Runnin' in Mud...

Hwy 205, 10:30 a.m., sunny, 22. I wore 2 pair of shorts, heavy pants, 2 gloves, hat, and jacket. I may have been a bit overdressed. The first 5 miles @ 7:43 pace and then next 5.3 miles @ 7:20 pace, with much at ~7:10 pace. I should have run a few more miles, but...I didn't! The left hip loosened up and doesn't feel like my previous stress fracture, as that was deep in the back of my buttocks. This tightness is more on the side of my hip and feels muscular, but I hardly notice it. I am paranoid!

The running is coming around and I am now comfortably back to ~40 mpw.  Hopefully, that will climb into the low 50's by the end of February.  My goal race is March 16th (Half-Marathon).  I would love to go sub 1:26.  I am running a 5k this weekend to get a gauge on my fitness and then a 10k on February 9th.  From those two races, I should be able to determine if sub 1:26 is possible.

Jetway Loop, 4:30 p.m., cloudy, 45.  I contemplated not running, but thought 4 miles would do me some good - and it did.  I stretched a lot yesterday (hip, etc) and I was a little sore today in those areas.  I hope it was from the stretching.  Nothing special here.  4 miles in 39:29 (7:22 pace).

Hwy 205, 3:00 p.m., cloudy, 41.  I ran with Enrique and he wanted to keep it very easy.  I had planned on a longer wave run (i.e. alternate EZ running with HMP).  I really wasn't feeling it today and have decided to race a 5k this Saturday to see where I am at.  8 miles in 1:05:45 (8:13 pace).  I haven't run that slow in quite some time.  My running partner wanted to keep it quite slow and I obliged.  It does me some good to run easy.  I chatted the whole way, which he may have found annoying.  Running with someone is something that I haven't done a whole lot of.  It really makes the time fly by.  Perhaps, if I had group training like the Hanson's, I could be an elite?  Kidding!

This week is somewhat up in the air.  I have workouts that I am to do, but the wife is working a bunch outside of the house, which throws off my schedule (work and running).  See, if I were with the Hanson's, I wouldn't have to worry about this sort of stuff.  We leave for Disney (Orlando) next Tuesday morning.  It will be nice to run in temps in the 70's.  AHHHH! 

Hwy 205, 3:15 p.m., cloudy, 33.  For some reason, it felt quite cold out today.  I am running a 5k in the morning to get a feel for where I am at right now.  I have no idea what to expect (20:00, 19:30, or possibly sub 19:00).  I really am clueless.  I missed the last two days of running due to life getting in the way.  My left hip still feels a bit iffy.  It's not a pain or ache, it just feels a bit off.  It seems to loosen up when I run and stretch.  6 miles in 46:05 (7:41 pace).  I took the last two days off (unplanned) due to conflicts.  We are going to Disney in a few days and have LOTS to do (work and home wise).  5k tomorrow!

Hwy 205, 9:30 a.m., cloudy, 35.  My race was cancelled as the weather was icy.  I decied to warm up 4 miles ( a bit too fast) and then 4 miles @ tempo pace.  The first 4 miles were at ~7:30 pace and then ran 6:59 or so on the way back.  Again, no pains, but my hip flexors were quite tired.  This is something new for me.  8 miles in 58:01 (7:15 pace).  Hmm...On 02/09, I run my favorite 10k in Bartlett.  I was really hoping to have run a 5k by them to get a somewhat accurate gauge on what pace to run.  Do I go out at 39:00 pace or 40:00?  We shall see.