A stressful week but a good 10-mile Long Run eases the mind

Well, this was an interesting week.  Lots of events combining to rachet up the stress level, which in turn led to less sleep and more agitation.  My poor mother tried to get a hold of me for two days but I was so busy dealing with things going on around me that I didn't have a chance to call her back until last night.

So my training schedule was a little wonky.  I wanted to get my runs in, but at the same time I wanted to get some rest, and my body was a little achy from the strange sleep patterns.  I did get a 4 mile run in on Tuesday, which felt very good.  I kept to a steady 10:00/mm pace.  I had to squeeze this run in after work, and more and more I realize that I just don't perform as well after work.  I am not sure if it is because its "after work" and I am tired mentally as well as physically, or, if it is just because it is the 'evening' and my body is just not used to lots of activity at 7PM.

I wanted to get in a run or a walk on that Wednesday as well -- ya know, a run on Leap Day.  With all those people at Disney World that day (a special day there where the park was open for 24 hours), I thought I would feel better by doing a run since I couldn't be celebrating with The Mouse.  But, I woke up on Wednesday with twinges in my right hip and left calf (which weren't there when I went to sleep).  Makes me wonder what I dreamed about that night... LOL   Oh well, I figured I might as well just make Wednesday a Rest Day.

So Thursday morning I got up and put in another 3.97 miles at the club, running the first 3 miles at a 10:30/mm pace and the last .50 mile at 8:32/mm pace.  I was very happy with that run.  Just reinforcing my feeling that morning runs are just better for me.

Today, I will be attending a youth retreat all weekend -- something I do several times a year.  It is always an uplifting experience for me as well as the young people who participate and staff the event.  But it means no weekend Long Run for me.  So today, I had to get up at 4AM so that I could get ready and get to the gym at 5AM for a 10-miler.  And of course, I did not get to sleep until midnight so getting up at 4AM was just that much harder.  Many thanks to my wife for making me get out of the bed.

The run started off rocky.  First, I got in the locker room only to find that I had left my iPad in the car (I wanted to watch X-Men First Class during my run).  So I had to go get that.  Then, as I left the locker room the second time, I realized I had left my GU.  So, had to go back to get that.  Ten minutes waster because I kept forgetting things.  Finally, I got to the Treadmill and started my run.  The run itself went pretty well -- watching the movie was a nice change of pace for me (and it helped wake me up).

After the first 5K, I dropped into a 1-2 mile run (at a 12:00/pace) followed by a 1-minute walk (at a 17:00/pace).  My body was tired due to the lack of sleep and I didn't want to 'force' it to do too much.  It was a comfortable run and when all was said and done, I had run 10.35 miles.  And, I watched the entire movie too!

After the run, I showered and have a very good breakfast with my buddy Mike.  Then I drove him to O'Hare on my way to my office.  Mike is competing in the Little Rock Marathon on Sunday.  Go Mike!!!!

I am really glad that I was able to get that run in. I feel much better and my mind is a lot more at ease.  That is a good thing as I head into a retreat weekend.

Total miles for the week: 18.  Given the nature of this week, I will take that as a good mileage target.  Next week will definitely be over 20.  Weather forecasts say it might be in the 50s next Wednesday.  You know what that means?  I get to take my run OUTSIDE!!!  Excellent!

My next race will be a Family Affair!

Last night I took my son Ryan to dinner at one of our favorite Mexican restaurants -- Pablo's. As we sat in a booth, trying to decide what to order, we started talking about running. Ryan started talking about his Disney 5K experience where he ran with Mike, my cousin Doug and his daughter, and me. We had a great time, and he earned his first Disney medallion.

But he surprised me by saying he wanted a 'real' medal... a metal one from a 5K race. I told him that most 5K races did not give medals but tech shirts or ribbons. He was disappointed. But then I remembered the 5K I am running on March 24th -- the Penguin in the Park 5K in Decatur, IL -- organized by John Bingham. That race does have Finisher Medals.

So I asked him if he would be interested in running with me in that race. But I asked him to think about it before answering because if he said "Yes", I was going to expect him to start training for it. I told him I wanted him to take the race seriously. I had planned on running for a PR in that race, but if Ryan is running with me, I will give up that goal so I can share in his first timed race. So I want the race to have meaning for him as well.

At dinner tonight, I got my answer. He said "I am serious about running the 5K race. And I will train." So I am really excited! I am going to get him to start using the Treadmill and doing some core exercises. I do not expect him to run the entire race; I think we will do the Run/Walk method at 3/1 intervals. It will give him a good introduction to running, and not leave him too exhausted to have a fun time.

I am looking forward to sharing this with him. He will be starting high school this fall, and he has already told me he is going to join the Cross Country/Track Team. I hope that he and I will start training together this year, particularly once it warms up and we can run outdoors. I hope this will be something that we can share as Father and Son.

And who knows? Perhaps there won't be too many kids in the 12-14 age group, and he can win an age group award! Either way, when we cross that finish line, I will be one proud Dad!