Notes
3 miles @ 5:15, 3 miles @ 5:10, 3 miles @ 5:05 w/1/2 mile float+ 1 mile @ 5:00-05+ 1/4 mile float+ 1 mile @ 5:00+ 1/4 mile float+ 1 mile push. Today is potentially my last workout in Boulder as a Roots athlete. It was frigid, 22 degrees, and cloudy so there was no help from the sun. The roads were clear enough to do my first run outside in a week, and my first hard run outside in nearly 2. I had Ben with me for 3 miles before he started falling away and I worked to get the second pace step down coming up 55th. I knew there would be some pace fluctuation but starting my second Cherryvale loop I had a pretty firm feeling that this pacing would be far from what was on paper. I set about focusing on my effort instead of the pace because if I tried to stick to it I'd have blown up and not finished more than 5-6 miles. I marched on getting slower rather than faster for those first 9 miles but I was working as hard as I could. The cold air burnt my lungs and the frigid air seeped deep into my legs despite the tights I wore. 5:13, 5:14, 5:10//5:15, 5:23, 5:16//5:18, 5:27, 5:20. Knowing this was one of my last really big ones I fought to keep myself going and wasn't going to quit without a good reason; being way off the pace wasn't a good enough reason. I re-engaged on the first mile pick up and for about 2 minutes I was right on 5:00 before it slipped from my grasp. 5:10. Took a quarter-mile jog and tried again but coming up 55th was a mountain with the fatigue I was dealing with. 5:21. I was reduced to a sprinter jog before the last push but I tried to set myself up well by coming downhill from the intersection of 55th and S Boulder Rd. I launched at the start and tried to run with compsure but I was digging to find the pace. I ran what was left in me but it only amounted to a 5:07. Really hoped I could return to outdoor running with a banger but the day was not fast for anyone (a small consolation), but I have done just about as much as I can with the last 10 weeks or so. When I get to Orlando I'll be looking to get some momentum and feeling some speed again being at sea-level for those last 2-3 workouts.