Yesterday, I headed to Bradbury to run the Bradbury Bruiser course—twelve miles of twisty delicious singletrack. It was fairly warm and (surprisingly) sunny, but the majority of the run was in the shade and I was wearing my Nathan HPL 020 with 40 oz of HEED. I figured I was ready for the almost heat. But, almost immediately I knew that it wasn't going to be my day. Right from the start my legs felt heavy. I had a few moments in which I felt alive, but for the most part, I was dragging the entire way. When I got to the O Trail, I seriously contemplated skipping it, and that would have been the smart move. Instead, I was macho and pressed on. My run (and sometimes walk) through the O Trail wasn't pretty, but I finished eventually. And, then I peed eventually. Well, 96 oz of Gatorade and a couple hours later. That's never good.
Speaking of not good, that's sort of how I felt for the last few days (weeks). Perhaps I over did it last week. Perhaps I still am. Perhaps I'm a big wuss. (Perhaps it's blood loss from repeated kitten attacks.) Not sure what's going on really. Four minutes slower at the Scuffle this year, nearly dying on the Bruiser course, and just running generally slow. Is it possible I'm still recovering from the 50k? Or, did the training for the 50k make me slow and tired? Or is it something more sinister? Something's not right, and I need to figure it out.
6 comments:
If I was you, I'd start a new training cycle. No racing and no long runs. Start with low weekly mileage. Gradually build up the weekly mileage and the distance of your long runs. Set some goal races for the Fall. You built up to and peaked for the 50K and put in a hard effort there. Your body is telling you that it is time to rebuild.
If it's any consolation Ryan, as member of the Friends of Bradbury Board I am privy to certain information including the results of a joint study between the Environmental Protection Agency, National Forest Service and the National Institutes of Health which defined the O-Trail as "the greatest life-sucking natural force in the lower 48 states" and that the best was to recover from extended exposure on the O-Trail is through a "massive intake of pork products". You'll be fine.
Have you considered taking a pregnancy test??? Sorry couldn't resist. Good to see you guys at Bradbury. I think it's the work thing, it gets in the way. We should all be able to quit work so we can concentrate on trail running. I'm seriously scared of that 'O' trail...at least you can find your way out of it.
Ann (George is off working)
Sounds like you're ready for a good four months of skiing this winter...
Ryan,
It seems everyone ran slower at the scuffle...I think the course change was slightly more difficult and I measured it longer.
I understand what you mean about the 50k recovery, it took me over a month to feel almost normal again.
Don't listen to Jeff.....at least wait until after the fall trail runs to start talking about snow!!
Thanks for the encouragement everyone. But, I think Ann hit it on the head. It must be the sympathy weight. Although, I put that on about 5 years before the pregnancy...I like to be prepared.
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