I didn't even bother with the Icy Hot

Friday, 1/25--Let's try this again.  I woke up at 4:45 AM.  My posture was an improvement over yesterday's.  I hit my routine and off I went to the track.  I had decided the day before that I would do some short stuff--200s, 150s and maybe even a few 100s.  I warmed up as usual and tried to give my body a proper stretch, which prove a little difficult in the 14-degree weather.  I didn't even bother with the Icy Hot, as I did not want to take off my gloves to apply it, much less reach into my tights for my hamstrings and risk the unforgiving chill that would invade.  I just tried my best to get and keep warm.  With my fingers starting burn, even in the usual comfort of my heavy wool, mitten-gloves, I entered into an agreement with myself that I would complete the workout: (4) 200s with 2:15 rest (100m walk in 1:15 and 100m jog in 1:00 after each); (4) 150s with 2:30 rest (100m walk in 1:15 and 100m jog in 1:15 after each); and (4) 100s with 2:00 rest (the walk back to the start of the 100).  There would be no additional recovery between distances.  My plan was to do the 200s at 800m race pace, with the first 2 in 31 and the second 2 in 30.  I wanted to do the first 2 150s in 21 and the second 2 in 20 (400m race pace).  Finally, I intended for the 100s to be in the 13 second-range for the first 2 and in the 12-second range for the second 2.  While it's logical to imagine that these 100s would follow a similar pattern as the 200s and 150s and be designed for 200 meter race pace, I understood that would be asking too much of myself after doing the 200s and 150s. 

As it turned out, all of my runs were slower than desirable, in most cases by a second, in large part because of the unforgiving cold which led to frigid, stiff toes, the use of heavier gloves, and more. 

200 #1--32-mid
200 #2--32-low
200 #3--31-mid
200 #4--31-low

150 #1--23-low
150 #2--22-low
150 #3--21-mid
150 #4--21-low

100 #1--14-low
100 #2--13-mid
100 #3--13-low
100 #4--12-high

Thursday, 1/24--I woke up at 4:45 AM, feeling worn and groggy.  I decided to run anyway.  After feeding the animals, ironing my and my wife's clothing for the day while watching ABC News, and drinking a few sips of coffee during a quick check of email, I warmed up the car and threw on my running gear.  I headed out at just after 5:30 and arrived at Westtown School's track at about 5:35. Such a long trip!  It was 15 degrees or so.  I began warming up.  After 3 laps I knew I just didn't feel like the effort. Besides, I understood that I had to leave for work 30 minutes earlier today (6:45 AM) on account of a 7:15 presentation to 70 people.  So, I ran 1 more lap, did a drill or two and then went back home.  I arrived come and plopped my still-relatively-clean self onto the family room sofa for a little shut-eye, a bit regretful that I hadn't worked out, yet thankful that I had the courage to say no.  Hey-sometimes you just have to say that today isn't the day for early morning madness.