Digging in my heels

Interesting how yesterday, on what was supposed to be my first day of the FIRST training program, I already deviated from plan. Instead of getting on the bike, I decided I wanted to run an easy five.

For the last couple weeks, I "pre-trained" on the FIRST model before truly beginning the 16-week program this week. I started to question my plan on Sunday even before I really even began.

Why? My last two long runs have seen me fizzle toward the end. I can barely get through these FIRST-specified speed workouts - even if I do cut pace. Maybe the speed+bike workouts of last week took more of a toll that I thought?

Part of me feels like my struggle to finish my long runs have been partly due to letting my mileage slip. How is it possible that I would struggle on the final 2 miles two consecutive weeks on 16 and 18 milers when I ran a pretty decent marathon on May 18?

Maybe I didn't recover all the way from Green Bay. It's a possibility.

So, yesterday, I wanted to run -- even if they were "garbage" miles, it sure beat sitting on a bike in a stuffy gym.

I remember a short several weeks ago how I would breeze through Pfitizinger's program, knocking out 50-55 miles in a week without missing a beat.

I must mention that life pressures, namely work and fatherhood, are having an impact. With recent increased responsibility at my job, I have to work harder, longer than I used to. I am not sleeping as well right now with our baby. My diet feels like it is harder to control right now.

I want to run more. The med-long runs in the Pfitz program typically gave me the confidence to crush the long runs on the weekend.

I think I will stick to plan and a evaluate in a few weeks. I hope I can feel better about my running. Right now it just feels like I am moving in the wrong direction.

I have a 10-mile race on Sunday, and I do not know what to expect of myself.

Life changes constantly and I need to adjust. Time to keep faith, have patience and continue to work hard.