I only put a few miles in this morning in preparation for the 10K race tomorrow. It's a half mile around the block in front of my house so I did 6 laps. I wanted to warm up and then do one short stretch to "feel the speed". I warmed up for a little over 2 miles then halfway into lap 5 I let go for the last 1/4 mile of the lap. I then ran the last 1/2 mile lap very easy. Shortly into the run I stepped on a rock and rolled my right ankle. It gave me a scare, but fortunately wasn't serious and I was able to "run it off". I'm icing it now as a precaution, but it feels pretty good.
The big surprise for me this morning was after the run when I checked the pace for the fast 1/4 mile stretch. At first I was disappointed. It appeared that my Garmin had glitched. However, I verified that it measured 0.26 miles, and the time was 1:23, so the 5:24/mi pace it showed was accurate. It was only 1/4 mile, but I didn't think I had that kind of speed in me right now. I was just "letting go", not really straining for all out kick or anything. I couldn't have held that speed for too much longer, but it felt pretty good. I don't hold any illusions about running sub-6:00 miles for the 10K tomorrow, but it boosts my confidence that I may be able to match or better my PR of 6:44/mi from last year. Once again, I look forward to the journey of discovery that each race offers. I'm taking the day off work to go watch my daughter dance at BYU. Her BYU Pre-Teen ballroom dance team is in the Pre-Teen Latin Formation competition today. They are also in the Standard Formation competition tomorrow. Also tomorrow, her elementary school's ballroom dance team has a competition. This is all part of the US National Amateur Dancesport Championships that are being held at BYU this weekend.. Kerry is coming to pick me up at 5:30pm to head to St. George. I can hardly wait.
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