Training log - Week ending 5/10/2026

(I posted this last week, but it didn't catch, so I am reposting)

This week was 42 miles of running, 15 "miles" of pool-running, and 500 yards of swimming.

On Tuesday I hit the Marine Corps Memorial (aka Iwo Jima) for the first "serious" workout of this cycle - Iwo Jima hill repeats. Each repeat is approximately 500m up a 2-3% incline, followed by a 90 second jog. Then a ~200m (could be longer) downhill stride, followed by a 45 second jog to the bottom.

I like this workout because it works on my power, my ability to handle changing inclines, and my downhill running.  With the last generally requiring the most work.

Tuesday was pleasantly surprising for two reasons - I was faster than I expected (7:30 uphill and 7:18 downhill) and I was faster downhill than I was uphill for the first time in...years, possibly.

One thing that's really helped my downhill running is speech therapy, oddly enough.  That's because we figured out that I've been breathing incorrectly (with my throat, not my lungs) for about 5 decades. This is most likely because my asthma was diagnosed pretty late (early 40s), by which time I had learned to somewhat compensate by gulping/sucking air instead of inflating my lungs.

Breathing with my throat means that my shoulders and upper back get really tight and stiff, which restricts my ability to smoothly roll downhill (or to run smoothly in general). And all of this gets amplified by Parkinsons and related dystonia, of course.

On Friday, I did tempo intervals and tried to carry that relaxed back and lungs feeling over.  And once again had a really-great-for-my-current-fitness workout. Two good workouts made for a great week.

Dailies:

Monday: 6 miles very easy (9:48) and upperbody weights/core + foam rolling

Tuesday: 10 miles, including 6 Iwo Jima hill repeats (500m up a 2-3% incline, 90 second jog, ~200m downhill stride, 45 second jog to bottom), followed with leg strengthwork. Foam rolling in evening.

Wednesday: 9 "miles" pool-running and 500 yards swimming, followed by PT exercises. Foam rolling at night.

Thursday:  5 miles very easy on trails (10:52) + PT exercises.  Streaming pilates in afternoon.

Friday: 10 miles, including a track workout of 3200, 1600 in 15:13 (7:40/7:33) and 7:20 with 5:29 jog between.  Followed with PT exercises.  Foam rolling at night..

Saturday: 12 miles very easy on the towpath (10:02), followed by leg strengthwork and foam rolling.  Lords of Acid show at night.

Sunday: 6 "miles" pool-running in the morning. Foam rolling at night.