First long run day, not so great.

Today, a scheduled 13 mile run, was cut short by 3 miles.  Maybe my body just isn't fully recovered, maybe it's rebelling because of the lack of necessary oxygen that comes from having a normal amount of red blood cells and hemoglobin, but it's certainly not performing how it should.  Whatever it is (most likely a combination), it snatched me today.  Legs felt heavy from the first step on the trail and continued to feel tight and heavy right up until the last step, calling it quits at mile 10.  The fatigue and constant headaches, all really getting to me, is killing my training plan too!  It's pathetic when I have to take a 5 min catnap at carpool lane so I don't fall asleep at the wheel while driving, I'm sure the lady behind me had to wonder what my deal was today.  Some days it's hard to push yourself through rough patches of training, but this past week, I've had to wonder if I've crossed the line.  There is a fine line between pushing yourself to perform better (because that's what it takes), and pushing yourself when you really shouldn't.  Believe me, I'm tough as nails on myself, hard core, and I can push through more pain that one ever should (which is why I've run with shin splints to the point of stress fractures more than once).  I think today my body was simply telling me to back off, it's just not ready. 

So, today being a long run day, ended up being a long enough long run day at 10 miles.  Despite feeling guilty for most of the day for not completing all 13, I tried reminding myself that it's better to ease off now rather than later in the training.  Recovery from 3 marathons in 5 months may be a little slower than before, especially when my blood values are so below normal.  The trail, however, was perfect today!  Someone has gone to the ATT and patched up the bad spots, smoothed out the ruts and holes, and I'd like to thank them for that--what a difference that has made!! 

Saturday is a day off, Sunday will be a long aerobic run of 6.2 miles + 4x100 strides @ 7:30 pace. 

11 weeks and counting.