The Long Run

 Jenny and I flip-flopped our runs this weekend, so I did my long run Sunday instead of Saturday.  Dixie was nice enough to switch his long run also.  We met up at Coachman Park in  Clearwater.  Got going just after 6:00.  Dixie had to be back in his car no later than 8:00.  I felt sluggish at first and had trouble shaking the feeling.  Due to time constraints, instead of doing a loop course we did out and back, with a turn around at 6 miles so Dixie could meet his departure time.

Finally started feeling some life in my legs about 7 miles.  We gradually picked up the pace and actually accelerated up the Clearwater Memorial Bridge.  Felt good when we hit the top, then pushed the pace a bit on the downhill side and finished up back in the parking lot.

I had thought about cutting the total mileage for the run short and just leaving it at 12.  Decided I'd just take it easy for the last 3.  Went out a mile and a half, back up and over the bridge then turned around to head back.  Felt great again going up the bridge and sped up on the downhill like the last time.

I think next time if I start out feeling sluggish I'll run back up the bridge a few times before I'm awake.

Average pace: 8:20

 Ran with Jenny in the neighborhood.  We slept in a bit (until 7:15).  Got going about 8 and took it easy.  My legs felt better than I thought they would.  Will get another 4 miles in later tonight.

Average pace: 9:00

P.M. - as promised, did my evening run.  Went to the Y and ran on the treadmill, the run kind of just flowed along (in other words, it didn't suck!), wish I had more runs like this.

 Average pace: 8:24

Another mid-week 15 mile run.  I think I only have one more of these during this training plan (for Boston).

I was afraid that this run might hurt (my legs that is).  Woke up with the best attitude I could muster, and headed out the door 15 minutes before Jenny with a plan of running into her and Jamie about 15 minutes later.  That plan did not quite work out.  Something about running in the opposite direction being a bit too vague.  Opposite to what?  The direction I usually run or the direction that she was going to run?  In any event, it was actually kind of fun, even though it didn't work out.

I did eventually run into them around the time they were on their last mile.  So, I ran with them a bit and then headed back out.

My legs did feel tired about half way through the run, but it didn't slow me down, fortunately.  Weather-wise, it was a beautiful morning out and I was grateful to be able to run and finish 15 miles.

Average pace: 8:14

Shorter run today. Misty fog.  Did a  warm up, then ran 2.5 of Jenny's tempo run before heading back.

Average pace: 8:19

Did some upper body work after the run

Got going early, motivated with the fact that this is my last long tempo run for a while. Warm up over to Longleaf, then ran 7 miles @ 6:48, wanted to get 6:45 or better but this was close enough, and the last 3 miles were the best, so glad I didn't fade.

The first mile was right at 6:48, but the next 3 miles were in the 6:50's.  I picked it up after the turnaround at 4 miles, then with just over 2 miles left, ran into Dixie who turned around and ran with me for the remainder.  Pushed it a bit on the last mile for a 6:34 pace.

The weather turned cooler as I headed back home for the two mile cool down return trip back home.

Another short run.  Slept in late and started about 6:45.  Legs felt pretty good.  Wanted to take it easy since tomorrow's run will be long.

Average pace: 8:20

Did another upper body workout after the run.

Long run for end of a long week.  Just over 22 miles, new longest long run for me in training.  It went pretty well.  Headed up to the Suncoast trail near Brooksville.  Started running just before 7:00 and started out heading south so I could come back and top off my water.

I ran into a few dogs that were out by themselves.  I also saw some small pigs and a pen and a few cows that were near a fence.  The biggest cow was looking at me suspiciously, not sure why though.

Felt comfortable picking it up a bit on the way back, with the very last mile right about 7:00.

Average pace: 7:56

Headed over to the 7-11 nearby afterward for a chocolate milk and a banana, quite refreshing.