M5T W7 Recap

The only picture I took while out running this week!

I had a really solid first week of October.  The weather was typical for So Cal - cool and clear for a few days, then it warmed up with Santa Ana winds and low humidity.  And when I say "low humidity,"  I'm talking single digits.  I saw 3% one day.  There's not enough lotion in the house for that.

Sunday - 4 miles recovery pace
Rode 8.81 miles

Monday - Rest day
Rested

Tuesday - Intervals, 5 miles
Ran 5.23 miles
My intervals were really good this week.  8 x 1/4 mile.  My splits were very uneven because I ran a hilly route.  My goal was to keep the effort the same for each interval.  I just kept saying, "Diamond Head" on my final uphill interval.  We run around the crater twice during the marathon, the second time at mile 25, so pushing hills has to be part of my training.

Wednesday  - 3 miles easy pace
Rode 9.35 miles
I felt really good this morning so I didn't hold back.  I hit (and PRd) a few hills I hadn't ridden in a long time.

Thursday - 6 miles moderate pace
Walked 4.37 miles
I knew when I got up that Wednesday's ride was harder than it should have been.  The tank was empty, but I was okay with it.

Friday - Rest day
Rested

Saturday - LSD 12 miles
Ran/hobbled/walked 5.61 miles
Okay, I have no idea what happened yesterday.  I left the house and my mental game was strong.  The first mile was so-so, but never trust the first mile.  Mile 2 was slightly better.  Sometime in mile 3 my right knee started hurting.  The pain would go away when I walked.  I would run until the pain was too much, then walk.  By halfway through mile 4 I was in pain just walking and I knew I just needed to get home.

I spent the last mile arguing with myself.  "Don't wimp out... but... undertrained is better than injured."  I realize there is a very fine line between being a wimp and being stupid.  The pain persisted all day, so I know I made the right decision.  This pain came out of nowhere.  I probably jinxed myself earlier in the week when a friend gave me the "running is bad for your knees" speech and I smiled while internally rolling my eyes.

While I was disappointed with yesterday's unexpected pain, I still feel good about my week.  Twenty years of running has taught me a lot and the biggest one is keeping injuries at a minimum is the best route.  I've never had to take an extended break from running due to injury and I don't want to change the trend.

Total planned miles 30
Actual miles
Running 10.84
Walking 4.37
Cycling 18.16
Total 33.37

Wimp versus stupid ~ ever have trouble crossing that line?