I have been building my mileage base since my return from 2 months off. I had two or three weeks in the upper 20s, then a couple weeks in the low 30s. Last week was 42. So in retrospect the jump to 50 was a bit of a stretch. It was probably too much to make that jump to 50 AND do the last 7 of those 50 miles at marathon pace – In HEAVY WINDS!! Now that I have established by excuse, this morning I ran 10 easy miles on the aqueduct this morning.
Chuck and Dave met me and we headed out into the wind. After the turn around at 3 miles I started my attempt at marathon pace miles. The wind during this stretch was sort of off to the side so it was not helping. My first half was 3:58 and the next was 3:54 for a 7:52 mile. I was not hurting or anything. I just did not feel like the marathon pace miles were in the tank. So, I backed off. Dave had surged ahead of Chuck and he caught me and we finished the 5 together. We waited a bit and headed back out with Chuck. I decided to hang with Chuck and catch up with him. Dave ran ahead.
I finished 10 in 90 minutes. Dave headed out for more – 13, I believe and Chuck headed out for 15.
Looking at my Training Stress Score chart after importing my run I see the acute training stress if climbing very steeply. I figured in my current semi recovered condition it is better to be safe than sorry.
Oh, 2 more excuses:
1) Clay had me to some hard work on the ski erg machine Friday: 1000 meters in 4:16 and later 500 meters in 1:54.8.
2) I have lost 3 pounds this week – I have been watching the calorie intake very carefully. If I am doing Boston, I want to do it at under 165 pounds.
Good job on your 50 mile week! I’m glad you decided to play it safe and run with me. The miles went by quickly while we were talking.