I just noted that it has been nearly a month since I've last posted. It seems that I've relapsed into a bit of procrastination. The reality is that I've been quite busy. Not only am I preparing to move, but I've only just returned from a trip to the U.S. So, I will try to recap quickly to get us all caught up!
After discovering the tragedy of the 20 Delta, I set my mind to some speed work and have been getting really, really close to maintaining an 8:37 minute-mile, for a considerable distance. So this is good news.
I had a great 10-mile taper run along the Belgian Canal. I enjoyed good company and great food and all this made the run all that much easier.
The next week, I managed to hold an 8:29 minute-mile for a full 8 miles. This was really good news. However my 16-miler into the Black Forest did not bode well. It was absolutely freezing and miserable. I am sick to death of drinking frozen water and it was a bit sleety and grey the whole way. The run itself wasn't actually that bad, but the recovery was rough. Despite the fact that I felt hydrated enough, my recovery was slow and arduous. I had trouble keeping in my recovery foods, and generally just felt gross the entire afternoon.
Last week's 17-miler, however, was fantastic! I finished the whole thing relatively quickly, and recovered well. I think much of this had to do with the weather. It was around 45-50 degrees for the whole run and the sun was shining. It was so refreshing not to be cold, yet sweaty at the same time and also not getting rained on. I think running in North Carolina is going to suit me.
I also have improved my stretching techniques. By improve, I mean I actually stretched my muscles after this run. I also started using this 'foam roller' technique which so far, seems pretty awesome. Thanks to the DHO(Devilishly Handsome One), for introducing me to this!
Another improvement is my new Garmin 405 that I got for my birthday. Again, thanks to the DHO! It is so much nicer than the 305 or 'Big Red' as it is affectionately referred to. Not only does it retrieve satellite reception more quickly, it also has tons of new features. My current fave is the 'auto-pause' function, which prevents me from having to manually stop and start the watch when I have to wait for traffic or stop to tie my shoe.
Yesterday I did my first run after coming back from the States and admittedly it was a bit difficult. I wasn't very motivated to hash out the 9 miles especially when I had to complete them after work and ended up finishing in the dark. This is always kind of a drag. I didn't actually run very quickly and just felt a bit sluggish throughout. I'm sure my body clock is disrupted and is causing most of this. Also, after the run, I felt a slight tweak in the sole of my right foot. It feels a little bit like Plantar's Fasciatis that I suffered from when I trained for Athens in 2005. Let's keep our fingers crossed that this isn't a lasting ailment.
I am happy to be headed back to be closer to my loved ones, this move is a significant change in job and lifestyle.But things are moving in the forward direction, I find myself getting more excited! I am happy that things are beginning to push forward and am looking forward to leaving Germany in the rear-view mirror and beginning a new chapter of life.
Well, I think this is long enough for now, and I do plan to return to once a week (or more) postings.
In summation: Long Over-due Blogs= A Bit Monotonous; Running in Cold, Damp Weather=Arduous; Slow Recovering; Tedious; Releasing Angst Over Impending Move=Fabulous
This Weeks Training: M-3 miles (skipped); Tu-9-miles; W-3 miles; Th-Speedwork; Fr-9 miles; Sa-12
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