This time last year, and forever before that, I ran three times a week. It was my max. Any more than three runs and I became disenchanted with it, I got bored, my legs got tired, etc etc etc.
Last winter, when I buckled down and started training for the Ottawa Marathon, I upped my runs for four per week. For the first month or so, my legs were pretty much constantly fatigued. Of course, I questioned my ability (Maybe I’m only *meant* to run three times a week!). Eventually (and really, in not too long), my legs accustomed and four times a week became my preferred number.
I’ve upped it again, to five runs a week, plus one bike ride. That makes six cardio/leg workouts a week. I’ve been doing this for going on three weeks and guess what? My legs are tired. Why, just yesterday I ran the longest and slowest 7k I have ever run! (Granted, it was all – seriously – uphill.) This time, I expected the fatigue. And I know that my runs will slow down for the next week or so, until my legs get stronger and then I’ll reap the benefits of a more vigorous training program. I recognize why my runs are slower, why my legs are tired.
That said, I haven’t really had a great run in a while. The heat and fatigue are adding up. Aside from yesterday’s sweaty run, I ran 16k on Friday. Armed with water and a gel pack, I still finished on the slower end of my LSD pace.
It’s just summer, I know, and come fall, when the cool breeze hits, I’ll be flying* again.
*Relatively speaking, of course!
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