The week of April 16-22 didn’t quite work out as well as I’d hoped. The schedule called for a 2-mile on Monday, a 7-mile tempo run on Wednesday, and an 18-mile long run on Saturday. I ended up sick enough for the first few days of the week that I actually missed two days of work. I think the last time I missed more than one day of work/school in a row due to illness was when I had appendicitis in 1991. I wasn’t well enough to do the 2 or 7, so I looked to the 18 with some trepidation.

On Saturday the 21st, Joy and I set out to do 9 miles out, then back. This would take us pretty much from our house almost to Carthage College and back, running along the shore of Lake Michigan. The weather was absolutely beautiful with a nice breeze off the lake. My times were pretty slow, but it was very nice running and chatting with Joy (she was on the bike). I always like those first few nice weekends around here because the parks are jammed with families enjoying the day. Lots of kites, kids playing, and other runners. As a side note, I always acknowledge other runners when I’m out. A little wave and breathless “hey” is like the secret handshake of our exclusive club. And if you don’t say “hi” back, well, you’re a jerk.

Almost immediately after the turnaround point, the pain started. I got this twinge in my left knee that over the next couple miles spread to my hip and ankle, until it was an all-leg-encompassing hurt by mile 11. I knew I was in trouble. Around mile 13, I was expecting to collapse with every step. I finally called it quits at mile 14. We were only about a half mile from home (the course looped south for two miles, then back up to home). I was done. I hobbled the rest of the way home.

Once home, I had a “nice” cold bath. Instead of trying to come up with enough ice to cover my legs, I now spend ten minutes after each long run in a tub of cold cold water. It sucks, seriously, but the benefits have been instantly noticeable. My recovery time has gone from 2-3 days to overnight.

So I failed at the 18-miler. I was terribly disappointed. But on to the next week. (Total this week: 14 miles)

April 23 to 29: Monday, as usual, was 2 miles. No problems there, just felt a bit stiff. On Wednesday, I decided to change my speed workout to an 8-mile tempo so that I wouldn’t overstress my knee. The weather was chilly, windy, and it started raining two miles in. I was amazed - the lousy weather actually invigorated me. Rain is a challenge I can handle. My total time was 1:08:21, with a happy average of 8:32. The individual miles were 8:41, 8:17, 8:15, 9:04 (it’s uphill), 8:32, 8:33, 8:43, and 8:12. This run was exactly what I needed after Saturday’s failure.

On the 28th, I had a 20-miler on the schedule (see the map). I took basically the same course as the week before, up and along the lakefront. This time, obviously, I had to go an additional mile north. I started about 45 minutes before Joy got home from work so she could meet me part way in. It was another lovely day.

My times for the first four miles were on target, 8:40, 8:32, 8:55, and 8:23, but I lost a little ground in mile five trying to get some water at Southport Beach House (the damn drinking fountain was off), so that one was 9:20. By this time, I was really aching for water and regretting that I had left without my support team (Joy). Miles 6 and 7 crept by at 9:39 and 9:57, and then, like a water bearing-angel, Joy arrived. Hooray!

However, at this point, my times were already starting to slip. The next three miles to the turnaround point were 9:42, 9:32, and 10:18. I started losing time from slowing to a walk to hydrate, so I wasn’t too unhappy.

Once we turned, I forced down a Gu pack and some more water, then pushed on. The wind was at my back now, so I lost some of it’s cooling effects. Off came the shirt (and my sexy black chafe-protecting electrical tape nipple-cover X’s). I wasn’t really feeling any real pain, but I definitely was starting to run low on energy. The next few miles, up to 16 (10:47, 9:09, 10:28, 9:23, 10:12, 11:47) went okay. I didn’t fall down, throw up, or have anything break.

Part way through mile 17 (10:46) however, my right quadricep right by my knee started to seize up. I have never felt anything like it before. It’s like my leg wanted to lock in a bent position. I tried to stretch it by pulling my right foot up behind me, and my calf immediately began to cramp. What the hell was going on? I ended up walking for a block or three to loosen it up, and then I was able to continue. Miles 18 and 19 (10:14, 12:52,) were punctuated by a couple walks and a LOT of achiness. I decided that I really needed to run the entirety of the last mile.

Things were going fine for the first quarter or so, and then it happened. My lower quads on BOTH legs began to seize. I pushed on, cursing them. However, less than half a mile from home, I couldn’t continue. I hobbled, then walked for another couple blocks until the tightness went away. I had .4 miles left, and the pain was gone. I gave it my all and burned it in coming home (11:43). I even managed to clip a fence turning a corner. One of my neighbors cheered me as she saw me coming arounfd the corner. I managed to weakly raise my arms in victory.

I did it. I’m not totally happy with the 10:01 average or the total time of 3:20:29, but I did it. Total miles this week: 30.

And if you’d like, you can check out what it’s like to relax in a nice cold bath. I wouldn’t watch it at work, but I *am* wearing shorts, so it’s perfectly safe.

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