I took your comments to heart and decided that sleep is more important than two extra miles at this time. Unfortunately they say that only fools make the same mistake twice, and I must be the biggest fool around, because I’ve now made the same mistake so often I’ve lost count. It should be easy enough to remember: If you want to get up early, go to be early. So why did I stay up until 10:30pm? I really don’t know.
It would have been ok if I didn’t have any kids. Unfortunately, they once more impeccably timed their non-sleeping habits to maximum effect. Cian came in at about 2 o’clock, Shea at about 3, and when Lola turned up 3:50, I carried Shea back into his own bed and let Lola in. Unfortunately, she kept me from sleeping, and I eventually tried to put her back into her own bed. After I had turned on her night-light, found a suitable giraffe to cuddle and made her a hot water bottle, the little princess graciously accepted her own bed. Alas, I couldn’t sleep after that, it took me until 4:50 to fall asleep again, and the alarm went of 15 minutes later.
*sigh*
To make matters worse, it was raining again. Met Eireann had forecast a wet night with the rain drying up towards the morning, but unfortunately the drying up hadn’t happened yet by the time I left for my run. I didn’t feel well, the legs felt heavy, and I felt like I was trundling along at snails-pace. It wasn’t until I got back to our driveway after 10 miles to get some water and a gel that I realised that I was actually going at a decent pace, about 8:20. I laboured on for the second part, and at 12 miles something funny happened, all of a sudden I clicked and started to run with a proper rhythm and without troubles. It was bit like Johnny describes it in his run, except that I didn’t have to run 25 miles to feel good, just half that distance. The rest of the run went well, and I got back home after 16 miles. As I was walking up our driveway to our house, it stopped raining. I kid you not.
*sigh*
On a completely unrelated note, last Friday a work colleague asked me when I would be doing my next marathon. “In 3 weeks”. “Oh, are you training yet?”.
*sigh*
6 Mar: 5 easy miles, 45:34, 9:06 pace
7 Mar: 16 miles, 2:13, 8:18 pace
At least he didn't ask how far your marathon was. Thomas, your kids make blogging parents around the world like me say, "At least I don't have it as bad as HIM!". You're fighting the good fight, just keep it together to the taper.
ReplyDeleteI lucked out and missed the rain this morning. In fact, it still hasn't rained, but it's got that windy, brooding, gonna-let-go-any-minute look. I find it hardest to walk out the door when it's raining. Once I'm out in it, it doesn't really bother me too much.
ReplyDeleteI heard my husband and Rob talking about this once - how it used to take them a mile or so to feel warmed up, but the more they train for distance, the more miles it takes to hit the groove. Maybe that's what happened to you today?
Well - have you begun training yet...and how far is that marathon any way? :0
ReplyDeleteOf course the rain stopped when you finished your run.
Oops - I wasn't finished....I can't believe how close you are to your next marathon Thomas!!
ReplyDeleteYour coworker is funny. What was your reply?
ReplyDeleteRegarding your comment about the 1 min training...on the bike it is ok. My mental is strong. On the run however, my mind is weak. I stop at the exact minute of my training run.
The 1 min can be turn into a 5 min mind challenge. I just use 1 min and see how that goes.
yikes!
ReplyDeleteI snorted at your coworkers comment.
Oh you have colleagues like that too, ditto what Mike said! Enjoy your tapering.
ReplyDeletep.s. Please keep the rain in your direction until after Sunday - I am hoping for a dry race ;-)
How far is that marathon?
ReplyDeleteIsn't it bad for you to go out and run in the (rain, snow, heat)?
It takes me 60 min to warm up and feel the stride:)
ReplyDeleteMarathon? In 3 weeks? And you need to train for it?
:)
You are my hero, with those kids, you are sooo pacient, good father!
ReplyDeleteGreat job although the lack of sleep, but at this point be careful having enough antioxidants than are naturlly produce when we sleep, and sleep, sleep.
But what you told this "guy"???