My total distance for this week is 7 miles. During my run this morning, I extended the running phase from 96 left-foot-steps to 100 lfs, a 4% increase in running before I walk. The walking phase is still 66 lfs.
The sky was overcast (expecting snow tonight and tomorrow), and the temperature during my run was about 32 (F). Most of the path is clear, but there are still places where the path is covered with ice. I could tell that some of the ice has melted since my last run on Thursday. I didn't see any other runners on the path, but I did see several walkers. One guy was stopping often to look at birds through his binoculars, and he had a paperback bird guide in his pocket.
I had a breakfast of French Toast and orange juice about an hour before I left, and I could tell I wasn't ready to run. I need at least two hours after eating before I run. However, my run went OK. I didn't feel nauseous, just sorta bloated. However, I felt fine towards the end of my run.
My wakeup heart rate was 61. That is almost 20% higher than my "normal" of 53, and I decided before I left I would only do 2 miles instead of my planned 4 miles. However, after I had done 1 mile, I felt fine and decided to add another 1/2 mile (giving me 3 miles for the run). I felt fine during and (so far) after the run, but I'm glad I didn't go for 4 miles. My goal is to feel fine at the end of my run, and I reached that goal today. If I had run 4 miles, it is likely that I would have been tired at the end.
Before my blood clots in January 2009, I could run three or four miles and not even think about the distance. Then, after my blood clots, it was a struggle to do anything. I've been slowly increasing my distance by alternating running and walking, and I've noticed recently that I'm able to run 2-3 miles without even thinking about it. This indicates that my endurance is getting back to my pre-blood clot levels. I have my distance up to 5.5 miles, half running and half walking, and I hope to be up to 6 miles or maybe 6.5 miles by the end of the year.
