This morning I did something I told myself I would NEVER do this training cycle.  I quit. It sickens me to type this because I do not think of myself as a quitter at all and I can usually muster up a way to get it done no matter how bad I feel. Not today.

I got to the track a few minutes before 6 am.  It was still dark and very hot and humid.  I knew during my 2 mile warm-up that it was going to be a tough one.  The air was so thick and muggy and it seemed harder to breathe.  Not ideal for a speed workout.  The first part of my schedule called for 2 x 2 mile in 6:31 with a 2 min rest between each set.

I finished my first 2 mile set in 12:29 (6:14 avg.) so it was a little fast.  I got some water and rested another minute.  Then I did my next 2 mile set in 12:50 (6:24 avg.).  At this point I was done.  For some reason these 4 miles took everything I had in me today. This would have been fine if this was all my schedule called for but I still had 1,000’s and 200’s to do. 

I took a few minutes and went under the sprinklers to cool off.  I drank more water.  I was tired, thirsty and felt so sluggish but I had to finish this workout.  I really just wanted to cool down and go home but I had to finish it, right?

Next up I was supposed to do 3 x 1K @ 3:44 pace.  (A 1K is 0.62 miles in case you were wondering….)  My first 1K was 3:54.  I was ten seconds too slow.  I have never run a 1K this off pace.  I told myself my last two would be in the 3:40’s.  During my second 1K my entire body felt so tired.  I looked at my watch and pace was my current HM pace.  I just couldn’t move faster than that.  (When I’m running 1K’s I should be running at a 6 min. or faster pace.  NOT 6:45+.)  My 2nd 1K time was a 4:12.  It was at this point I knew I was officially done.  I needed to run one more 1K but I knew it wouldn’t be even close to the time I needed and it would only be more discouraging.  I knew the 4 x 200’s were NOT going to happen because they are supposed to be run at a 5 min. pace and I was NOT up for any more speed work.  I jogged back to my water bottle and stretched.  I was stopping for the day..

Thoughts?  What was the problem?  I think my number one problem was lack of sleep the past few nights.  We had some out of town company for 2 days and I found myself going to bed way too late and waking up early so I could squeeze in my runs while everyone was still asleep. This might have worked for my easy runs but it was not enough for a track workout. 

According to Running Research News, (Nov. 2011) “Sleep is not just something that’s ‘good to do’, but something that will help our bodies recover faster from running workouts. Getting adequate sleep is one component of the training and recovery cycle that is readily correctible.  In fact, it’s indispensable.  One of the fundamental rules of recovery is getting enough sleep to allow the body to repair itself.”

My lack of sleep the past few nights combined with the heat and humidity resulted in a speed session failure.  I am going to take tomorrow completely off and yes, this throws off my weekly mileage.  Sometimes when we listen to our body it tells us what we don’t want to hear.  Today I did not want to stop my workout but my body was exhausted.  Hopefully I will be feeling better for an easy run on Friday.  Saturday is my first 20 miler in this cycle.  I need to make sure I’m hydrated and rested. Temps are supposed to be much better on Saturday so I’m sure this will help too.

Have you had to quit a workout recently?  If so, why?  What is the right amount of sleep for you?