Doesn't Get Easier

8 + 6 mi

Yup, legs are still sore and recovering way too slowly. Taking tommorow off!

Rest day and ate like a champ all day long.

5 mi + weights

Took it easier with the weights this time after the thrashing last week. Really needed a couple days off. Here's to a better week of running this week, I hope anyway.

Easy progression run. Feeling old and stiff a couple hours later. Allergies were bad today as well, so overall tired.

In other news, a bad day for baseball. Does everyone cheat these days?! Pathetic.

7.7 + 6 mi

This run started out really well, but I ran out of gas on the back half and was sweating profusely. Humidity just kills my running. Did try something I haven't done in a while and that's listening to tunes while running outside. Felt strange at first, but I was soon air drumming like a champ once I was on the trail.

10.3 + 6 mi

Legs were stiff at the end of the first run and beginning of second run. Other than that had a really good day energy wise and didn't have that "out of breath" or need to walk feeling during the run. Hope I've shaken that issue. I've been struggling the past several weeks.

8.6 + 7.4 mi

Energy level and breathing are still better vs. past couple of weeks. I normally get out of breath and a strong tired feeling at mile 3. It happened on the second run, but went away after I stopped for traffic and didn't linger like it did before. Really feels like I could run farther now, but taking it day by day. Another positive is I was told I looked like a "runner" at the gym today. Hey I'll take it!

Sneaked out for a longer lunch run. Felt a little tired again during mile 3, but not overwhelming. Strange how this happens at the same time during every run. Threw in some speed surges here and there, but no idea what pace or length. Pace was 8:27 for entire run. Not a good run mentally as I was in a depressive funk today so all I thought about was how bad a runner, father, and person I am even though it's not reality, at least I hope it's not. Hate it when all I can think about are negatives. I believe Winston Churchill called it his "black dog". Mine came around today.

8.5 + 6.4 mi

A good day! It was a struggle getting out of bed this morning, but got it done. No complaints and the weather was very good as well. Had my blood taken before work to recheck my WBC count, which was low a couple months ago. Wanted them the tack on an iron level test as well, but was told I need to talk to the doc first. However, they will be able to tell if I'm anemic with the first test, but still think it's kind of silly to have to talk to the doc for the complete iron level evaluation. I thought it would be a simple request.

Shorter run this morning before work. The cool mornings have been great.

Received news from the doctor's office that my WBC count is still low or below normal. It actually fell a little further since May. Since I also complained of fatigue he is referring me to a hematologist for further study. Thought I'd look up some of the causes of low WBC numbers and that was a mistake. A laundry list of bad things are related to a low count. My hope is I have a case of hemodilution due to my running, which from what I gather is common among endurance athletes. Has to be it, right? I would think 1-2 hrs of running each day would force the symptoms of the bad things to manifest themselves quickly.    

This was one of the best long runs I've had in years. Ran steady throughout and only dealt with some leg discomfort in the end. Energy level hasn't been this good in a long while. Average pace was 8:21.

Ran after work and had a lot of pep. Good thing because I had limited time as there was a parent meeting at school. Average pace 7:52.

8.55 + 5.45 mi

Typical morning and lunch hour combo. All done easy. Struggled with second run and had to walk for a bit.

Went to hematologist today as a follow-up to my low WBC count. He spent 20 minutes telling me about all the bad things that can cause the low count. Then did a quick exam and suspects I will be one of the 5% that has a low WBC as "normal". I told him about my exercise regimen and diet, but all he was looking for is pathology and illness as the cause. Frustrating in that regard. Asked him to tack on a ferritin test along with all the other tests. Simple request right? He told me my bouts of fatigue are due to my Bradycardia and told me I'm not anemic based on my blood counts. I disagree until a complete iron test is done so at that point my ears go off and I just want to leave. Before leaving they took some more blood to test for all the bad things. I decided to wait for the new count as it only takes a couple minutes and get this, my WBC count was normal! They were a bit dumbfounded. I go back in 2 months for another count and review of results from this visit. If all is normal and my count is fine again then I've made the decision to be done with further testing. Oh yeah, forgot to mention he also said running is good exercise but is bad for the knees and then told me about someone who had a double knee replacement because of running. Love it, thanks doc.

8 + 4 mi + weights

Second run completed on dreadmill due to heat. Hit the squat rack and did some core exercises at night.

Very tiring run due to the heat and humidity. I've been running better lately and feeling more energetic overall, more than I have in years. Prior to feeling better recently, I was struggling with energy, fatigue, and falling performance. All of which became more prevalent this year. I was hoping a couple trips to the doctor would reveal the source, but other than a low WBC count there has been no performance connection. So I've self diagnosed myself and feel that my issue is a combination of low heart rate with mineral and salt losses through excessive sweating/dehydration. So working on a solution.

Morning and lunch run combo. Hot in these parts again.

Our oldest daughter is not active in school sports, but we thought she would like to try swimming via the local SUSA club. Only the first week, but she loves it so far and is making new friends outside of her school friends. The coaches are really good. I'm just glad she is keeping active in some capacity.

Struggled to get out the door this morning. I wanted to just stay home and cook up breakfast for the family. Should have got up earlier, ran, and then cooked breakfast for the family ;). Well, it didn't go as planned but I did get my butt out the door and did something that resembles a long run. Average pace 8:30. Suppose to be in the nineties this coming week. 

8 + 6 mi + weights

Hot and steamy day in central Illinois today. One of those days I should have ran once all in the morning. Felt good overall and not getting the energy drain feeling during mile 3 anymore.

No run today due to a broken heart. Susan Baird, a ten year old from our church died this morning after a short battle with a rare cancer.

Blazing hot run during lunch today. Thought a lot about life and death. Susan's funeral is this weekend.

7 + 6 mi

Still very warm and humid. I'm sweating heavily and beginning to feel energy weakness at mile 3 again. Had to walk some during second run. I feel like no progress is being made and I'm just spinning my wheels this week. My weekly average pace has been improving though.

Miles done on treadmill after work. Terribly hot outside.

Not the run I was planning. Got up late and it was already in the 80s and hazy humid. Started run, didn't feel right so bagged the whole deal. The weather is getting a bit old, but better than 10 below. Still wish I had some 50s and 60s.