Believe in yourself, and you just never know...

Easy recovery run.

Its been a few days since I've been able to type a blog entry as I've been a little under the weather.  This afternoon I made it on a short "recovery" style run.  I felt very rusty, and barely seemed to to be moving forward.  However, I managed 8:30 min/mile average pace.  Tomorrow I'll go for 8-10 miles and see if I am up the ante a little!

I was pretty apprehensive about this run before I set out.  It had been a week since I tried to run at all fast.  It was also late afternoon/early evening by the time I made it out.  It was in the mid-70s and pretty humid.  I started out with 2 ½ miles at around 8 min/mile pace, and then I was going to try to do 3 miles at MGP (or faster).  The official training plan was 8-12 with 4 @ MGP, but I knew that I’d get stopped at too many lights, and that it would be easiest to do the MGP stuff in the middle.  For this middle portion I ran 6:51, 7:01, 6:59, and then the last 2 ¾ miles were easy (8:30 pace).  Not sure how I feel about the run.  I was pleased to get some faster miles in, but this bug/virus I had has really sapped my energy.  Starting to debate whether I should race this weekend, and if I do…should I turn off do the ½ marathon instead of the full?!?!

Needed that...good confidence boosting run.  Plan was to run 1 1/2 mile warm up, then 3K at MGP, then a 1 1/2 mile cool down.  Only 5 miles, but the big race is just around the corner.  When I got to the MGP portion of the run, I was curious to see how my legs would feel.  Fortunately my legs felt the best they had in more than 10 days.  I was able to "cruise" at about 6:45 pace.

1 1/2 mile warm up, then 2 1/2 miles of Fartlek action, and then a 1 mile cool down!

3 mile easy run ahead of race day!

It was a hot and humid morning in SA!  Took the first 3 miles easy, and then hoped to settle into a slightly faster pace.  In the end it was a battle to maintain my pace, and the last couple of miles I was a litrle slower.  Overall pace was 7:25. 

You;d think i would be dissappointed, but I am actually pleased that I stayed calm and was senible.  I knew my physical limits and inability to deal well with humidity.  I listened to my body and made it home in one piece.  That is always mission #1.  Today was not my day...but if it were easy and always fell into place then it just wouldn't be life ;o).

There was a big frat party near the house last night so didn't sleep well, and then woke up late.  Didn't have time for much, but figured that a couple of miles was better than no miles ;o).

Felt pretty tired this morning so I was relieved to hear Mark say “let’s take it easy this morning”.  As such we ended up with just under 9 miles at a recovery type pace.  I don’t think my legs could have gone much faster though.  I guess the ½ marathon took more out my legs than I imagined!

Hot and humid this morning...far too similar to last weekend in SA.  Oh well...Decided to take it easy, and just do the Dam Loop on the trail.  

Solid run.  Warm up then 4 x 2,000 meters with 2 minutes rest between each one, and then a jog back to the house.  Alas the 2,000 meter course was a little short.  The Garmin says it was around 1,900 meters.  Still happy with the solid (if not spectacular) splits, especially as I seriously thought about quitting after #2: 7:21, 7:37, 7:27, 7:19.  I'd say add 20-25 second for my 2K split.

Didn't wear a watch, but i can tell you the pace was nice and easy as I'm going to run with the Gazelles tomorrow, and its a speed workout!

This wasn't quite the workout I'd prepared myself for as rode down to the track.  The plan was do 20 x 400 meters with 1 minute rest between each one.  When I arrived at the track not too many folks were around.  I ran with a fellow Gazelle for an easy warm up on the trail.  When we returned, a few other Gazelles turned up who had parked about 1 1/2 miles away.  Amongst the group was David who asked if I'd join him for some Yasso 800s as he is a fair bit quicker than the other folks heading to Sacramento.  I thought...what the heck, but figured I could probably only hang at his pace for 3 or 4.  I surprised myself and stuck it out for 5, then I jogged a lap while he did #6, and then did #7 with him.  I started with him for #8, but my legs were toast and he was a good 20 seconds in front of me by the end of that one.  However, I think that may be my quickest set of 800s ever.  The splits were: 3:02, 2:56, 2:48 (apparently that one was my fault ;o), 2:55, 2:50, 2:52, 3:04 (yup the legs were toast).  I then had to ride my bike 4 miles home...it wasn't the quickest ride in the world ;o).

Poor run today.  Rushed out of the house this morning without doing my usual pre-run routine, and I paid the price from about mile 8 ;o(.  Oh well..there is always the chance to redeem myself tomorrow ;o).

Recovery run.

Met up with my friend Mark today.  Its about .9 mile to meet him then it was 7 miles.  The first3 miles were around 7:15-20 pace, but then we slowed down.  However, it was a good run as we got to catch up and I'm not sure I was in the mood for a big effort.