I was worried about how bad my speed workout today would be since donating double red blood cells last week and feeling the after effects. My goal pace for my 800’s is generally 3:35, however I stayed just above that for 5 out of 6 laps, until the last one, where I did a 3:35, strange, eh?

I was seriously fatigued by the second set of 800’s, however I think i’m working through the performance loss quite well now while my body rebuilds what I lost. I also realized that the 800m course that I am running around my neighborhood actually isn’t as flat as I thought. I noticed that it is graded somewhat, so I run slightly downhill, then uphill, then downhill, then uphill again for each lap … its very gradual, but you start to feel it when you run it so many times in a row.

At least one good thing is that i’m learning how to work through tired muscles, hopefully its the reminder of why I spend 18 weeks training .. mainly so I don’t feel this way during the marathon. I’m feeling better about being able to get through my long run this weekend, at least somewhat better than last week. If i stay away from hills and keep on the trail course like I have been, i’ll struggle, but complete it…

This also was the first week i’ve hit my target miles without any issue, week one I was sick, week two I had stomach issues on one of the days, so its a sigh of relief that i’m hopefully on the right course now.

So the lottery for the New York City Marathon should be coming up in the next few days so we can formalize the plan for the fall, I hope I get picked, but i’m not counting on it. If that falls through, I have Harrisburg, or Philly to sign up for instead, so we’re not out of luck.

Thankfully tomorrow is a rest day, 28 miles in this week so far, many more to go.