A clydesdale no more!

The plan called for 6X600 m @ 5K pace but I extended it to 6 X 1/2 mile because I did not want to go to the track.  I have a pretty good idea where every 1/4 mile marker is on my regular loop which made the half mile repeats with 1/4 mile jog easier to track.  Even though I was using my Garmin, it was good to have a point of reference of where each one started and ended.  It was really windy and my route would give me a tail wind for the first 3, a cross wind for 4 and 5 and a head wind for the last one.  I used the interval program on the Garmin but I do not have it set up correctly to show my lap pace so I was running blind.  I was curious to see how even I could keep the splits without monitoring them.  Warmed up with 3 miles then started the repeats.

Split	Comment
2:56	Slight tail wind but couldn't really feel it.
2:53	Pace and form felt great.  Very smooth.
2:54	Felt good but could feel form starting to suffer from fatigue.
2:49	A little help from gravity.  Happy for the rest interval.
2:56	Starting to force pace.  Surprised it was under 3:00
3:02	Straight into the wind.  Big effort  Shocked it was even close to 3:00.

The variability in the splits was due to the wind or terrain change so I am pleased that I was able to dial in 5k pace.  The effort was where it was supposed to be which is what is important.  Good run with no achilles pain.  I was barely able to walk on Saturday because it hurt so bad.  Feeling a little better knowing that I can manage the pain with rest if I have to.

Total Time: 1:12:20 (8:02/mile)

Sooooooo windy!  When running into the wind it literally stopped me in my tracks a few times.  I was almost blown over a couple of times when it was a cross wind.  Once I had the wind at my back and had a slight down hill my achilles started to really hurt.  It was strange because I had zero pain for the first 7 miles and it all of a sudden started hurting significantly.  Once I hit 9 miles I made the decision to turn towards home and cut the planned 14 miler short.  I'm not surprised it hurt.  I was more surprised that it felt so good during the first half of the run.  I had 2 solid runs in a row so I was due for a tough one. 

Recover run in yucky weather.  Feeling kind of out of it..  

Easy run with a few striders thrown in for fun.  Felt and looked like a February run with the snow covered ground.  Still feeling a little blah but better than yesterday.

Started off with 3 easy miles then ran 3 at LT and finished with 3 easy miles.  I was going to run 5 LT miles but my achilles started to flare up so I called it good after 3.  Splits for the LT miles were: 6:27, 6:30, 6:25.  Still feel like my head is in a fog.  Not sure if I am a little sick or just overly tired.

Total Time: 1:08:05 (7:34/mile)

I am taking Jeff and Teena's advice and taking a couple of days off.  This is really difficult for me but I know it is the right thing to do.  Hopefully getting a good long run in St. George on Monday will make me feel better.  It is probably too early to say this but I think my hopes of getting revenge on the Ogden marathon course is going to have to wait.  I will still run the marathon but it will be slow.