18.04@8:10 pace (2:27:25)
Stepping up to 18 miles. A little bit worried about this run going to 18 miles with two sets of marathon pace miles. Workout plan was 4 EZ, 6@MP, 1 EZ, 5@MP, 2 EZ, with MP being about a 7:45 pace (7:51 to just get by, a little faster if I feel really good). I was wanting to run at Starkey Park but the water situation there is not ideal with no coolers, just what you can carry, or could do Starky Blvd (with a water drop someplace) or loop through Starkey Ranch. Finally decided on Pinellas Trail. It's a pretty fun place to run, but if not starting out extra early it gets busy with walkers, roller bladers, cyclists ranging from serious to super casual and then there are people on "contraptions" - recumbent bikes, recumbent tricycles, electrified bikes and scooters, those hoverboard things.
So, first part, 4 EZ was run from WLV to the trail heading south to the water fountain at Curlew (was actually just past 4). Grabbed some water from the fountain then north I went. At 5 1/2 miles I was about a half mile north of the train tunnel, turned around to make it 6 miles and was near the water fountain outside of Wall Springs Park. First set splits: 7:48, 7:36, 7:42, 7:33, 7:39, 7:35.
So, that was a big relief, over half way done now. But, it was warming up. 68 degrees and humid for the start (felt nice standing still but you could feel it warming up after just a mile of easy running). Finished the easy mile and got going again (but just before that saw father-in-law Andy on roller blades and said hi for a few seconds).
Headed south about 3 miles, then turned back north so I'd end near the crosswalk to head back home (I had a bottle stashed there). I got through the miles but it wasn't a real feel-good experience, just ok do the job. Splits: 7:45, 7:44, 7:48, 7:35, 7:35
And then finally, the last two "easy" miles back home. The final mile went along nicely and was actually at 7:53 which is pretty close to MP pace goal.
Overall good 18 mile experience wrapping up 63 miles for the week.
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