Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Early Rising Once More

When the alarm went off at 5:05am yesterday morning I was really tempted to stay in bed and get some more sleep instead of hitting the road again. But I did remember that this would be the last time for quite a while that I had to get up at such an unreasonable hour, and managed to drag my sorry self out of bed. The weather was quite benign; it has gotten warmer again, and even at 5:30 am it’s quite warm, about 10C/50F. Lola says we’re having an autumn-summer, and I couldn’t describe it any better than that. Unfortunately the weather forecast says that’s coming to an end now, and there will be rain for the next few days.

Anyway, the reason why I had to get up so early was a 17 mile training run, the last run of “serious” distance, 14 days before the marathon. I was a bit concerned how my right calf had tightened last week and decided to wear the DS-trainers once more, both to check if there would be any problems with my calf, and to get used to the reduced heel lift. The run itself went pretty well, but I really should have slowed down a bit. The first 5 miles went by in less than 42 minutes, and I pretty much kept to 8-minute miles for the rest of the run. It didn’t really feel that fast. If it’s the lighter shoes, or my imagination of how light the shoes are, of if it’s the reduced mileage from last week, but the pace felt less-than-marathon-pace to me. Maybe I shouldn’t say that out loud though, it might come back to haunt me on the 31st. The legs felt ok, but the soles of my feet were quite painful during the run. I’m not sure where that came from, I certainly didn’t get that pain last week, but if if happens again on marathon day I’m confident I’ll be able to push through it. I expect the legs to hurt a lot more in the final miles.

Remember how I managed to avoid getting a cold from the kids last week? Well, it didn’t last. I don’t think I picked it up from them, and it might be a different bug; I haven’t got a runny nose, but a sore throat instead. I keep picking up those little bouts of sickness at an alarming rate these days. I’m back on the Echinacea, and I was never off the Vitamin C anyway, and it will get better soon. It still passes the neck test, and I was out for a short but sweet 5-mile recovery run this morning. I was surprised how dark it was, even by the end of the run. I guess winter is coming closer and closer.

I have to drive to Shannon airport tonight to collect my mum, who is visiting us again. It means I won’t be able to get to bed until after 1 o’clock in the morning, which probably means that I might forego tomorrow’s run. I’ll see how I feel at the time. If I’m too tired, I’ll sleep in. If the kids wake me up anyway (and judging by the last few mornings, they will), I might go out, cause there’s no point trying to sleep while they’re bouncing on my head.

16 Oct: 17 miles, 2:17, 8:03 pace
17 Oct: 5 miles, 45:23, 9:04 pace

9 comments:

  1. Sounds like you're cranky with cabin fever from the taper Thomas. Hopefully the cold will disappear quickly and the pain in your soles was just a one time thing. One of the only things I believe you can really do to improve your chances at this point is try to get as much rest as you can, which in your case might mean hitting the sack early. Taper well.

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  2. nice job on your run. I love how an 8 minute pace feels so easy for you. I hope we'll be there one day. Have fun tapering and keep yourself healthy.

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  3. Hey sleep in tomorrow, you're tapering! I hope you lick your cold before race day. Rest!

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  4. I've always been one who says "Cold air doesn't make you sick, germs do," so now my wife has cut out an article and posted it on the back door for me to see when I go out in the cold and wet. According to researchers, if your feet or nose are cold and wet, it can activate dormant infections which can give you a cold or cough.
    Keep your feet warm and dry and recover from your cold!

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  5. Take care of your cold. Great to have the long run behind you.

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  6. That takes some determination to get up at 5.00 am to go out running, bet it was great knowing it was the last long one :)

    Thanks for all your supportive comments on my blog - re your latest: lol, i can see from my splits I went off too fast but it didn't feel like it at the time, but yes, it came back to haunt me later in the race!

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  7. Hope you feel better soon Thomas!
    And that you have a pleasent visit with you Mum :)

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  8. Keep up the excellent work and excellent blog.I thought my training was going well for the 30th until Iread this.

    Just started my own blog
    gersrunning.blogspot.com

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  9. Hopefully this will be a short lived cold and you'll be 100% soon. Nice fast pace on your 17 miler. Enjoy your visit with your mom.

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