Notes
This was way too hard and too slow at the same time. When I finished this run, I was really upset. I still am now, but not as much. I have to consider some factors. I'm just not going to gain fitness at the rate I want. And when I do, it's going to come in fits and spurts. I think today was just a bad day. Also despite it being only 75, it actually felt pretty warm to me, and it was definitely humid. When I started this run I felt sluggish from the beginning and I kept hoping to turn it around it just never happened. Then once I started picking up the pace in the second half, it was too much work just to keep it in the low 8s. But I felt like I had to at least keep it under 8:20. In doing so my HR soared into the 170s, which is definitely not my marathon pace. Based on this run, I should be shooting for more like 8:15, but its really too early to tell, and I shouldn't be that upset just based off of one bad run.
But, to put things in perspective compared to where I've been. Arguably the most fit I've ever been was in February, earlier this year. I did two fast finish long runs where I ran the last half in 7:43 and with an average HR of 163. Today I ran an average last half of 8:12 and with an average HR of 169. So even if you factor in the weather, I've lost a lot.
If I compare to two years ago when I was training for my last marathon I ran the last 5 miles of an 18 mile run in 8:03 pace, and I'm not sure what the HR was but I would guess I was pushing pretty hard, because I always did back then. I guess that is closer to where I am now, but still faster then today which is a bit upsetting.
But, let me end on a positive note. My knee was completely a non-issue. I will make sure to ice it tonight to keep it that way.