Freethinker ~ Freerunner

My original goal when I set this training run last week was to attempt to run 13.1 at my goal race pace.  That goal had to be put off when on Wednesday of this week I realized my right calf was possibly injured or strained and needed a few days rest.  On resuming my training I wanted to approach my runs somewhat cautiously as to run at a pace that won't re-injure my calf. 

So I ran this morning at an average moving pace of 7:24 instead of 6:52.  I got rained on the last 40 minutes of my run, but it was nothing like the gully washer style down poor that soaked my bones last week.   

I felt my right calf a little but I never felt any pain.  I am going to proceed cautiously.  I may decide to rest tomorrow instead of running my easy three.  

I'm proud of my run today.  I ran four 1600's at an average pace of 6:15 with 1:30 rest between each repeat.  My goal was to run them in 6:23 or less since that is my goal pace for the 5K race coming up in under two weeks.  I believe I am on target to snap my 20 minute 5K which has been my goal since last August.  My workout today included one warm up mile and one cool down mile run in 7:52 and 8:42 respectively.   

Splits: 

6:10

6:14

6:16

6:23

This morning I ran an easy 3 miles at an 8:27 pace.  When I woke up my calves felt sore, but not too sore to run.  I'm going to ice them both tonight and hopefully run a good tempo run tomorrow.  

I'm stoked about my tempo run this morning.  My goal was to begin at 8:30 pace and drop in 30 second increments each mile until peaking at 6:30.  At 6:30 the goal was then to move back up in 30 second increments until the 55 minute mark.  I pretty much nailed my pace goals coming within five seconds on the two fastest pace miles.  

Splits: 

8:11

7:52

7:28

7:05

6:35

6:59

7:24

My schedule called for a 5 mile pace run today, but I conked out at 3.26 miles.  I made the mistake of thinking too far ahead to runs and races that are up coming.  First I started thinking about the vicious speed runs I had already done this week.  Then I started thinking about my long run tomorrow morning with 30 minutes of a grueling fast finish.  Then I started thinking about upcoming races and it just all hit me at once.  I had to stop at 3.26 miles and walk home.  Some days you just can't bust out your workouts as fast and efficiently as you would like, but I've never just felt the need to stop before a workout was finished.  I'll make it up to my self tomorrow morning by having a great long run with a fast finish.