67F, S 22-31 mph. Not exactly ideal conditions to crank out my first MP run of the cycle, but it went pretty well. I set up the route to have the return portion (the MP miles) about half crosswind and half tailwind. I figured that was the only way I could actually run MP for 10 miles with it being this warm. 67 degrees is no big deal at the end of the summer, but here in March, my body is not efficient at cooling itself off so it's pretty draining, at least for me.
11 easy, followed by 10 @ GMP (looking for 6:52 or better).
11 @ 7:43 AP.
10 @ 6:42 AP. (6:46, 6:50, 6:40, 6:42, 6:38, 6:45, 6:43, 6:45, 6:47, 6:26)
Overall for 21 miles, 7:14 AP.
I had a solid tailwind for the last 5 MP miles. Kinda needed it, or so I thought, but I was still able to crank out a good HMP mile to finish the run, despite about a 30-40' elevation gain on the last mile (albeit with a nice tailwind). So, a successful run. I still think I'm hosed if it's this warm for OKC, but my confidence is up right now.
It makes it sweeter that this run comes at the end of a weekly PR for mileage - 83 (I count Mon-Sun). I gotta think that with a taper and cool weather that 6:40s is going to be a lot easier. |