A couple of shockers:
- I’m actually blogging the same day as I ran.
- Gotham was not felled by Hurricane Whatever it was named.
- Fall was here for at least one day.
All of the aforementioned events conspired into what I will term as a “validation run”. Without going thru the annoyance of racing, today provided positive feedback on training. Happily back home in Central Park, I set off to attempt something I’ve never done … a well-executed long run exclusively on the Bridle Path. The first part of that goal does not sound so taxing as long runs have been going well during this cycle. However, doing it on the Bridle is the challenge. It’s not that the Bridle itself is anything to fret over … rolling hills and sandy in some parts. Instead it’s the psychological battle of fighting thru the monotony of endless 2.5 mile loops until you achieve your target distance. The most I’ve ever done is 4 and then ran someplace else to regain my sanity. Every weekend I read posts by my teammates who regularly bang out 7+ loops. I admire the discipline it takes to keep looping. If you can clear that mental hurdle, then it’s one more check on the way to marathon success. After avoiding CP for long runs since early August and returning from vacay, it was time. Now or never.
It was a stunning fall day in NYC. 65* w/ 32% humidity. Yes, read that again. The city of god awful weather for the better part of 3+ months served up a nice one this morning. I set off on that familiar trek from the apartment to CP for a brief warm up and began the cycle. The results:
As hyper-critical as I am about my performance, even I am pleased with this effort. Everything came together after I loosened up. It’s rare when that feeling of being able to run forever occurs. However, my coach prescribed 20, so I listened. The splits are nice as it ended up being a mini progression of sorts. After the 4th lap, (10mi) I stopped to refuel (Gatorade + GU). It took that 5th lap to get loose again. Alpha joined me on lap 6 and of course the pace quickened a bit (8:13) … for those unfamiliar with Alpha – he is in CPTC’s A group (2:38 in Boston) and just ridiculously talented. Dude walks at a 6:45 pace. What was cool about running with Alpha was that I was able to hold a full conversation and move faster than I was running solo without effort … good sign.
I decided that I wanted to add a bit of turnover to the workout so I moved to the Outer Reservoir and tossed in a 7:16 pace for 1.65 miles (miles 16/17). I won’t say it was effortless, but it was easier than anticipated. Why not run at marathon pace? I intended to do so, but after a mile I was well past 7:30 so I turned it over a little more to get me within screaming distance of goal HMP (7:15). Another couple laps on the Inner Reservoir and I shut it down when the Garmin read 20.03 miles.
A solid morning and an indication that training is going in the right direction. Interestingly, as you know, I have been wrestling with the idea of adding that 6th day of running to the program. After this morning, I see no need. I am getting more benefit from 2 full rest days than I could be adding more slow miles.