Thankful for the gift. Each and every day

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Getting there

So, it has been 4 weeks since I came down with the flu and 2 weeks since i was sidelined for a few days with an aggravated adductor.  I have been doing a good job of rehabbing and am now running pain free again.  It has taken a lot longer than usual for my fitness to come back from an injury/illness set back.  I have had many and bounce back relatively quickly... However i think due to my mileage already being low from USA XC champs, the residual strength i had was not as much as it would have been without the taper.  I do feel my legs are under me, i just am simply lacking strength/turnover right now.  This has been the first week I feel that I am "getting back".  I ran my first full workout in weeks.  I ran 2 previous workouts post illness and could not finish them due to the effects of the flu.  The adductor tweak was a result of these efforts.  I was happy to run 6 x mile this week and got under each interval goal.  I felt really good finishing, though I wanted to go with a few of the guys that finished strong on the final interval.  I knew I had to keep it in check to avoid any re-injury. 
   Yesterday, I ran a 13 mile day with a 5 mile progression run on the track, 2:30 rest and then went into a 2 mile slightly faster.  I ran solo at my h.s track in PA.  It was really windy and lonely.  I hit 5:24, 5:21, 5:20, 5:15, 5:15.  After the rest, I ran a 10:07 two mile (5:05/5:02).  The two mile felt much more relaxed as I quickly changed from trainers to flats for the 2 mile.  Today, I hit a 16 miler (easy).  I was having some stomach issues this morning but after it subsided, all was fine.  I ran 79 miles this week which is 15 miles more than last week.  I will continue upping the mileage throughout the next few weeks of racing.  I am looking forward to racing Cherry Blossom, especially that there is a team competition.  This brings a whole new element of motivation to the race.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

I don't even know what to say

I am sick again.  I had a 101 degree fever yesterday and i am at home today in bed.  I had to take off yesterday and will be forced to take off again today (missing a workout tonight) The trend is getting old... I work hard, i do the right things, i have been eating very healthy and getting the sleep i need.  My doctor sent me for a blood test for my TSH and metabolic rate (not sure what those have to do with my off and on sickness) but that is why he is a doctor i guess...  3 weeks to Shamrock!