A clydesdale no more!

A cold and rainy morning. Plan called for 5X600 but it didn't seem like enough so I stretched it to 5X800.  Started with a 3 mile warm up to the LPT.  Target pace was 5:45/mile (2:52 per split).  The splits were: 2:51, 2:53, 2:50, 2:51, 2:50.  The pace felt really good except the last one.  It started raining incredibly hard with lightening all around. I'm not sure I have ever gotten that wet that fast.  I was happy to be able to hit the splits that I wanted.  I have put on a few pounds and I have not been feeling as healthy and strong as I would like. Finished with 3 miles to "cool" down. 

My right foot started hurting last night.  Not sure what is going on but it is bad enough that it affects the way I run.  Seemed to be alright once I warmed.  After 7 miles I slipped on the curb and rolled my left ankle.  At least it evened out the limp.  Not a spectacular run and certainly not as fast as it should have been.

Nice and easy recovery run.  Foot feels a little better than yesterday but is still a nuisance.  I don't think it is anything major.  Just one of those training niggles. 

Continuing with the Thursday hill day theme.  With my tender foot and ankles I wasn't sure if tackling Eagleridge was a good idea.  The foot felt pretty good this morning so I gave it a go.  The run starts with 3 easy miles then 2 miles straight up (12% grade according to a road sign).  It actually felt really good going up.  My legs felt strong and the burning in my lungs was satisfying.  Stopped at the golf course and enjoyed the view for a few minutes.  Headed back down and just focused on a good turnover, getting my feet off the ground quick and throwing my stride behind me.  It is almost too steep to get into a good rhythm.  Definitely aggravated my foot but I don't think it is too serious.  Good way to start the day.

Zero foot pain.  Very strange that it came and went so quickly.  My ankles are a bit sore but nothing to be concerned about.  As I went out the door I wasn't sure if it was going to be a recovery run or a GA run.  I was going to let my body decide for me after 1/4 mile.  Everything felt really good so I decided to quicken the pace and lengthen the run and turn it into a good GA run.  Pace felt very good and fluid throughout the run.  The perfect weather certainly helped put me in a good running mood.

Run started at 4:30 a.m. so I could make it to my girl's 8:00 a.m. soccer game. Very uneventful run (which is a good thing).  Could feel some training fatigue in my legs which I was happy for.  I still feel like I have not pushed as hard this training cycle as I could have.