Thor's Running Journal

 I've been off my feet for...well, Friday, Saturday and so far today, Sunday. Two days and it already feels like for ever.  I rode my bike yesterday for 10 miles so at least I had some movement, but being out of rhythm is strange feeling. It is as though everything is happening in slow motion. When I wake up my instinct is to put on my clothes, drink some water, and head outside. As challenging as the program is, it gave some predictability to my life that now is disturbed. Not running for a few days is the right decision, but it doesn't mean it is an easy decision. I know my fitness will stay high, but mentally doubts start to creep in and if I don't hit my target I'll have to wonder if it is because of this moment or if it is something else.  Thankfully, I am on the mend. I can feel the regeneration of my body responding to the rest. There is still a ting of tenderness in my legs, but the need to drag myself all over the place has lifted over the past two days. There ...

 This morning was a disaster That is not understatement. I woke up and my legs didnt feel quite right, but after 2 days of rest I figured I'd give things a go. The first mile still felt uncomfortable, but tolerable. mile two things started to shake out in my left, but my right calf got progressively worse. By mile 4 I needed to make a decision to continue in pain or turn for home. I made the conservative (wise?) choice to go home. I tried slowing my pace, but it didn't mater. The pain just kept stinging my leg. Finally at mile 5 I saw a car idling in the church parking lot. At this hour this could only be trouble or the police.  I slowed turned off my head lamp and approached the police. I explained the situation and asked for a lift home. He agreed. And dropped me off at my driveway.  I went to hard and now I'm paying for it. The best consolation I can think of is that this healing is happening now and not a week before the race. There's time for recovery. It's fru...

My legs gave out today. They've been giving out slowly over the past week or so, but it reached a tipping point where I recognized if I took one more step I'd be stepping in the wrong direction. The culmination of the miles added up and I couldn't reasonably keep going without doing more damage than good. The weeks and weeks of work would just crumble if I crossed the line today and simply admit my legs couldn't handle the work load.  I've been working on finding my limits this training cycle. I found another limit today.  A spotty marathon practice on Thursday, a 16 mile long run followed by being cramped up in a car for 2.5 hours, followed by Monday's easy but hilly run followed by a 2.5 hour car ride back home just didn't leave enough space for good recovery. I've felt this moment coming, but successfully pushed the thought of pressing pause to the back of my mind in lieu of "just get through this next work out and things will be fine".  Wal...

 Today marked only the second time in this training cycle that I’ve had to run outside of my usual environment. Spring Break brought me to northern Michigan, where instead of the thaw I was hoping for, I woke up to several inches of fresh snow. The town we stayed in—blanketed in white and cradled by hills—offered up an entirely different kind of running experience. So this morning, I found myself on a dark, hilly, snow-covered road, winding through unfamiliar country terrain. It wasn’t my first choice of running conditions, but without a pace goal in mind for this easy effort run, I didn't mind. In fact, I embraced the adventure. The road ahead was quiet, lined with thick woods and low-hanging branches kissed with snow. The only light came from a distant, glowing red dot—possibly a taillight or a crossing signal—that blinked faintly at the horizon. It was eerily beautiful, a moment suspended in cold, still air. As I ran, I couldn’t help but think how different my training cycle wou...

 Some workouts require putting mind over matter. I know I can run 16 miles, but it takes some gusto to take the first step. It’s especially hard to get started when, after all these weeks, it’s still real cold out. That is today’s story. I didn’t try anything fancy or create any wild route. I just tried to hit a rhythm and stick to it. The first few miles were pretty straightforward. By the time I got to miles 5–7, I was on the other side of the river, so the scenery created a bit of a distraction. I still felt good heading into mile 10, but needed to tell myself, “Only 6 more miles.” In the distance, I saw the flashing lights of police cars, which pushed me forward to investigate. Just a traffic stop or something more interesting? At 3 a.m., I suspected something more interesting. They were outside Olive Garden. Maybe someone wanted some more breadsticks. I know I could have done with a breadstick or two. The last 5K (3.1 miles) of the run are always the hardest mentally and physi...

 A mile from the corral Suburban exploration Middle of the night Wheel went out No way back home Left to be found in the morning Empty Depleted But Happy

 I ran slower than I've ever run in my life and it felt pretty good. I know I've said it before but, Thursday are slow day. After speed/strength on Tuesday and Marathon practice on Thursday a slow day with no rush is just fine. No need to even try picking up the pace. I might miss out on a few extra minutes of sleep, but if I don't require it sabotages the plan. Chug Chug Chug. My legs are feeling it. I know I'll recover only if I'm able to take a load of my legs, but I don't want to just roll over and do nothing with the easy effort days. I know how important they are. I want to relish them  I tried sleeping in a sleeping bag the last few nights. A change of pace as I continue to tweak my waking and falling back asleep routine. Its easier to rearrange a single sleeping bag than a pile of blankets. I think the ideal thing would be a weighted sleeping bag. It also dawned on me to change the timing on my phone screen to turn off after 2 minutes rather than 30 sec...

