Two Steps Forward, 1 99/100ths Steps Back

Sunday ... the day after the long run.

I woke up and felt a bit drained and with a CCD class to teach, I decided to experiment and sleep a bit longer and run at night.

So, I set out after doing "church stuff" all day for a 30-minute shakedown-type run.

I soon realized all systems were not really going. My legs still felt "heavy."

I had worn the brace for my knee all day and had decided to take it off for the run; but, now the knee was sore. My lower back ached a bit; I think I may have slightly pulled a muscle lifting and moving tables. Then, my upper chest got sore. I felt like a driver looking at the dashboard and seeing all the red lights come on at once.

Still, I kept going despite knowing I was not even close to the pace goal. I opted for a trot to Ocean Park Boulevard, around Clover Park, and home, a nice flat course.

I was going, but, not well. I was getting slower and sorer. At this point I just decided to do my best.

It had been a rough day. My class had some issues and some struggled with a little test. A big volunteer at church now has bladder cancer. Nevermind things like Haiti. So, the soreness and pain, were in reality minor annoyances in perspective which kind of helped me keep moving.

Godwilling, I finish the race March 21. I want to fell I earned the medal and faced the challenges, the good and the bad; so, this was one of the gutcheck times.

I was slowing and at points more like trudging, but forward at least.

I finally made it home. I was a bit short on the time goal as well; but, at that point, I thought I better call it a go and live to fight another day.

2.18 miles
28.08 minutes
12:58 pace ... doh.

Progress?

45 minutes can be a long time. In soccer/football, it is one half of the game. In college, 45 minutes was often the length of a class. 45 minutes this morning was the assignment for the LA Roadrunners mid-week training ... 45 minutes at LT (a.k.a. Race Pace).

So, I was wondering how it would go after Saturday's run and then yesterday's longish walk. I was kind of cheered surprisingly hearing my unofficial theme song come on the radio again (and it's not a recent song by any means). I set out dark and early and decided why not go for LT as the senior pace leader had suggested, rather than throttle back on the speed. So, I did and actually was initially ahead of LT! I then decided let's make this a bit more fun and take M1 ... the #1 training route with the hill work and all, plus stoplights (stop and go seems to be a bit of a bother for my knee). So, I did.

I even saw a new sight ... an opossum! I had not seen one since living in Orange County! Here was one in Santa Monica! Ah, just like the old days.

I did have some soreness; but, it was much, much, much better than Saturday. I also was keeping on pace the whole run. I would check the Garmin 305 and still be happy with the results and kept going.

I made it all the way around and felt pretty comfortable, despite the warm conditions. I ran 45:22 at 10:27 pace for 4.34 miles. Not bad to start the week, especially as usually I am bad on Monday.

I have had some sharper soreness later in the day; but, it's overall better than the last few weeks. Live to fight another day!