Because I totally forgot to post this pic on Monday. I actually found it back in December and was sitting on it. Naturally I didn’t end up posting it. Let’s pretend that it’s the 14th again? At least for a second?

thanks xkcd.com
Anyway I guess that it’s kind of lame to be posting it on the 17th. But whatever. I’m only hours away from my vacation.
But that doesn’t mean I slacked off in the training department as I had an interval workout on tap for today. I don’t think I’m going to be able to get in any type of quality workouts in during my trip. Maybe some 6 or 7 milers but nothing serious. A) I’m on vacay and crashing with a friend and B) I’m sincerely hoping to not be in the condition to bounce out of bed (or off the couch) every morning to get in a hard workout.
Just to be clear, because I know that someone will worry about the workout that I did today: I am not “anemic” (aka lack of red blood cells (RBC) or hemoglobin) just low on *iron* [edit: this is how my doc described it to me. I know that technically anemia is being low on iron, but my case is not severe at all]. I asked my doctor if I could continue to train and she said yes, although to get extra sleep, extra H2O and take it easy a bit. Granted this workout was a doozy but, like I just mentioned, I’m taking the next 4 days as real easy days when I’m away.
Sarah commented the other day that
From experience, a word of wisdom: in general, the training you do while anemic doesn’t benefit you a great deal. So, as I’m sure you are doing, heal up like it’s your job!
Soooooooooooooo thoughts? Did I really “waste” my last month of quality workouts because I didn’t get to the doctor sooner? I mean obviously the next 4 days will be resting up (or not depending on which life activity you’re thinking about…) but even though I read that last night, I was still planning on my intervals.
Today was supposed to be Jess‘s favorite workout (and GOOD LUCK this weekend lady!) of 2 X 3 miles. Bleh to me. When I woke up this morning I decided that, since I did that workout 2 weeks ago, I was going to do something faster and more “me”: 5 X 1.2 miles.
Why 1.2? Well of course, like my tempos, it’s just how a good, safe-car route falls. And 1.2 miles is ~ 2km (1.2465 miles is exact) and last year while training for Boston I did 5 X 2 km. So it seems apropos to do this workout. With lots of my interval workouts that are not on the track I typically calculate what the time I need is to hit a pace. Since I changed up my workout last minute I didn’t do that this time but I knew ideally I’d hit between 7:00 and 7:10 pace. Of course that meant nothing during the workout itself. The idea was just go fast. But isn’t it always?

Cheetah speed. 60, 70 miles per hour. (Thanks google. And movie quote: anyone on that?"
Drum roll pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeease:
- 8:36 (7:10 pace) Wow this sucks. It hurts. My legs are achey. Did I mention this sucks? I should have figured out what a 7:00 or 7:10 pace is for 1.2 miles. Silly.
- 8:29 (7:04) Okay. Faster. With same effort. Maybe I can do this
- 8:32 (7:07) Ouchie. My legs hurt. Am I hurting myself by doing this low on iron? Is there any point in training hard low on iron at the moment?
- 8:31 (7:06) Maybe this should be the last one. I started off pretty slow. Let’s push! Eeeeeeeeeeeeeh.
- 8:32 (7:07) Thank god this is the last one. Final push!
The recovery distance was ~.5 miles and took me between 4:45 and 5:00 minutes to do.
My first thoughts after calculating my paces? “Holy #$%” That not too far off my last MP. I really ran 26.2 miles around here?! Second thought? Well I hit my paces. Naturally I’m always going to want to go faster. My legs definitely were feeling really achey afterward so after eating and showering I put on my compression socks. Unfortunately it’s a REALLY nice day out (it was in the mid-30s when I left for the run and about 50* when I finished!) so I wanted to wear a skirt but my legs trump fashion at this point. I think this is the first time that I’ve ever said that. Normally I’m all “let’s wear heels post-LR or hard workout”
Regardless my legs are feeling a bit tender and sore but the workout went well. I’m not terribly disappointed in it but my legs did feel worn down and none of the intervals felt great. Almost like I was running in molasses. Duh, that’s the low iron levels. So I’m calling this a win because, despite the weariness, I ran fast. I can’t wait to see what happens after a few more days / weeks of getting my iron levels back up to normal.
Wowza. Longer than usual post right? I’ll wrap it up with that. No Boston schpeal from me. I guess I have thoughts on it but after April 18th, 2011 I don’t know (or really care) what Boston plans I have for the future. My focus is elsewhere, both on running and life in New England in general (aka I’m moving outta here!)
My focus is in the picture below. T-24 hours and I will be on a bus to Philly!