Notes
Last big one before the half at Grandma's next week. During the warm-up I was reminiscing on the block of training I have been able to put in since Houston and other than the bump in the road with the shin injury, I am happy about where I am and where I'm going in the waning days. Perfect morning weather, 74 w/ a 7mph W wind and DP down at 61. Started with 2 miles @ HMP in 9:55 (5:01.0, 4:54.0). Felt really smooth running the pace as well, which was a huge mental boost. I took 5' of standing rest before 8x800 w/200 jog. 2:21.9, 2:23.6, 2:22.4, 2:20.6. Through the first half of the 800's I was cruising along and the pace was only marginally uncomfortable, I originally intended to shoot for 2:25 so being under that felt like a big win! 2:22.3, 2:23.7, 2:22.5, 2:22.7. I wasn't able to close out the second set quite as well but maintained the solid cadence I had throughout. The 200 jogs seemed to be slipping by faster so I wasn't going to push too much knowing I'd only have about a minute between the last 800 and the final 2-mile snowball. I knew the 2-mile wouldn't be as fast as the opening rep because I was planning to surge consciously every 800m, breaking the finale up into 4 half miles. 5:15 pace for the first half mile, picking up to 5:00 for the next half to come through the split in 5:07.7. I couldn't seem to find the next gear and ran slightly faster at 4:58 pace for the next half. I was able to close in 4:49 pace to run 4:54.0 for the last mile (10:01.7). I don't know what kind of time I will lay down next weekend, but the workout today really jump started my confidence, even more so than the physical benefits.