Week 12: Back Spasms

Thursday morning, after my morning 6-miler at 6:30 pace, my back felt funny.  It didn't hurt, just felt sore like maybe I'd slept on it oddly.  I largely ignored it and made a point to stretch my back throughout the day.  While at work, I changed clothes and laced up my shoes at lunch to knock out a quick 2 miles.  As soon as I finished the quick run, my back completely seized up and I could barely move.

I've since been to the doctor, received two steroid shots, and am still taking oral steroids to help with the pain.  For the most part, it doesn't hurt, just feels uncomfortable.  I can still tell that something is weird with my back, though.  Sunday I got in a few "test jogs" to see how it felt, and I'm reasonably certain I can pick back up with little to no issues.  Fortunately, my training plan doesn't have me upping the mileage or pace this week.

Week XII:

Training Pace: 6:30 (was nailing it until my back spasms showed up)

Long Run: 14 miles (didn't get it because of the back issues)

Music: Finished "41", meandering through podcasts now

Week 11: Houston Treadmills

I hate treadmills.

Spent four days in Houston this week for work, which meant I got to spend some quality time on the conveyer belt.  The only thing worse than having to occupy your mind while knocking out 6 miles on a treadmill, is having to do speed workouts on a treadmill.

I missed my runs on Friday because of travel and because I felt tired.  Not just my legs, but overall was just tired.  I struggled again on Sunday with my long run and ended up splitting it up (6 miles in the morning, 6 in the evening).

Week XI:

Training Pace:  6:40
Long Run:  12 miles (split it up, 6/6)
Music:  Still working on George Bush's book about his dad...an interesting look at 41's presidency 

Week 10: Head Cold and Rain

The aftereffects of a head cold and day after day of rain have made this week's training interesting.  I only missed two runs, but never had any issue maintaining my goal pace for this week (6:50).  That being said, 6:50 is a weird pace to consistently hold (overall run time isn't an issue).  I think because this speed is just below my normal "cruising" pace, I have difficulty discerning between cruising it out and pushing it just a little bit.

Week X:

Training Pace: 6:50

Long Run:  12 miles - I did the first 6 alone and nailed 6:50.  Crystal and Samuel joined for the second 6, so I slowed it down.

Music:  I started George Bush's biography of his dad, "41 - A Portrait of My Father"

Like I said, difficult to discern a 6:50 pace from my cruising pace of 7:00...but my overall run pace was 6:47.

Weeks 8 & 9: New England

I spent most of Week 8 in Millbury, Massachusetts (about 45 mins outside Boston) for work.  This presented the opportunity to get some hill workouts I'd otherwise not have access to in Louisiana.  Having traveled to this area before for work, I knew right where to go to find epic hill-age.

Stole this one from Google, but it really looks like this.

I spent most of Week 9 in Waitsfield, Vermont (about 45 mins east of Burlington) for Dave's wedding.  In addition to juggling best man duties, I also had to find time to get in 7:00/mile workouts.  Although I was only able to get in one run at that pace, I really had a great time just knocking out some easy runs with Dave.  The weather was cool and beautiful.

I still need to spend more time in New England during the winter to know for sure how I feel about that part of the country, but outside of that....I could totally live there.  Beautiful landscape, people were really nice and had a lifestyle I appreciated, and the outdoor opportunities are just endless.