Having Fitz(patrick)

I've been a bad blogger, for sure. Only one entry all week and and then one at 2:00 p.m. on a Friday when - let's be honest - you've already mentally checked out for the day. And so have I.

But while I've been remiss in the blogging, I've been doing just dandy with the running (see, I bet you thought I wasn't blogging because I was ashamed of my poor adherence to the running schedule. Well, you're wrong. But thanks for the confidence. Sheesh).

I ran Monday and Tuesday on Macworth Island (love love love that place) which was a momentous achievement considering I hadn't run on my own in weeks. And that sure makes showing up (and keeping up) on the Thursday runs a hell of a lot harder.

So last evening I was feeling altogether proud of myself and ready to charge ahead. Trainer Michael Gaige directed us to Fitzpatrick Stadium (you know, that joint next to the Sea Dogs stadium) where we'd run 400s around the track. Yes, more 400s. I'm actually longing to get back onto the Back Cove again.

As evidence of the training group's hardcoreness, I snapped a picture of the runners climbing (or crawling) a fence that was blocking our entrance to the track. You may try to keep us elite athletes off your training ground - but your attempts will fail. We cannot be stopped.

Michael led us in some stretching on the field, which we'd never really done before. And it elucidated flashbacks from my high school years - things long suppressed. Like when I joined the soccer team and begged to be a goalie so I wouldn't have to run. My soccer career ended the following year. The laziness is with me still today.

After coming to terms with the surroundings and getting the muscles loosened, we were ready to start our four laps of 400 yards.

But first! John Rogers says, "I want you to run pick-ups up and down the field - get warmed up."

Um, warmed up? It's 80 degrees out here, feels like 90 in the blinding sun, and we just ran mile or whatever to get here. I think we're warmed.

But alas, you can't deny the trainer. So we ran the length of the field, paused, ran back, then ran down again, then paused, then ran back. I wouldn't have classified it as a "warm up" but more of a "prison torture method," but then, I ain't the expert.

We finally moved onto the track and started the first of our four 400-yard laps. Each one is followed by a 400-yard break (we walk it rather than run it). We run 400, walk 400, run 400, walk 400. By the end of the third run, most in my group were feeling the pain. I wasn't doing well either.

I usually hit a point during the run when I feel like everything's working. I feel fast and strong and smooth and in control. It only lasts 10 minutes, sure, but it happens.

Last night, though, I never had that feeling. My legs felt heavy. I felt like I wasn't moving smoothly and I might topple over at any minute. Not fatigue exactly, but more like I just had no control over my body. I know that can happen with severe dehydration, but I think my issue had more to do with the fact that it was just dang hot out.

At any rate, John told us that the fourth lap was optional. Who wanted to do it? I did.

Yea, that fourth lap was crazy slow. But hey, I did it so give me a little credit, OK?

Now, if you'll pardon me, I'm going to get back to the project I was working on this morning. And by "project," I mean "sandwich."