I want to run faster!

[TheEd]

Hi Andrew, I hope you over the blimp

onwards

TheEd

[AndrewL]

Haha yep. No longer feeling sorry for myself. I had a bad ten days due to weather and felt frustrated, but I realized that I still managed to do the three important workouts, and I shouldn't just let the heat win.

So anyway I am back in the saddle although I failed miserably yesterday at the 5 x 2k intervals. I don't know if it was the heat or I ate something bad or what, but I couldn't finish the workout. The first 2k I hit in 8:00, which is right where I'd like to be, and the second was a bit off (so so hot), but I was still doing ok. The third one, after about 500m I started to feel really terrible. I kept going for a bit, hoping I would get through it, but had to stop at the 1000m point. I rested for a while hoping that I could get back to it, but I felt so sick that I realized I had to go home. Nauseous, dizzy and a seriously upset stomach. Anyway, I felt pretty bad most of last night but woke up feeling ok today so will just put it behind me and focus on the long run tomorrow.

[TheEd]

HI Andrew, for the sessions, rather start off more cautiously, instead of looking to hit the harder target times

good to see you moving in the right direction

TheEd

[AndrewL]

I got through day 5 with a real easy 15km run. It has been in the middle 30s even at 9:00pm, so running has been hard. I definitely agree that I need to lighten up on the interval days. In this heat it is impossible to run fast. Today I have the 6 x 1km workout, so I am going to try to start slower and go a little faster each interval and hopefully finish the last one with a good time. I'll let you know how it goes.

[AndrewL]

Wrapped up the 6 x 1k intervals last night in the oppressive heat. I toned the pace down but still died in km 6 (and a little in km 5).

1) 4:11
2) 4:09
3) 4:08
4) 4:05
5) 4:15
6) 4:33

The times are nothing to write home about, but I can feel myself getting stronger, so I think that once the heat wave breaks I am going to see solid results.

[TheEd]

Good to see .. make sure to hydrate well

TheEd

[AndrewL]

You are prescient, coach. The heat got to me and I ended up in the hospital with an IV. It wasn't just the running, I was working a bunch of overtime and had a lot of work stress and then I caught a bit of a cold, and BAM! I felt like I was going to die.

Anyway, I was screwed up for like ten days afterwards and I decided to abandon training for a while. I am still running, but limiting myself to 25-30 minutes a day at easy pace and am stopping if I feel over exerted. Unfortunately there is no end to the heat in sight (today is 30 days in a row with above 30 degree temps, and the 10 day forecast shows no relief).

I think I will get back into the training in September or October when the weather finally cools off. Anyway I will keep you updated, but I am going to be taking it really easy for the immediate future.

[TheEd]

or experienced in runner happenings

hope all well now

TheEd

[AndrewL]

Hey Coach, it has been a couple weeks, but the heat wave finally broke, I survived a family visit and I am getting back into a serious running routine again.

I'm not in great shape at the moment, but I have been running every day, so am working on it. In another couple weeks I will run a 4k time trial and get back into the program.

I was originally planning on running a race in the beginning of October, but I don't think I will be ready and I don't want to sign up and have a 45 minute finish, so I have been looking at nearby races at the end of October and in November to try and find something good, which will hopefully leave me enough time to get into shape.

Anyway, I will keep you updated.

[TheEd]

Do things ever cool down on that side

TheEd