Dixies Dashing Diary

Could not wake up to run. I actually got up three times. The third time I went out and ran a total of .84 miles and just came right home and went back to sleep for another half hour. So...toight I got a 9 miler in. I'm trying to slow down on my non speed days but I find it takes more discipline then running faster. I'm so afraid to get used to running at that bogged down pace that I keep gradually going faster throughout the run if I don't keep an I on the clock.

Time:  8:00 pm  Total Time:  1:16:16 (8:06 avg)

Temp: 71º Humidity: 65%

Very tired. My legs are very tired. I've got to get more sleep/rest. I feel like I'm simply surviving this training rather than enjoying it. I need to snap out of this.

I slowed down some today. I need to slow down more so I can increase milage without increasing intensity. This is supposed to be a 60 mile week!

Time 5:41 am  Total Time: 1:23:35 (8:15 avg)

Temp: 68   Humidity: 73%

Had my weekly tempo run today. Last night I really wasn't sure I could do this today. I even called Mark to seek sympathy in hopes that he would say, "Na, bag it. You don't need no stinking tempo run." I got none and he didn't say that... I did some easy but fairly thorough stretching before bedtime and that seemed to help by morning.

Did one mile warm up at 8:41 pace and then started a 7 mile tempo (supposed to be 8 but that's another part of the story). Splits were as follows:

1. 6:58
2. 6:48
3. 6:54
4. 6:59
5. 7:09
6. 7:13
7. 7:06

As you can see I gradually slowed. I think I'm just not yet in shape enough to run faster than 7 - 7:10 for this distance. I think if I had stayed around 7:10 - 7:15 I would have had no problem. I will need to be conservative for next week's race.

Time: 5:38 am  Total Time: 1:07::28 (7:24 avg)

Temp: 70  Humidity: 73%

Ran a couple of warm up miles and settled into about a 7:55 pace. Miles 7-9 I slowed down to between 8:05 & 8:15 and then ran the last mile at 7:42. My legs felt fairly well recovered from yesterday's hard run. I'll probably do 4-6 miles easy tomorrow morning in preparation for a 16-20 on Saturday.

I saw a man walking a dog today who's dog was actually smaller than the armadillo that was walking about ten yards in front of them. At first glance I though he had teh armadillo on a leash as well... Who knows? I've seen stranger things at 5:30 am.

Time: 5:39 am  Total Time: 1:21:51 (8:05 avg)

Temp: 70º  Humidity: 73%

Rest day.

Slept in till 5:20 am and met Mark P and the rest of the Striders at Starkey Park. Beautiful full moon and moderate temp made this a gorgeous morning to run. Went out at a very reasonable pace and started picking it up from 8 miles in. Picked up the last 3 to half marathon pace. My splits were 7:11, 7:09, 7:26. I'm thinking 7: 15-7:20 is probably where I'll be next weekend for the half. Great run.

Time: 6:20 am  Total Time: 2:08:35  (7:56 avg)

Temp: 66  Humidity: 76%