Runnin' in Mud...

Random Arlington, 2:30 p.m., sunny, 53. I ran with Bruce today very easily. I ran 1.25 to meet him and then 4 mile with him. I then ran 2.75 by myself at ~7:25 pace. I ran the last .75 miles @ ~6:20 pace. The legs seem to feel better at faster speeds. I felt sluggish and slow at 7:45-8:00 pace, but felt good once I got under 7:00 pace. I wore my new Nike Jasari shoes today and thought that they might be causing some of my new trouble. In looking at my log, it doesn't seem to be the case. This is race week!  8 miles in 1:01:15 (7:39 pace). 

Random Arlington, 3:00 p.m., sunny, 58.  I ran with Courtney while pushing Ethan in the stoller.  I truly believe that it is more difficult to run that slow of a pace than it is 7:30 pace.  This was Ethan's maiden voyage in the jogging stroller and he did great!  Our daughter practically grew up in this same stroller.  I look forward to lengthening these runs.

My plan was to add another 4-5 miles on after this, but my Dad was returning our daughter and time got away from me.  

Hwy 205, 4:00 p.m., sunny, 55.  Another beautiful day to run.  The rt. knee seemed almost 100%, but the left glute feels tight.  It feels similar to just a few days before the stress fracture in August.  There goes my paranoia again.  I'll stretch a bit more and roll on a tennis ball.  It is probably the piriformis muscle.  I did 8 :20 strides during the run to loosen up the legs.  4 more days...  5 miles in 37:28 (7:30 pace).  My daughter has been somewhat sick and I feel as if I am getting it.  Is this just my paranoia again?

Chickasaw course, 2:00 p.m., sunny, 70.  Out and back on this course.  The knee felt about 85%, but the left hip was iffy at times and then other times, it was fine.  Therapist said it was a tight IT Band.  I guess more stretching.  4.6 miles in 35:02 (7:37 pace).  Still feeling a bit blah and lethargic!

Random Arlington, 5:05 p.m., sunny, 71.  I have felt a bit fatigued that past few days.  I am recovering from a cold, so that might be why.  I need a good nights sleep.  It seems as though my sleep is broken up every night and it is beginning to wear on me.  First, I will hear our son call out (in baby scream) and then the dog wants to go out, or wants to eat/drink.  Then, I heard the thunderstorms.  I have always had trouble getting back to sleep once I am awakened briefly.  Can I complain anymore in this blog?

This was a scheduled off day for me.  I always take two days before a race completely off.  My PR, set on this course, is 1:26:57.  On that date that I set the PR, I was actually going for 1:28:00, but negative split the race.  I have reviewed my log from 2006 and this year leading up to the race.  I have much more consistent in putting in weekly 10-11 milers.  I have run similar race times (10k), as well as similar times in workouts (4x2000m).  I am ~4-5lbs lighter this year, so do I go out at 1:27:30 pace and try to negative split again or be conservative or be aggressive.  I know how a half-marathon feels when you go out too fast.  At the end of 2005, I was running the most mileage of my life and was in great shape.  As 2006 began, I slacked (we were moving houses) and was lucky to get in 20-25 mpw; however, I think all of the miles late in 2005 carried over.  I am also a bit concerned over my lethargic feeling/soreness in my back and legs.  Is this the achy feeling from being sick or are the little men in my head telling me things?  I am officially 1 day, 1 hour, 13 min, and 2 secs from the race.  A short shakeout run with strides tomorrow.  I will wake up race day and see how I feel.