Recap: The last 6 runs

I've been trying to keep up to date with all my training runs so far leading up to the Triple Threat run and the trail marathon. Baby #3 happened on May 25th. In the last month and a half I have only managed to run about 6 times. Right now I'm not really sure how the 17mi race is going to go with less than 3 weeks until the race. Depending on how that goes I may see if I can change my Marathon race for the 15 mi race instead. I will need to really think about what I want to do with that race, I'd still really like to have that be my first marathon. 

I've really miscalculated the time I thought I would have to train after baby #3. It didn't help that he was 2 weeks late. With the house renovations, a new born, and 2 additional children, finding  time to run has not been easy. I can't get up at 4am to run, I just cant. And I can't run at night. It's the only time I have with my wife, plus that's when I can be the most helpful with the baby and give her a break. With all that I can't help but feel like they are poor excuses and if I really wanted it I would have found the time. I have found time to finish Scott Jurek's "North", right after reading the book of the woman Jennifer Pharr Davis "The Pursuit of Endurance" whose record he broke. I've done a lot of reading while holding a baby but I can't run and hold a baby at the same time. What I found interesting from both books, is how small this running community is. Everyone knows everyone. Also both of them could have gone faster if they wanted to. I do not have plans for even attempting the AT, but hiking the long trail with my family is appealing. 

Now to the training.

7:16 AM on Thursday, May 24, 2018

• Distance: 5.17mi
• Moving Time: 54:44
• Pace: 10:35/mi
• Massive Relative Effort: 98
• Elevation: 71ft
• Calories: 911
• Elapsed Time: 55.23

Last run before the baby. I don't remember too much about this run other that it was a morning run to work with a full backpack, clothes, breakfast, and lunch. Considering how much weight I was carrying this was a good run. 

3:36 PM on Wednesday, June 6, 2018

• Distance: 5.19mi
• Moving Time: 58:27
• Pace: 11:15/mi
• Massive Relative Effort: 86
• Elevation: 109ft
• Calories: 918
• Elapsed Time: 1:01:17

First run post baby. I found a tiny bit of trail to run on, probably less than a mile total and still pretty flat. I'm pretty sure I ended up walking a little bit and at the very least taking a quick break to catch my breath. I wasn't really running enough before the baby so I am at this point not in great shape. But I did get out of the house and worked up a sweat so that's a win.

10:42 AM on Tuesday, July 3, 2018

• Distance: 4.67mi
• Moving Time: 57:11
• Pace: 12:14/mi
• Massive Relative Effort: 110
• Elevation: 61ft
• Calories: 838
• Elapsed Time: 1:05:23

This run was very depressing. I had to stop running right before the 3 mi mark and the rest of the run was a mix of walking. I didn't drink any water because I wanted to see how much weight I lost during the run. Turns out it was between 2-3lbs. It was quite hot that day. Temps in the 90s and I believe the heat index was over 100. My legs felt like lead from the beginning. I felt a bit better when other people were talking about the heat. Still though, this was not an encouraging run.

7:32 AM on Saturday, July 7, 2018

• Distance: 5.83mi
• Moving Time: 1:01:43
• Pace: 10:36/mi
• Massive Relative Effort: 147
• Elevation: 166ft
• Calories: 1,052
• Elapsed Time: 1:02:17

I had the opportunity to sneak out one Saturday morning. I thought I would play with some fueling but just didn't happen. I did have a peanut butter cup and a couple date balls before heading out. At the end I felt like I had more miles in the tank but had to get back, so that was good. I had no problem with the food that I ate, I can't remember how much water I had. This was also my first run in my new Xero Terra's. I like them. I wore socks but they might not be needed. I don't like running on the road with them but that's trail shoes for you. I guess.

7:29 AM on Monday, July 9, 2018

• Distance: 6.79mi
• Moving Time: 1:25:58
• Pace: 12:40/mi
• Massive Relative Effort: NA (no watch)
• Elevation: 892ft
• Calories: 1,355
• Elapsed Time: 1:34:03

First nearish trail run. 5mi run around the lake to a 1 mi up and back trail. I drank my diy ucan this time with maple syrup, much better. I had packed the dry ingredients, cornstarch, salt, and coco powder. I added a bit of water and syrup. For the run I packed 1 liter of water in my hydration pack (the slouching while running was a bit distracting) and some maple syrup in a reusable pouch. I had wanted to bring some Gatorade or something but didn't. 

The 2.5mi to the trail was fine. The sound of the water slouching was annoying and the shoes on the road was not great. Once I got to the trail I ran as much as I could. At the top I tried exploring more trails but there wasn't anything that had markers. So I went back down and then did one more trip up and back. Before starting the second trip I drank some of the syrup, yum! I think it helped and I didn't have any problems. In hindsight I should have down a couple more trips of the trail but didn't. Completing the rest of the loop was not easy. There were a couple big hills. I think I walked up one. The last one I had to convince myself not to stop. I forget what I did to distract myself but once at the top I felt great. 

Happy to get a couple of trail miles  in. Wish that I had remembered my watch charger. I should have pushed myself a bit more on those trails. Also, I forgot my glasses or contacts. I meant to put contacts in but didn't. That added to the difficulty on the trail.  

11:08 AM on Tuesday, July 17, 2018

• Distance: 4.71mi
• Moving Time: 53:33
• Pace: 11:22/mi
• Massive Relative Effort: 137
• Elevation: 49ft
• Calories: 917
• Elapsed Time: 56:32

Back work and back to a pretty "normal" midweek run. Another pretty hot day, I also had to stop a little bit for water and to walk. I was feeling a bit hungry a couple miles in. Nothing to major to report on. While changing in the locker room my hip got a little tight but was fine.