The Long Run

I decided to not race today's race, but rather enjoy a nice run while trying to help Jenny get a PR.  It was a pretty nice morning, temps in the 60's and not as much wind as there was at this race last year.

Warmed up 1.2 miles before the race with some easy running.  Lined up at the starting area with Jenny and Jamie and chatted with several people that I know from all the other races.  For the national anthem they had some sort of problem with the recording, so they asked for a volunteer to sing it, talk about some pressure.  The singer did a great job.

Race started right on time and we got onto our pace.  Plan was to do an 8:00 pace for the first third, 7:45-8:00 for the second third, and then try to go faster for the last third.

First third went just as planned, but the second third was where we ran into some wind.  So, we stayed on the same pace and would try to pick it up once we turned around at about mile 8.

Once we hit the turn around, we picked up the pace a little bit and were going strong until right about mile 11, when Jenny caught a stabbing side stitch.  She had to walk a couple of times, but was finally able to start running fully before we hit the mile 12 marker.  So, with mile 11 at 8:49, the PR had mostly slipped away. 

However, since she was able to get going again, she came within a minute of her PR and was able to stay fast enough to get 1st place for the Halfathon series.

My three previous races were enough for 2nd place in my age group for the series.  I would have needed a pretty spectacular PR today to pull into 1st but might have ended up injured, so better safe than sorry!

 Ran with Jenny. Nice, easy run. Legs a little tired even though no running yesterday, although we did do quite a bit of walking at Universal yesterday.

Average pace: 9:09

Ran with Jenny in the neighborhood, little bit faster today. Legs slightly tired, perfect weather. 

Average pace: 8:56

After the run, I finally did some upper body workout, trying to get back to normal.

I actually think my left leg is finally starting to feel a little bit better.  I was a bit worried for a while, however I've had a similar pain twice before, had it checked out by a doctor and was told I could go back to running.  So, I just backed off a bit since it started again this time - no speed work, shorter mileage, and it seems to be working.

Going to try for 11 miles tomorrow, short run on Friday and then see if I'm up for 20 on Saturday.  If that all goes well, try to get back on schedule for the rest of the time before Boston.

Slowly but surely, I'm able to start going a little bit faster and a little bit farther.  As promised yesterday, I did (just over) 11 miles this morning.

Started out with Jenny, and then we picked up Jamie as we looped around the neighborhood and headed over toward the golf course.  Ran together until 9.5 miles, then kept on going a bit farther, running with Jamie before heading back home.  Felt pretty good, except a little bit of soreness at the start of the run, and felt really good at the very end.

Average pace: 8:45

Run started out not too badly, and then got better and better as it went on.  Had a little bit of trouble getting out the door, and then a tiny bit of soreness in my left leg which went away even faster than it did yesterday.  I was running by myself today.  Weather was perfect and it was a great time of day to be running, just as it was getting light out at the start.

Average pace: 8:21

Did some upper body exercises (mainly push ups and pull ups) after the run.

So, I think I'm all set for my last 20 mile run tomorrow.   At the start of this week I wouldn't have been so sure about that.  I took Monday off from work and from running and went to Universal with Jenny and the kids on their last day of spring break, where we did lots of walking around.  That must have helped as well as several exercises that Jenny told me to do including a set of hip mobility moves.

At the start of this week I didn't picture myself getting today's run finished, but it's done now, last 20 mile run leading up to Boston.  I ran on the Suncoast trail, but started out at Anderson Snow Park, instead of the usual spot near SR 50.  There would be less hills, but still enough for variety.  It was dark when I started, and a bit foggy, which seemed to extend the darkness.  Started out really slow, felt "cloppy", first mile was about a 10:10, next mile a minute faster, then settled into the 8's for a while.

Yesterday, my legs felt great, the best they had all week, and I didn't run that far, but today they were back to feeling a bit tired.  However, there was pretty much no soreness in the left leg from whatever "injury" had been there and was threatening to sideline me, that seems to be all gone.

The trail was pleasant for the most part.  There was a person sleeping on a picnic table, which wasn't too odd, since sometimes you see people camped along the trail who are on extended bike trips, but she didn't have a bike and was there on my return trip, but awake this time.  I think she was homeless.

With two miles left to go I saw Dan F. running with a friend.  Stopped very briefly to chat with him.  Dan is one of those very inspirational runners who has done some amazingly fast races, and is also an all around great guy but has had to take it easy for a while as far as running goes.  Got going again and picked it up to just under 7:30 pace for the last two miles.

Back at the park, the parking lot was now packed with cars, there were a couple of baseball games going on.  The trail looped around just outside of the outfield fence, I worried for a second that someone would suddenly get the hit of their life and hit it right out of the park and nail me.  So, I hurried along.  I heard a coach yell out "Good eye!" to the batter waiting for a better pitch.  So, I knew I was safe and made it past the outfield ok.

Average pace: 8:11