Runnin' in Mud...

9.25 miles in early morning hours before Church.  A friend of mine that I introduced to running moved 1.25 miles away from me.  I hope to utilize him for easier runs, etc.  It was nice having some company, as I do 99% of my runs solo.  I ran 4.5 prior to meeting up with him and then added some afterwards.  The heat really drained me and there wasn't a dry spot on me.  I know this really isn't high mileage, but I have put together back-to-back weeks of almost 39mpw.  This past week, I even had a day off.  Things seem to be coming together and I feel myself getting stronger and faster.   

We were having computer issues at home and my wife sells real estate.  Bottom line: She needed computer/internet access more than I needed to run.  Once, I got finished with Comcast at 8:00 p.m., I was mentally drained and could not force myself to run on the dreadmill. 

Got off of work later than normal and then to Dad's birthday party.  We ate lasgna, cake, etc. and once home, I did not feel like running.  My legs have felt pretty "beat up" as of late.  I took yesterday off and took another zero today.  I had scheduled a recovery week, but did not anticipate two days off in a row.  No stress here - I'm not training for anything as of now.  5k this weekend in the heat!  The in-laws are coming in on Thursday!  Does life get any better?

As the last two days have result in "things" getting in the way of my running, I decided to run at 5:00 a.m.  It is amazing how tight I am in the morning.  I felt like I was flying, but later realized that I was flying at an 8:15 pace!  I ran to my friend's house who just moved on my way.  It is really nice to run with someone on the easy days.  He is a bit slower than me, so it keeps me from running too fast.  The time flew by and I sped up a bit when I finished the last 1.25 by myself.  I contemplated a 2nd PM run, but I am truly feeling a bit "beat up" in the leg department.  It may be from my increase in mileage the last few weeks or from me running on hard surfaces too much while increasing my mileage.  I gotta find some trails to run on.

There is a 10k/5k this weekend, but I have decided against the 10k as a training run and will race the 5k.  I don't expect too much, as the course is rolling and the heat (probably already 80F at 8:00 a.m. with high humidity) will both be factors.  In my last 5k, I felt that I coasted too much the final two miles.  I was never passed in the race and continued to work my way up, but I did not run "tough."  It was my first 5k in many months and, I guess, I didn't want to feel that much pain my first 5k back after the injury.  I really am hard on myself when I don't leave it all out on the course.