Training Log Archive: iansmith

My plan was an easy run, but I ran at 2/2 breathing the entire way because of the extensive snow fall in Cambridge. I estimate there were 10-12 inches on the ground, with snow falling while I was running. Trudging around was hard work, even on shoveled and plowed surfaces. I had to run through untouched snow several times passing people on sidewalks, and many sections had yet to be shoveled adequately. It was a good workout, though probably not as productive as a tempo run of comparable intensity.

I started my fourth audiobook, The Guns of August, by Barbara Tuchman.

My training has lacked a significant orienteering component, which I largely blame on the cold and my malfunctioning bike. When I return to Cambridge after my trip home, I will get my bike repaired and maintenanced, then start making more frequent trips to the Fells. I would really like to spend at least two sessions on a map each week, a goal which will be aided by the CSU Training crowd.

My plan for today was an easy run with some intervals. I haven't had any quality running this week, and while my base building is constructive, some speedwork seems in order.

I had a 10 minute warmup, followed by 3x (5 minutes on, 3 minutes off), then another 25 minutes of easy running. I felt good after the intervals, though my calves have been a bit tight recently. I will stretch and massage them.

Conditions were cool and breezy, with a temperature of -3 C. The wind wasn't as bad, and I ran in my short sleeved underarmor, tights, a long sleeved running shirt, and gloves.

It was really cold when I came home yesterday, so I didn't go for a run. It's probably for the best, since I've increased my running this week relative to the past few weeks. That I've run five of the past seven days is an acceptable start, but I must be consistent.

Today was also cold - -3 C, with a "wind chill" of -9 C. I ran at 4 PM, which is quite early for me. I wore tights, a short sleeved underarmor, a light long sleeved running shirt, a short sleeved running short, a hat, and gloves. Despite the wind, this proved adequate; I took off the hat after about ten minutes, and my gloves were a bit sweaty.

I thought about adding an extra fifteen minutes, but clearly I'm pushing hard enough. I ran at 3/3 for most of the run, partly to help keep warm. While my pace was slower today than it has been in the past, I think the cold air may have compromised my performance somewhat. It's astonishing how big a difference 10' C can be.

I ate cookies while Lori and Ross ran a Harvard circuit (painful body weight exercises at each waypoint). I felt good throughout the time they were running the circuit; I was mostly reading papers and wikipedia pages.

We then had the CSU training group planning meeting, where we discussed a range of topics, including weekly training, training camps for the next five months, skiing events this winter, permanent courses, how to get Clem to come more often, how to get John to come more often, and C-meets. It was a productive (though inevitably lengthy) session.

C • I'm glad you didn't strain ... 3

I finally put my plan into effect: motivated by Ross's work commute and my loathing for riding the T, I ran into work. I am a member of a gym near my office, so I brought a backpack with my day clothes, ran to the gym, took a shower, and finished the workout with a breakfast burrito.

While I prefer to run without a backpack, it was less cumbersome than I expected. The morning was pleasant with a temperature of 5 C; I honestly hope it cools a bit because I was perspiring more than I had hoped. I listened to my audio book, Ed Viestur's K2.... I will attempt to run home today - as I eventually hope to have two workouts each day, but in the immediate future, I may confine my workouts to one per day.

It's a bit strong to consider running to work a workout, but especially when it's an easy run - possibly a recovery run from a quality workout the previous day or just base mileage - I don't expect difficulties. Given how short the distance is, I could add variety easily - for instance, a warm up followed by some intervals or a tempo run followed by a cool down.

Run home. I felt wasted and improbably fatigued, and my calves were uncomfortably tight. I think my muscles are unaccustomed to two stresses in a single day (or more precisely, that my recovery time is longer than 13 hours). I suppose I had enough energy, though I had difficulty tapping it with stubborn muscles; I also was breathing harder than I should have been given the effort.

I made it home and stopped by Dial-A-Pizza to pick up a $7 large cheese pizza, of which I ate five slices.

C • You also just did like a we... 2

Late night run. I felt good; ran at 4/4 for the first half, and 3/3 for the second. Conditions were clear with temperature of about 6' C, so I ran in tights, a short sleeved shirt, hat and gloves.

I had planned an easy run, but I felt so good that I pushed a bit - and ended up going marginally faster than 5 min/km. I have run this route sufficiently many times that I'm curious to see how fast I can run it at tempo or race pace. I will attempt that in the near future.