Freethinker ~ Freerunner

8:01 AP. 72 degrees, 72% humidity.  

This was my last run in Branson, and I must admit I was a little nervous about it the night before.  I was nervous because the hills are atrocious out here, and I had just come off what was a pretty intense week for me on said hills.  I was afraid I might not be able to make my goal pace.  No matter though.  I was able to maintain my goal pace up to the end even with the extra distance, which was a nice boost for me psychologically.  I ended up running a little too far out on a particular out and back on my course and overshot my goal distance by almost a mile.

First 5 splits: 8:23 AP

8:43, 8:14, 8:17, 8:19, 8:24

Second 5 splits: 8:00 AP

8:05, 8:13, 7:59, 7:57, 7:49

Last 5 full mile splits: 7:48 AP

7:47, 7:39, 7:38, 7:39, 7:48

If you include the last .79 mile average mile pace, my final 6 splits AP would be 7:42.

When I realized I was going to go beyond my 15 mile goal distance I almost decided to walk back the final .79 miles, but I did not want to wait that long to get back.  I also needed to get back so we could load our stuff and drive home.  I should have gone ahead and just finished out the last mile, but I figured I couldn't waist anymore time and I was over expending unnecessary energy with every step that I took. 

General aerobic run with 10 striders of approximately 140 meters each at the end.  I jogged for an equal period between repeats.  I ran most of this run at around an 8:00 AP before the sprints at the end.  I felt good throughout the whole workout including the end.  The end was challenging, but not completely over taxing on my body.  I'm enjoying the payoff from all that hill running I did last week in Branson.       

Temperature 82 degrees.  AP 7:50.  

7:50

8:09

7:53

7:57

8:15

8:02

7:26

7:22

.34 at 6:57

Mid-week MLR.  AP 8:05.  82 degrees.  I felt like I was dragging during the first few miles, and I was never able to make up for it during the middle and end.  I should have been able to pace this one faster than the 15.78 mile run (AP 8:01) on Sunday and on hillier terrain.   

I think I can chalk it up to a combination of factors.  The first might be that I ran a little too fast on the aerobic run yesterday (AP of 7:51).  The second is that I spent some time at the pool in the sun after the run yesterday.  The third was that my home's AC unit croaked at about 5:00 PM yesterday and I had to sleep in warm conditions for which I am not acclimated to.  I will be taking it nice and easy tomorrow on my recovery run.     

Recovery run.  82 degrees. 56% humidity.  AP 8:50. 

It really felt so good to wake up this morning in an air conditioned house.  I think the heat on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning must have had an effect on my Wednesday morning run.  

General aerobic run.  AP 8:04.  Temperature 75 (nice) Humidity 92% (not nice). 

I felt pretty good through most of this run.  My last two miles were my fastest at 7:49 and 7:52.  I got in a good workout and did not finish feeling overly exhausted, which is the point of this type of run.

I'm looking at getting a heart rate monitor to train with.  I can buy one for my 110 as an add on, or I might just spring for a new watch.  I read reviews of the 305 and it seems like a better watch with many more features.  One appealing thing about the 305 is that it works well for both cycling and running.  The main attraction for me right now is that it displays the heart rate on the screen at all times, whereas the 110 has to be switched over from the timer to the heart rate by pushing the menu button.  I'm not sure if this will be irritating to me to have to toggle between the screens while running.  If anyone has any suggestions I'd appreciate the input.   

Recovery run.  72 degrees.  76% humidity.  8:38 AP.   54 Miles to close out the week.