I’ve used this phrase countless times during marathon training … generally as a response to a challenging workout. Last night’s tempo was not itself excessively challenging – 4mi tempo @ HMP … we’ve been assigned the same workout plus 4mi @ MP as an appetizer. This particular session brought out additional factors to juggle in addition to simply executing a run: cold rain, wind, leaves just waiting for you to slip on, puddles with crevices begging for a fresh ankle to mangle, and of course, it was pitch black, save for an occasional flickering lamp along the outer loop of CP. Even for a dedicated group of athletes as CPTC, the numbers venturing out in this mess were lower than usual ~ 20 folks.
I geared up in a lightweight jacket (not waterproof as I don’t own one), gloves, hat and Nike Zoom Elites. I was gunning for a longer warm up, but because of the conditions, Coach sent us on our way at the appointed hour, if not slightly earlier. Therefore, I cut it short (3+), regrouped and headed out with my pack. As usual Runner’s Kitchen lead the way and pretended to start at my pace, then took off leaving us in the dust … she’s a beast. Given my growing “stay healthy / avoid stupidity” paranoia, I felt like we were all holding back during the first mile to orient to the conditions. I had visions of slipping on a leaf or otherwise just biting it. It felt like we were cruising along at MP (7:30) and then would steadily drop to HMP (7:15-20) for the balance. When Garmin chimed after mile 1 it read – 7:40. Crap. Despite that first mile always being slow (gradual uphill), we needed to get going.
I found the rhythm during miles 2 and 3 (7:18, 7:21) and focused on form. My thoughts started creeping towards marathon Sunday … not necessarily racing visions, but more so how this night (like so many before it) would be reflected upon during the race. Withdrawing the cash deposited for 4 grinding months for the money day. I remember the brutally cold sessions on this same route when I first joined CPTC and I was dead last … by A LOT. Tonight, that was not the case. I finished with a nice kick for mile 4 (7:01). All in, a solid effort with 10mi total and 7:20 pace for the tempo portion.
I’m planning to run the last 10 miles of the course in a couple of weeks to find the tangents, get used to the surroundings and continue painting that mental picture of what will happen on 11.7.2010.
Last thing, I absent-mindedly failed to mention Morrissey’s sparkling 2:57:41 PR at Chicago. Nice work, my man. CPTC represented in my hometown!