Runnin' in Mud...

Hwy. 205, 12:45 p.m., rainy, 45.  After being up since 2:30 a.m. and driving 8 hours, I didn't know what to expect.  I warmed up 2 miles (7:40 pace) and then ran 3 miles @ 7:00 pace.  My shoes, etc. were very wet and the last mile they were heavy.  My knees, hips etc started hurting/tired.  There was an alarm clock error (they are on EST).  Me, not thinking, got up at 2:30 a.m., when I had an extra hour to sleep.  Ughh!  Oh well, we got home an hour earlier and I was determined to get in a GOOD run.  I decided, despite the rain, to run outside like a dedicate runner would.  It was a cold drizzle, but I felt good.  I ended up avg. ~7:29 for the entire run.  Things are coming together.  Only 111 days until my goal race (Germantown Half Marathon).   

Arlington Random, 4:30 p.m., sundown, 45.  I wanted to run really easy around town, so I just ran by feel.  The tendon/ligament on my left hamstring where it attaches to the buttocks was tight/sore.  I ended up running an uneventful 4.4 miles in 34:11 (7:44 pace).  I stretched everything out a good bit after the run.  This is usually my taper week for the St. Jude Marathon.  I have run it since 2003, but I didn't want to this year due to the injury.  It's kinda sad, but atleast, I will be able to spectate.  My neighbor, who I introduced to running, is running it.  It will be his first half-marathon.  I believe that he will be in the 1:35 range, if he doesn't go out too fast the first few miles. 

AHS, 3:30 p.m., cloudy, 55.  Last week, I did 3x1000m, so I increased it this week to 4x1000m w/2:00 rec.  I used my HRM and it stayed under 185 BPM and when I started each rep, my HR was ~112.  The first was way too fast, as the track team was out and I guess I was trying to "impress" someone???  3:46 (6:04 pace), 3:58 (6:23 pace), 4:01 and 4:02 (6:29 pace).  My times got slower with each rep, but I was trying to make them slower.  Actually, I was wanting to run ~ 4:10 per 1000m.  I was a bit off.  The workout didn't feel that difficult, so my conditioning is coming around.  I also did 3x200m @ 3k pace and some random 100m strides to get the rust out.  About 1.5 years ago, I tested my max HR and I got it up to 211.  My resting HR is usually 46-48 BPM.

Chickasaw course, 2:00 p.m., sunny, 48.  2 laps on 2.8 mile course.  It was pretty windy and I never look at splits or anything and just ran by feel.  I reversed direction after first lap.  Nothing special and everything feels good.  5.6 miles in 43:35 (7:47 pace).

I was saving something, as I will run with Sasha the Magnificent tomorrow.  I'm treating it as a race and tapering, etc. - ha!

It's somewhat weired that since I began running ~5 years ago, this will be my first missed St. Jude race.  My neighbor, whom I introduced to running, is very excited about his first half-marathon.  On the other hand, I have NEVER been a spectator at a race!  I really am looking forward to seeing the race as it progresses, seeing the marathoners at the half way point, etc. 

Downtown Memphis, 2:00 p.m., cloudy, 55.  I ran 2 miles by myself as I waited for Sasha.  He looks nothing like his picture on his blog.  I had pictured this tiny little fast man, but instead saw someone completely different.  He has quite a set of quads.  We talked a bit and ran parts of the course.  I don't think that I was much help as we just ran the south downtown portion (early race).  I even got a Fastrunningblog.com t-shirt!  What a nice guy.  He has aspirations of ~2:25, but I think he will be faster.  The race is 200 above sea level.  He lives at ~4500 above sea level.  I hope he PRs.  Good luck Sasha and run well.

I guess I really can't count all of the walking that I did while downtown spectating the St. Jude Marathon, huh?  Family obligations following the race would not allow for a run.