A clydesdale no more!

Very low motivation to run this morning.  I knew that I was going to struggle through this workout.  Warmed up with 2.25 easy miles.  Ran 5 X 0.63 miles (as close to 1,000 meters as I could get on my Garmin) at 5K pace with 1/4 mile jog in between each.  Plan was to run at 6:00/mile pace (3:47/repeat).

Repeat	Time	Pace/Mile	Note
1	3:45	5:57	Just about right
2	3:50	6:05	Way too tired.  This isn't going to be fun
3	3:47	6:00	Felt alright
4	3:41	5:51	Gravity assisted
5	3:46	5:59	Happy to be done
Avg	3:46	5:58

I am a little disappointed with the effort and results today.  It was an odd feeling of fatigue.  I didn't feel completely wiped out but I had a hard time holding my pace.  My heart rate was higher than I expected.  It was around 170 for the first couple of repeats but then was in the 180's on the last couple (peaking at 184).  My calculated max HR is 186 but I suspect my actual max is a little higher.  Finished the run with 2.6 easy miles.

Total Time: 1:08:13 (7:35/mile)
Avg HR: 156

I feel like my legs have healed enough to start incorporating hills back into my training.  I didn't want to do too much so I just ran up to Davis Blvd.  Pretty good climb for the first few miles then rolling for a few miles then down hill to flat for the last few.  I wanted to push the pace a little and keep my HR above 160.  Felt really good.  Felt very smooth and in control on the downhill.

Total Time: 1:18:16 (7:27/mile)
Avg HR: 161

Very easy recovery run.  Legs felt a little heavy.

Total Time: 49:14 (8:12/mile)
Avg HR: 138

Was very sleepy this morning.  Had a hard time getting myself to get out the door.  Once I got out and got a few miles in I started feeling quite a bit better.  Picked up the pace a little and ran that last few miles a little faster than marathon pace.  It was raining pretty hard for the last 3 miles.  I guess it is better than snow.

Total Time: 1:14:00 (7:24/mile)
Avg HR: 157

Easy run.  Instead of running on my usual flat recovery course, I decided to run easy on a hilly course.  Felt pretty good for the most part.

Total Time: 50:50 (7:49/mile)
Avg HR: 148

Warmed up with 3 easy miles then ran 14 at marathon pace.  Still trying to get a feel for my marathon pace.  Wasn't expecting to run much faster than 7:15-7:20/mile.  After starting off with a 7:04 mile, the second mile came in at 7:50 and it took more work to get it.  Normally I would panic at this point but since I plugged the route into Sasha's Course Tool last night I knew this mile would be slow because of the elevation gain (it actually came in very close to the predicted time on the tool).  Settled back into a decent pace and all the remaining mile splits came in between 6:55 and 7:10.  Ran the last mile in 6:30.  I intentionally ran without my fuel belt so I could be lighter and get used to running on less fuel.  I actually felt really good during this run.  Heart rate was around 155 most of the run then crept up to 160-164 the last 3 miles (peaked at 174 during the last mile).  It is getting warmer and other than the rain the weather was perfect.  I had to ditch my jacket at my sister's house half way into the run.

Total Time: 2:04:12 (7:18/mile)
Avg HR: 153

MP Miles Time: 1:39:11 (7:05/mile)
MP Miles Avg HR: 157