Training Log Archive: RJM

neighborhood. vigor=6/10, about like yesterday with heavy legs

Noticed yesterday that my Hokas are already worn down at the heel, with only 37 hours. And not at usual far outside heel, but about 2" up from that on both feet. I wonder if this is a change in my gait or something about the shoes

AM Nob hill +. felt better but not strong. Legs heavy, hills slow. Vigor 6/10. Not hard to get out to run.

Bee hunting 2 hr at Blossom and Brandywine. Not strong climbing Stairs at Brandywine

Bee surveys in Toledo - 6.5hr moving in hot weather

Bee training in Newark - 3 or so hours walking etc.

BNP West side. Vigor 4-5/10: barely managed to force myself to run. Just felt blah and weak beforehand. When running the same, especially on uphills, even minor ones. I felt like this yesterday too. Probably partly caused by resumption of vigorous field work, but not all of it. Running was slow and pathetic

2+ hours of bog and bumble bee hiking.

Finally saw Doc Benson about my weakness and lack of training improvement. Told her about how i've had injuries since 2012 that prevented real training, but since getting the orthotics (and even before), i've finally been able to do my usual injury recovery slow rampup. But by now (3-6 months in) I should be improving, but that's not coming. Running, my thighs are sore and i am slow and i can't go strong for long. On O courses i run out of steam at 30 minutes (hasn't lengthened lately). On O hills, or bikeclimbing hills to UA i am so out of breath at the top that i have to stop. I see three reasonable explanations:
1) I'm getting old, and my 58 year old recovery and max potential are just not what hey were when 52.
2) Side effects of statins (Doc Benson says I started at 40mg in Sept 2013). Muscle Weakness and fatigue are common side effects.
3) Lyme disease. Andreas had this, so although i haven't noted an attached tick and haven't been in lyme areas, i have to consider it.

She reviewed history, thinks that the lack of joint pain eliminates Lyme.

To test statins, i will stop taking them for a month (beginning tonight). If i improve, we'll talk about how to deal with statins. Statins have been good for my blood. She says my records indicate that istarted out with ldl of 136 and hdl of 36, and now have 94 and 44 (target is <100 and >40).

If i don't improve in a month, it sounds like old age is my cause.

TO help evaluate progress, i decided to score 'vigor' each day. It's a measure of how vigorous i feel, integrating leg strength, interest in running, speed, ease, etc. It's got a lot of 'feeling good' to it - if i feel like a strong runner and ready to race, 10. if i can't even drag myself out to run, probably a 3. If i'm running but not too strong, 5.

Bog field work for 5+ hr.
After all that I dind't have the gumption for a run, and decided a day off would be good - vigor=4
Called Benson today, and they happened to have an opening tomorrow, so i'll finally talk to her about statin hypothesis

Tracks. Felt stiff and slow, but kept up a stronger pace. Lots of yardwork today as well. VIgor ~6