Today I ran a long run on the Pocatello marathon course (do to schedule conflicts I've changed my Long Runs for last week and this week to Friday).
I started the run at 4:55am so that I could be to work around 8 to
8:30. I saw a deer and five raccoons that passed over the road while I
was descending down the hill, and one raccoon strange enough followed
behind me for a couple minutes. When I run this route I have to have
someone come get me so that I can have them drive me back to my car on
top Rapid Creek/Buckskin rd, so you kind of worry a little if any
animals will mess with your car.
I ran 20.7 miles at a 6:43 pace in 2:18 really not a difficult run, and
I didn't push the pace at all. I through in some MP miles in the
beginning and end. (6:38, 6:31,6:29,6:24,6:38,6:46 and end 6:38, 6:20, 6:39).
This run was more to stay on my feet longer and not really push the
pace. I felt like I did a good job. I've ran this course so much now
that I feel it's my second home.
The weather was overcast so I really wasn't able to see my Garmin for
pacing until 6:10am. One advantage is we had a heavy rain last night
and the temperature seemed to be a lot cooler when I ran the course the
same time this week. What's difficult when you run a downhill for say
the first 13 miles, and then proceed to the flat and rolling hills your
legs and feet definitely have a different feeling. That's why I think
it's very important to train on this course, because it's tough and it
will punish you if you don't practice the downhill and rolling hills in
your training. I would really feel bad for someone running this course
if they only trained on a flat training course. Not really much more to
tell other than I will now start to reduce my long runs in the next
coming weeks.
I might run some more this afternoon or evening. I ran 5.3 on our new treadmill tonight to give it a test run. It's very secure and durable, and has a lifetime warranty on everything.
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