A clydesdale no more!

Just a nice steady paced run.  I decided to throw in the towel and just train for a half marathon this year.  Marathon training is just taking too much out of me and I am tired of being tired all of the time.  I need to stick with some sort of training plan but am going to cut back on the miles.  

Warmed up with 3 easy miles.  Started a 5 mile tempo run and my plan was to run 6:30/mile since I just raced on Saturday.  I figured that I wouldn't be as fast because I'm old and it takes longer to recover from races.  Splits were: 6:30, 6:23, 6:26, 6:27, 6:24.  The second mile was slightly downhill and I pushed harder during the last quarter mile of the last mile so the splits are more consistent than they appear.  The pace felt really good and the form started out a little clunky but then started to feel smooth towards the end.  Cooled down with an easy mile.

My ankles were really sore and tight this morning.  I ran the Davis Blvd loop this morning which probably wasn't the best idea considering the tired legs and joints.  I just took it easy going up and cruised once it flattened out.  Coming down was a bit painful and clunky.  I saw more runners out this morning than I ever have.  

Nice and easy recovery run.  My legs were a little stiff to start but loosened up and the run felt really good.

First 3 miles were a little uncomfortable but then everything felt really good.  The form was loose and in control.  I was a little surprised how good things felt considering how the run started.  Last 5 miles were 7:00/mile after starting out at close to 8:00/mile.

Absolutely terrible run today.  The club was going to do some trail running today so I got there a little early and did 4 miles before the start.  I was having a really hard time breathing will going uphill.  Near the turnaround the trail kind of disappeared and I ended up in running through some brush.  I started to get really worried about snakes.  Running downhill was a lot better and I thought I just needed to warm up.  Started with the club and I was struggling again.  I'm not sure what the problem was.  I struggled through the run and didn't have a whole lot of fun.  Maybe I just needed to get through the first trail run and my body will be more used to it next week.