April 6, Wednesday

Today was 45* and sunny with a slight breeze.

Headed out with lots of layers of clothing for a road run.  Did all PPP.  (Proper Pre Procedures   – Heat, compression sleves, walk and jog with sweats on.)  Continued to cover 3 miles in 40 minutes.   Legs were heavy all the way.  Never got into a steady, smooth stride.  Thighs felt like weights.  Calves tight,  Achilles tendon not bad unless I tried to pick up pace.  Struggled and felt exhausted at end.  Not a pleasant experience.

Looking for explanation, I come up with the following possibilities;

1-  16 surges two days ago on track    DOMS ?

2- Too cold  ?

3- First run on macadam road in a while  ?

4- First swim and Whirlpool  in months  ?

5- Arl says overtraining to satisfy  new blog.  .?

6- Less than adequate sleep last 2 nights

7- ?NO beer for 2 days   Probably the cause of poor sleep.?

(Definitely time for a beer  blog.)

8- Not on the beach in St. Augustine ?any more. ??!!

So many reasons, I am surprised that I even got up today!

Oh well,  ice,  chocolate milk and rest for a better day tomorrow.

Stats-

a.m. HR  – 54 BPM   Steady

Weight –  #153.5   Steady

I-Mad =  3.5  Slight improvement

Sleep –  6 hrs   – Not enough

April 5th,  Tuesday,    11 p.m.

I spent this cold and windy afternoon at a Jackson Liberty boys track and field meet.  During the meet I managed to get in about 2 miles of work on the track. It didn’t feel like enough work.  So when I got home decided to go to our clubhouse to swim.  I did get in 20 minutes lap swimming and a 15 minute whirlpool.  My body has missed its time in the whirlpool while I was away.  This essentially amounts to a day of rest.   I will have to get back on the road tomorrow.

Comments   –  Thank you to everyone who has commented.  

I have had some very thoughtful communications from fends and  former athletes on a few previous posts.  I do appreciate the comments very much and encourage anyone who is reading  to make a comment even if it’s just to say, “Hello.

Self coaching reminder-

Two things  have had a positive effect  for me on sore muscles and joints. The first is to heat the affected area for 15 minutes prior to setting out on a workout,  and the second is to walk slowly and then more quickly for the first 10 minutes.   The result has been much more comfortable runs even though  the total workout time in minutes is longer.  I am speaking from the point of view of someone who has the time,  first to heat and 2nd to walk before a workout.  We are + 70 runners.

Stats-

a.m. HR @ 54BPM

weight    –  153#

I-Mad  –  4.5   Still sore.    I am  hoping  the day off and Whirlpool will have a positive effect.

Workout –   2 miles on track & grass + 20 minutes of laps in pool +15 minute whirlpool