Like Clockwork

I took the dog out for his 7am walk and a gust of wind blew beyond us and through the tree branches above. As if on cue, a rush of small, auburn leaves broke free and fluttered to the ground around us.

Michigan’s fall is finally here.

The knee is getting progressively worse and I’ve promised it I’ll only bike or swim until it’s better. The cooler weather is taunting me.

Too Fast too Fast

After a few sessions of tinkering with speed, I’m finding myself unable to control the urges. Used to be I was content heading out for hours on end, lollygagging at 11 and 12 minute paces. 4 hour, 20 mile runs were an ideal Sunday morning.

Just a little extra pushing and I found I could hold a 9 minute pace for a 10 miler. A little more effort and I could eke out 8:30’s and 8’s with relative ease but a bit of pain. With considerably more effort 7:15 started coming but not at length. With sprinting intervals I got down to a 5:00 pace, but for only 1/4 to 1/2 mile before my lungs felt like they were going to collapse. These are all very short distances and short runs – the most I can make due with given my new, increasingly hectic schedule.

But even that’s been too much for the bones to bear, so soon it seems. A few 4 and 5 milers at a 7:30 pace last week and the cartilage in my knees feels wasted, and standing up straight seems to hurt.

Taking another week off, then locking myself into longer distances at 9:30s until life balances out. Need to be in decent shape to accompany Mae on her first 1/2 Marathon in just under a month. I think I might be more excited about it than even she is.