I am running again! As I wrote last time, it’s amazing what a difference it makes to be exercising regularly again. The difference is even clearer when I can finally resume my exercise of choice. I am feeling even closer to my old self.
That said, I kept up some light biking this week, as promised. I really want to keep up this habit through my upcoming marathon block. I’ve done my last few blocks on a similar template, and it feels like time to shake things up.
To that end, I’m also ordering a copy of Pete Pfitzinger’s Advanced Marathoning. I’ve been a Daniels follower since I got back into running after college, but I’ve heard plenty about others’ successes with “Pfitz” programs and I’m curious. I’ll be hitting the books these next couple weeks to put a plan together before training officially starts.
In other news, I got a call from the doctor with results from the blood tests I took at my sick visit last month. My iron is seriously low!
The confusing and frustrating thing is I feel fine. Iron deficiency has a reputation for causing extreme fatigue, like stuck-in-bed fatigue. I finished a 60-mile week right before I took that blood test, and I did that on top of all my other responsibilities as a husband, father, and employee. My energy levels leave a lot to be desired in the absolute sense, but for someone in my position I think I’m doing pretty well!
I have a referral to a hematologist, and I’m trying not to worry in the meantime about how little sense this makes to me. Low iron affects a small but meaningful percentage of endurance athletes, and treatment is easy and effective. I am hoping that I could even feel like a whole new man after a transfusion next month, but I’m also hoping that low iron is all I’m dealing with. Doctor Google has been a poor consult.
In light of my results, I’m thinking even harder about how to approach my half marathon this weekend. I already knew a while ago that I wouldn’t be racing it up to my usual standards, but now I need to manage the fact that my blood is an ongoing question mark. My iron was low a month ago, and my previous blood test was at least five years ago, so I have no idea what my results might look like today. Is my hemoglobin still normal? Or am I about to hit a wall like none I’ve ever felt before when I run this half?
My plan is to be very conservative this week and at the race. If I can turn it into a decent progression long run, that would be a win. After that, I’ll keep running and biking easy until my appointment with the hematologist. I think I’ll be getting an iron transfusion then which should put a lot of worries to bed.
If all goes well, that will be just in time for my marathon block to start.
Sunday: 5 miles. Felt rusty, with little aches and pains and plenty of awkwardness. The first run back is always a little weird.
Monday: 6 miles in the morning, which still felt awkward. 30 minutes easy on the bike at lunch.
Tuesday: 7 miles, still feeling bad. Knew right then I’d be cutting back on Wednesday. 30 minutes on the bike at lunch.
Wednesday: 4 very easy. Felt a cold coming on. 30 on the bike.
Thursday: 7 miles and finally feeling a bit better. Bike.
Friday: 7 again, tired.
Saturday: 5 with a friend on the local Turkey Trot course. The Ashenfelter 8K is a very well-loved (and competitive) race, but I still haven’t run it even after living in the area for the last ten years. I’m traveling for Thanksgiving this year, so maybe in 2026 I’ll finally get my mug.
This Week: 41 miles, plus two hours on the bike. Not bad for my first full week of running in over a month! Hitting the bike last week definitely set me up well here. Let that be a lesson to me about the power of cross-training!
Baby: My son is ten months old today! He is happy and healthy and so much fun, except when he is teething. He has been extremely cranky the past couple days, especially for him, so I’m hoping we have some new chompers to show for it soon. We are eagerly looking forward to his first Thanksgiving and, soon after, his first Christmas! It’s going to be a lot of fun sharing this special time of year with our special-est little boy.
theDNF 
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