisce about the preparation I did for London. Moments later, I was at the computer flicking through photos that Carter and I took, post-race, as we went for a celebratory pub-crawl of sorts.

My return to running this afternoon couldn’t have been more welcomed and the weather cooperated. It must have been only seconds after leaving the house that I ran into a drenching wall of drizzle, that proceeded to keep me company as I weaved my way through Mt. Doug. During the last few kilometers, I remembered that I had scheduled some strides and was surprised at the snap in my legs. Upon returning home, my legs were covered with mud, my heart was pounding and I had a huge grin on my face.

Training: undulating 1:13:03 with 6xstrides

Luxury Removed

Today I felt markedly better than I did yesterday, so much so that I contemplated running. I didn’t.

Me not running even confused Ally as while preparing dinner she inquired, “Aren’t you going out for a run?”

“No it’s Monday, I don’t run on Mondays”

“Yeah, but I thought you might try and make up for yesterday”, if only she knew.

This morning I was reflecting on my season, what little has transpired, and trying to pull the framework out from the mist. I’m happy thus far, and should be as I set two personal bests and it’s only April. Still, with me wanting to run Boston next spring I was disheartened to find that the qualifying window begins on September 29, 2007. This is unfortunate as I was hoping to use my 2:45:09 from last year, May 27, last year. This means that should I run Ottawa this year, I don’t have the complete luxury of enjoying a gentle stroll down the Rideau Canal. Currently, I’d be happy to run 2h50, we’ll see.

I now wish I’d run today.

Yup, still waiting…

Training: day off (scheduled)

Best Laid Plans

On Friday I felt like absolute shite. A low level cold that had been lurking in the shadows decided to show itself in force and consequently sap a disproportionate amount of my energy leaving me drained, sore and feeling sorry for myself.

I watched my only window of opportunity to run pass by and didn’t care. I went to inform Ally of this and 20’ later found myself jogging down the Lochside Trail wondering how I would adjust for missing the scheduled 6x1k. With the legs lethargic, I decided on some speed work and if nothing else wanted to give myself something to feel sorry for. I ran surprisingly well. My lungs seared.

Yesterday, I was out with the clinic for a great run from Mattick’s Farm, down the peninsula, over Bear Hill and back around Elk Lake. With the pace effortless, I was lulled into a false sense of wellbeing and decided on calling Carter to keep me company this morning. I’m glad he had other plans.

I woke today feeling worse than I did on Friday. Still, with the sun peaking out between the clouds and the temperature still uncharacteristically cold, I set out determined to run 2h40. It was while running through Bow Park, passing the 40’ mark that I questioned my resolve to continue for another 2h. My tenacity was first-class but something else made me second-guess myself and rather than continue into Mt. Doug, I veered west and was home moments later. Missing the run makes me question my resolve to run Ottawa, if it wasn’t for my wanting to run Boston next year.

After a two-hour nap I salvaged something from the day as Ally and I planted out first vegetable garden – beets, onions, radishes, kale, rosemary, thyme, sage and parsley.

Still waiting…

Training:
Friday: 42:53 with 10x1’ hard (1’)
Saturday: easy 2:09:41
Sunday: easy 52:05

A Night Off

There was some work that I had committed to finishing yesterday and as such, I dragged my less than enthusiastic butt to the office. Two hours later, I had everything nicely wrapped up and out the door, and was minutes away from going home when I received that dreaded email.

“Mike, the presentation you prepared is on the agenda for 1:00, see you then”

What was happening, I was told one of the Executive Directors would be giving the presentation? A few hours later, I was leading an inspiring discussion on financial statement presentation with all the CFOs on board.

Although I didn’t get to rest as much as I would’ve liked yesterday, I did take some of my own advice (done rarely) and decided not to run, but alternatively exchanged it hour a 90’ nap.

Training: day off (unscheduled)

Under the Weather

I’ve been feeling exhausted the last few days and today was no exception, only this morning I woke up with a throat that was sore… definitely not what I need at the moment. I decided to remedy that situation, and picked up a packet of Fisherman’s Friends on the way to work. They helped.

When it came to running this evening I had considered tacking on an additional 30’ to make up for yesterday’s shortfall, after two trips up Mount Doug and a stitch on my left side I dragged my sorry ass home pleased only to make today’s goal.

This evening then we began round #2 in our 80’s flashback. Last week, in an attempt to escape the present, I rented Goonies, E.T, and Ferris Bueller's Day Off, it was brilliant. As I sit here typing, Ally has Some Kind of Wonderful paused (tomorrow it’s either Romancing the Stone or The Breakfast Club).

Still waiting…

Training: hilly 1:02:03

Roller Coaster

The baby hasn’t arrived and I’m already tired, this doesn’t bode well.

The last 48 hours have been an emotional roller coaster of my own making that has left me disappointed, tired and fretful. I was excited but I’m reserving what little excess energy I have for later.

It all starts Sunday evening when Ally thought she was experiencing contractions. These sensations didn’t last longer than 30’ but they thrust my imagination into overdrive, taking me on a whirlwind ride of what ifs and holy cows, all the while questioning whether I was ready. I can now unequivocally say, “I was ready”.

Fast-forward 24 hours and Ally was once again experiencing some unfamiliar sensations, this time though they were more regular and stronger. I thought for sure this was it. We even went for a gentle stroll along the Lochside trail to start the ball rolling, Ally walking like C3PO after he was reassembled by Chewbacca, and me babbling on about the serendipitous series of events that has taken us to this fortunate moment. I was ready to meet this girl, I wanted to have our first conversation. I was excited.

We returned home, the sensations immediately stopped, and Ally went to bed. Today, we have nothing, not even a remote, tiny, inconsequential little tightening. I’m not a patient person.

Needless to say, after two restless nighst I’m left with a weary body and a low level of enthusiasm. If it wasn’t for my brother-in-law needing to get into shape for Rapattack I question whether I would have run. Actually that’s silly, I would have run, just slower.

Training:
Monday: day off (scheduled)
Tuesday: easy 59:58