Alsager 5 Mile Road Race

Well the Alsager 5 yesterday, with a ride there and back, was a tough session. Not necessarily tougher than any other hard run, but something was just not right. The legs were heavy and just not firing. Mentally, I was all over the place and seriously considered dropping out of the race at 2 miles. I was imploding and feeling like I was getting slower and slower. In reality, I had fallen into consistent (and painful 3:50 per kilo pace. I had a word with myself and tried to get stuck in more. I finished in a time of 31:07. A far cry from my running days PB of 25:25! But I cannot realistically compare that time set in my early 20s when I was a 'pure' runner. In my mind, I wanted close to 30 min. With recent consistent track sessions over the last 3 months, I had hopes of getting close or breaking 30 mins. Maybe my mind's expectations are totally unachievable and my body will never be capable of this speed. So I am over-thinking this; right? Maybe, but this whole dimension of getting older and corresponding ability drop-off is messing with my head. I have to find a way of accepting that I train to limit slowing down! Enough of my chaotic mind! Today my legs hurt and my disappointment from yesterday is fading. I have to remember that although I eased up for his race,I did increase the conditioning rehab/prehab. Maybe this made my legs heavy? Onwards and upwards. I still have some hip stuff going on but the sit bone problem seems to be easing. Today I intended on doing an easy recover spin. I hopped on the Turbo and felt quite strong - it is easy to know when the legs are ok to pedal! So I tried the GCN 40/20 session again. I hit some decent numbers with an average power of the 2 sets combined of 259W (both sets hit the same 259W). Happy with that and maybe backs up that the legs are fatigued from the rehab stuff. Next race sharpener is a short GoTri Duathlon in Wilmslow on 23 Feb 20. Not definite that I will race. Update to follow. . . .