7 miles / 8:09 avg. MFT. Sun, mid thirty temps, southern breeze. 

splits: 9:41, (7:45, 7:54, 7:41, 7:40, 7:30), 8:46. (5 mile "tempo" 38:30 / 7:42 avg)

Just for this week I'm going to try something different. I've always felt that a big factor in my lack of speed is my mind. I feel like I've got a weak mind when it comes to running. So I'm going to attempt to shake my lazy brain out of its lethargy this week on each run by running 5 miles straight at under an 8:00 pace (my HMP is 7:54). So for each run this week I'll run a warm up mile, which can be any pace, then 5 miles < 8:00, which will put me at 6 miles for the run, then I have the option of stopping there, or running a cool down mile, or keeping the pace going for mile 7. This means I'll be running either 6 or 7 miles each day. I'm hoping by keeping the mileage low, my body will better handle my little daily speed test. This will just be through friday, on saturday I'll run enough to get my mileage for the week to at least 50 miles. Then next week I'll ramp up the mileage again. Anyway, should be an interesting experiment -

WT 51 miles

6.5 miles / 8:12 avg. from work/rio grand prkwy. partly cloudy, 30's.

splits: 9:16, (7:58, 7:58, 7:53, 7:50, 7:56), + .5@9:12 avg.

5 mile "tempo" / 39:35 / 7:55 avg.

WT 47.5 miles

7 miles / 8:05. from work to the high school track, some laps, and back. Sun, 30's.

splits: 9:03, 7:49, 7:57, 7:42, 7:43, 7:34, 8:45

5 mile "tempo" 38:45 / 7:45 avg.

WT 49.5 miles

7 miles / 8:33 avg. bluff trail / jensen park. sun, cold. 

day 4 of experiment = massive fail (with a minor win). first the 5 mile "tempo" splits: 8:16 (fail, but I can make it up), 8:40 (holy crap!), 8:54 ( FAIL), 7:58 (ahhhh...) 7:37 (partial redemption). 5 miles / 41:27 / 8:17 avg

okay, so i felt tired starting out, but i've felt that way the last couple of days. today, i took my time on the warmup mile, i was in no hurry to get to the tempo part of my run. the first mile of the tempo i could tell that i was struggling, with an 8:16 i still had a chance to go fast enough the next 4 miles and get under an 8 minute per mile average for the 5 miles. But it wasn't to be. the second tempo mile was an 8:40! it was frustrating, i couldn't seem to get my mind to push my body at all. my form was sloppy, especially my foot strike. it was interesting because i could feel the gears in my head slipping, unable to get traction, and i don't know why. neural fatigue? towards the end of the third tempo mile i was starting to feel a little better and suddenly everything was back to normal? it was like a switch went off and all of a sudden my form was right, my brain felt strong, and i could push at will again. the last two mile were 7:58, 7:37. i'm learning a lot with this experiment this week. for example, i have found that mental focus is where it's at. this is obvious to most, and i've always known it, but i'm getting a nice practical, literal example of how important focus is. i've developed a bad habit of just letting my mind drift while running, which is good for some runs, but not ALL the time. so it's taking some work to stay on task during these tempo sections. and today was definitely about building some strength in that department as i struggled to stay focused in spite of the horrendous fail, and it paid off! also today offered me a great illustration of how different my form is when running poorly as opposed to running well.

WT 45.5 miles

7 miles / 8:10 avg. Drove to the front runner station in farmington and ran on the LPT. sunny and 50F. short sleeves, no gloves.

splits: 9:25, 7:55, 7:57, 7:51, 7:45, 7:38, 8:35

5 miles "tempo" 39:08 / 7:50 avg.

WT 44.5 miles

7.2 miles / 8:06 avg. one mile boardwalk loops at the nature preserve. overcast, 45F. Felt really loose and strong today, probably because of the low mileage, but in spite of the daily 5 mile tempo runs @ < HM pace.

splits: 9:20, 8:00, 7:35, 7:48, 7:50, 7:36, 8:35, + .2 @ 8:17.

5 miles "tempo" 38:49 / 7:46 avg.

yay the experiment is over. the main thing i've learned is that i'm a stronger runner than my mind wants me to believe i am. i'm looking forward to increasing my miles again and going into workouts with a little more confidence.

WT 41.7 miles

sick. it's been quite awhile so i guess i was due. it's all in the throat and i feel pretty run down, slightly achy joints. it started yesterday but doesn't feel any worse today so maybe by tomorrow i'll feel safe to run. super.