Weather - 36 degrees, gray skies. Ran 4 miles to the Zendo, but the door was locked, so I stretched a bit on the Zendo patio and then ran 3.4 miles back to town. My legs were slightly fatigued, but surprisingly springy and strong, so I was able to run quicker than normal for an easy run. Last year I ran the Mountain Goat 15k, I was not in good running shape, however, and the final 3 miles took a toll. The course is a 5k loop run 3 times. There are numerous hills of varying grade, the largest one being at the beginning/end of each loop - starting one gets to cruise down, finishing one has to struggle up. When I finished the final loop of the race I walked to a grassy patch and collapsed, my legs and lungs were toasted. The previous week I had run a 5k in 22:30, so I really had no business running the 15K. I remember telling Melinda that if I was going to run the Goat, it had to be the 15K (there are 3 races - 5k, 10k, 15k) because I wanted the full effect. I ran the first loop in 22:00, which caused me concern because I matched my 5K time from the week prior. I felt strong on the second loop, and decreased by only 1 minute, for a 45 minute total. I felt finished at that point, but still had one more loop to complete. I cracked and slowed, running the final 5k in 26 minutes for a total time of 1:11.
This year should be a better result. I ran a 5k last week in 20:15, so my racing legs are coming around. My plan is to run even splits, I am hoping for 22:00 for all 3 loops, for a total time of 1:06, a 5 minute decrease from last year. I think that is a realistic goal, although I looked at the updated weather report and it is now calling for a high in the mid-30's, which falls into my discomfort zone. I will still plan to run in shorts, but my muscles tend to be stiff and inflexible when it is below 40 degrees. If the weather can get into the 40's, I think it is possible for me to run even better than 1:06. #120 z.m. - #34
| 