After struggling at the end of my 17 miler today, I managed to get out in the morning heat and get another 10 miles in at around a 8:20/mile pace. I died out (like I expected) at around mile 9, but didn’t stop, which is the key. I think i’ve made progress in my endurance over the last week and I figure I can only get better from here.

Some of the changes i’ve made to help compensate for my red blood cell loss is a change in diet. As I wrote earlier in the week, I’ve added an iron supplement that i take along with my vitamin C, the two are supposed to work together in that the vitamin C helps the body absorb the iron. Iron will help in my production of red blood cells. I also included the Omega 3 “fish” pills (as I call them) as another supplement to take. Lastly, diet-wise i’ve cut out the extra ice cream, and added protein shakes to my morning routine. I’ve changed my breakfast to be 2 pieces of toast and a protein shake, both within 30-45 minutes of my workout with the thought being the added protein (and simple carbs in the sugar) will help my muscles recovery since i’m short on red blood cells…

Since i’ve done better this week than last, as I said above, I expect to do better as the weeks go on .. I feel my body starting to change now that i’ve done 3 hard weeks, my appetite is different, my attitude is different, i’m actually getting serious..

The only change in my training this week is that i’ll increase one of my mid-week 8 milers to 9 miles, with the intention of making it 2 9-milers by next week. I do have to get a tube of blood taken on Thursday morning to do another check on a liver enzyme that my doctor was concerned about. I had gone to get blood work done (for a regular physical) back in early May, and everything came out okay except for my liver function test which showed an increased AST (or Aspartate Aminotransferase) count in my blood. Although I fasted for 12 hours before, I ran 6 miles just prior to the blood test, which from all my readings could cause the AST level to be high (because of the break down of muscles). So basically you’re not supposed to work out before you have the test done, so we’ll switch Thursday for Friday … and hopefully that will go away..

Today is the last day of May, so we’re heading into the best running months of the season now, June, July and August .. September isn’t bad but it starts to get cold towards the end. I should also know this week if i’m picked for the New York City marathon ..

Lastly, don’t forget to get out on Wednesday June 3rd and RUN as we celebrate the First Annual National Running Day. I can’t speak more about how running has changed my life, so get out, even if you can’t run .. just walk!