Time for St. Medard?

It was another day for training; so, dark and early I set out again under the LA Roadrunners schedule.

I am kind of happy my knee is at least good enough to allow me to do a second run after a pretty short rest (ending 21:30 Wednesday night; out 04:20 Thursday). The schedule called for some hills and 45 minutes; so, I set out on my standard M1 route. I was in a windbreaker, which always makes me feel slow for some reason.

I was doing pretty well and the weather was not bad, just an occasional sprinkle. I made the first hill and kept going. My knee felt pretty good!

On Hill 2 I heard a largeish-sounding dog and since it was so dark, I decided not to risk a repeat of last week and abruptly turned back 1/2 way down. I was still doing pretty well and pace was quickening until I hit a traffic light and all the momentum ended.

It also began to rain ... again.

I kept going; but, I could feel I was losing traction and momentum and the ability to accelerate. Wet concrete is not the ideal running surface.

I got another hill in and headed towards Santa Monica Airport with the rain increasing. I kept plowing away; but, the rain was starting to affect me with the need to go to the elite, manual "windshield wipers" and the ongoing traction issue.

As the rain got stronger, I just tried to do my best. Target pace was gone. I was just going to do what I could and try to make it back intact. I also managed to hit some deep puddles (it sounds crazy; but, in the dark, the deep water is difficult to pick out at times until SPLASH!).

I did make it back, rather waterlogged. It was not up to pace target; but, I did complete it!

I then looked and found out that St. Medard is the Catholic patron saint for bad weather ... so, may be he will be a marathon patron?

45:47 of soggy running
4.03 miles
11:22 pace ... oops!

Time to Run ... Already?

This morning was first attempt at running on pretty short rest ... I was up at 03:45 having finished last night at 21:22 ...

I wanted to see how my body would react to the normal run as well as my knee.

So, I got up to find my usual weekday shirt still a bit damp from sweat! Oops. When I was finally ready, I set out on the M1 route for the 45 minutes in the LA Roadrunners guide.

I was a bit slow at the start but it was picking up and I did the hillwork I throw in as well. My time got whacked twice as I had to do little slow, mini-circles at two long lights (I needed to leave a bit earlier than normal; so, I had to keep the clock running on my running). This had a bigger effect than anticipated as a) at one light alone, my overall pace slowed by TWENTY-EIGHT seconds b) you lose all the momentum and have to get in motion again c) my knee does better without stops

I did experience some discomfort for sure; but, there was no sharp pain. I did not reach my LT goal; but, I was not struggling either.

Under the circumstances it was decent, not great. I did like seeing the clear sky though!

45:16 of running for 3.86 miles for an 11:46 pace overall. (I think realistically it was more 11:00-11:15 or so without lights circles. I was off the 10:30 goal; but, kept going which under the circumstances is not all bad.