Getting back to Boston

I knew it was going to be a slog, and it was. Not having run more than 17 miles since October took its toll. By the time I came out from around Lake Fayetteville, the flexors were gone. It was just about all I could do to break 5:00 after running the first half in 2:10 (which was in itself encouraging). I started out at 6:1 walk/run, which went well. My legs felt fresh and I was able to maintain sub-10 average even with the walks. I also tweaked the intervals if a walk happened to fall on a downhill, which may have been a mistake, but I wanted to take advantage of gravity. Anyway the pattern continued through the first half. But as the thighs fatigued, continuing to run 6 minutes at a time just wasn't much of an option. It was cool but humid, certainly a day where you could DNF if not careful (Holly did, for one). By the time I got to Scull Creek trail, it was walk most of the time and run when I could. Then I tried running a distance -- run four tenths, then walk. The hills up to the finish at Wilson Park were just diabolical, but the finish was downhill, which was nice. Good to see a 4 on the clock at the finish, which meant I'd broken 5 and finished before noon. All I wanted,. And I finished exactly where I thought I would in GP age group -- third. So that will be 24 nice points, putting me in second in the AG. That was the plan, and why I signed up for Hogeye to begin with.

So last night I picked up Suzie and took her into Tyler's room, and tripped over something on the floor. Jerking my left foot to regain balance, I felt pain in the left calf. It's still there. Figures -- I run 26.2 with no injury (but plenty of stiffness) but get hurt walking into my son's room. Hopefully it's just a twinge, but it's still there seven hours later. I'd be tempted to bag London if it doesn't go away; I think I can defer to 2017. Like I need an excuse to go to London during EPL season...

Short and slow after work. No problems with the niggle in my left calf, but legs still felt the effects of 26.2.

Pushed it a bit after work -- MP for 4.5 then picked it up for the last mile. Pushing being a relative term, since MP right now is 10:00 pace, but that worked OK. I need more runs pushing it. After London I'll start some speed work, especially since my next race after I get back will apparently be the Go! Mile. Need to be able to at least go sub-8 there, hopefully sub 7.

Easy 4 after work. Trying out the new headband. Don't think it will be adequate for a marathon except in really cool weather, although maybe OK for a 5 or 10K. Legs were fine even though I was quite sleepy. Got some sleep, got a massage, Chinese buffet with T, now at work.