The Eugene Diaries: Chapter 8
Putting in the time
Do you remember that first day of work, or first week of work, when you were fresh out of college? By the time it was finished, you felt accomplished at all you had done? “I did it, I am an adult now! I finished a week of work!”
I remember the first time I ever got to host the radio show I grew up listening to — Unsportsmanlike Conduct — and the pride I felt as I finished that day. I had just done four hours of radio. It hadn’t gone terribly! I even thought the show was funny. I put so much time and effort into crafting those four hours, hoping listeners would enjoy it.
And then I went back to the office the next day, with four more hours awaiting me. A blank canvas. I had to do it all over again.
That’s how this week of running felt.
Last week was about getting past a barrier I had never reached before: An 80-mile week. Then I woke up Monday morning and got to (had to?) do it all over again. Cool, I ran 84 miles last week… now do it all over again.
So, I did it all over again.
This week in podcasting:
I was joined by Jason Salyer, a runner coming off a DNF at the Olympic Trials. We scheduled the interview for the Friday after the Trials — six days after the race — the week leading up to the marathon. At the time, I figured we’d recap an incredible weekend and discuss what’s next. By the time I saw he didn’t finish, I wondered if he’d even be up for coming on. Thankfully, he was.
We discussed what went right in the leadup to the race, what went wrong in Orlando, and why he changed his mind on the what’s next of it all in the aftermath of the race. Appreciate Jason being vulnerable on this episode.
I have the next two episodes recorded, edited, and ready to post + five interviews1 on the docket in the next few weeks, but I’m always on the lookout for runners with great, interesting stories. Know of someone you think would be a good fit for the pod? Hit me up: chasingthreehours@gmail.com
The log:
February 12th: 6 miles in the AM + 4 miles in the PM
February 13th: 9.01 miles
February 14th: 15 miles
February 15th: 7.01 miles
February 16th: 12 miles with 6 at Threshold pace
February 17th: 7 miles
February 18th: 22 miles
Total: 82.02 miles
Year to date: 523.81 miles
February 12th: Monday went a bit better than I expected, given the amount I enjoyed for the Super Bowl the night before2. Got out at a 9:12-per mile pace in the AM, with my heart rate averaging 127. Not the best, certainly, but not terrible. Monday night was more of the same. Similar HR — 128 on average — but at a slower pace, averaging 9:21-per mile. A couple weeks into doubles, it’s less that I am struggling with the mileage and more the act of running after a day at work. I continue to gain respect for so many of the people in my life that not only run after a day of work, but actually train for a marathon! Four miles is one thing. 13 is another. I’m happy I only had to do the former.
February 13th: In last week’s newsletter, I wrote this about my Saturday run:
So, I’ve found myself doing a great job with my recovery runs — extra slow! — but getting out a little too fast on some of the midweek medium/long runs. I decided to attack Saturday from a different perspective. With ten strides of 100-meters coming up towards the end, I’d run the first handful of miles pretty much right at 8:00-per mile. I figured this would keep my HR lower, increase leg turnover on the strides, and if it went well, could be a goal on a lot of runs moving forward.
Tuesday the 13th was the first chance to really go at this for a run without strides, given it was one at general aerobic pace. I usually run these a bit slower than my normal runs of ten miles or more, and really aimed to keep it in that zone throughout.
I did a good job, averaging 8:08-per mile — the fastest clocking in at 8:03 and slowest at 8:14 — while keeping my HR sub-140 throughout much of the run, averaging 139 for the nine miles. The Super Bowl effect was still real though, and I left knowing I had a better one in me. There’s always next time.
February 14th: 15 miles on a Wednesday and this one felt good. 7:46-per with the HR at 146 throughout. I didn’t even average above 140 over the course of an entire mile until the fourth one in, even though I was averaging a sub-8:00 pace. With the wind on the uptick as the week came to a close, I was happy to run so many weekday miles without a whole lot to deal with.
February 15th: Thursday marked a bit of the turn with the week for me mentally, even if this run, and the ones the following two days, showed solid-to-good overall metrics. I had to get out earlier than normal, so I traded a bit more rest for coffee3. The seven miles with fine. 9:08-per with the HR averaging 125. Nothing wrong with those numbers at all. Just didn’t feel super enjoyable.
A big part was I felt cold. My hands, especially the left hand, never really warmed up, probably because of lack of direct sunlight. These recovery runs in the winter can be a bit tricky. I never pick up the pace to work up a crazy sweat, but I also don’t want to overdress and jack up my HR too much either. A run I was happy to move on from.
February 16th: Friday’s metrics — 6:40-per mile with my HR averaging 145 — are certainly nothing to be disappointed by. That said, I was inside, somewhere I’d rather not be for a workout like this one. 12 miles total with the middle six at my LT pace. I decided to push myself, running 10.1 mph for for the first two (5:56-per mile), 10.2 for the next two (5:53), 10.3 for the fifth (5:50), and 10.5 for the final threshold mile (5:43). Treadmill miles are much easier physically than going outside, so it was nice to go hard.
February 17th: I traded a little bit of extra sleep (again) to run inside late in the morning and [incredibly annoying voice] watch basketball for my job. Hey, it’s true! I’m happy I did because the miles flew on by. Seven at a 9:13 pace, my HR averaged 116.
February 18th: So, after three straight runs that didn’t feel perfect yet looked ok in terms of numbers, Sunday morning arrived. Before I left my apartment, my HR was higher than normal — no idea why — and I wasn’t as excited for a weekend Long Run as normal. Was it the distance? I don’t think so. I have ran 22 miles multiple times over the years. The weather was fine. I felt fine. Yet, why didn’t I feel as fine as I wanted? No idea.
As I put on Strava after I finished: “Mostly pleased with this one.” Which is an apt description as I’ve let it sit with me a bit more. 7:45-per mile, my HR averaged 151 over the course of 22 miles. That helped explain my frustration a little bit. But I couldn’t quite put my finger on things overall.
Going back to the start of this newsletter, last week was a celebration — I hit 80 miles this week! — whereas this was not. Am I taking it for granted? No. Do I understand that I just finished week eight and have ten to go until race day? I think so.
On to the next one.
With four others tentatively scheduled!
As the week went on, I wondered if the amount I had on Super Sunday was kind of hanging over everything, as I often felt a little bit off.
I usually like to wake up at least an hour before every run so I can full wake up, hit the bathroom, etc.