A clydesdale no more!

Needed to get away for a head clearing run so I headed up to Mueller Park canyon and ran up to Elephant rock.  Didn't push terribly hard on the way up with the intent of pushing hard on the downhill.  It took awhile to get into a groove on the downhill.  Once I got going, I felt really good pushing the pace.  The trail is starting to wear out and a lot of rocks are exposed.  The footing isn't as good as it was the last time I ran it.  Towards the end of the run, I was trying to get around a couple with a dog and wasn't paying attention to my footing and I fell.  It didn't hurt too bad and only skinned up my knees and hands a little.  

Total Time: 58:36 (33:02 going up/25:34 coming down) 

Legs felt really tired after last night's run.  I'm not used to running at night and don't think that I refueled properly after the run.  Pace felt a lot faster than it actually was.  I'm really starting to question my running ability.  It just doesn't feel natural anymore.  

Total Time: 1:17:41 (7:46/mile) 

Feel much the same as yesterday.  Felt like I was hitting a decent pace only to have mile splits much slower than anticipated.  My mileage is up a little and I haven't had a day off in a couple of weeks which is probably what is causing the slow down.  I figure that this is a good thing and this is the time when I should be the most fatigued.  Only 2 more hard weeks of running then I can start to back off.

Total Time: 1:50:24 (7:53/mile) 

Easy, recovery run.  My run included the 5K course that I will be running in a couple of weeks just to get a feel for it.  I'm starting to notice the effects of the last couple of weeks of training - very hungry and tired.  My Garmin was dead and I couldn't find my watch so I have no idea how long it took.  I'm guessing it was between 8:15/mile and 8:30/mile.
 

Warmed up with 3 easy miles then ran a 6 mile tempo run.  I had a hard time convincing myself to start the tempo run.  After a couple minutes of procrastinating, I finally convinced myself to get going.  Once I started the run, I felt really good.  The pace felt smooth and in control.  I was able hold a consistent pace for the entire run (6:28/mile-6:31/mile).  The last 2 miles took more concentration but as long as I paid attention to my pace it wasn't too difficult to hold.  HR started at 158-159 for the first 3 miles.  Crept up to 162-165 during miles 4 and 5 and was 172 at the end of the run.  Finished with 1 easy cool down mile.

Total Time: 1:11:44 (7:10/mile)

Avg HR: 152 

Ran out to Farmington Bay and ran along the dirt road for a few miles.  It took 3 miles to warm up and start feeling good.  Once I got going I felt pretty good until the last 2 miles when my legs started for feel a little worn out.

Total Time: 1:15:50 (7:35/mile) 

This is the best time of the year to run.  Temperatures are perfect.  My plan was to run a few easy miles then start to gradually pick up the pace.  First 8 miles were pretty slow. Next 2.4 miles were a pretty good downhill and are pretty similar to SGM.  Decided to test goal marathon pace.  Pace felt surprisingly easy (6:40/mile).  Made a pit stop at home to get some Gatorade and wake up my wife.  Started out again and eased into the remainder of the run.  First 3 miles were at 7:30/mile pace.  Next 4.8 miles were at 7:00/mile pace with 2 of the miles at GMP (6:50).  Once again, the pace felt surprisingly easy.  Things are finally feeling like they are coming together.  Hopefully I will feel this good in 1 month.

 Total Time: 2:18:11 (7:36/mile)

Avg HR: 145