Ran with Curtis, 6.2k warm up, then 3 x 5k. The goal was to slowly ease into 3:50 pace and not go faster than that. 3:50 pace is 19:10/5k, and is roughly my marathon pace. I felt quite discomboblulated in the first rep, like fast running was foreign to my legs. Had one or two twinges in my hamstring but ok. We jumped right into 3:50 pace, but ended up at 19:20 (3:52 pace, 4 min rest). 2nd rep was 19:11 (with one shoe fully untied for 3k, so annoying!, 5:11 rest), and third was 18:50 (3:46 pace).
Honestly, I felt smoother with each rep, but I was disturbed by the amount of effort needed to sustain 3:50 pace. It did not feel like marathon pace, but more like 1/2 marathon pace. I didn't like how labored my breathing is. I am sure I have lost a bit of fitness, perhaps just 5% but when it is from your top fitness, you can feel the difference. Plus I am a couple of pounds up. I am very happy to be back into training, though, and hope my legs can continue to handle it.
Massage after workout
PM: core, walk with hubby, stretching |