I originally planned today as a rest day (following yesterday’s 13) and to run again on Monday. When I looked ahead at the week’s forecast, I called an audible at the last minute. Rain is expected from late Sunday until Wednesday night. Ah, yes … Springtime in NYC. Since I have no desire to work particularly hard next week, I decided to run today. Tuesday will be indoors (I think) and hopefully, Thursday is clear again.
I was encouraged that I awoke with no stiffness, but then again this past week has not been crazy intense either. Nothing particularly eventful about this morning’s run. There was a duathalon in CP followed by a 4M and 15k race. It was pretty active on the roads, but I ducked on to the dirt path again. Also, the recent cold front on the East Coast (mid ‘30s) is stubborn and required me to pull out some winter gear. Tights, cap, mittens. Bleh.
Like yesterday, I started sluggish. I must more patient than yesterday with the warm up and kept it fairly steady (9:48, 8:53, 8:46, 8:41). I moved to the flat Reservoir for the final 2 miles. I knew I was cutting the run short at 5-6 miles so I opened it up slightly on the last mile: 7:29. I needed to feel what it was like to increase pace after a few miles on the legs (13 yesterday + 4 today). They legs weren’t tired (wasn’t looking to really test them either), but I do need to feel confident that when I call on them, that they can respond. Total mileage 5.5 miles at 8:47.
I’m also thinking thru my race day strategy too. I need to speak with my coach, but one of the goals is to not run over a pylon.