Notes
86 deg / 41$ H /60 dew pt
Progressed long run to 8.5 miles and getting close to the magic 1 hr 30 min barrier where I begin to achieve more significant fitness gains. Lifted, fast walked & did drills prior. Despite lower humidity it felt hot (86 deg) and was thirsty almost at the start. Ran this slow focusing on quick cadence and good form w/the goal of completing this (no stopping). This was very rolling. Ran out of Earth Fare in Torringdon on Endhaven out to Elm (all uphill) but into a nice breeze, swung over to Stonington & out to Rea, up Rea for a lap around Robinson Farm, then back on Elm & up & over to the Community House. I could feel myself starting to struggle a little as I hit 5 miles. When I swung back on Community House felt better as the sprinklers were dousing me (but my shoes were getting wet which is not good). Did not feel any "energy" drain over the last mile and decided not run any surges. What I can't understand is that I used to run a long run "super slow" like this on purpose, but then the easy runs I rebounded and they were truly easy almost 2 min p mile faster -- now that is not the case? Did the 8-9 months off for this PF take that much out of me?