Get Those Zs

Well, in an effort to get most of my run in before the sun started beating down on me, I set my alarm for and got up at 5:00 a.m. today. Unfortunately, I could not get to sleep early enough last night and enjoyed only 5 hours of sleep. Normally, with my morning routine, I am fully awake and energized before I head out the door. At worse, I may be slightly tired, but 10-15 minutes into the run my (increasing) conditioning and energy carry me just fine through the run, and the recovery afterward. But not today. Apparently, the short shrift I gave sleep all week, especially last night, left me with heavy legs the entire run.

To make matters worse, JS -- who has kept me entertained on Saturday runs with her witty banter, been my pacer to keep my speed down until I get more miles under my belt (when you are older and have been a couch potato for months, you have to build slowly), and forced me to take water, walking, and stretching breaks (as an old codger should) -- was unavailable. With MM at "Muster," I had to run alone. Without someone lying to me about how well I am doing and controlling my desire to run faster than I should, I had a heavy 6-mile run that felt worse than the distance and time (1:07:10) might indicate. The first 2 miles I did in an easy 11:55/mile pace; the next 2 miles in 11:30/mile pace; and the last 2 miles in 10:40/mile pace.

5 hours later I still am moving slowly and I feel much more weary than I should be . So, advice to everyone (especially myself): Get your Zs, or your body will make sure that you pay for the lack.

Wiser Old Man