I got a full 7 hours 59 minutes of sleep last night. Completely recharged my body battery. It is a small miracle. I can't think of the last time I legitimately slept that late. Maybe on vacation this past summer? Usually even when I have a rest day I'll wake up in the middle of the night. My alarm woke me from a dream I can't really remember now (of course). I can see how training would be much more tolerable (fun?) if I could get 8 hours of sleep every night and then go out and run 11-16 miles. 5 weeks.

2mi wp, x3(2mi mp-10 secs (7:04), .5mi recovery) 2mi cd  I entered my workout wrong in my watch again this week. You would think that I would have learned from last week. But it just seems like I can't get things straight. Oh well. At least I hit my workouts and I know it. It's amazing how much doesn't count if you can't measure it with this running stuff. I just like the numbers and want them to be accurate for posterity. It will give me something to look back on and measure my progress by. But I guess I'll just know that I was able to accomplish the workout and have that be good enough.  Oh and saw another runner today. Must be spring time. 

Watching a total lunar eclipse unfold over the course of about 45 minutes felt like watching the growth and bloom of a flower in a time lapse film. During the solar eclipse last year, the whole world went a little bonkers and it felt like a collective moment. Especially during the moment of totality. While the lunar eclipse did not quite reach the level of awe and wonder as the solar eclipse, it was no less special. With so many people sleeping in their beds completely unaware (or uninterested) in the events unfolding above them, this moment felt more private. To be fair, if I weren't training, I wouldn't have woken up just to see the eclipse. And because I was running, it felt a little like the moon followed me like a scene from Harold and the purple crayon.  The following day, I thought I would be able to sneak 10 miles in before the storm blew in. I came close, but about mile 6 I could see the lightning in the distance. By mile 8 I was in the middle of a light show. At mile...

A really solid marathon practice run. x9 miles at 7:14/mile + 1 mile on either side for warm up and cool down.  Because it was a clear night I decided to run the Kochville Path. It's nice when there is a nearly full moon because I hardly need to use my headlamp. Its crazy how the first few miles can be such a challenge because I'm getting up to speed and then final few miles are a push because all the energy is drained from my legs. I found my pace creeping up a bit in the middle part of the run. My calf on the left still felt pretty tight at the start, but limbered up by mile 3 or 4. Those last 3 miles certainly were mind over matter.  It felt good to get a marathon practice in without terrible cold or blowing wind. I know those are the things that really make me tough, but I think after this winter, I'm plenty tough for a season. The cumulative fatigue is certainly setting in.

 2mi wu, 4x(1.5mi MP-10sec, 800m recovery) 2mi cd The workout guidance on my watch was out of sync with my expectations. This resulted in a rocky start to a tough work out. I programed it for 1 mile warm up when it should have been two. Things eventually worked out, because of the other pace widget, but made for a little bit of a mental challenge I didn't need on top of the workout itself. I'm pretty confident I maintained appropriate pace (~7:04), but might have been off a little. These things happen. My watch is my training partner and it is only as good as the person that programs it (yours truly). The consolation is that it is warm and dry. Traits I do not take for granted and am very grateful for. Once again I reach my rest day very tired but proud of the week.

The transitional seasons always make it difficult to know what to wear when I go out for my morning runs. Whether it is fall turning into winter or winter turning into spring I never can get it quite right for the first little while. I need to experiment a little bit until I'm able to settle into what makes sense.  Today I wore my sweat band for the first time in months. I don't even know when the last time I wore it. I'd have to go back and check when I added a sweatband to my morning runs, but it's been a good long time. It serves the very practical purpose of keeping my headlamp in place and hair out of my face. I know this is ironic considering all the hair on my face right now. It is more than just decretive, but I won't deny it does help me feel a little bit of distinction and adds to my personal brand. There's nothing wrong with being "the guy with the sweat band around his head" I haven't made a huge investment in headbands, but did make a ...

 Here is Week 11 recap:  Lent began this week on Ash Wednesday. In the Catholic Church, it is a season marked by fasting, almsgiving, and prayer. Traditionally, many people associate Lent with giving something up with the goal of focusing more on worshiping God and reflecting on one’s own spiritual condition and relationship with Him. Alright, so great theology lesson, but where does running fit into this? This year, for the next 40 days, I decided to give up listening to anything during my runs. It might not seem like much, and for some it might be a nonpoint, but I almost always put in my earbuds when I go for a run—whether it's a long run, a short run, easy effort, or a tempo run. I listen to a wide variety of audio from audiobooks, music, or lectures on a particular topic. Most often it is something enriching—last training cycle, I started a philosophy course, and this time around, I’ve been going through some art history. I’ve listened to recordings of the trapist monk Th...

I've had some tough brakes with my long runs this training cycle so the first 16 miler had me a little intimidated. I knew I could get it done, but not sure how I would get it done.  Sixteen miles is a lot of ground to cover. I went with my default when I have this many miles to manage and headed over the Saginaw across the bridge. Lit up with a reflection against the river, the sky line felt very metropolitan. Not very big, but beautiful. It's a lovely site to come across at 4:30am. I proceeded through downtown and made a pass by the cathedral before heading along the river walk. There are no lights along the path here, but there also aren't any obstacles. I could see old town in the distance, but knew I wouldn't be going that far. Instead I went over Remington, up Michigan Ave, past the art museum, before crossing the hospital's campus.  I pulled my Saucony Endorphin Speed 2's out of retirement. They are a wee bit springier than the Asics I've been using ...

