What a difference a week and two days off makes...

When I start a new month of training, I feel like I'm starting fresh, like I haven't trained before. I have no history for the month and I need to get some numbers on the board. Last month I may have done 600 miles, but one day later it's a new month and I haven't done any mileage. You definitely can't miss the first day of the month for training, mentally it's a set back.

It was good news and bad news today. The good news is that I felt a LOT better on the track this week than last week. I didn't feel burnt out and actually felt refreshed. I think part of it was taking time off from my computer last night, another part was the 4 beers I had before tonight's session (nothing like a nice buzz) and the final part was the two days I took off from training on Monday and Tuesday to rest.

The bad news is that I slightly injured myself. It never fails, speed work can do damage. If I didn't do running speed work I don't think I'd get injured near as often. After a 10 minute warm up I started to do 100 meter sprints, and after the second 100, I felt a "twinge" on the lower area of my left hamstring. At that time it was a 2 on 10 on the pain scale, I thought of stopping, but decided to keep going and see if it could make it through the workout. It is after all the first day of the month and I've got to put some numbers on the board. lol.

It was sore, but workable, and for most of the 400 and 800 meter intervals I was running at a 6:05 to a 6:18 pace. On the final 400 meters, I opened it up and ran at a 5:23 pace. I was happy and surprised with that. Once I stopped, the hamstring discomfort went up to a 4 or 5 on 10. I stretched and could really feel the tightness. Walking was harder than running. I was going to do weights tonight but decided to give the hamstring a rest and do the weights tomorrow after my swim. I think the cold water in the pool should help it heal.

Speed work can be dangerous. I think it may be because I try so hard. When I do speed work, I can't go faster, it's almost a full out sprint for most of the session. As I was finishing my workout, a tall heavier set father and young son showed up. You could tell the father was just trying to get back into shape, he had his yellow Corona shirt on, and his son was running beside him. I wished I could have taken a picture, but it was too dark out. Those are life's special moments. I remember when my kids used to run with me when they were young. It's a cool thing and a lasting memory.

Running Speed work: 56:13 / 7.21 / 7:46

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