Brian’s fitness journal after a brain stroke
After several days of intense heat, Nashville finally received some relief. Naturally, I expected my running pace to improve with the cooler weather. My legs apparently didn’t get the forecast.
This morning was cooler than Monday, yet I still couldn’t reach my target pace. Frustratingly, if I could simply exchange Monday’s run with today’s, I would have recorded two successful runs this week. Unfortunately, my running app doesn’t offer a retroactive pace-exchange program.
For weeks, I assumed Nashville’s heat and humidity were primarily responsible for slowing me down. But with cooler weather, I’ve realized there is another factor. I’m tired.
At my latest doctor’s visit, I learned that my iron and hemoglobin levels have dropped again. My hematology visits have become more frequent while my doctors monitor and treat the problem, which may explain why running has felt harder lately. I remember how much easier running felt this spring when my hemoglobin improved. I had more energy, and maintaining a faster pace was noticeably easier.
Still, today’s run wasn’t terrible. I nearly matched Monday’s target pace and finished close enough that Friday’s goal feels achievable. Fitness doesn’t exist in isolation. Weather changes. Health changes. Energy changes.
For now, I simply have to work with the energy my body gives me and keep trying. On Friday, I’ll head out again, find my pace, and hopefully hold onto it. Maybe my legs will finally check the weather forecast first.