I only run on days that end in a "y."

Went out the BS pool at 7 am but no one else showed.  I ended up doing the 11 mile loop around the trail.  Actually ran in some rain which is something we have not seen around here for over 45 days.  I guess it was a good day to run - I broke my not-running cycle as well.

6 around the trail at lunchtime.  Warm and sunny but a nice cool breeze.  Legs a bit sore from yesterday.  Amazing how quickly one loses fitness.

Didn't get a chance to run today.

Met with with the old group today at Barton Springs pool.  60's and humid at 5 :30 am.  Today was our annual Christmas run where we have coffee, hot chocolate, mimosas, cookies, etc. after our run.  22 people showed - a new record.  A great time was had by all.

8 miles - 7:00's - good run.

Woke up at 5 to go running - opened the door and almost got blown over - patio furniture was moved across the deck, too.  And it was cold.  Went to the couch and got under a nice and warm blanket.

 So, since I wimped out in the am I decided to go for a run at lunchtime around the trail.  I ran the 7 mile loop plus to and from the trail - so another 1/2 mile I would say - in 54 minutes - so around 7:12 average.

Then I got back to work and realized I had dropped my badge.  So I went back out thinking I new where it was since I had taken my phone out of my back pocket along the trail.  It wasn't there so I continued on the route that  I finished and I found it at the very end.  At least I found it - I probably ran an extra mile trying to. 

6.5 miles at lunchtime.

I knew this would be a tough workout considering my time off and just not being in the kind of shape that I was in, and struggling through a chest infection of some kind.  (Yeah, I know, lots of excuses!!)  Indeed, the coach told me to just run this as an easy run as her rule is one easy day for every day off.  But I figured I would run the first part of the workout and see how it felt.

We met up at the coaches house for various workouts.  Those training for 3M had to run 3 x 3 mile tempo runs through a hilly course with 5 mins recovery in between.   The last portion was a nice long steady climb before turning and finishing a couple hundred meters down a nice decline.  But that climb was a killer.  I made it through 2 loops and told myself I would just take it easy on the last loop but I tried to keep some kind of pace going.  The lead group that I was able to keep up with earlier this fall was way ahead.  Kinda disheartening.  

1 mile warm up followed by 3 x 3 mile hilly loops: mile one down hill, mile 2 killer hills, mile 3 some down and the long climb at the end

1st 3 mile loop: 6:17, 6:40, 6:30 

2cd 3 mile loop:  6:13, 6:39, 6:20

3rd 3 mile loop:  6:20, 6:45, 6:25

When I look at my splits and not compare myself to the other runners I think I did pretty well considering the time off, etc. 

Everyone brought lots of breakfast goodies and there was a buffet laid out on the dining room table in the coaches house.  I guess this is a yearly tradition.  I had time to swish down some coffee and eat a bagel before I had to head home so my wife could get to her workout class.  

I didn't even have time for any cool down miles.  Still, 50 miles for the week on my first week back is a good effort.