Believe to Achieve

Was worried about this run with JulieE and Melanie.  I mean the last time I ran just with them I was like breaking through a pixie stick.  Basically worried because of two long shifts and lack of sleep.  But last night I somehow got in bed at 9:45pm and fell asleep close to 10pm. I was watching the clock, telling myself to hurry up and fall  asleep. Because my dreams were pretty active I awoke at 410am feeling like I hadn't really slept. But obviously I did.  I tried to fall back to sleep, since I didn't need to be awake until 5am.  We were meeting at 5:30am at South Fork (Vivian Park).  Oh well at least I got 6 hours.  Got to the park on time and Mel and Julie were just a few minutes later.  We ran UP the canyon 3.32 miles.  I told them I was going to do what I usually do and not run with them for the warmup.  So my AP was nice and easy (first mile being 9:14  : D)-- AP for 3.32 = 8:39.  We then got water at the park and stretched briefly and went right into our 12 @ MP miles.  We were going to try very hard to keep it at 6:48 to 6:52.  Well, it was just too darn easy.  And I was having one of my good days.   I think I get one of these every 10 weeks or so.  How is that I wonder?   So basically another BREAKTHROUGH run for me.  I stayed up with Mel and Julie the whole time, which I thought was going to be next to impossible and never once did I feel like I wouldn't make it or want to quit.  I felt better than Speedy Spaniard or Byrce Canyon half.  In fact my pace was only ONE minute off my Bryce Canyon time and that HALF is WICKED downhill, unlike this course today.  The first three miles were our slowest and they were the ones that were great downhill.  On all the flatter to gradual downhill miles we were at 6:30-32.  SERIOULSY?  How is that?  I don't know.  I just felt great the whole time.  Melanie said I just ran too much before Bryce Half and shouldn't have run 16 miles two days before the race.  Probably true but I was trying to RACE THRU my training.  I was terribly fatigued for Bryce.  Not a way to start a PR half marathon.  So  I definitely think I can so get a 1:24 at Hobble Creek with a brief taper and NO ridiculous mileage a few days before.  Even Speedy Spaniard was run with a 21 miler at 7:23 AP two days before.  Hence why the fatigue there.  Today, NO fatigue and my body was loving it.  I ran two easy runs the last two days and I was ready to go.  Even though in my thoughts I was worried about my speedstar running company.  I was happy I could finally stay with them : D.  AP for 12 miles= 6:39 --one mile we turned up by Bridal Veil falls on the old road (Provo half marathon course) and the head wind was ferocious and our pace once read 7:54!!  We eventually got it down to a 7:12 for that mile.  Geez.  Oddly are other miles there was no wind as we were up against the mountain on the trail.  We didn't feel a tail wind until about mile 11.5 coming out of the mouth of the canyon after running under the bridge.    So loved every bit of this run.  So beautiful so relaxing.   Here are MY splits:  6:37, 6:44, 6:36, 6:47, 6:42, 6:41, 7:12, 6:34, 6:31, 6:32, 6:30, 6:31!!  :  D.  AP once again 6:39.   Cooled down .7 miles.  Total 16 miles.  The pace felt nice and controlled, no regrets or thoughts that we were pushing it too hard.  I could have run at least 5 more miles at AP of 6:45.  What a way to start the day.   Julie drove us back to our cars at South Fork then we iced in the river at another park down the canyon for 8 minutes.  Brrrr!!  Took a warm shower to thaw out.  I am hungry now.  I ate but am still hungry.  Took only one gu on the run and two sips of gatorade, a  little bit of water.   I might take a short nap to rejuvenate.