I went out for my speed work today (3 x 1600m at 12:18 min/mile pace) but my body definitely was not up for it. I did some easy jogging to warm up, and I was already tired after running 1/4 mile. My left calf was super tight and even after doing some major stretching after my warm up, before I went into my first 1600m, it was still super tight.

I launched into split 1 with what I thought was a pretty quick pace. I reached 800m in about 5:30 and started suffering after that point on. It may have been 200m after that halfway point when I had to stop and walk. I walked for 1 minute and then started running again. After another minute of running, I had to start walking again for another minute, and then I ran it on home.

It wasn’t a matter of the cardio being too much (i.e. out of breath or anything like that). I just felt that my body was at it’s limit, like didn’t have enough time to recover from the 8 miler on Monday. My left calf didn’t loosen up even after over a mile of running, and worse yet, my left shin started throbbing. So, I stopped before I injured myself. I walked until I cooled down and headed on home.

Split 1: 12:07
Split 2: =(
Split 3: =(

Shoes: Asics Evolution

I’m trying not to be too disappointed. I just have to acknowledge that my body may have reached it’s highest fitness level for now. I guess it makes sense. The longest long run I did before Surf City was 7 miles. So, I guess that’s as fit as I am? I dunno. But now I will seriously consider modifying my training schedule to ease up the weekly mileage increase. Live and learn, right? =) At least I got in 1.3 miles today.

Tomorrow I won’t be doing my tempo run. I’m going to skip it. Sunday, I might do a 9 mile long run instead of a 10 mile one. I guess I’ll play it by ear and see how my body feels.

Related posts:

• Week 2: 4 mile long run
• Active Recovery: Week 1 and Week 2
• Week 3: Speedwork 3x1600m
• Week 7: 6 mile tempo
• Week 3: Long Run