the road goes on forever...

I have been dying to test my training in a road race. I found this one a couple of days ago and saw that it is fairly competitive each year, so I figured it was worth the hour drive.  I didn't expect to win, but appreciate the pair of Oakleys I got for first place! Definitely got my money back in sunglasses and donuts. 

Moderately hilly course. 

6:47- yucky hill at the start 

6:13- in my defense there was a large downhill portion

6:35

6:38- toughest mile

6:50- I am surprised this one was so bad, but I guess there were a few hills and a lot of sharp turns. 

Enjoyable race, I'll definitely look for it again next year. It looks like the Richmond Track Club does a good job... man do I miss living in a city with a running club :( 

I don't know 5 mile times but the comparable 5k (20:05) and 10k (41:45) times aren't where I want to be. But it does put me at a 1:33 half and I really want to go sub 1:35 in two weeks. We shall see.

Out to enjoy the rest of this BEAUTIFUL day (60 degrees!)

According to Sasha's "training mistakes" it is not too late for me to get some mileage in for my April marathon.

"If you are going from sporadic training (2-3 days a week) to consistent (6 days a week) you can in most cases go ahead and nearly double your mileage by running the same daily volume with greater frequency. If that is too much, then cut the daily volume as appropriate, usually 20-30% cut will do. Similar principle if going from single runs to training twice a day - keep the first run the same, and add some easy jogging for the second run."

This means I can add a day or two, ignoring the 10% rule, as long as those days aren't more than my normal runs. Excellent! I was worried about the extra mileage, but it seems as though it shouldn't affect me too much if it is just an extra 5 or 6 miler (or two).  Here's to a new goal of ~35 miles this week :)

Planned on doing 5, but my running partner refused to do his mile and instead sat his furry stubborn behind in the middle of the road and refused to move.

This week of running has been dominated by work :( Of course that happens when we have perfect weather.

As long as my long run goes okay Saturday my mileage will be fine.  

8:11 avg.  

Hit a wall around 16 and struggled for the final 3. Last mile was 8:40.