This morning I planned to get in a five mile tempo run, but keep the intensity moderate, i.e., Tinman Tempo. So I headed over the usual route to TITP. After four miles of easy running, I started the tempo while still in the TITP parking lot. From here, I would have a grunt climb up Crestview behind the Zoo, then a descent on Wasatch through the golf course, then some flat/rolling terrain along Wasatch, as I headed south. The initial climb was no problem and the downhill through the golf course was nice and easy. Mile 1 in 5:59. Then it flattened out and climbed a bit. Mile 2 6:08. I had a 180 degree turnaround in the middle of the third mile: 6:00. The fourth mile had a nice easy grade: 5:53. Mile five took me through the golf course up along Wasatch, peaking at Crestview. Ugh. I run this hill all the time, but never at tempo pace. It's a gut-kicker. Like mile 6/7 the Ogden 10 miler. Well, not quite that bad--but it is a steady half mile climb nonetheless. Anyway, even with the .3 of downhill after the climb I only managed a 6:42 for that mile. Then an easy 4 mile run home, trying to keep my form together--thinking about the drills. Total time: 1:34. Oh, at Boston yesterday, Josh Steffen ran 2:36:53, an awesome time on that course. His wife Megan ran 3:14. Great finishes.
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