Nothing fancy today. Ran through the cemetery and past Bill's barbershop. I made it a quasi-out and back, which is a bit unusual, but it felt interesting because of difference between each side of the street and the variation in the views going North to south verse south to north. I ended up hitting my stride about mile 6 which is a little late when only doing a prescribed 8 miles. The 16 mile run tomorrow stayed in my mind and kept me from trying to push things today. I won't call my legs rested, but some of the niggles of my right hamstring that have been hanging around lately seem to have resolved. Running through the cemetery is about as dark as it gets. There are lights on in the mausoleum and I have wondered before if it is open even at the odd hours I come swinging through, but I've never stopped to check the doors.   

 I retraced my steps and found the mitten that fell out of my pocket yesterday. You would think I would have learned my lesson to zip up my pockets, but alas, I just shove them in my coat and presume they will stay put. It didn't take many steps to find, but when I did it felt stiff as a board from being on the frozen ground for the past 24 hours. In another couple weeks I'll be able to leave the mittens at home. In other news, a art project I've been working on for the past several years is coming very close to completion. It is one thing to have an idea and a whole other thing to move the idea through the stages needed to reach completion.  When I started running longer distances I used mapping software to create GPS art. It made for cool strava maps, but I wanted to bring them into a tangible space. With some help from additional mapping programs, I managed to form large scale images of the routes that showed individual houses and then set them up in full color. This wee...

Some days are harder than others. That's just the way it goes. I know that even my broken sleep felt extra broken this morning. I looked at the clock at 11:30pm and decided it was too early to go out and fell back asleep. I dreamed until the second time I looked at the clock and saw it was 1:30pm. I considered waiting a few more hours, but figured it wouldn't be getting any better outside and I might as well go.  Another marathon practice pace run and another ridiculously windy day with pelting bits of snow. I gave up listening to anything during my runs for lent so the sound of the wind whipping through the tops of the trees and down the streets came at me at full volume. Honestly the splits didn't end up being as bad as I thought, but the effort to get them felt disproportionately higher than usual. I took a few pauses and never really felt settled in to the run. Every half mile felt like a fight. Probably because it was.  But I didn't give up. I fought back.  Makin...

Strength workouts started today.  2mi warm up x6(1mi @mp-10, 400m recovery) 2mi cool down I took a pretty straight shot out Shattuck turned into the neighborhood just on the other side of the I-675 overpass, and then circled back around to take Wiess most of the way back home. Pretty straight forward little route other than some indecision about going north or south on Michigan Ave. Thankfully I realized that if I went north I would have to come up over the McCarty hill, and I just didn't want to deal with that this morning. Maybe if I make it to Boston and need hill work I'll do that more often, but today I just wanted to successfully complete the work. The first time I did this workout was back in August and the thermometer read 77 degrees at 3am in the morning. Too hot. I crashed on the 5th interval and just couldn't pull off the 6th in the way I wanted to. I felt frustrated at the time. I redeemed my self when it came around the second time a few weeks later. This time ...

The dark around here isn't really dark. It's also interesting to consider that the night isn't really black. It is naïve to think of the night in the city/suburbs as black. It is too simple. Perhaps if a child needed to depict the night with a crayon he or she would reach for the darkest color in the box, but in reality the environment is more complicated.  The darkness is filled with color light comes in all kinds of hues. Obviously this is apparent throughout the Christmas season, but even just everyday street lights add to the color of the darkness. Any given run is filled with yellows, blues, purples, greens, and everything in between. The variation is one more thing that makes running outside more interesting.  10 miles @7:48 . A little too fast, but felt ok. Heart rate (by wrist monitor so taken with a grain of salt) stayed around 151. 

  The thaw started this week. It breathed new life into my eagerness to run. I wore shorts again for the first time in months. The sound of song birds started to return. The piles of snow turn into puddles on the sidewalks. It only all lasted about 2 days before another blast of cold air hit, but it was enough to add a little fire to my training Im across the halfway point of my training now. Only 8 more weeks until marathon day. A momentous moment, but the highest mileage is yet to come. Ive been toying around just under 50 miles per week up to this point, but now 50+ will become the norm peaking over 60.  Make no mistake, 50 miles a week is a lot of time on the feet, but it came incrementally. First a 5k then 10k then half marathon before aiming for a full marathon. Even then, the training has been progressive and getting comfortable with running at this level took two years. Its been said that the marathon is the last 26.2 miles of a thousand mile run. There’s a lot of trut...

 I could hear windchimes all over the neighborhoods today as the wind swept the streets. The music from windchimes always adds a sensory element to runs that is musical, calming, and although unpredictable, a welcome part of any run. With the thaw, I could also start to run through neighborhoods again and not just along the main streets. Felt fun.