AM - 6.5 miles. Horsepark loops. PM - 14 miles. Warmed up 1.5 miles, did a few strides, then went right into the workout - 2 x 5 miles in 26:16, 26:15 with a one mile jog in-between. Splits - 5:14, 5:19, 5:17, 5:17, 5:10, easy mile in 6:50, then 5:16, 5:17, 5:16, 5:14, 5:12. Cooled down another 1.5 miles. Hot and windy this afternoon. I felt like I was battling a head-wind the whole time. I was very salty by the time I was finished. For both marathons last year, I did this workout 10 days before the race, and had a tendency to really hammer the second 5 mile segment... maybe too fast when I did it before Philly, looking back at that workout now. Since I did it a little further out, and on more tired legs this time, there was no point in being a workout hero today. I feel like I put in a good effort and got what I needed out of this without over-doing it. The wind made it more challenging than the previous times I've done this. The key for the next 2 weeks is the find the balance of enough faster running, but err on the side of doing slightly too little. Next week I'll do one workout, most likely, where I let 'em rip a bit. Found out today that I will not be getting any fluid bottles on the course at Boston, "due to the depth and strength of the field." I didn't make the cut. Honestly, I think its fair. If I want to be get these kind of perks, I should run some elite-level times before I go asking for special treatment. Walk the walk before I talk the talk. I'll get my chance to do that very soon. Group run tomorrow (10-15 miles) - 8:00am at Highland HS.
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