Wednesday Pace Run

Mabey it's the cool mornings we 've had lately....or perhaps the three pounds I've dropped...or could it be the 50 to mid 60 mile weeks I've endured.....hmmm. None the less, I've been feeling zippy lately and so when I saw Bernard standing in the Runtex parking lot this morning, I thought I'd test myself. We did the 7 mile loop from Runtex to I-35 and swung around to Mopac and back. Right away the pace began at 6:50-7:00 minute miles and by the time we neared Mopac, we were moving at 6:30. After crossing Mopac, the bomb started to drop. By this time, I was nervous as my legs were beginning to protest but hey, this was Bernard I was with. The pace immediately went to 5:50 and we ran the last 2 in 11:44. Bernard has such a smooth acceleration and makes it seem so effortless. I'm just proud that I was able to hang on. I think as the half marathon approaches next week, I'm feeling more and more confident that I will be able to run below 1:18:00.

7 miles for day 44:40, and 4-5 scheduled this evening as a recovery run.
25 miles for the week

Saturday Long Run

This mornings long run started at 6am and included Gilbert, Peter, and other sub-7minute runners. Gilbert wanted us to stick to the trail, a 14 mile loop on muddy trails due to consistant raining throughout Austin. I felt strong and eager as always to run anywhere and running with Gilbert on this one was a bonus. Peter and I led through the first 6 miles or so, at about 7 min pace and slowly began to creep downward to 6:50 and then 6:40. Coming up on the last 3 miles, Gilbert caught up to me after stopping for a shoe adjustment and we ran together across Mopac bridge at about a 6:25 pace. Gilbert quickly dropped the pace down to 6:00 flat and then 5:50.....stayed with him until about 1.5 miles to go....then all I could do was maintain and watch Gilbert scurry away from me. Finished strong....a couple strides, and then went home for a shower and stretching. This was a strong run and feel ready for my upcoming Half Marathon in Panama City just two weeks away.

Miles for day: 14, 1:35:00
Miles for week: 50-51

Friday Recovery Run

After Thursdays 1200s at Austin High, my legs were ready for an easy 5 miler. Ran the east side of the trail from my home on Lakeshore, in the rain, again. Calfs and Quads a little tight so after stretching, I used my trusty "stick" to help smooth things out. Tomorrow I plan to run 14m with negative split on the return. I now have two weeks until I race in the Half Marathon in Panama City, Panama and am starting to get anxious. It's my first time to central america and am looking foward to the break away from it all.

Total miles for day: 5
Total miles for week: 36