Everything You Didn't Want to Know About My Runs

Missed my Saturday run.  I was planning to do 8, but wasn't sure I got up early enough and was still a little sore from the bike ride.  So, instead of sprints, I did a slow, but hilly six miler.

Five miles at recovery pace.  I was going to do four, but decided to throw an extra mile in there. Ran my standard four mile loop backwards, just for variety.  It reminded my why I go the way I usually do.  The north side of Newcastle is sloped too much and uncomfortable to run on. 

 Was excited to do another speed test today.  I wasn't sure what to expect since I missed my run Saturday and ran a little longer than usual the past two days without sprints on Monday.  I had to go earlier than usual because I had to get Lizzie to her soccer coach's house by 6:30.  That meant I had to get out before 5:30.  I don't know why, but I was slower on miles 1 and 3, while slightly faster on mile 2.

There are many variables to consider.  The time difference may have factored in.  There were less people out at that time so there weren't as many opportunities to chase--though I did have someone fairly fast to chase for most of mile 2 which is probably why I improved there.  Getting up earlier meant less rest and that probably contributed.  Maybe my last two days were more than I was used to doing.  It could be my lower back was sore from some heavy lifting in a service project on Saturday.  My legs were a bit sore as well--maybe from the 50 mile bike ride on Friday.  I think the biggest problem was not getting my long run in on Saturday.

Date	Mile 1	Mile 2	Mile 3	Total
8/15/12	9:32	9:36	8:24	27:32
8/1/12	9:16	9:42	7:58	26:56
7/18/12	9:20	8:56 *	8:46 *	27:02 *

* Different course with less uphill

I think it was about 5.4.  Apparently I forgot to hit start on my watch since I'm focusing on heart rate right now.  Easy run.

Ran in the afternoon heat.  95 degrees?  It got pretty tough after 3 miles.  I got down to Crestwood pool to get a drink from the water fountain and after that, the uphill started.  

I was trying to keep my heart rate at about 160 bpm.  It was hard to find a pace that would do this.  I ended up playing ping pong with my heart rate.  It was like some sort of stock market game where I controlled what direction the stock price went by running very slowly (up) or walking (down.)  I'd sell at 170 and buy at 150.  I just gave all control over to the heart rate monitor and kept alternating between barely running and walking until I got home.

 I had to start rationing my gatorade with two miles left.  I decided to save the last couple swallows until mile 9 and then press through to mile 10 when I would be home and could drink water.  Had I taken a camelback, I think I could have continued the ping-pong for 10 more miles.  It was easy on my legs, but my heart got a very long and intense workout.  It ended up taking my 2 hours.