April 18th, 2011
Very weird week for me physically: one high point sandwiched between some strange lows. The first low coincided with the day before LadyTime which is usually a sub-par running day for me so no surprise there. But once it starts, I generally run great for the next few days. Not this week.
Now, on Wednesday, as expected, I had an incredibly vibrant run but Thursday was rough. That night I slept 11 hours and then had to take a nap after Friday’s run (which started well, btw, but became exhausting halfway through). Saturday was better but Sunday was another slogfest – I had expectations of doing a 15-miler but had to turn around at the 5mi mark.
I’m thinking it may be iron-related: the last time I had red meat was 3 weeks ago and I haven’t taken multi-vitamins or iron in months. Combined with my period and possibly the higher mileage (increased footstrike hemolysis) makes it plausible. I also had some weird itching this week which can be another symptom of low iron. Or maybe it’s just a bug, which is preferable since iron takes time to restore.
Anyway, I ate a ton of beef last night, am doing the same tonight and will make a point to take iron every day.
Monday: 9@8:21 (first 80 degree day of the year, was pleased with it)
Tuesday: 9@8:52 (day before LadyTime, understandable suckage)
Wednesday: 14@7:53 (great HR run! more on this below)
Thursday: 8@8:29 (ugh)
Friday: 11@8:16 (ugh)
Saturday: 10@8:09 (pouring rain but felt ok)
Sunday: 10@ 8:30 (ugh)
Total: 71mi (avg pace 8:19)
The bright spot in the week was my HR run on Wednesday. The temperature was perfect (mid 50s), just as it was for the previous two HR checks, so a clean comparison. Check it out.
April 13: 14@7:53, HRR 71% (155)
March 30: 11@8:10, HRR 71% (155)
March 20: 11@8:00, HRR 74% (159)
Major progress! Shame I felt like crap the rest of the week but it doesn’t worry me, it was just a blip.
Mo’ Mileage
I’ve been thinking a lot about it, reading tons of posts and articles and am thinking that 80mpw is my new 70mpw. In other words, my revised mileage goal is 80+ for the next few months. It only adds about 40 extra minutes over 75mpw so it seems silly not to go for it and I’m insanely curious to see what the payoff will be.
This, however, has to be my top limit because I can’t go any higher without doubling. I also reserve the right to say “nah, this is too much” and dial it back if it stops being fun. But aside from this week, it’s been hunky-dory so I think it’ll stick. The idea that there might be a little pot of gold at the end of this rainbow is enough to keep it seriously fun.
Toe Mileage
I mentioned acquiring a “where did that come from?” purple toenail last week. After removing my nail polish yesterday, I discovered 3 “where did those come from?” lavender toenails, too. It’s strange that I’m getting them, my shoes feel fine and they’re the same style I’ve been wearing for ages now, plus my route is the same, it’s not like I’ve started doing some massive downhills. Maybe those stretched out socks were the harbingers of evil (bunched up fabric). Oh well, thank god for new socks and nail polish.
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Yup, HR is the real deal. Perhaps have a consolidation week before upping the mileage again if you’re feeling bleh?
I’ll play it by ear and see how it goes. I think I’ll stay 70s the next two weeks and make May an 80. No hurry, right?
Hi I’m Adrienne a “lurker” and friend of the fab Ms. Rebecca. I recently started throwing iron in the mix-like breaking down and eating red meat after a 2-3 year hiatus and adding a vegan supplement. Worked like magic! Hope you achieve the same result. You’ve got some stout mileage goin on-keep it up!
Thanks for piping up, Adrienne! Any friend of Rebecca’s is a big ole friend o’ mine.
Wonderful to hear that upping your iron was so effective for you. And thanks for the mileage kudos.
Just checked out your blog…Wowza are you fast!!! Cool.
I’ve been low on iron recently and had to take a supplement. After a couple weeks I was feeling better. I took two pills a day — on in the morning and one at night because my doc told me too. mostly because not all the iron gets absorbed at once, especially since I drink coffee and that affects absorption.
yay for upping the mileage
Thanks for the twice/day tip! I knew about taking it w/Vit C and not with calcium but didn’t know about that. Cool. Pain in the ass with iron…so many rules.
Congrats on Boston baby! I’m looking forward to the report.
You will sleep well! and walk quite a lot of miles, fine.
Happy Easter
Happy Easter to you too, Rinus!
I think you bring up such a great point so many people who are stretching themselves physically don’t consider. While being prepared physically in terms of strength, too many people don’t focus on the toll this can take on a body and neglect proper nutrition! (Can you tell that might be a soapbox? LOL) Anyway, have you considered taking a multi-vitamin to address the possibility of low iron (or other essential nutrients)?
A forum friend who is a doctor told me a while back that taking a separate iron supp is more effective than taking it within a multi-vitamin. That said, I also started taking my multi-vitamins again this week…I got lazy with it but now, I’m on the case!
Good idea to get on top of the iron problem early. Tablets are better than the ‘serious’ stage which calls for a needle in the bum.
The low HR run is exciting. You’re improving. I’ll be interested to see how the 80s go — what the pay-off is. Esp on the HR side of things.