Long Run

Distance: 6 miles
Time: 1:07:54
Pace: 11:18 min/mi

Comments: In a few weeks, if I keep my running regimen up, I'm going to look back at a six mile "long run" with some amusement. But, make no mistake, this was a legitimate end-of-the week workout. I had to earn this one.

I took yesterday off, slept well last night and have eaten pretty well over the past few days. Still, I felt worn out from the start. I was very conscious of not going out too fast given my rather speedy times of late but it really didn't matter. I had to slog my way through this whole workout.

I did this one widdershins which put the steep incline at the end. As a result the last mile was an ordeal. Add to that a wind gust decided to show up at the steepest part as well. Not fun times.

Fitness Run

Distance: 4 miles
Time: 39:28
Pace: 9:51 min/mi

Comments: With the new shoes ready to go, I felt a bit anxious to get out and run today (in a good way for a change). The temperatures were still pretty cold this morning and I had to wait until noon for it to warm up a bit. And that's a relative term, the first mile was damn chilly.

The shoes worked as well as I had hoped and the run went very well overall. I clearly have some strength back but this was the first time I felt like the conditioning was starting to get there. The latter shown by the accidental sub-40 minute time and the fact I seriously considered going for six miles.

New Shoes: Brooks Glycerin 15

For the last few months (despite the sporadic running routine) I've been using a pair of Asics Gel Flux 4 shoes. I bought these on sale at a sporting goods store. Turns out they were a half size too small and that was growing increasingly problematic as I have been adding on the miles.

So, yesterday, while I was doing errands across North Texas I decided to stop at Fort Worth Running Company. I have never used this store or even heard anything about them. But, in my experience, these local, privately-owned stores provide the best service and feedback I need. And this turned out to be no exception.

Fitness Run

Distance: 4 miles
Time: 39:19
Pace: 9:49 min/mi

Comments: With the winter weather scheduled to arrive this afternoon and make the next few days completely miserable, I made it a point to get out and get this one in. If I have to, I'll do a run in freezing conditions, but now I've got some wiggle room with that.

I was a little stiff after yesterday's "speed" workout but it passed as soon as I got warmed up. With it pretty likely I'll have a few days off, I wanted to do this one at a faster pace as well. I just missed getting the first mile at sub 20 minutes but made sub 40 minutes for the run. So a nice negative split there.

Fitness Run

Distance: 2 miles
Time: 18:04
Pace: 9:02 min/mi

Comments: The cold snap next week will force me into a multi-day hiatus so I took advantage of the weather today to get an extra run in. Since I already hit my distance goal for the week, I decided to turn this one into a pseud-speed workout.

Basically, I took my regular course backwards. Which meant most of the incline was on the final two-thirds of a mile. So my first mile came in at 8:35 and the second mile at 9:26. About what I would expect. Overall, the nine minute average pace was about where I would expect as well.