Of Mice and Marathons

PM: 16 miles slow. HR 148.

AM: Wiss Trails - 8.5 miles at gentlemanly trail runner pace. HR 135.

PM: Treadmill - 5 miles. Strides and hill blasts. Stretching.

AM: Off

PM: Track Tuesday - 10 miles. 4.3 up, 6 x 800 w/ 75-80 seconds rest, 2.7 down

Took the morning off to make sure I got some writing in and to get on top of my hydration. I drink water all the time but the last few days I have had some dull headaches, which seem to be caused my dehydration (or tension perhaps)

It was 85 degrees when I left just before 6. Humidity in the 50% range. Warmed up about 1.5 and saw Leo so I started chasing him. We warmed up about 3 for him and 4.3 total for me, which is more of a "February warm up" but I felt like I needed it. Jonathan planned 8 x 800 of 60 seconds rest, which sounded nuts (assuming 5k pace) so we settled on at least 6 x 800 with 75 seconds rest and I figured 2:45 or faster was good for me.

Leo and I ran together and did: 2:43.5, 2:46.2, 2:43.6, 2:44.8, 2:45.1, 2:45.8

Jonathan ended up running 7 at 77 seconds per quarter. I was happy with what we did. I've never run 800s that fast and definitely not in that heat off shorter rest (I usually jog 2 minute recoveries).

AM: 8.5 miles. HR 138. Stretching and core.

PM: 6 miles. HR 133.

Lots of critters in the woods. I told a goose to "keep your kids out of the road." She challenged me bit, so I told her "it's cool. I'm leaving."

Day off. 29 days on. Megan and I are headed to Toledo to see her family. Probably long singles where and when I can fit them in. I've marked out a tempo loop in my in-laws' neighborhood (we usually stay with her uncle).

I found some track races at one of the local high schools. Looking at two 5000s and one 1 miler. I'm beyond excited. I'm sure in the heat and during the race it won't seem like such a good idea.

Brandywine Tempo Loop - 14 miles, averaged 7:32. HR 156

Broke in a new loop about a 1/2 mile from Megan's parents'. I want to bring it home. It's better than mine. About 1.1 for the loop. I got the rhythm of it quickly. 

4 miles @ ~9:30 with Megan

8 miles @ just under 6:22

6:24, 6:27, 6:25, 6:25, 6:25, 6:22, 6:19, 6:08

2 miles easy

HR was a bit outside of high marathon pace, but my legs weren't accumulating any lactic acid yet and I could have pushed had I been asked to. Splits were 171-173 BPM, which is supposedly low LT but it doesn't feel like it. My HR didn't really change much from 6:25 down to 6:08 (171 versus 173).

Pleased with the workout. Ate crap yesterday and had too many beers. Focusing on being (more or less good) even though it is vacation.

10 miles easy. 3 with Megan. HR 135.