the dreaded post-ultimate workout

Way back when I started with the gazelles, the primary motivation was to have people to run with. I just wanted to run a 20 minute 5K and it had become clear that I was too unmotivated to get there on my own. Then, once I started, I realized I like the routine of regular workouts as well. And I realized this Gilbert guy was pretty entertaining. And eventually, when I got over my shyness/aloofness (depending on your perspective), I made a few friends. All these factors have resulted in me showing oddly obsessive behavior... Every weekend (and all of the summer before last) I wake up way earlier than I want to, and often run in quite uncomfortable conditions (sometimes cold and rainy, but more often, way to freakin' hot) that make me wonder what the hell is wrong with me. Basically, I now manage to go running and put forth a pretty good effort even when I really really really don't feel like it.

Today was one of those days where the only reason I even came out was because of these extra motivating factors. Whenever I play in an ultimate tournament, it's always the day after the day after that feels the worst. In other words, today. As usual, the legs were incredibly stiff, it took me 45 seconds to stand up or sit down, and I had a zombie-like gait all day. It didn't help that I only got about 4 hours of sleep. I wanted to take the day off. But it's funny, even when I want to take the day off, I convince myself that I'll just go to the workout and maybe I'll take it easy, but at least I'll get in a little exercise.

For some reason it's often worked out that my post-ultimate workout is a hills workout. That may sound like the worst thing that could happen, but actually it's good. I don't need to focus on speed, I just need to try to grind it out and, well, I generally feel like crap during the workout anyway, so a little extra stiffness isn't a big deal.

However, today was 1000m repeats, which is decidedly not the ideal post-ultimate-tournament workout. And given my short-term goals, I can't really go skipping a speed workout. As usual, I thought I'd jog out there and see what happened. I might not run any repeats at all. Gilbert wasn't there, and we were stuck with some total stranger named Rudy who brought like half a gallon of water for all of us to share. Once I was there, I of course figured I'd give it a go. I wanted to at least run a couple under 4 minutes. I managed to do six. After two, I thought I might only be able to do one more, but my group of Duane, DV and Kyle was nice enough not to totally drop me, so I kept on going. Except for the first two, they ranged from 3:45-3:50. They were all hard. The first half, which is slightly downhill, I was, like, "Weeee! I feel great!" Then we'd turn the corner and suddenly my tired legs would remind me that weren't really in the mood for this and I had to trudge the rest of the way to that guy Rudy's truck. Hmmm. Last time I did this workout, I did 8 and remember finishing with a 3:26 or something like that. Normally, I'd be disappointed, but since I was barely able to convince myself to even show up, I guess I can't be too broken up about it. I keep telling myself that I'm getting something out fighting though tiredness, even if it's a little slow. After this though, I really can't mail it in at any more workouts. No more rationalizing.


A couple of notes from this evening:

• DV came again! That's two in a row. E-Dawg too.
• Desiree started the same time as us and finished her first 3000m before we finished our second 1000m. Um, that was humbling.
• Also, Duane said, "Good job with the blog." Not to be suspicious, but usually I only get praise from the legendary rocker dude when he's feeling some pity for me. Still, I appreciate the sentiment. Could it be that he's misunderstood and that hidden under that sweaty old bandana there's a softee secretly (very secretly) lurking? On the other hand, he sure was being mean to that Rudy guy.
• Obama wins three more states (er, two states and a pseudo-state)... hell yeah!