Runnin' in Mud...

Legs a bit flat today, as I have a little fatigue in them.  Again, just trudging along in this Memphis heat.  It was 88F when I ran.

This started off as a tempo run of only 3 miles.  The first mile was a warm up and then I was supposed to hit 7:05-7:10 for 3 miles.  I got to 3 miles and decided to do another because I felt good.  When I reached 4 miles at tempo pace, I slowed a bit to recover for the remaining mile.  After 100m, I picked it back up for a total of 5 miles @ tempo pace.  This was a confidence booster for me.  I never struggled and felt great.  I wore some new racing flats (Nike Vaporfly) and I really like them.  They are quite light (~5.5 oz), but don't have the typical feel of a flat (i.e. low heel).  They feel like you are running on sponges.

I almost bagged this run, but since my revitalization following my June 1st 5k, I decided not to.  A thunderstorm rolled in quickly, which cooled the temps from 89F to 78F.  The humidity/steam was a killer.  This was just "puttin' in the miles" kinda run.  I daydreamed for 4 miles or so and it was over before I knew it.  The new baby will arrive on Aug. 8th, which is right about the time that I will start my official St. Jude marathon training.  Of course, I will be building up prior to that, but that's when the official 16 week countdown begins.  Sleepless nights and marathon training may not go hand in hand.  We will wait and see.  

For some reason, I am wiped out and thus  - no run.  During my time off from running, I managed to pick up a few pounds.  I am ~6 pounds heavier than normal and would like to slowly get that off before my 5k race in July.  I am not purposely dieting, but rather trying to make wiser food choices and not eat out of boredom.  Perhaps, the lack the calories has led to me feeling "wiped out."  I also think that my 6 mile run on Mon. @ 7:10 avg pace got to me.  Tomorrow is a new day!

I had worked diligently at work to come home early and get at least in 7-8 miles before heading out for a child's birthday party.  Here comes life...  I had forgotten about the cable guy coming.  He came and went, but my time had dwindled to barely 40 min. of running before heading off to Chuck E. Cheese Pizza for the birthday party.  What to do?  5 miles in the steamy afternoon heat (93F) - nice!  I am still regaining fitness from my time off, but this heat is making it tough.  Generally, I am a morning person, but sleeping in until 6:30 a.m. is becoming a habit for me.  Summer is here!  5 miles in 38:21/7:40 pace.

Just learned that the in-laws are coming in on June 23rd, which coincides with a 10k race that I was going to do as a workout.  Hmmm...What a dilemma!  Heck, they can come watch - they'll need the fresh hot/humid air after being on that stuffy airplane.  Will keep you posted.      

I am not really running by a "plan" yet. I'm trying to regain lost fitness with a possible 5k in early July. I usually try to do some type of tempo run around 5k pace + :50 or so. The long runs are coming along, but are still only 8-10 miles in length. This run was actually my "long run" for the week. Nothing special - I run along rural roads in Arlington, TN. and it is not unusual to see skunks, squirrels, deer, snakes, turtles, and coyote. It scares my wife when I tell her that I watch a 6ft snake cross the road. There are too many off road rails around here, so that requires me to travel a bit if I want the soft terrain.

Pheww...8 miles yesterday and now 7 today.  My legs feel pretty good.  I just wanted to get out in the morning before the heat arrived.  As a previous entry noted that 8 miles is now my long run, I wasn't too sure what to expect from the legs today.  They, apparently, are adapting to the slow increase in mileage.  I would like to very soon be avg. 50 mpw like I used to.  I have a track workout planned for tomorrow.  I will have to do it after Church and lunch, so it will be H O T!