Notes
Long run day. Around 60F with 100% humidity, so cooler than yesterday, but still humid. Out the door around 6:30am after drinking a little water and taking a dump. Had my 20oz hand bottle with me, filled up. Body felt like trash at the beginning, and after struggling to finish last week, I was nervous about finishing today. My legs generally were stiff and tired, making me wonder if all my miles and exercises are starting to become too much. The hills especially were tough for some reason. While running the exact same hilly, trail course as last week, my paces were slower. However, my legs, oddly enough, gradually felt better and better, and the last 3-4 miles were the best for me. So, even though my overall time was about 6.5 minutes slower than last week, I think about my trail marathon two years ago, where I was holding 7:30ish pace until I blew up, and my last few miles were in the 15-20 minute/mile range. I can easily make up 6 minutes later in the race if I'm feeling fresh. I also think about this: my real goal this year is to break 4 hours, which, if the course is long (say, 27 miles), is 8:54/mile pace. The course record, if the course is 27 miles, is 8:29/mile. I can do it, I just need to be patient. I held back so many times today, and was rewarded by feeling great at the finish. This is a skill I need to learn. Stretched afterwards. So happy with how training is progressing right now.
1- 8:07 road, uphill
2- 7:41 road, downhill then uphill
3- 7:36 road, two downhills, two uphills
4- 8:37 trail
5- 9:13 trail
6- 8:55 trail
7- 9:01 trail
8- 8:45 trail
9- 8:55 trail
10- 8:40 trail
11- 7:14 road, two downhills, two uphills
12- 7:04 road, downhill then uphill
13- 7:09 flat
0.23- 1:28 downhill