Recovery Run Gone Awry

After running a long distance run, like the 9.4 miles I ran yesterday, most training programs suggest that the following day consists of an easy run, a run that by design should be slow and gentle. In my running mind, for me that equates to the slowest of all possible jogging that still is a jog, but I rarely at that pace. My body knows it can handle more and Steph forces me to do what my body will allow. We usually run around 11 or 12 minute miles depending on how my body feels.

Stephanie signed AJ up for the race (as her husband, I'm not certain of how big his choice was... he couldn't miss all of the fun!), but due largely to his work schedule he hasn't been running as much as he could. Today Steph convinced AJ that he should run with us. He's naturally faster and more physically fit than me, but I have been running more. I figured I could keep up with Steph and AJ for at least the first mile or so.

Steph stayed behind to take care of Rocky, knowing that whatever pace we maintained she could catch up. AJ and I took off. Not very good at setting my own pace, I just ran along side of him. He tried to have some conversation with me (which during an run I should be able to maintain); I wasn't the most receptive to his efforts. I concentrated on my breathing and my feet--the run felt a little faster than usual, but it was hard to gauge. We weren't run/walking, so my mind couldn't wrap itself around any signals my body was sending. At a mile and a half, Steph and Rocky had caught up... and told us that we had run a sub-nine mile. No wonder I was tired.

It's amazing how much more tired I felt after knowing I had just spent a mile and a half running faster than I ever had previously. I significantly slowed down after the two mile mark, ending the four miles in just over 41 minutes. I don't know if I could have maintained Steph and AJ's pace, but I wonder if I could have gone faster than I did. While my body recognizes it is making physical improvements, my mind is slower to interpret those signs as progress. Most runs are still hard for me--the constitute heavy breathing, pain in my leg and chest, a hesitant cadence, a resistant mind. I hope that a day comes when it feels comfortable--if not easy--to run four or five miles, and I'm not struggling to keep up with my running company.

That after eight weeks I am not to where I wanted to be I am not completely surprised, but I rest easier knowing I am further than where I used to be.


Time: 41 minutes, 48 seconds
Place: NCR Trail
Weather: low 60s
Distance: 4 miles
Feeling: AJ made me push it!
Overall grade: B