4.5 miles at 5:30 pm on the Trinity Trails. Average pace=7:16/m. Weather=74 degrees, 50% humidity, 17 mph wind, cloudy.
Mile 1- 7:14
Mile 2- 7:24
Mile 3- 7:01
Mile 4- 7:26
Last .5 mile- 7:11
This was supposed to be a 5 mile tempo but the loop I thought was 5 miles ended up being only 4.5 miles. When I realized it was probably going to be short, I was already in mile 4. I decided doing the loop I planned was good enough. My plan was to do a 7:20 average. The wind was pretty challenging in miles 2, 4 and 5.
This guy about my age tried to "race" me around mile 3. I came up on him and he looked over his shoulder and sped up. He was clearly struggling with this faster pace. He did hang on for a good quarter mile before he sputtered off into the grass though. It was a nice diversion for me. I really enjoy passing guys. : )
So toward the end of mile 3, I looked down at my watch and saw a 6:58 average pace for the lap with only .1 mile to go. I was shocked! I had to do a double take... "Did that say 6:58 or 7:58???" I slowed down after that because it freaked me out. I think had I not seen the speed, I might have just kept going like that. I was in a nice rythem. But once you mentally ruin a rythem by freaking out, it's hard to go back.
This sport is so mental!! I've got to get myself over these mental limitations I'm imposing on myself. I remember I used to get freaked everytime I saw my watch dip into the 7's. Now I get freaked when I see the 6's. I'm thinking that some track workouts may cure this 6's problem. : ) | 