A Giant's Foray

So things have clearly stretched on longer than I expected, but I've made the most of my time, and am in the best shape of my life, with at least 2 hours of base cardio a day (in the form of long rows, spinning, and of course swimming) in the month and a half I've been off of running. I've dropped to 195-198 lbs (depending on when I weigh myself), and my BF% is back down the 6/7% from my rowing days. 

 I've waited completely for my ankle to heal, and I've gained a little perspective: running is a long-term gig, and training too hard in the short-term is only going to short circuit me in the long run.

 Oh well, marathon in 3 months, 3:30:00 is the new goal. 3:10:00 can wait for the future. 

Did 6.0 in 48:34.

 First 5.5 was as measured as anything I've ever done, limiting my HR to sub-135 (~65% for me), and probably averaged about  about an 8:15, and then opened it up for a 1:35 and 1:25 400 at the end, just to get the feeling of fast. No ankle pain so far, and feeling pretty great. Wasn't exhausted at th end, just felt good. If I can keep on with this kind of run and build aerobic capacity, I'm going to be happy!

Basic Green Lake loop. Did it in 48:14, another definitely controlled run. Aerboic pace feels a little uncomfortable... I just want to go faster! Felt very nice all in all however. SOOOO glad to be running again, and definitely looking forward to build on the non-running base I've built up over the last month.

5.79 in 45:50, a 7:55 pace.  

Another wonderful day, another solid run. Still feel tremendously awkward running at aerobic pace... I either want to stop or go 30-40 sec/mile faster, but I was able to stick to the prescribed heart rate (which is no substitute for feel, but I've been out of the game and have no feel right now), and ended up going 20 sec/mile faster than last time. Definitely didn't feel any more tired at the end of the run. A sign of the rust coming off? I sure hope so!

I was even able to let somebody run past me which I've usually had a huge problem doing in the past. He was huffing and puffing, and working his tail off to run by me, and I wanted to gap him badly, but it would've ruined the workout.

 Well, I've got an entry in the Mercer Island Half Marathon in three and a half weeks (I registered for it about two months ago), and I think I'm going to run it, despite the 6 week break.  If I keep having runs like this, and build steadily until then, I can probably break my ultra-soft half-marathon PR of 1:34:20, which I set running a 7 minute positive split. I think I can pace myself better this time. No pressure on myself though! If I don't have it yet, I don't have it yet

 Well, good night blog world!

A nice jaunt around Green Lake, finished in 45:42. My HR monitor seems to be fritzy, which is most unfortunate, but I went mostly by feel today, and moved pretty consistently. Still breaking rust, and its going to be awhile before I'm back up to speed. I do realize now that I need to cut down on the spin classes on running days, as my calves were killing me from the "stair step" routine we did this morning. Cardio system does feel great on the whole. Taking tomorrow off from running (going to spin/erg/weights), and then back on Saturday. I am totally recovering within 24 hours of each run, so that's definitely a good sign. 

Basic Green Lake run, 4th of the same type this week. The other ankle is acting screwy a little bit, though it feels much better after icing. Nothing is aggravating with it, and if anything its getting better. Same aerobic pace, though I blitzed my legs yesterday with cycling and erging, so it was tough on them.

 5.77 miles at 8:01 pace. 

Basic Green Lake run again, but I threw in a tempo mile to spruce things up; ran the mile in 6:42, felt pretty exhausted after it, though that's probably a function of the roommate reunion I had last night. Heart rate was higher than normal too, hence the slower base pace. 

 Feel solid, though the left ankle was acting up a little. I think I just need to get my stride mechanics down.

Total time was 45:11, or 7:53 a mile.