Took 8 full days off after the Los Angeles marathon (no weekly log for 18 to 24, no running). Had to look up when the last time I took that long off from running was- March 2021 when I was struggling with some injuries. Been fortunate to have zero injuries since early last year and zero serious injuries since mid-2022, although I attribute a lot of this to knowing my body and training smart. 8 days off was a different approach as I ran every day of 2023. I was still pretty much resetting after the blocks, but was still running 3 (and in a few cases, 2) miles per day for a full 7 days. This certainly reset fitness and gave me a rest, but as I found out this week, is not the same as days off.
Monday: 0 Miles
8th day off. Would have run, but had a big mid-term exam so opted for just one more day.
Tuesday: 4 Miles- Camarillo, CA
Started light/low and worked my way up throughout the week. The advantage of doing 2-3 mile days during the reset week was you still feel comfortable with the basic act of running. Take a week off when you're using to running 10 miles a day and things feel really rough. Definitely a forgot how to run and quite tight and uncomfortable by the end. The advantage to taking the time completely off is it's more of a reset and reduces the risk of burnout, which I definitely hit somewhat in the last two blocks.
Wednesday: 5 Miles- Thousand Oaks, CA
I had to pick some new routes this week because I'm used to doing 10-11 mile runs and don't have 5 mile routes in the back of my head. Definitely still flat and heavy, but running didn't feel so strange today. Thought I might have a disaster having to use the bathroom on a crowded trail, but fortunately a portapotty at the trailhead. Was super sweaty on this one.
Thursday: 7 Miles- Calabasas, CA
The few runs I've done in Calabasas I've had to do lots of OABs and lollipops to make 10-12. So it was perfect for 7 miles. Was struggling quite a bit first few miles- heavy chest, heavy legs, heavy breathing and suddenly felt much better in the middle miles. Nice running here, especially right next to L.A. (one city over)- very wide road shoulders and some great singletrack trails. Saw a really cool stork/heron. Second half of the run was going great until I rolled my ankle pretty hard in some uneven dirt and had to be careful after that.
Friday: 7 Miles- Thousand Oaks, CA
Santa Rosa Valley, nice routes here. Like yesterday, it's difficult to make 10+ here but was perfect for 7. Definitely a trend this week of feeling terrible the first few miles then a bit better as I go along. Came up behind a horseback rider on a narrow singletrack trail. Much easier when they see you and going the opposite direction, or on a wide trail. Decided to stop and wait 5 minutes to let them get far ahead rather than inevitably "scaring" them and not having any room to pass. Saw several more horses but fortunately had to room to pass those times. Not something I like about Socal.
Saturday: 6 Miles
4 Miles- Oxnard, CA
With plans for an outdoor track season coming up quick, I figured it was best to get on the track as early as possible, even if I'm still so early into the season that I'm struggling running easy. Sometimes you got to force yourself into shape, and the track season is really short here so I want to take full advantage of that window. Thought I'd be able to use Oxnard college as a workout venue, so I was disappointed that it was gated/tall fences in every direction. Wandered around campus (very empty) and even across the street to another HS, that was also completely gated.
2 Miles- Ventura, CA
Needed to access a track to get something in, so next I drove to Ventura College which was annoying as it was 30 minutes away but I definitely can't workout at high schools when they're in session so I wanted to scout something about for mid-week workouts. Another fail, some big youth soccer game going on. Drove to the nearest high school and did 4x200m on 300m jog- targeting 33s as that'll be goal 1500m pace for the opener. Didn't feel terrible- went out at what felt like a comfortably fast effort and only hit 36. Took to me the last one to hit 33s. Definitely strained but not terrible. Originally I had considered another 4x200 at 31s with spikes, but I felt worked enough just from the 4x200 and there was a soccer practice going on the infield and I probably wasn't supposed to be using the track. Two takeaways- my fitness is horrendous right now, not expecting any decent results for 3 weeks (will use the next two weekends as rustbuster/get in shape races). The other takeaway is that accessing tracks an adult sucks. Having to drive to 4 tracks before I can get on one is ridiculous. Had the same issues at this time last year as I got kicked off the chariho track.
Sunday: 8 Miles- Fillmore, CA
Ventura town bagging (also got Oxnard for the first time yesterday). OAB in fillmore on a bike path and then a quiet road. Felt super heavy going out and then suddenly much better after I turned around. The quiet road I turned around on was really nice- scenic with green mountains in the background and more vegetation than usual. Wouldn't mind returning here. Not as urban. Left hamstring and right hip tightness this week too.
Weekly Total: 37 Miles
Weekly Highlight: Successfully completing the first week without injury.
Weekly Lowlight: Definitely struggling. It's been so long since I took a week off fully that I forgot how rough that first week is. Everything is tight, strained, body definitely forgot how to run. The good news is it probably won't take too long to feel good again.
Movies Watched: Silver Linings Playbook, Sicario
Likely open up the season at USC (open/non-competitive) meet with a 1500m/800m double next Saturday. No expectations with terrible fitness, hopefully just get some junk out of the system and set myself up to race better down the road. Was originally going to wait to race until April 13th at Point Mugu trail race, but it inexplicably was moved to late October (there was no reason posted, or not even an email notification). Fine with me as it'll make it easier to focus on track and get a few track races in.
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