The Long Run

Not a bad run for a Monday morning.  I was a little bit slow in moving through my morning routine but I got there eventually.   Rode my bike to the Y, did some stretching and core work inside then did 4.23 miles on the treadmill at about an 8:15 pace.

Went outside for another 4.15 miles at a 7:53 pace.

Back inside to cool down from the run and do a few weights.

No complaints this morning, nothing hurt and the temperature and humidity were not that bad. 

I was supposed to meet Dixie at the Lansbrook Y this morning at 6:00.  I got there just before 6:00 and saw his car but did not see him.  I looked around a bit for him.  I did however see Bob who happened to be running by so I ran with him for a bit.  We ran together about 2.5 miles before he split off for home.  I kept going but I was feeling a bit sluggish this morning.  Since I was planning on running with other people I didn't have any music with me but it wasn't the end of the world.   I was finally feeling a little more awake with one mile left to go.

Average pace: 8:41 

The temperature was pretty good and the humidity wasn't any worse than normal but something had drained my usual energy from me.   But, I got the job done and am hopeful that I have gotten  my periodic not so great run out of the way. 

Pretty good tempo run today.  On the plus side, I have often had to skip this particular tempo run in relation to how far out the next marathon is due to some minor injury or feeling like my body wasn't ready.  I felt ready today so I guess that puts me a little bit ahead of the game.

Since it is starting to get light a little bit later I did not ride my bike to the Y.  I need to get some lights for my bike or something for safety.  So I drove there and warmed up inside and did some stretching.  It was almost 7:00 by the time I actually started my run.   Plan was at least 2 easy miles with 5 miles of tempo at 6:56 pace in between.

Warmed up with about 1.5 miles then started the tempo.  I felt really good starting out and went out a little bit too fast (6:43).  Into the second mile it started to get harder, third mile was a struggle to make the pace.  At the beginning of the 4th mile I had to bargain with myself to just finish that mile, take a short break and then do the 5th mile.  So, that's what I did.  Short break after the 4th mile (about 1 minute) then I did the 5th mile feeling a bit better.   The sun was up and depending on what shade there was the sun was hitting me pretty hard.  Some of it was psychological as I have run through similar weather before.

Splits were: 6:43, 6:47, 6:55, 6:55, 6:50

Cooled down with a little bit more than a mile, then went back inside for some more cooling down. 

Met up with the Striders at the Longleaf pool area.  Lots of people today.  I started out with Bob, Dixie, David, Keith, Randy and a friend of Randy's.  We ran up Starkey Blvd to Alico pass where David had stashed some water.  I have no idea of the pace on the way up because I couldn't manage to get my garmin to lock onto a signal.  On the way back Keith had left before us so Dixie and I spent the time trying to close up the gap.   We ended up doing two faster miles trying to catch him (7:34 and 7:24), then slowed down once we were back inside Longleaf.

Hung out for a bit enjoying some coffee, nut bread, and muffins that people had brought. 

Day off from running but not exercise.  Biked up to the Y did some weights and core work then biked home.

Big run tomorrow!

This morning's run almost looked like it was going to be a disaster.  I met up with David and Dixie at 5:30 near the Lansbrook Y.  A nice and early start, but it was already 83°, a good amount of humidity (although slightly less than expected).  The air felt very still and heavy.  Oh, well, just get moving so that's what we did.  Started out with a pretty easy pace for the first two miles then settled into about an 8:30 pace.   Headed up East Lake Rd to the last neighborhood before Tarpon Ave. where there are a couple of small hills.  We looped around that neighborhood twice then headed back.

We got back to the Y and Dixie said good bye as he was just doing 10 today.  David and I continued on towards John Chestnut park which has some nice shade.  We had noticed that sometime shortly after the sun came up it actually cooled maybe because a breeze started, but whatever it was it was a lot easier to run.  We finished up 6 miles and made it back to the parking lot, then I split off from David for 2 more.   I did the last couple at marathon pace.

Average pace: 8.25