According to my schedule today should be a 5k or 10k race or time trial, but I had already decided earlier in the week to bag it considering I still am hacking up a lung and the troubles with my knee. We had parent-teacher conferences this morning so after that I just had my husband drop me off at the track so I could entertain the idea of some faster work. Warmed up 2 miles and then launched into a brisk quarter to see how it felt, came through in 1:43 and decided that was fast enough, did 2 miles in 13:42(6:51 pace), then jogged a quarter and headed home--after about 3 miles I hit my dirt roads and decided what the hey I'll do another fast one and then ran a 6:39 mile. Funny that a fast mile on a hilly dirt road is unbelievably more comfortable and easier(and faster) for me than on a track. Slowed down and then ran almost 2 miles and getting close to him decided a few vo2 max intervals on the dirt wouldn't hurt. Ran .19 at 5:52 pace, jogged a few minutes, then .12 at 5:58 pace. Jogged down the driveway and called it good. Not exactly a killer workout but at least I got a few fast miles in and the whole point is to run at paces that make marathon pace feel slow. Off to work tonight and then tomorrow morning I leave for the long drive to San Antonio--I'm going to meet my sister there and we will go to Austin on Saturday. It will be strange going somewhere without my husband and children, but I think it may also be rejuvenating and good for me. | 