2/26/18 to 3/11/18: The Weight of Exhaustion

I had originally titled this post, "Soul Crushing Exhaustion," but that might be a little over the top.  My soul is not crushed.  However, I have officially entered the stage of marathon training where I can feel the accumulated fatigue mounting.  For anyone who has or is training to race the marathon, there comes a point where being tired at all times seems normal.  And during a build up to race Boston, March is the month where that exhaustion has a distinctive weight to it.  Legs don't feel fresh.  The soleus is tight every morning, causing me to walk like I'm made of cement.  I don't feel warmed up for any run until I'm at least 6m in.  At 2pm every day, I crave a nap...badly.  But...this is normal!  And once the time for tapering comes around, and the weight is lifted - there is a physical and mental rejuvenation, with energy levels seeming to exceed any previous levels that I can recall.  Right now, however, it is March.  And I'm tired.


Here it is:

26-Feb		MLR Progression		1:08:26		10.06		AM: 10m progression averaging 6:49/mile.
		Easy		1:03:33		8		PM: 8m at 7:56/mile with the final couple with Eli and Raleigh.
27-Feb		MLR		1:28:21		12.05		AM: 12m at 7:19/mile with the route including my 4-hill route of old.
		Easy		0:48:38		6.31		PM: Kind of quick before meeting up with Eli and Raleigh.  Averaged 7:43/mile.
28-Feb		Easy		1:01:07		8.09		AM: 8m at 7:33/mile.
		BU Track		1:33:00		14.59		PM: Ran home and to BU for 10m total before the workout.  1200x5 at about 10k pace.  Felt pretty hard, and had shorter rest at about 90s.
1-Mar		Easy		1:04:42		8.37		AM: Ugh, this felt uncomfortable.  8m with the first half mile running Raleigh.  Averaged 7:44/mile.
		Easy		0:49:09		6.31		PM: 6+ at 7:47/mile.  Bonked a bit.
2-Mar		Easyish		1:04:38		8.25		AM: 8+ in the cold pouring rain.  Reaally uncomfortable for this, so not exactly 'easy'.  Averaged 7:50/mile.
		Easy		0:38:44		5.01		PM: 5m at 7:44/mile.
3-Mar		10m Tempo		1:16:13		12.14		AM: 10m tempo at around 6:0x pace in very windy conditions.
		Off		0:00:00		0		PM: Off.
4-Mar		CSU Long Run		2:33:20		20.89		AM: 20+ at probably 7:40ish.  Pretty hilly, and a slow start with the CSU group after running over from home.
		Off		0:00:00		0		PM: Off.
5-Mar		Easyish		1:00:02		8.08		AM: 8m commute at 7:26/mile.
		BU Track		1:50:00		15.52		PM: Commute home and to BU then 4xmile from half marathon to 10k pace with short rest.  Not bad on very tired legs.  18m for the day prior to the repeats.
6-Mar		Easy		1:02:15		8.1		AM: 8m commute at 7:41/mile.
		Easy		0:49:13		6.26		PM: 6+ commute at 7:52/mile.  Really wiped out.
7-Mar		Easy		1:02:19		8.1		AM: 8m commute at 7:42/mile. Bah.
		Easy		0:48:55		6.31		PM: 6+ commute at 7:45/mile.  Again, really wiped.
8-Mar		Easy		1:09:48		8.45		AM: 8m commute in shit footing.
		BU Track		1:41:00		7.37		PM: Final BU workout.  800x2/(1200/600/300)x2.  5k/8k/3k/mile pacing.  Went ok since the paces were close, but still feeling wiped.
9-Mar		Easy		0:59:39		8.01		AM: Felt ok.  8m at 7:27/mile.
		Easy		0:47:06		6.04		PM: 6m commute at 7:48/mile.
10-Mar		10m Tempo		1:15:57		12.2		AM: 10m tempo at 5:53ish per mile.  Started off with the Fresh Pond race and there was a young fella who got me a little amped up to win.  He surged a few times and I felt like I had to respond, so I dropped a 5:36 4th mile.  Rest of the run felt challenging.
		Off		0:00:00		0		PM: Off.
11-Mar		Long Run w/Fast Finish		2:24:00		20.2		AM: 20+ at ~7:08/mile, with the final 7m along the Newton Hills averaging low 6s.  Felt pretty tired, but this was a strong run.
		Off		0:00:00		0		PM: Chilling out.

2/28 Splits:

1200-4:07.7

1200-4:08.2

1200-4:10.2

1200-4:12.4 WTF!

1200-4:07.8 Ok.

3/5 Splits:

5:38.0

5:38.3

5:36.2

5:27.6

averaged ~80s rest

3/8 Splits:

800-2:36.6

800-2:37.9

1200-4:05.9

600-1:52.9

300-53.5

1200-4:03.8

600-1:53.1

300-53.0

Totals: 120.07 & 114.64