Long Run

Distance: not sure
Time: 90 minutes
Surface: concrete/asphalt
Weather Conditions: warm; 80s, 70s; late afternoon run
Location: Miraflores and Barranco, Lima, Peru
Secret weapon: Pulp

Comments: Ass-kickingly good run. Had a big dinner and big lunch so I knew there was going to be plenty in the tank and with Jarvis Cocker urging me on I decided to make it a mutha of a run. 

I settled for an hour and a half. It is twice what I have done in any run this week and probably the farthest I have run in five years.

Started strong and fell into a decent pace pretty quick. This is a bit of an achievement in and of itself so I made the decision to make the 90 minutes. I cut back a bit and concentrated on keeping my footfalls crisp and close together (one of my biggest problems in getting back into real running shape has been dragging my feet when I become tired). It went really well up to the halfway point but it was around that time I realized it was going to be a real challenge to finish the whole run.

So I really had to zone out for a big portion of it. No way was this run possible without the music and I really don't think anything other than Pulp would have gotten me through it (I downloaded a bunch of their stuff this morning on a whim and it really was perfect). The middle third of the run was a bear and the last twenty minutes were really just sheer stubborness on my part. I cranked up "Common People" as loud as I could and kept replaying it to get those last few miles in.

Afterward I was completely drained. I gave it a race level effort (but definately not a race pace). One big factor in deciding to do this today was the fact I now have two days off planned to rest up and recover. (I will probably go in and do my upper body stuff tomorrow at some point, though).

The best news was that my knee gave me zero problem before, during or after. I stretched out really well before hand, concentrating on the left leg since it was pretty clear the hamstring was a lot tighter than the right. By the time I hit the pavement, I was probably better prepared than I have been for any run to date. I am not so optimistic to think my knee problem is solved, but this is the best sign to date.

My cousin Erin's advice to me about marathon training was that the trick is getting your body used to running for several hours at a time. This run was my first test of that. I don't think I am going to try and best this one for a few weeks but it is the best piece of progress I have had since the hour runs in Florida last month.

Fitness Run

Distance: not sure
Time: 45 minutes
Surface: concrete/asphalt
Weather Conditions: warm, humid, 80s, afternoon run
Location: Miraflores, Lima, Peru
Secret weapon: Happy Mondays

Comments: I went further that I did on Monday even though I ran for roughly the same amount of time. So my pace was better but I really didn't have a hell of a lot in the tank. I think this is diet related. I need to sit down to a huge plate of pasta tomorrow. And then a steak on Friday.

Although it wasn't the most successful run I have ever done, it did feel like a real "workout" rather than simply holding myself together long enough to finish. I hit an acual pace at about the 25 minute mark which I was able to maintain for ten minutes or so before the weariness set in. 

I did two of my sets of situps before going out (400) and one more when I got back (200). These numbers are huge but, remember, I am on one of those little machines that keeps you doing the crunch-style sit-ups, not the old-skool from the floor to your knees style. And, although they may seem easier, it is really evidient they are more effective for localizing the effort.

Fitness Run

Distance: not sure
Time: 45 minutes, late afternoon/evening run
Surface: concrete/asphalt
Weather Conditions: cool, humid
Location: Miraflores, Lima, Peru

Comments: I took the entire weekend off in order to be extra nice to my knee and because my first day of gym work last week left me sore as the beejesus. I could hardly extend my arms most of the weekend. Not fun.

So I went to the gym, cranked out two sets of situps (total of 400) and hit the road. Threading my way through pedestrians and traffic on Av. Pardo was a bit of an experience. Most of the run was on my usual route along the cliffsides without incident. 

The run went pretty well. Secret weapon: The Crystal Method and then David Holmes and the Free Association. The latter saved the run. I felt nervous about the knee during stretching and the initial part of the run but it didn't really become a problem at all. Not even the weird feeling of weakness afterward. 

I still didn't feel like I hit a pace. I obviously am stronger since I got the urge to cut the run short but didn't get the feeling it was necessary. (Gracias! Snr. Holmes!) I am not sure if I should push for the hour run on Wednesday like last week or cut back and go for the distance on Friday.