AM: (11 miles, 1:29:25). 8 miles @ MP. 14:40 wu, 8:02, 7:46, 7:45, 7:43, 7:40, 7:47, 7:48, 7:44 12:26 cd (I had a hard time getting back to easy pace!). First of all, the last 5.5 miles were into a stiff headwind that really started pissing me off - I tried to imagine that this was a race and if it were a race I would have to rethink my race expectations for conditions (e.g., I would have to run slower than if it were ideal) - it really helped me (after the first 7:40 mile after the turnaround) keep the pace under control. I was much happier with today's run than last weeks MP runs. I really tried to keep it a comfortably hard pace. I wanted to make sure I was running at conversational pace, so I said some sort of complete sentence to everyone I passed (good morning, that is a very handsome dog you have there ;-) ). And, when there wasn't anyone around I was alternating: "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers" 3 times outloud and then "The rain in Spain falls mostly on the plains" 3 times outloud Pretty silly, but it really helped keep me from speeding up, especially the last 3 miles. I really wanted to get out of the wind, so if I hadn't tried to keep myself on pace I would run much harder just to finish. These winds have brought in some cooler temperatures, it was 38 when I started this morning and about 45 when I finished (though into the wind it felt a little chillier). PM: (4 miles, easy). Will be running in Reid Park on my way to the airport to pick up my Mom.
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