Ran out at Starkey Park this morning. The morning started out nice and cool at 69 degrees but with a good amount of humidity. I started out with Mike and Eric, and after about 2 miles caught up to Keith and Dixie. I hung back with Keith and Dixie and stayed with them until they turned around after 5 miles. I went another mile at the same somewhat easy pace, then started, what I hoped to be 10 miles at between 7:00 and 7:09, or until I couldn't hold that pace anymore. As I approached 6 miles, part of me did not want to pick it up, the temperature was already starting to climb and the sun was getting stronger. I was thinking that I should not start this late anymore for long runs (started at 6:45) - should probably start an hour earlier. Anyway, I did start the faster pace and it felt pretty good at first. Actually the first two miles felt pretty good. I came up to the turn around point for the run. At this point I was running along the Suncoast Parkway, where it is not very shaded. I was hoping it would feel a lot better once I turned back into Starkey Park. Third mile still felt pretty good. As I made my way into the 4th mile I was feeling a bit overheated, holding the pace was beginning to be a struggle. So, I promised myself I'd back off the pace after finishing 5 miles. 7:03, 6:44, 7:01, 7:04, 6:46 Those 6's might be in error as the pace seemed to be holding steady at about 7:00, but jumped all of the sudden as the mile was about to finish. After a brief slowdown, I got back onto about a 7:40 pace for the next mile. I stopped at the 4 mile water stopped and splashed a little bit of water on my arms and face which helped a lot. I didn't stop my watch here, so this mile came in at 8:48. Next 3 miles were pretty good, with the last mile back on pace at 7:06. But, it felt like that was all I had. Sun was way up now, temp had hit about 80, but felt hotter out in the open. Average pace: 7:39
I spent some time talking to the other runners in the picnic shelter and gulped down a bunch of ice cold gatorade that they had brought. I had hoped to be able to hold the pace, but the conditions weren't right today for that and I was pleased in a way since I ended up feeling like I had pushed harder than I had in quite some time despite this not being my fastest run ever. I was glad to make my mileage goal for the week and for the day today. Next marathon is coming up soon!
We went to Andy's belt ceremony at Tae Kwon Do, where he received his black belt. I could tell he was very proud and I was proud for him. Later that afternoon I helped Jenny to put together a small solar oven. We were going to try and bake a cookie to try it out. It started to heat up nicely but then the clouds rolled in, oh well, maybe tomorrow. At least it is finally raining now!
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