Training log - Week ending 11/24/2024

This week was 59 miles of running and 1500 yards of swimming -- training log is here.

Definitely some ups and downs this week.  Starting on Sunday of last week, I switched one of my Parkinson's meds from Rytary to Crexont.  They're both the same active ingredient, just on different release schedules, with Crexont reportedly lasting much longer per dose.  

But of course, finding the right dose of any Parkinsons medication is always trial and error, and every time I switch medications I have to restart the iterative process to figure out what strength and timing works best for me.

I was given two possible strengths of Crexont and told to try both and see which worked better.  I started with the higher dose (210) and for the most part liked it.  However, I did feel like I had possibly lost some power in my muscles.  Tuesday's workout went fairly well, but then I really struggled on Friday - I simply could not move my legs.  Admittedly, Friday was also one of the first bitterly cold days of the season, and I find I handle cold poorly as I get older.

So..I decided to try the lower dose of Crexont (140) on Saturday morning. And it was pretty clear within about 2 miles that the higher dose was better.  My ankles were locked up at the start of the run, and never totally loosened.  Saturday's run was really about getting the miles in and some time on my feet, so not being able to run fast wasn't that big a deal.  But it's definitely clear that I need to be on the higher dose.  And perhaps we need to go even higher.

Independent of the medication experimentation, I did bump my miles up this week, which was exactly what I needed.  

Speaking of mileage - I am concerned that eliminating pool-running from my regimen has lowered my total volume too much - even if I get back to 65-70 miles a week, that's without the 2+ hours of pool-running that used to supplement that mileage each week. I want to carefully re-introduce pool-running to see if I can start doing some miles there without re-aggravating my hip. I think the trick is going to be to start adding it in 10 minutes at a time.

Monday: 7 miles very easy (9:36) in the morning; yoga in the afternoon; foam rolling in the evening.

Tuesday: 10 miles, including a track workout of 7x800, 2x200 in 3:44, 3:42, 3:37, 3:33, 3:31, 3:32, 3:30, 52, and 52 with recoveries of 1:5x-2:2x between the 800s and full recovery for the 200s.  Followed with leg strength work.  

Wednesday: 7 miles very easy (9:52) very easy to the gym; upper body strength/core, then 3 miles very easy home (9:30) + two hill sprints. Foam rolling at night.

Thursday: 4.5 miles very easy on trails in the morning (11:33).  Yoga and foam rolling in evening.

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Friday: 9.5 miles, including a track tempo of 6400m in 30:53 (7:54/7:41/7:39/7:39).  Foam rolling in evening.

Saturday: 18 miles, mostly at easy pace, but with a gentle fartlek (10x2:00 at marathon effort, 5:00 easy) in the second hour. Followed with injury prevention work. Foam rolling in evening.

Sunday: Streaming pilates and 1500 yards of swimming.  Foam rolling in afternoon.