Winter of 2019 – Week 2
On Sunday morning, I had a normal blood pressure reading! I celebrated with a 30-minute treadmill run at the gym. The next day, my run around the neighborhood didn’t end well so I retreated back to the reliability of the treadmill on Saturday.
Training Schedule
November 17th – November 23rd
Sunday: Medium Run. 12 miles
Monday: Easy Run. 5 miles
Tuesday: Interval Run. 9-11 miles. 6-8 x 5 min. w/ 1 min. recovery jog
Wednesday: Easy Run. 4-6 miles w/core strength exercises
Thursday: Rest
Friday: Easy Run. 7 miles hilly and steady
Saturday: Long Run. 18-22 miles
Total: 54-63 Miles
Notes. If I was still training for the 2019 Brazos Bend 50 Miler, this would have been my schedule However, after a disappointing 2019 New York City Marathon and starting high blood pressure medication two weeks ago, I haven’t felt well enough to resume training.
Workouts
Easy Run. 4 miles [Log Details].
I started this week full of hope that I could get a few runs in. On Sunday, I ran 30 easy minutes on the treadmill at the 5.4 setting (11:07 pace).
On Monday, it was cold but I headed out the door with an adventurous spirit and ran up an unfamiliar street in my neighborhood. I actually ran sub-9:00 pace. I enjoyed the surprise of, “That’s where this road leads to,” and wondered why I hadn’t taken it before. Meanwhile, my pace was still just over 9 minute per mile. I ran up to the Ballston neighborhood and cut over to George Mason Drive. After 4 miles, running uphill at 10:40 pace, I felt the familiar tension in my jaw and ended the run. I walked over to Glebe Road and took a bus next to the Goodwill store.
Overall pace=9:17.
I didn’t run again until Saturday, when I did 5 miles on the treadmill mostly at the 6.0 (10:00 mile) setting.
Health
Illness. Hypertension (High Blood Pressure). My blood pressure finally fell into the “normal” range on Sunday. Remembering the sports medicine associations’ guidelines and thinking ahead, I might be ready to start training again the first week of December.
On Thursday, I had an ultrasound with my new cardiologist. I didn’t talk with the doctor but while the technician was out of the office, took a screen capture of the readings. Later, I looked them up online and felt assured the measurements were within normal ranges. I also revisited my primary care doctor that day. She drew more blood but otherwise didn’t think she’d need to see me again until February.
Gear
Safety Identification. Road ID. Now that I’m taking medication regularly, I ordered new medical identification to wear on my runs. This time, I chose a wrist band with updated contact information (one next of kin and one friend who lives locally), my blood type, the name of my medication and “NKA” (no known allergies). Revisiting the site, it seemed to me that the vendor has tried offering more options, including fashionable ones, to generate interest in wearing some type of identification. Price: $27.50.
Nutrition
Sports drinks. Crank Sports e-Fuel. I wanted to enjoy this drink because I’m a huge fan of the e-gels from this company but it was a little flavorless mixed as directed. The manufacturer recommends mixing it was 24 ounces of water but I liked it more concentrated – about 16 to 20. A packet contains 210 calories and 51 grams of carbohydrate. It also has electrolytes.
(My Guide to Running Nutrition)
Media & Motivation
Podcasts. “Stay In Your Lane“, Pace the Nation. I’ve listened to a few podcasts on Mary Cain New York Times editorial-related issues and it was refreshing to hear an episode where women did most of the talking. Host and Coach Julie Culley wisely limited the discussion to Track & Field and her experiences. Having played field hockey during my first year at the University of Virginia on the practice squad, I remember we were supposed to sign in for meals and the team had access to a sports psychologist. However, I wonder if they were skilled with dealing with problems that weren’t directly related to performance, like eating disorders and depression.
Websites and Blogs. “High Blood Pressure During Exercise May Not Indicate Poor Heart Health“, Runner’s World. I’m reading everything high blood pressure-related these days. This was helpful knowledge as I prepare for a stress test next week.
Racing Schedule
Next race: 2019 Brazos Bend 50 Miler on Saturday, December 7th – Scratched!
On Saturday night, race participants received an email from the race director with logistical details. Realizing the race was two weeks away and that I didn’t have any confidence I could finish it without putting myself through a lot of pain, I cancelled my registration.
After the 2018 San Diego 50 Miler, I swore I would never do another ultra-marathon again but changed my mind this summer because someday, I’d like to complete a stage race. I hated the idea of withdrawing from the race – it felt like “quitting” – but, I’m not feeling my best. And, my goal wasn’t just to finish – I’ve already finished an ultra. I’d rather rest now and prepare for the 2020 Boston Marathon and 2020 London Marathon starting in early-December.
(My Racing Schedule)
