Week -12, Days 2-7 (and Week -11, sadly)

Ohhh, fallen behind again. And the update isn't that great. I'll admit that in advance...

Scheduled for Week -12, Tuesday: 4 miles
Scheduled for Week -12, Wednesday: 5 miles fartlek
Scheduled for Week -12, Thursday: 5 miles
Scheduled for Week -12, Friday: OFF
Scheduled for Week -12, Saturday: 15 miles
Scheduled for Week -12, Sunday: 3 miles

Actual for Week -12, Tuesday: 4.2 miles in 38:56
Actual for Week -12, Wednesday: 4.2 miles in 37:38
Actual for Week -12, Thursday: OFF
Actual for Week -12, Friday: OFF
Actual for Week -12, Saturday: 16 miles in 2:43
Actual for Week -12, Sunday: OFF (and downhill from there...)
Actual for Week -11, Days 1-7: NONE...

So yeah, the week started out well enough. I had snuck in a Monday run, ahead of scheduled, did okay Tuesday and Wednesday with some slacking on Thursday. It's okay. Then came the Saturday long run. I had Friday off from work, and I just didn't hydrate or eat the way I would've before a race. Shame on me. I paid for it on Saturday. I woke up early on Saturday to squeeze in my run before a drive to CT, and I made two water breaks (3.5 miles and 10 miles, both with GU). Not enough. It was less humid at 6:30 AM, but still a bit muggy. I felt fine during the run, a bit woozy after for being out that long, but I felt good and proud. Not so after rushing around to shower, pack, and hop in the car. By the time we were stuck in dead traffic on the Mass Pike, I was having trouble breathing and had the shakes. So, all in all, a trip to the ER for dehydration and to be berated by a not-so-nice doctor who kept comparing Gu to Red Bull. Um, no. But I digress. I had trouble for the rest of the weekend, including some further difficulty breathing during the week that followed (just an overall pressure and inability to get a deep breath). I took the week off from running and instead went for bloodwork, an asthma test, and a stress test (oh yeah...), complete with a few days off from work to just sleep.

Bottom line? Cleared and healthy. Dehydration induced a bout of exercise-induced asthma and panic set in once I didn't feel well and was trapped on the highway. The lesson? I'm wearing that hydration belt and drinking every mile from now on. And I will allow myself proper time to cool down, especially after long runs - no more hopping in the car and running around like a crazy woman. Sigh.

So yeah, no runs last week, at all. This week hasn't been good so far either, but I'm hoping to try my first wee run today after work (just 3 miles). We shall see. :) I'm scared. Not of the short runs, but of another 16-mile run. It was a terrifying feeling, although I am a bit relieved having been cleared by multiple doctors (including the cardiologist). My plan (even though I'm now off schedule) is to focus on some shorter runs with hills and speedwork to better condition my heart, and to hydrate ALOT during those long runs. I'll try a 10-miler this weekend, something I know I can handle. If that goes well, I'll try the 16-miler again next weekend. If that produces problems again, I know I'll have to stick to half-marathon distance. But until then, I'm not giving up. I just am in serious need of motivation. And pep talks. Lots.