I am one with the levee and the levee with me

One easy hour on Galbraith with Pete.

10 easy around Padden.

5k pace workout w/ Sam. 2x1600m (4:00 rests), 4x800m (2:00 rests), 30s rest then 300m sprint after the last 800.

Met at Sam's then headed to Civic field. It was windy on the track, but otherwise a nice day. Reps went as follows: 4:47, 4:46, 2:21, 2:21, 2:22, 2:21, 46s. The first 1600 felt hard, but I was leading it and the wind was worst at that point, but the rest of the work was very manageable. For some reason I thought we were only doing 2x800m, so after we finished the 2nd, Sam said "2 more," and I was a little confused. But it was good mental practice having to work harder than I thought I was initially expecting. 

Also, I tried out a new pair of Mizuno Ekidens. I've been looking for a new racing flat for the roads and stumbled across this one. I liked it. It wasn't ideal for the track, as there was a little too much play in the shoe around the turns, but on the roads it should be ideal.

8 easy from campus. Boulevard to Arroyo.

7 easy, then 4x200m on the track. No watch, as mine has sadly bit the dust.

6 easy down Boulevard.

Race day! The local police department puts on this race every year as a fund raiser for the families of police officers who are killed doing their jobs. They also offer a decent cash prize to the winner, and in the past it's drawn some pretty good competition. For various reasons, all the usual suspects were absent, so it turned into a comfortable win. From the gun I went to the front. There were a couple guys that went with me, but by a half mile their footsteps were fading. I reached mile 1 in 4:55 and it felt comfortable. I kept my foot on the gas to be sure I didn't let anyone sneak up on me, but more than anything it turned into a hard tempo. I finished in 15:19. The course is USATF certified, so it ought to be some level of accurate. I'm encouraged at how comfortable 15:19 felt. It should mean good things to come.