Kevin and I ran the 2000 N hill route this morning. The temperature in the mid-40's was a nice change, but it was still a little chilly with the head wind on the uphill. I felt like pushing the pace a little. Kevin easily matched me, and beat me up all the hills and at the end, but I must have worked him a little because neither of us spoke much this morning. We averaged 7:08/mi on the mile downhill and 7:06/mi on the 1/2 mile downhill. I actually saw sub-7:00 pace on my watch for much of the long downhill. I haven't seen that for a long, long time. We averaged 8:52/mi last week on this route, and 8:25/mi today. I've got enough miles in, and seen enough improvement, that I'm beginning to feel the urge to slip in some speed work. I'm really reluctant. After working so long to get healthy again, I do not want to get injured. I'll have to listen to my body and try to balance "no risk, no reward" with "better safe than sorry." | 