Believe to Achieve

Last long run with Jessica.  : D.  Said a prayer because I was so tired getting ready. And guess what? the SUN beamed through the clouds and over the mountains and the clouds rolled away and we had a wonderful run albeit a little chilly (34 degrees at start, better than 28 degrees at 7am).  We left at 8:35am. Ran our usual route.  Why fix what ain't broken right?   We have just the right amount of hills in this run to simulate Boston and heartbreak hill and other rollers.  Last four picked it up but ap already at 8:01 :D at 16 miles.  7:09, 7:09, 6:55, 6:52. ap for 20 - 7:49; 2:36:27/20 miles.  Three brief stops well one slightly longer probably five minutes but it was all for the good.  We love our 16 mile bathroom stop at the midsection of 1100 north off the canal.  IT WAS a beautiful run.  Now I need to go get adjusted...my knee is still out from me shutting the car door on it skiing exactly four weeks ago.   Yup I like to try and ignore things but it is messing with my IT band on the left so gotta be smart and go.  THREE WEEKS til Boston.  3:10 goal if good weather.  3:20 if a heat wave :D.  Sub 3:10 if I believe in miracles :D.

5 in Easter Eggs.  Not liking them.  No cushion between me and road.  Hmmm???  anyway worried my joints will pay the price.  Easy pace recovery.  No watch.  Two of the miles with Amber. Run was after busy 12.5 hour day at work.  

Easter shoes 9 hours later.  Easy run.  BRRRrr!!!  34 degrees.  AP 8:21.  Still don't think I can run in these shoes for a marathon.  Love the way they fit though, just need cushion for my spine.  But not in any pain in them at work after running twice in them.  Just subtle twinges.  This run was at 430am.  : D.

Easter Eggs.  Hill work at Gold's on TM.  Warmed up quick for me starting at 7:41 pace (1%incline) and upping pace every 1/2 mile by 0.2 mph til three miles and last 0.25 increased pace to 6:15pace. Went right back to 7.5mph to do a 1/4 mile recovery(done after every hill).  Went right into hills.  6 x 0.25 miles at 5%.  First two at 7:08 pace (8.4) second two at 7:03 (8.5), then one at 6:58 (8.6) and one at 6:50 (between 8.7-8.8).  Felt AWESOME and STRONG!!  Recovery at 8:00 pace 1%.  Cooled down one mile at 7:50 ap I think then decided to do a quick mile started at 9.2 mph x .33 miles then 9.3 x 0.33 miles then 9.4-9.6 for last 0.33 so pace about a 6:24 :D.  Ran 1/4 mile cool down and walked a 1/4 mile.  First six miles in 44:09 (no stops) then one minute break then the 2.25 miles.  Forgot time there.  Some squats and 10 pushups.  Stretches before and after run.  Sun came out and I stood in the parking lot with a nice relaxing tune and the sun in my face. :D.

Easter Eggs.  945am. Ran two miles around neighborhood and ended at Amber's school to do mile with her.  Ran too fast for her the first 0.2 miles which made her slow too much sadly (my fault). Next time I won't be caught up in staying with the top three boys. I was just hoping Amber could stay at the 6:20 pace....but even the boys slowed and finished in 6:49 to 6:51.  Amber wanted to beat her 7:04 so I stayed up where it was exactly 7:00 pace.  She finished in 7:08.  I was 7:00 (garmin hit mile three seconds earlier however :D so 6:57).   Felt really easy for me even on the uneven grass around in a circle 2.5 times.   Hopefully this is marathon pace for me :D.  Ran another two miles back the long way to home.  AP for all five well under 8:00.  Probably 7:48.  Loving taper time. Getting used to new shoes.  Feeling the ground not so bad now.

Easter egg shoes. .worked very busy 14 hour shift got home 1.75 hours later than usual. ate three pieces of homemade pizza. thought i would not run but an hour later at 9:15 pm i laced up and just got it done. stomach rebelled after first two miles and was spasming with need to explode . But legs and heart feeling really good. no nausea just cramping from a fat full tummy. 1/2 mile warmup.then 7:03, 6:56, 6:54, 6:52. felt easy and controlled not at all all out . it was super dark and crisp out sky full with stars so clear. flat to rolling course just like boston.