Buttsweat Towel© season has begun

39F, overcast.  Perfect morning for a runner.

Merry Christmas all.  This was my big Christmas run, the most grueling of the cycle.  8 easy, followed by 14 at GMP.

First 8 @ 7:37 AP.

Last 14 @ 6:53 AP.  Splts were pretty even - 6:54, 6:57, 6:56, 6:46, 6:51, 6:55, 6:56, 6:53, 6:54, 6:53, 6:53, 6:52, 6:52, 6:46.

22 miles total @ 7:09 AP.

Interestingly, this was the first run of this cycle where the limiting factor was my legs, not my lungs.  Even through the last mile it felt aerobically (pretty) comfortable, but I just couldn't seem to propel myself any faster when I tried in the last mile.  This run marks the end of a 74-mile week which is a lot for me, so I am hoping it is tired legs, and that with a good pre-race taper, the dead-leg thing will not be a factor.  I mean, I need to do an extra 12 miles at race pace on top of the 14 I did today!  Still very happy with the run, and even happier that it's done.  I do feel like I'm in shape for 3:05 but with very little room to spare.  Jan 15 should be an interesting day...

32F.  8:08/mile.  My legs were a lot more responsive than they have been 2 days after my last two long MP runs.  Definite improvement in recovery, felt pretty good today but kept it in the 8's to play it safe and make sure I'm soaking up the benefits of Sunday's run.

44F, SSW 16-24 mph.  7:39 AP.

This week I'm just shaving off a mile or two from a few runs, but should still be in the 60s for the week.  Next week the taper will become more significant, with about a 50-mile week.  Then, obviously taking it really easy for the last week.

34F.  8:31 AP.  Very creaky and hobbly the first couple miles.  Need taper

43F.  7:23 AP.  Intended to do an 11-mile progression run today but it ended up being just 10 plus a cooldown mile.

8:09, 7:56, 7:44, 7:34, 7:23, 7:13, 7:02, 6:53, 6:43, 6:39, 7:53.

I probably should have been able to keep it up and finish in the 6:20s, but it was a definite "off day."  I was already breathing too hard at mile 3...mile 10 ended with a steep 30-40 ft hill and I knew I was done after that.  MP felt like 10k pace, just a yuck-day.  I am hoping the 22-miler is just still in my legs, although you'd think 5 days is enough to recover.  Oh well, taper is coming up soon.  I do have 1 more workout next week; maybe it won't be quite as confidence-shattering.

72F, SW 15 mph.  Ah I remember when 72 felt cool, now it feels like a sauna.  8:32/mile recovery in the early afternoon.