Doesn't Get Easier

AM:  Hilly run in fantastic conditions, but pain throughout.  The large blister on my arch is becoming a problem.  Bloody sock after run moves the injury to a code red.  Calls for bandage and duct tape combo.

AM: Solid 13 mi on the bike trail.  Bummed that I had to take yesterday off because of my blister, but it feels much better now.  Have to wrap it up a lot before running though.  It's in a bad spot on the arch of the foot.  I'd like to at least hit 80 miles for the week so I might try a run later.

PM: I could only tolerate 2.25 mi with the heat and the blister.  Felt like my legs had more to give, but pulled the plug.

Heading out for family camp today.  I won't be reporting during the week.  Have a great week of running!

2x miles ran during camp.

Give the blister some time to heal.

1x miles

1x miles, hot and humid

Rest day.  Feeling tired and blister on foot needs some rest.

Very comfortable run on the bike path.  Many bikers out today.  Didn't see one runner, but maybe most don't run on a bike path.  Blister is nearly fully recovered.

AM - 10.8 mi of easy jogging early this morning.  Very muggy and buggy.

PM - 5.5 mi easy.  Legs felt better vs. this morning.

AM - Jogged out 13 mi.  By the end I was sweating like a turkey the day before Thanksgiving.  Just soaked from the humid conditions.

PM - Ran 6 in very hot and humid conditions.  I felt weak the first 2 mi, but then body clicked over and felt normal.  Shot down for another job today.  Oh well, I'm blessed, feeling great physically, and have my depression under control.

AM - Very easy run this morning.  The heat and humidity makes running fast nearly impossible, but had a better pace the last mile.  Took a few breaks to drink enough fluids.

PM - Heat index is sky high today so did 6 on the TM all easy.  Strapped the HRM on to see what happens when I get the energy surge feelings.  Well, as normal whenever I increased the speed or incline my HR would gradually increase and I would feel more fatigue.  What is strange is after some time my HR levels out and then eventually drops about 10 beats at the same time I get the energy surge feeling.  I can then increase the resistance and my HR stubbornly holds around the lower rate and I no longer feel any fatigue unless I get aggressive with the difficulty.  Not sure if I should get this checked out.

AM - Ran 13.3 mi on a bike trail all done...you guessed it....easy.  Made the mistake of telling the Mrs. about the strange heart rate changes and energy surge feelings I have while running.  I've had it for years, but set an appt with the doctor just to ease fears and end my curiosity.  I think that it might be low blood pressure coupled with a vasovagal episode (runs in the family).

AM - Great run.  Simple home remedy might have solved most of my heart rate issues.  I didn't get the drained/surge feelings as much as I had in the past and I felt level throughout the whole run.  After a couple of burps I could tell that my HR still came down after each one but not as much as before.  I'll have to try it again to see if it actually helps.  Still going to the doctor on Monday though.

PM - Easy 7 miles

Once again high humidity made the run feel much longer than it should.  Lost a lot of water and was really tired by the end.  Feels great to set a PR for weekly mileage this week by 15 miles. 

Quicker than usual 10 miles, but still easy.  Felt much better compared to yesterday.

AM - 3 quick miles outside before the rain, then 6 miles easy on the TM as it rained.

PM - 9 miles on a bike path.  All easy again.  Went to the doctor today to check out my irregular heart rate at times while running.  Did an EKG and everything was normal.  He thinks my resting pulse rate might be too low (36) and a lack of fuel combined with burping is causing a vasovagal episode.  I was thinking the same thing.  He's referred me to a cardiologist for a stress test to find out exactly what is happening.  I don't really want to go through all this because I don't see a solution anyway.  More for the wife's sake at this point.

AM - 7 miles easy, but in this humidity nothing seems easy for me.

PM - 10.5 miles out and back on the bike path.  I was soaked once again by the end.  I'll be on the TM the rest of the week while my wife is out of town.

AM - 7 miles on ye old mill.  Nothing fancy.

PM - Boring 7.5 miles on the TM.

AM - Another 7 on the mill while watching the tour.  Heating up big time outside again.

PM - Another 7 on the mill while watching Cops reruns.  All done in five fingers.

AM - See yesterday

11 miles on the mill while watching the tour.  Getting really tired of the mill.

Ran 10 miles with 6 short fartleks closer to the end.

Disaster of a run.  Legs were sluggish and I was just tired.  Losing a lot of fluid was not a help.  It's been 9 months since I completed this distance, but felt like my first 20 miler.  One of my worst performance wise.

AM - As usual, felt like I was in first gear until 3 miles then ran much stronger (overall 7:50 avg) compared to yesterday's survival fest.  Another hot day.

AM - 15 miles felt pretty good given how humid.  I was losing steam at the end though.

Afternoon run after doing chores around the house.  Legs had some good bounce today with the lower humidity (8-9 min pace).  Last two miles were the slowest though, but can tell I'm getting used to longer trips.  Had a fall on the sidewalk while daydreaming and ended up with a strawberry on my knee.  Totally took me by surprise and noticed I make a funny grunt sound as I fall.

A bit of a struggle so I took things really easy and incorporated some walk breaks.  Saw the cardiologist this morning and he didn't think my heart rate fluctuation was a major concern.  Great news!  Set up a "stress" test in a couple of weeks to make sure.

Easy out and back run on a bike path.  Ran about 2 mi worth of fartleks during the last 6 mi.  No idea how fast.  Just ran faster than normal while focusing on staying relaxed.  Feels great to have another week over 100 miles.  I can't believe I'm running this much with no orthotics and using old beaters that are at least 2 years old.