Notes
I don't even know what to say anymore. I am just really frustrated with my running. I train relatively well and yet I get to any type of big race/workout and the wheels fall off. Yes, I know it was 32 degrees today with 25 mph winds and that played a factor but that isn't an excuse because other people I know ran well.
I woke up not feeling great and I was really exhausted. I really think my work is putting a big stress on me and I just felt exhausted this week. I don't believe that I feel as good as I did at this time last year and it is worrying me. I know I have been picking up extra hours but I still don't sleep well and I have just been tired and not feeling like myself this year. I don't want this to be an excuse but I know something is not right. That being said, I started off running to the plan (actually a little faster than 6:30s) but by mile four, my stomach started to cramp and I knew I had to get to a bathroom which meant the woods. I slowed and then stopped on mile 5 and that really took me out of my rhythm yet I still was running well. My fatigue really hit me over the next couple miles and I felt like I couldn't breathe as well I need to. That has been my biggest issue and I can't figure out why. Maybe I am not in as good of shape as I want to be.
I picked it up again after and slowed again over Puke's Peak. I probably could have run that mile a little faster but I was still cramping and I lost a little motivation. Running into the wind felt like I was running in place at time and then on the second big loop, I never really got my mojo back. I was way more exhausted than I ever should have been. It kind of reminds me of Boston 2014 when I was really busy with life and just tired all the time. After mile 9, my right quad really started acting up. At first I thought it was sore but as I continued to run, I noticed I was limping a little. I tried to hold on thinking I would be fine but it never got better and I slowed even more over the last 3 miles. That hurt like hell. I thought it wasn't as bad when I got done and did my cool down but I felt it 10 hours later when walking. I could tell something was not right. I'll play each day by ear now.
Overall, I am just not happy with how I'm running. I worry that I plateaued after a year of running and I can't get that same mojo back. I want to PR so badly at any distance and racing has been so frustrating. I love running and yet when it matters to me the most, I end up more upset. Yes, I feel exhausted and I think I am working too much but I think there is more I can do. I am going to try and get down to a better race weight and I think that will help. It won't be easy but I'm willing to make any sacrifice. I feel very disappointed in myself again today and I want to do better. I guess I will see what happens in time.