Fat Man Trying

Sorry for the MIA.

The relay went well. I couldn't have gotten luckier with the luck of the draw internet message board compiled team members. What a great group of people!

I learned a lot and truthfully I'm still digesting the experience. Perspective is truly an amazing thing and I think all of us went in with certain perceptions and we probably all came out with different ones. I know I see some things better now simply because I can see some different running perspectives better than I did before.

As for my runs, one was a blast and two were marginal. The funny thing is the two that were marginal were the fastest paced "events" I've ever done. One worked out to a 10:58 pace and the other was like 11:15. It's really hard to explain why I'm not holding these out as huge personal accomplishments because in many respects they are. Sub 11 minute miles wasn't something I thought I was capable of. I've spent the whole season trying to "get faster" and by this measurement I clearly have gotten faster. I don't know... I think it's probably still a mix of fear and very real physical limitations.

To make matters worse, I got another dose of the flu less than 24 hrs after the event ended and it really kicked my ass. After 4 yrs of not being sick, that's twice in like 70 days or so. I was running a 102 fever for five days and I still have so much crap in my lungs that all last week I was barely able to run a minute at a time. Once again it feels like I've really lost a lot of fitness. I guess the next couple of weeks will tell the tale.

I know this often reads like I'm constantly frustrated... that's probably not totally accurate... most of the time I do really feel like I'm on the right path. Over the year, I've lost more weight than I did the year before training for the marathon and that was the plan. I still feel that I need to keep the focus on weight loss and improved fitness and endurance and that probably means once again not planning to do any major events through the fall.

I'm thinking I might average less daily mileage this summer and work on increasing the intensity over something like 30 to 40 minute intervals. Last summer I tried to keep my mileage base built up and I tried to do at least one 8 and 10 mile outing every month. In order to do that, I did a lot of junk miles. Don't get me wrong, I think there is a hell of a lot of value in junk miles, but I think right now I can keep getting the necessary weekly workouts in without having to make things easier in order to stay out there longer.

The next 60 days will probably tell me a lot. Hopefully I'll shake off this crud and get a better idea where I am. I know the heat will knock me back a bunch so what I work on will be largely determined by where I am mid May. At the very least, the bottom line is I'm hoping to still be "out there!" That's ultimately what it's all about.