Patience.

More and more I look back at my training log before running Superior 100 and realize I had a super solid training plan, hence a good result. I know I'm better than that now with experience but what I don't have is the availability of consistent training. This was also the case with Lakeland, not enough consistency.

I need to be patient and just keep running as I can. The day will come in due time when I'll get mornings back, my mileage will increase as will the consistency, and hopefully this dark horse with come from out of no where. Even if it's within the master's category. 

Sleep!

After being completely trashed from lack of sleep I finally got a little catch up. I was all fired up to get out and run last night but was still tired. I thought about it long and hard and despite preferring to use the time I've got to its full extent I took the day off. 

Instead, after getting the kids to sleep and finishing my evening chores I immediately meditated for a bit, read for 10 minutes in bed, and went to sleep. All before 830pm. 

Fortunately the little ones kept quiet and I slept through until 445. Then layed in bed waiting out the littlest one's noises until he demanded getting up about 530. 

I seem to feel better so today hopefully a solid run on the Wyre Forest with the Chariot will happen.

Quality over quantity is best right now considering my odd fluctuating schedule.

Tiredness and time off can be fun

Holy shit am I exhausted.

So ten days or so ago a few family members arrived from the USA and sleep deprivation training began. Snap! I had a social life and travels to Scotland to add on top of two kids! 

Bottom of "the track" that leads to where we stayed, Whin House, Kildonan, Isle of Arran

I had opportunities to run but was wrecked tired and figured it best to scrape up what sleep I could and have fun. I managed some "greasing the groove" with my calisthenics and a few easy walks so not all was lost. Thursday I managed an eleven miler and despite tired felt alright. I took Friday night off hoping to get sleep, no such luck.

The kids continue to thwart my training with late night "Daaaaaddddy, Daaaaaaddddy" and crying calls for assistance. Whether it's growing teeth or an illness causing coughs, combine it with the usual 5am wake up, I just want 8 solid hours.

I was kind of disappointed I didn't run in Scotland but it was awesome to see my family so really no problem.

So trying to stay positive and motivated doing what I can when I can whether it's running, stretching, strength work, or trying to relax or meditate to recover.

Chariot saves the day!

I friggin' love the Chariot. It always makes me happy. Knocked out ten miles today on the Wyre Forest, averaged 7:16 on hillier terrain. 

After missing out on a long run Sunday today more than made up for it! 

Ultra Tour of Snowdonia

In anger I went and registered for this. Here's a link to the site: http://snowdonia50.com

Grrrrrrr

And all the positivity I've had falls apart. 

Today I was very excited for at least a 13 miler tonight. It had been a shitty day as most Sunday's are and just wanted to get outside and breath a bit. Tomorrow I was really looking forward to going to the Wyre and running with my son which won't happen because my daughter has a mild temperature. Hopeful that run can happen Tuesday. With family arriving Wednesday this week is done for running. 

Who knows what will happen in Scotland, heading up this next week to Arran. The two times I've been there I've been sick and injured so I'm assuming that will happen again. 

Things were going so well. I even figured out a sweet race schedule for the rest of the year, Ultra Tour of Snowdonia, 58 miles in Wales (August) and that would set me up for Cotswold Century, 100 miles in September. 

I don't know what to feel when I can't run. I guess soon when we move house I will have my treadmill back which I can pound in anger in the garage. 

So off I go to finish the chores I do every night. I think I'll meditate and try to focus on the positives of recovery. 

You get faster by recovering, not by doing more. I'll dwell on that.

Recovered.

Last week I managed an 8 miler, with five hill repeats, pushing the Chariot! Very pleased with this workout! I found a quarter mile long hill on the Wyre Forest and figured why not? Kind of a fun experiment, legs were on fire but it was tough to get my heart rate up. 

So I'm very happy with my hernia recovery. The surgeon said I'd be back to normal by mid June. I'd say it took me four weeks. I'm doing 40 mile weeks now with more speed workouts than I'd done in the past. So hopefully I can stay injury free and get faster. I signed up for the Wyre Forest Half, which I've done before, which will be the test run. It's in mid-July and I'm very much looking forward to it. 

A week ago I made it out to the River Severn for sunset. Nice progressive 13 miler. It's so good to be going again! 

Outside is good!

After a stint of really being down about a lot of things I've snapped out of it and am back to normal. No idea where it came from or what you'd call it but whether I was tired or depressed I don't know but damn I felt like shit. 

So what got me out of this mental slump? Running and being outside! I used to spend all my time outside now that time is significantly less. However with my son being a bit older now and daughter being away three days a week an opportunity arose. 

So I loaded the car with the Chariot running stroller the night before, I'm not a jogger hence the use of "running" not "jogging". Then in the morning got my running stuff organized, loaded the kids, and dropped my daughter off at nursery. Then headed to the Wyre Forest! 

The Wyre has quite a few fire roads which are perfect for the stroller, sure some are muddy and potholed but nothing my son, the stroller, or I can't handle! 

Fortunately my son's feeds lined up well and I have been able to run with him on the Wyre Forest during the day without stopping! New scenery, new terrain, and a great training partner (even if he does sleep!). 

Yesterday I did a test run and got in 5.5 miles. I accepted the fact I may have to stop to feed and today knocked out 8.5 miles! It was awesome and my positivity has returned! I even banged out a solid pace pushing the stroller! 

So I'm back at it with more running options since my mornings are still unavailable! 

I am psyched! 

Fast pace is more fun than base

Lately I've tossed base mileage out the window and have been running at a faster pace if I feel like it. I figure I've been doing base for three years, time to go fast. Maybe it's because the music I sometimes listen to is faster paced to say the least! 

It's been a good thing though; it clears my mind for better things. I'd missed that moment where your sinuses all of a sudden clear and a faint taste of blood and bile touches your taste buds, your heart is thumping but you know you have more. Going fast is good. 

I also proved that the standard equation for max heart rate isn't always accurate. 220 - my age doesn't equal 192! And I still had another gear to go! 

Running is glorious. 

Many times when I run, or on the rare occasion I dream, I have visions of running across the finish of Western States with my daughter in my arms. The final quarter mile is a lap around the track in Auburn, CA. She smiles the whole time, her hair bouncing in the breeze. She crosses the finish with me. 

Who knows if that will ever happen. But it always cheers me up and gives me hope that the things I've always wanted to do can happen. I just need to stay positive and make them happen.