A clydesdale no more!

It is starting to get cold.  It's not uncomfortably cold yet but it is getting there.  I felt pretty good this morning and feel like I'm starting to climb out of this slump.

Ran on the LPT this morning so I didn't take my Garmin.  I have measured mile markers 5 through 9.5 and they are accurate so I didn't think that I would need it.  I discovered that the 4 mile marker is just south of where I usually start running so I back tracked a bit to start there.  Based on time, the 4.5 mile marker seemed correct but the distance between mile 4.5 and 5 is way off.  I will have to take my Garmin next time to test the markers going from 5 to 0.  I decided to test my 5k pace between miles 6 and 7.  I hit 3:04 at the half mile marker and the pace felt a little too hard.  It was too dark and I missed the 1 mile marker but I estimate that I passed it in 6:15.  It didn't feel like it was supposed to.  I'm not sure if I'm ready to race a 5k knowing that my time will be at least 1 minute slower than I expect it to be.  There is another 5k near my house next Friday that raises money for the Juvenille Diabetes Research Foundation that I will run because I always try to support them but I'm just not ready for competition right now.

My left hamstring was a little sore so I opted for an easy recovery run.  Kept the pace easy for the most part until I passed a guy (he was on the other side of the road) and he started to push the pace.  As I picked it up he did as well.  We did this for a little over 1/2 mile until he dropped off.  

Really nice weather to run in this morning.  It is perfect for a race (too bad I'm not racing).  I kind of regret not doing the turkey trot but know it was the right decision.  Pace was pretty slow this morning but the run gave me some time to work through some things.  I'm pre-blogging the 0.6 that I'll be running with my girls at the kids k.  Should be fun.

My girls did great at the 1k.  Gracie finished in 4th and Emma finished around 9th.  Gracie took off and had about a 20 yard lead most of the time so I ran the whole way with Emma.  I could tell that she was really uncomfortable by the look on her face but she toughed it out.  She did walk for a few yards but started back up and finished strong.  They had a lot of fun and love showing off their medals. 

The 5k race was starting right as I was pulling into the parking lot and for s split second I really regretted not running.  It was good to see Kathie and Fly and finally meet Kimmy. 

It was very dreary this morning.  It actually felt very good to be out this morning.  I didn't over eat yesterday but I did drink more soda than I should have so I had to get out to burn it off. Drove to the LPT to check the accuracy of mile markers 0 to 4.  They were all exactly right according to my Garmin.  Every single one of them were where they were supposed to be.  Now I need to check markers 4 to 5 to see how far off they are.  Markers 5 to 9.5 are all perfect so it seems strange that 4.5 to 5 is so inaccurate.  JD mentioned that 10.5 to 11 is off also.  I am guessing that they knew where they wanted to start and end and the distance wasn't exact so they had to make it up in a couple of different spots.

Met the running club at Freedom Hills park in Centerville for a good trail run.  It was a really nice run.  There were a few sections that were tough (especially the 17% grade climb) but the climbs were usually followed by a flat section that allowed your legs to recover. As much as I struggle on the trails, I know that it does my legs good to get a little variation from the road.