Saturday, September 5, 2009

California Dreaming, Texas Reality

I ran a couple of times in California this week, low heart rate, felt great in the cool dry air. Then back in Texas running short and fast yesterday, about 9:30 miles for 4 or 5. So today the goal was to hit 12:00 for 20 miles. Given my fast run (for me) on Friday it was a bit of a gamble, not to mention a big step-up from last week, but nothing ventured, right?

I pretty much made the goal for 17.5, then I ran out of gas. The temperature was a little warmer this week and the pace was quite a bit fasterthan last week's pace of about 12:40. Just ran out of gas 3 miles from the house. A long walk in the heat.

My splits were: 12:30 (throw out the first one), 12:24 (that one too), 12:05, 12:02, 11:55, 11:58, 12:18, 11:59, 12:10, 11:55, 13:16 (bio break), 11:48, 12:05, 11:56, 12:06, 11:54, 12:27, average pace for 17 miles: 12:12, the first two miles and the one with the bio break really killed it.

Plus my knee started to hurt a little after I ran. I think the walking hurts it more than running, it was never a factor while I was running. But it shold be OK.

I'm hoping to do 12:00 for 20 miles next week. Only a couple of more Saturdays until the St. George taper begins.

4 comments:

  1. Great job Mark! If my knee (and I) can't do 16 outside Monday I'm not running StG. I'll still be there though.
    E

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  2. I'm totally impressed by your fitness level! Just trying to catch up with you is all I can do. I bet you can do a PR at St George.

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  3. I can't believe how far you run. I did an 8 yesterday morning. I forced myself to slow down so I could make it the whole distance. It made a whole different set of muscles hurt.

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  4. You guys are killing me with your huge runs and killer times!

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