Clyde's Comeback!

A.M. Bloomington loop + a little. Had an ok run this morning. But it was windy and the wind really started to bug. By the time I got over to the freeway I had to do a bathroom stop so I ran over into Flying J. Then going down the south part of Sugar Leo I was just doing easy pace but the wind was pounding me. This was part of the same loop I did the other day as tempo. But the wind was blowing worse that day and I was trying to run harder. So it made me feel a little better about last weeks workout. Nonetheless I was happy to turn north for a few back up into B-hills. But then one I hit River Road back to the house the wind just thumped me. O how I do hate it.  

4.7 miles on the treadmill this evening. I wasn't going out in the rain and wind. It made me really glad I got a longish run in this morning so I didn't have to do as many on the machine. Did some air guitar while running and listening to some Zeppelin and just about fell off the sucker.  

B-hills/ river loop. Kind of chilly out this morning. 35F for the overnight low and frosty. Hopefully it didn't kill any of my veggies in the garden or the pretty pink tulips in the yard. Anyways the run was o.k. I wore some new Brooks Sumons shoes. Hated them. Felt way too flat and had no forward roll. I love the new Launch and Defyance but the Sumons is for someones else. 

P.M. Same loop as this morning. Kind of windy kind of sunny. I used the shovel way too long today and so I was dead on the run.  

Was going to do 20 this morning but just felt trashed. Ran this afternoon. Out and back in to B-hills. Kept the pace fairly quick because I was short on time. Not a full tempo but a solid push. Need to finish the week stronger and try and race on Saturday. 

A.M. B-hills/ River loop. Finally a nice (no wind) morning. I didn't wear gloves and paid the price because the hands were chilly but other than that the run was great. Legs were a little sleepy through 4 miles but then they woke up and I felt very good through the finish. 

P.M. Club run at the DC. We just did the standard Bloomington loop. We took it out fairly chill and then the pace kind of just kept creeping up. I felt good and never felt labored so I didn't think much of it. About a mile before we finished my lunch had to come out... so I hit a potty stop up in the rocks. So much fun! Then I just jogged in after that. Ended up with a 6:49 avg for the run.  

B-hills/ River loop. Nothing really to report. I felt kind of dead. Most likely I won't run later today so I can try and race tomorrow.... we'll see how that goes. I just want to get a solid push out of the body and legs to kind of see where I'm at. 

2.8 mile warm up

6.2 race miles

6.4 mile cool down

Well the goal for the race today was to just go out and have a positive experience and to see where I'm at. That simple. I got a semi ok warm up in and hit the potty 3 times and the weather was basically perfect. So how did it all boil down? Pretty good I guess. I got beat by around 15 seconds by the winner (Kyle who's last name escapes me) but I PR'd (on this course) and got some solid race miles in. Now the PR thing is kind of jaded because last time I ran the course in 2008 I was at the end of a 120 mile week and we ran the entire course as a warm up that day. So kind of not apples to apples but a PR nonetheless.

Splits-

1. 5:21- pretty solid first mile. I just kind of hung back for the first little while and then pushed the uphill.

2. 5:11- Me and Kyle are out in front now. The course kind of rolls through housing development. Split is kind of quick...

3. 5:30- This mile actually drops the most but I must have finally got control of my brain and settled into a wiser pace.

4. 5:40- From mile 4 to 6 is basically a long climb. So this mile is a pretty good effort on the fist part of the long hill. At this point Kyle kind of goes around me and gets up about 10 seconds on me. 

5. 6:14- Hill gets steeper here and I get more wore down. Kyle still up I want to go get him but I'm to weak mentally to do it. (that's what not racing for a year and a half does to a guy) Makes him weak.   

6. 5:55- Finish off the hill and then a level section back over to where the finish is. I still really feel like I could kick and catch up to Kyle but instead I just don't.

5:23 pace for the last portion of the race where it drops down to the parking lot. I feel pretty good and finally caught my breath from the uphill. 

2008 splits- 5:16, 5:07, 5:30, 5:45, 6:14, 5:49 (total of 34:29) Interesting that 5th mile was an identical time:)

 So I'm pretty happy about getting in some solid race miles. I hit an ok week mileage wise. Like I said the PR is kind of skewed. I mean do I feel like I'm in lifetime PR shape... NO. I was in way better overall shape back in '08 but this is a positive after not racing for so long. I'm heading in the right direction and looking forward to a little different type of training than I did way back then too. 

Lots of friends out this morning and that always makes for a fun time. Good job everyone!