Training thoughts.

Running is moving along pretty good it seems. I'm taking full advantage of the Chariot and the three days I have to watch only the little dude. 13 plus mile runs with 1300 vertical feet are the norm which is actually better than my normal routine. The pace is always pretty quick since that thing really is hard to run slow with. 

Running on the Wyre I cover at least half of the half marathon course. The rest is too bumpy for the Chariot. I think I'll go into that race with confidence having the opportunity to train there. Getting pretty psyched for it. Only downside is I've got a JKD grading the day before which could be kind of taxing, I think it will be at least four hours long. 

The biggest benefit are the hills. I've been really looking at my descending form. So many races here guys just pull away from me going down. That needs to stop. The pressure to go fast is on with the Chariot as it wants to take off forcing me to keep up, so the down seems to be improving which is nice.

As with anything involving kids my training schedule will fluctuate so I need to take advantage of what I've got. My daughter is at home for a while and not at day care for a stint mid summer so the Wyre Forest training will take a break and I'll shift to night running again I'd guess. May be a good thing to have a change? 

 

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.