Dixies Dashing Diary

Rest

Rest. Still really sore from race Saturday.

Took Sunday and Monday off to recover from Saturday's race. My legs are still sore.

This morning I started off at about a 9:45 pace for the first half mile or so just to loosen my legs a little. I eventually averaged out to about an 8:22 but I really focused on taking it easy and letting my legs just get the blood flowing and feeling better on the run. I'll probably do the same tomorrow.

This was supposed to be a high milage week but at this point I'm more concerned with running uninjured than hitting a milage goal.

Time: 5:53 am  Total Time:  59:45 (8:22 avg)

Temp: 73º  Humidity:  84%

Could not sleep so I did not run this morning. Got home late and found my wife had made a wonderful dinner. Had a family meal out on the pool deck and enjoyed the time together. We even called our daughter at college and had her on speaker while we all got to enjoy her virtual company.

I tried to sneak out for a quick run but the phone rang at 8 pm and it was my longtime running buddy Keith. He and I talked for about 45 minutes. While talking about running with him, another running buddy called and wanted me to call him back when I finished with Keith. By the time I was finished talking about running it was after 9 pm. I gave up the run and instead made two dozen chocolate chip cookies. Yes, I ate a bunch of them myself and slept like a baby!

Ran tonight with the Run for the Brews crew. Ran from the Dunedin House of Beer. Went out to the third bridge on Dunedin causway and picked up the pace on the way back. There was a front moving in from the Gulf so at one point the wind was so strong that the rain actually stung as it hit uncovered skin (I was shirtless so that was pretty much most of my body). Matt R was with me almost the whole way. He backed off for the last couple of miles.

Last 5 mile splits were:

1. 7:55
2. 7:37
3. 7:34
4. 7:54
5. 7:23

Time:  6:39 pm  Total Time: 1:19:41 (7:57 avg)

Temp: 70   Humidity: 83%

Wind was out of the West at a steady 10 mph with gusts of up to 16.

This past week was all about recovery. I really did not realize how much last Saturday's race took out of me. I took Monday off to have an extra recovery day and then again Wednesday I just didn't have enough sleep to get up and run in the morning. I felt great on my Thursday night run and decided to take another rest day before 20 today.

Today we started from Longleaf and though we started at  9 min pace the first mile, by mile 3 Victoria and I were running close to 8 even. Jorge and Jamie were behind us and Keith jumped in after 3. Keith helped keep us in check for a more reasonable pace until I felt the call of nature and reached for the trusted BGP (bathroom goal pace). I made it to the park just in time!

The Striders were in full compliment today as what looked like around 40 people huddled up in the dark with little glow sticks and hat clipped headlights made them look like a convention of fireflies in the middle of the pitch black shelter parking lot. It seems most everyone came out today to celebrate our first taste of winter, 48º and 50% humidity. It was glorious to run in oxygen rich, cool, dry air!!!

My run was uneventful with the exception of two things. My left achilese has begun hurting again and Keith and I ran the last mile in close to 7 minute pace! He had a phenominal run. I had a  fine last long run with a strong finish.

My last 5 mile splits were:

1. 8:29
2. 8:07
3. 7:42
4. 7:44
5. 7:09

I'm trusting that the hard work that has already been done will ready me for the race. My base, my speed work, my race last week, my coming taper, have all gone better than planned. Now it's time to trust the numbers and stay healthy.