Back at it - at last

I missed 1.5 weeks due to a flu, but that's no biggie. Originally I planned to race on next weekend but that's not gonna happen. Instead, I'm happy to take care of Lil' D while sweetie races. I'll have plenty of other chances to start this season and anyway the start will be slow...

But now I'm really happy to able to run again. Morning jaunt was fulfilled with series of coughing which was easy to expect.

Laryngitis can kiss my...

Friday-Sunday: no running + no voice to speak with.

Silent storm!

Not back at it at all

Tuesday-Thursday: 0 miles (I've been sick).

Almost back at it

After an ez week (50 miles) you're supposed to bounce back at running like no thing. Well, I was hurting so badly on Sunday's long run, so taking yet another Monday off was a brilliant choice. This time the night before was spend partially in hospital. We had to take Lil' D to a doctor around 4:00AM since he was barely able to breath. Luckily, the visit helped and he was ready to head home at noon.

Then of course both sweetie and I got the same virus but only with minor negative effects (no high fever, no breathing problems etc.). However, this meant no running today and skipping tomorrow's WOW. But that's no biggie. Berlin is in September and we still got snow here.

Modifying the plans

I was supposed to run a test run today but Daniel got sick yesterday and he was feeling really sick in the morning. So, we were seeing a doctor instead of running. The amount of sleeping hours wasn't that great so I felt pretty tired and didn't feel so bad for not being able to run fast. Additionally, the roads were again a snowy mess thanks to slow spring.  

The second best idea for compensating morning and doing something else than acting as the head of couch potatos I chose hill repeats (10x200m). Actually, I was about to skip today's workout but the demogracy worked well. 

Tomorrow is a big day running enthusiastics like me. First, we have an opportunity to follow NYC half marathon online: http://www.nyrr.org/tv/index.asp  Second, XC World Champs are shown on the national TV. Brilliant!

Life's good but it's hurting my guts to see Lil' D this sick and being able to do so little for him to recover.

Alive!

Today I had the best morning run for a while. Due work related issues (stress....hahaha) I woke up twice around 4 AM and then at 5:40 I was ready to roll. I did an insanely easy and loose 8.5 miler (@7.00) which also included 6x100m strides. I found a silent street with no ice and ran them like hell.


Nr 1 song from this morning:

Ez week

On Saturday the treadmill I ran on tried to kick my ass. I was feeling so weak during a normal steady state run that I had to stop at 3 miles. But luckily I had guts to continue and I was able to finish it. A night before I was up too late and instantly had pay the dues. That's what getting older really means???

On Sunday I broke my barriers and took mp3s with me on the long run. Of the 15.5 miles only 1.5 was not icy.

This week is an easy one so no Workout Wednesday for me. I did an easy 5 miler today. Next Saturday I'll run 3.1 miler at the local "race". The one and only Road Running Relay called Karhu-viesti is getting closer...

Top 5 songs from the long run:

Dislike

Treadmills are having their payback!

Stupid winter

The best thing in this morning's run was the feeling that it can't get much worse than this. Due to sudden and almost heavy snow storm, the springish roads were now covered with a thick layer of cold water and wet snow on ice. After running 50 meters my feet were soaking wet (and cold), but once the engine started humming I didn't feel a thing. Just listened to over and over again.

BThis week's WOW was a repetation from last week: 2x2km (@ 5:50 pace) + 2x1km (@ 5:25) on treadmill.

Soon...

Soon it's time for less injury prone roads...

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Lazerrobogeek

As I have already mentioned, the current running conditions are a big freaking joke. I did only 14 miles and still got aches in lower back, upper thighs and of course in my jaws since I was cursing the whole way. During the last 2 km I chose to run on the street among cars (there was like 3 cars driving at that time) and thereafter the pace dropped from (ice-moderated) 7.40s to 6.55s (with grip). But anyhow the sunrise was nice. I really like to be on the road that early.

Weekly mileage (6 days, I have Mondays off) was 49. That's just fine. When the roads are again open, I'll increase the mileage up to 60-70 miles.

The plan

For the next couple weeks roads will be a slippery mess here but it's only mandatory before the Spring and open roads are here. Especially in the mornings the grip is unbearable. Thus, jumping on the treadmill was an easy choice for today's steady state run. I ran a 5 miler (@ 6.14) which was just according to the plan (improving 15 secs from last week).

Oh, the plan hasn't yet been introduced here. It's not any rocket science but a simple idea of reaching various steps before the ultimate goal. Now I have reached my all time low and I'm older than before so the humble plan is to start from the bottom (check), achieve 36 minutes at 6 miler, then proceed to 34 and 32 minutes. During this progression my engine will be modified to endure Berlin Marathon in September. Currently, I'm just happy if I'm able to start and finish that one. Oh and the whole basis of this plan is to Run by Feel.

Brian Sell

Watch more video of Brian Sell on flotrack.org

Paternity leave

This week is sort of vacation. I'm having the last week of paternity leave (before I'll be with Lil' D for 6 weeks in April-May). This means a bit different schedule since I don't have to run at 6AM. This makes it special. Hah. No really, the chance to spend some time with Lil' D is the best.

On Monday I had a massage at Roni's. He a talent and he's really popular among triathletes and some runners too. Tuesday I ran 6 miler (@ 7:15) in increasingly slippery conditions. The weather is warming up which generates slippery/icy roads. Accordingly, today I ran WOW on treadmill. I did 2x2000m (@5.50s) + 2x1000m (@5:35) ' 3 min. with WU and CD. Such fun!