Training Log Archive: ParkSchool

Event: CSU Spring Training Camp #1
 

CSU Training #1

CSU #2

Saturday Control Picking - Splits

Saturday Simplification - Splits

Yesterday I felt slow but wound up running fairly fast. Today I felt slow and was, in fact, quite slow. This wasn't a huge problem, as I did not want to tax myself before the CSU training event at Pawtuckaway tomorrow. And I did accomplish the primary goal of getting the dogs out enough over the last 2 days that I won't feel too guilty for not running with them tomorrow. Still, I hope the malaise I felt can be easily rectified by a good night's sleep after three straight overnight shifts.

In contrast to yesterday, today I was slow. However, I was not glacial, and a nice steady run seemed like a perfect way to spend a glorious Spring afternoon. Even though I didn't push at all, I had a decent time over the last mile. Things continue to look up.

Today I felt great. Weight was under 180 for first time in a couple years, and I felt like I had energy despite working last night. Remembering the heavy wet slog from yesterday, I broke out the O-pants and went back for a more aggressive run on the Needham Town Forest short loop. And I actually felt fast, mud and persistent deep puddles notwithstanding. The time was not spectacular, but it was close enough to my standards of several years ago that I felt as if the training was paying off. A very satisfying experience.

The rain was even heavier today and I could only motivate myself to do the short loop in the Needham Town Forest. Somewhat amusingly, it was bad enough that I started enjoying a sense of accomplishment for actually getting out. Then I hit the swampy region near the RR tracks that had totally flooded, forcing me to wade through knee high water. After that, the extra weight of my sopping sweatpants really started to sap my energy, and I had to push hard to achieve my goal fo 20:00. Maybe next time I will wear O-pants rather than my warmer but fairly absorbant sweats.

The weather was thoroughly unpleasant and I really wasn't excited about going for a run, but the wind had blown down a section of fence in the backyard and I wanted the dogs to be satisfied enough that they didn't go off exploring the neighborhood, so off we went. It turned out not be be as wet as I had expected, and I actually got most of the way around the Caryl Park short loop before the accumulated moisture started weighing down the sweats and making me look like an advertisement for the latest skateboard fashions.

A relatively aggressive run at the Needham Town Forest netted another sub-30:00 result. I would like this to become a fairly trivial accomplishment, but it certainly took a moderate amount of effort today. Still, I was enough ahead of the pace over the last mile that I was comfortable that my goal would be accomplished. I suspect that I would have some better results on my aggressive days if I took more rest days preceding them. However, I am rather sure that the dogs would take a dim view of this strategy. Given my priorities, I think I would be best to save my rest days for actual O-events.