Back in RI for a little over 8 days, and 9 total runs. Didn't plan on it but for whatever reason ended up doing trails 7 of my 9 runs (6 of 7 this week). Would have liked more of a mix, but at the same time it gives some balance to my nearly all-road running UNH training while also providing a softer surface to aid my recovery. Very solid week. While this is the first time I've had a race-free November, I think the easy return will help me get back where I need to be. Still haven't worked or raced since October 19 which is normal for some people I know but almost unheard of for myself. Should be getting to that point very soon. Kept runs varied this week, with all 9 runs starting in a different place. Also had a trend of feeling somewhat lousy at some point in all my runs, just didn't fuel well at all.
Monday: 8 Miles
Ninigret, always a pleasure to run here. Normally do more a mix but except for the first mile, ran almost exclusively on the refuge/golf trails with a little on the soccer field. Very comfortable weather with temps in the 50s. Felt great on this run, and cruised in the 6:40s.
Tuesday: 7 Miles
Felt much worse on this run than monday's, just a weak slog the entire time as well as getting really tight halfway in. Got it done but wasn't very enjoyable. Did the usual 7 mile carter preserve loop, nice trails but more hilly/technical than I've doing.
Wednesday: 9 Miles
The rest of the runs this week were with Dad. Worked out as we were both looking to run decent miles without killing the pace. Bluff Point with a little haley, felt really great for about 2 miles before getting pretty tight after that. Tightness went away but then fatigue started to set in. Still never felt awful so another solid run completed. Good mix of both very easy and more challenging terrain. Picked it up the last mile.
Thursday: 7 Miles
Thanksgiving run, got out really late for this. Very cold run (I think 16 at start) on mostly twisty or technical trails in Burlingame north, was absolutely feeling it at the end of Sammy C's. Felt heavy but decent.
Friday: 10 Miles
Black Friday group run with Dad, Tom and Muddy. Very cold again (14 at start) but got really warm about 2 miles as I bundled up for this one. Didn't love it as many trails were overgrown as I was constantly getting up or awkwardly trying to avoid thorned plants. Still nice to run with some fellow WTAC guys though.
Saturday: 9 Miles
Grills run. Don't enjoy these trails as much as the other locations, but liked it more than expected. Got very weak and tight around 3 miles but after a short break, I felt decent enough (still tired, but tightness completely went away) to get through the rest. Even picked it up to sub-6 at the end without feeling any tighter.
Sunday: 11 Miles
Another good mileage, very rural roads in Richmond that I had never run before but my Dad frequents. A little slower than expected with most of the miles in the low 7s, but I was okay with that. Earlier start. Got really weak around 3 miles (and very out of breath) before regaining myself and feeling mostly good for the rest of the run. Eventually the pace became more natural and rattled off a few 6:30s at the end. Calves were a little tight in the last two, but overall good.
Weekly Total: 61 Miles
YTD Total: 1,904 Miles
Weekly Highlight: After many awful, awful weeks where I couldn't even lie to myself that any part of my running was a highlight, this week was pretty great. Not only did I feel mostly good, but I enjoyed most of it. I got a nice little tour of southern RI/CT trails as well. My mileage was probably higher than I should have but considering I took every run easy, I am very pleased. Highest week since September 3-9.
Weekly Lowlight: Nice to have lowlights now be minor things. Just felt lazy this week mostly from running later than expected. Wish I incorporated more roads, but not a huge thing. I'll make up for it back in Durham. Fueled poorly on many runs and felt weak because of it.
Very pleased with 61, even if was a huge jump up. I think I've officially beaten the hip injury, I haven't even felt it on 7 of the last 9 runs or so and even then it was nothing compared to how I felt on previous runs. Hope to keep the higher mileage going, but with slower increases. I think my sweet spot will be somewhere between 65-75 miles. It seems like I've (mostly) gotten my legs back for the easy runs and even longer runs. Time to get them back for racing and workouts, and then everything should fall back into place.
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