I have not posted much over the last few weeks as there has not been much positive to talk about. The week prior to Club Champs, I tweaked my achilles during the 3-4 inch snow fall we got. I continued the workout and ran probably my best workout (with the conditions) that i have run in 2 years. I was plugging off sub 5 pace through snow and on muddy footing over the fields of Germantown Soccer plex (600m XC loop). During my cooldown is when i really noticed my achilles pulling on me. Got in 14 miles for the day.
The next day I was scheduled for an easy 16. I got to 6 and the pain started to set in. by 9 miles, i had to stop. It was effecting my running gate at that point (esp on uphills).
I took monday totally off. Tuesday was an easy 5 miler (it was tolerable but still there).
Wednesday I was about to get in an 8 mile run which included 8 x 200 meters on the Northwest H.S track. The 200's were pure hell... Pace wise, I was good to go... I hit 34, 33, 32, 31, 32, 31, 31, 28. (100 rest in between intervals). I felt phenomenal during the intervals cardio wise... My achilles was terrible however. I actually ran my 100 rest in about 22/25 seconds (for the 4 through 7th at least)... I noticed that my achilles hurt worse at the start of the next interval if I did a slow recovery jog... I almost had to stay in stride for the pain to be tolerable.
Thursday, I was able to get in 8 miles with the same pain as wednesday, easy pace (6:50 min/mile avg).
Friday, I woke up at 3:30 in the morning with a terrible sore throat, chest congestion and chills. I didn't have a thermometer but knew a fever was present with the sweat I woke up in. I was able to fall back asleep for about 3 more hours before I threw myself out of bed and put the tights and a long sleeve and hoodie on to go outside for a 5 mile shake out. I got out 1 mile and felt absolutely horrendous. I knew at that point, I could not make this trip and survive. I got back to the house and immediately called Jake and Karl... It was hard to make the call to withdrawal from the trip i was anxiously awaiting for weeks... With all the stuff that has been going on recently in my life, it was something I had to look forward to. I will probably not run this event or sign up for this event again... I always seem to get sick the week prior or in this years case the day before the USATF XC Club championships. The two years prior, the same thing happened. Bronchitis plus a hip injury in 2007, Flu in 2008.
Saturday I did not run at all.
Sunday I again did not run at all.
Monday I again did not run at all.
Tuesday I ran 5 miles and felt like crap.
Wednesday I ran 7 miles. My achilles was super tight and hurt every step after the first 15 minutes. I find this to be both frustrating and peculiar. It would make sense that the achilles would hurt bad to start and subside as the run progresses... My situation is the complete opposite... Hopefully over my winter break stay in PA, My go to doctor will diagnose and kick it in the rear as he did last year with my injuries... I saw him 9 times in the 10 week lead up i had for PDR. He keeps me healthy... I just wish he would accept my offer to move down to the MD with me....
Thursday I ran 6 miles. Had some pain but it was tolerable (more so than yesterday).
Friday I ran 5.5 miles. It is frustrating looking at what I should be running mileage right now and not getting close. I am trying to be smart with progressing back up to where I should be... The thinking I have with this is I run PR's off of 40 mile weeks... I don't necessarily need to pound the high miles... Now, to reach my potential down the road... I MUST DO THIS. Right now, it can only hurt me... my muscles/tendons from past experiences cannot handle aggressive progressions in mileage... has to be gradual. Next week i will do a 15% increase and go from there... Plateau at a mileage level for 2 weeks then up it. I am not looking at still getting 1 or 2 90 mile weeks going into my marathon but not hitting the 105 goal that I had on my workout template.
Saturday. I took off in PA... the snow that started at midnight was sooo tempting as its my most favorite running conditions... at the same time, the achilles was injured as a result of these conditions... I had to be smart. Instead I shoveled and plowed my parents and their neighbors driveways/walkways for my workout... Im jacked... Not really.
Sunday: I took off in PA again...
Monday: I ran 5 miles back in Maryland... almost killed myself on the icy conditions on the back roads around montgomery village.
Tuesday:
