A clydesdale no more!

Decided to test marathon pace today.  First 3 miles felt forced (7:08/mile).  Started to feel a little more comfortable but still didn't feel as smooth as I would like.  Averaged 6:48/mile for the last 4.1 miles.  Even though the form felt sloppy, the pace felt comfortable and I wasn't too fatigued.  Ended up being quite a bit faster than marathon pace.  Still trying to settle on a goal.  Maybe I can be a little more aggressive than I planned.

Total Time: 49:20 (6:57/mile)
Avg HR: 155

Absolutely perfect running weather (55 degrees).  It's going to snow tomorrow so I had to enjoy the weather while I could.  Ran the Orchard Drive loop which is slightly uphill for the first few miles.  My form still feels a little sloppy.  My shoulders were tight and I didn't feel as though I had a very clean push off.  Tried to maintain a decent effort through the first few uphill miles.  Started to loosen up and pushed the pace a little on the downhill return.  Last 3 miles were 6:50, 6:49 and 6:34.  I wasn't monitoring my pace during the run and I was surprised that these splits were as fast (relative, I know)  as they were.

Total Time: 1:13:09 (7:19/mile)
Avg HR: 155

Easy recovery run past the golf course and back.  Started out in a cold and wet rain storm.  Once I was soaked, it started snowing heavily.  I couldn't believe the size of the snow flakes.  I've been lucky this year in that every time that there is a big storm, I only have a recovery run on the schedule.  There has been very little shuffling workouts around this year.

Total Time: 47:54 (7:59/mile)
Avg HR: 138

Warmed up with 3 miles then ran a 4 mile tempo run.  Wanted to hit 6:30/mile and didn't think that it would be too tough because I have been feeling pretty good lately.  I just couldn't get into it today.  Wasn't hurting physically but I just couldn't get my body to move.  Averaged 6:27/mile but it should have been faster because there was more downhill than up.  It was more work than it should have been (heart rate maxed at 175).  Cooled down with 1.2 miles (had to cut the run short because Amy had to get to work early).  Not the best run but I can think of a few things that caused the poor performance: ran earlier than normal, poor night sleep, cooler temps, too much sugar yesterday.

Total Time: 59:11 (7:13/mile)
Avg HR: 157

Recovery run.  Not as easy as it should have been.  Felt kind of "blah" the whole time.  Had a strange knee pain half way into the run.  Most likely just a phantom taper pain.

Total Time: 47:38 (7:56/mile)
Avg HR: 150 (too high for that pace)

Woke up at 2 a.m. and couldn't fall back asleep.  Tossed and turned for a while then decided I may as well go out and get me long run in early.  I have some non-running related issues weighing on me and I really couldn't focus on my running for the first few miles.  My mind was elsewhere and I was just going through the motions.  About half way into the run, I was able to relax and my mind turned toward my running.  I felt a lot better and was able to quicken the pace a little.  Altered my route and threw in some rolling hills just to spice things up.  One taper week down and two weeks to go.  Glad I got out because I was able to solve all the world's problems during the run (or at least my problems).

Total Time: 2:04:00 (7:45/mile)
Avg HR: 148