Of Mice and Marathons

PM: 16 miles, averaged 8:08. HR 155.

130' w/ 90' Steady (Averaged 7:41. HR 161)

Quite humid but cool and on the cusp of raining, which it finally did a bit during the cool down. Did the workout linking a series of neighborhood loops, which worked very well. Mostly flat with one small hill. Kept things around 155 PM to low 160s, only pushing into the upper 160s in the last few minutes. 

My shoes were squishing the last 40' of the steady portion, which was annoying and felt like I was slipping the whole time. Miles 5-14 were all in the mid to low-7:40s, other than a 7:41. The first portion was around 8' pace. I was pretty pleased to see the consistency os splits and the paces being solidly in the 7:30s. 5 seconds faster than last week and an additional 10' and 2 BPM lower. Lots of work to do, but this is promising. 

AM: 5.8 miles, averaged 11:16. HR 121.

Trying to set some running goals. Just not sure what direction to go. Still tempted to try an ultra or a trail marathon. Still really not sure if I want to give the marathon another crack or not. I wouldn't mind taking a crack at breaking 75' in the half marathon in 12-18 months time (or whatever it takes). Not really sure about shorter distances, though I am not against focusing on those either. Time will tell.

PM: 120' on the trainer (Polar Bear -3). 219W. HR 136.

I was going to run before, but I took a very long nap and then mowed the lawn. Two hours pretty steadt zone 2 will work. Running workout tomorrow.

AM: 11.3 miles, averaged 8:55. HR 152. 

8 x 5'

Got through last week's workout. Did these on a different section of one of the neighborhoods, which ended up working out quite well. Loop is just over a mile. Tried to run with average lap pace, but it was doing the full running lap for workout, which wasn't helpful, so I just tried to dial in perceived effort and heart rate. It was decently humid and the dew point was up, but managable. This loop has a little bit more shade at least in places, so I think it will serve me better.

The last one seemed a little faster than I thought, but I was trying to push a bit. I did make an early turn on that one as I was going to be too far out for the 20' cool down. Either way, I am sure it was faster than the first 6.

7:13 @ 159; 7:14 @ 162; 7:10 @ 164; 7:03 @ 167; 7:04 @ 169; 7:08 @ 169; 7:01 @ 173; 6:43 @ 175

PM: 60' on the trainer. 166W. HR 111.

Solid day overall. Felt very good about the workout. Potty training went okay. On the warmup I wasn't sure if I needed a secondary poop myself, so these things definitely take time. 

PM: 6 miles, averaged 10:51. HR 135.

Evening: 3 hours 40'. 175W. HR 146.

Thursday Night Dirt

Loop Data: 19.3 MPH, 224W. HR 164

A group started at a sane pace and picked up. I pushed too hard on the short Dequindre climb and then the group went by me and I couldn't get back in the paceline and that was that. Did a bit better than the week before. I worked with a guy here and there and then latched on to one of my team mates toward the end and we traded some hard pulls, which was fun. The bar was fun after. Only four of us though this week.

AM: 6.7 miles, averaged 9:39. HR 134.

HR seemed a bit low, but I felt a good bit more comfortable than yesterday (air was better) if slightly hungover.

I signed up for a half marathon this November. Churchill's half in Ohio, the second oldest half marathon in the US. Going to try to build fitness and reevaluate from there. Quite excited actually, even though I won't be in decent shape. I definitely want to run under 1:30, but I highly doubt I will be running under 1:20, unless I drop 20 lbs. I'd be happy to run 6:30s at that point I think and then work on getting back under 80' next spring.

AM/Lunch: 15 miles, averaged 9:00. HR 151.

Supposed to do 2 hours, but the loop I picked out ended up being longer than I thought. I did end up walking a mile or so. Some sun, and then overcast and some rain at the end. Could have used more to cool me down. Had some words with a guy in a truck who cut me off at a crosswalk. It's been a while since I have had an altercation. That kind of ruined my run even though I tried not to let it. I wasn't in a good mood anyway. Dad's mobility is almost non-existent and he is sleeping a lot, which is essential what happen with my grandfather's dimentia (different kind) before he died.