Spring Training

Another solid week of training in the books with no aches or pains as I migrate into 60 miles week!  My work hours have been crazy and demanding, and hopefully return to normal (if such a thing) as I go into the next phase of training.  It’s time to take my training to another level.  I need to get my weekly mileage up in the 80s by the end of April, and start speed work, hill repeats, and heat conditioning.  After my long run last Sunday night, I actually felt like I was getting back into ultra-shape.  I maintained a comfortable 9:20 mile while keeping my HR down in the endurance zone.  I had a few miles where my pace spiked in the 8 mpm because it just felt so good, but quickly reminded myself to slow it down and train in the endurance zone to get the full benefit.

3M loop W/lights for night time running

 Every year my company requires I have a full physical with blood work and EKG to ensure I have no issues due to the demands and responsibilities with my job.  We have our own medical doc, nurses, and assistance on site to address this requirement.  The other day I went in for my one year checkup and the assistance was wondering if I was alive.  They wanted to stick a fork in me to see if I would respond.  I assured them I was very much alive, and the fork was not required.  HR was 46 bpm and they asked if this was normal.  I said it’s a little high from the walk over and the 3 flights of stairs.  Normally in the lower end of the 40s!  They wanted to know how, so I told them a few miles of running every now and then does the trick.  I think they’re considering running as their new hobby!

Spring is definitely in the air with a haze of green in the air (pollen), flowers blooming, grass turning green, and trees coming to life.  The temps have been in the 80s by day and 50s at night.  Perfect.

Training last week:

Mon – 8M

Tues – 9M

Wed – 3m and cycling

Thurs – 7M and Gym

Fri – 4M and Gym

Sat – Off

Sun – 30M long run at night