West High 12x400 at 5k pace (targeting 77s) with 200 active rest. Ran to the track and warmed up another mile with James. Another unusually warm morning at about 70 degrees but a cool breeze. The first one was ok but the pace felt hard. I was ready to quit after two but perseveared. I was ready to quiit at 6 and James said two more. At 8, I stopped and took a few swigs of gatorade. By this time, Acorn had made his way to the track to do a few 200s. James was saying two more and I told him I knew what he was up to. We ran part of the 9th together and by 10 I was finally feeling strong. Ran with James and Adam intermittently. Splits were 77.1, 76.7, 75.2, 76.7, 78.4, 75.4, 79, 76.8, 78.4, 75.7, 77.2, 73.7. A bit all over the place but the right stimulus I think with a 76.7 average (5:08ish pace). Glad to get through this when I wasn't feeling it. After the 12th, I finished off with a 200 in 34.1 to get a full 5k of speed.
Thanks to James and Adam for helping get me through that one.
I have failed to mention that I started training for the Top of Utah Marathon officially on Sunday. I am equal parts excited for and dreading another long marathon build up. Presumably, I am getting closer to my plateau times but I think there are still things I can improve upon and a 2:29 at TOU seems like the right stretch goal to me.
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