Since it's supposed to be a rest/reduced week for me this week and since I've been fighting a head cold, decided to take an extra rest day yesterday and focus on a good long run today. Slept in a bit in hopes of having better luck with the planned tempo run 10K in the middle of the long run. I always seem to do a lot better with the faster stuff later in the day. I think I made the right call as the run went pretty well, although headwind from the NW caused me some grief. Warmed up for 5 miles, did some strides then started the 10K tempo. Started at the mile 1 marker for the Speedy Spaniard (which just happens to be at the top of a hill) and went from there. Followed the SS course for a couple of miles then ran 1/2 mile up river bottoms before turning around and running down river bottoms road, then over to South road, then finishing up just west of the ballparks. The headwind was especially tough the last 2 miles and I had a hard time holding the pace. Wanted to average 6:52 pace which translates to a 1:30 half marathon but with the dang headwind I just missed it and ran 6:53. But still happy with the run and felt alot better than Wednesday when I had a lousy tempo run that I had to end early. Tempo overall pace/HR: 6:53/179
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