Fitness Run

Distance: 4 miles
Time: 35:27
Pace: 8:51 min/mi

Comments: Felt pretty worn down yesterday and the back of my left knee still had a slight soreness. So I decided to take an extra day off and let myself recover better. Since I am not running the half-marathon this weekend, I can pick the day for my long run depending on how I feel.

Today was a little on the warm side but not too humid. Most importantly, little to no wind for once. So I tried to push the pace a little, maxing the running tempo not getting into a real speed push. This got me just under 9 min/mi pace which is where I really want to be.

New Shoes: Saucony Triumph ISO 4

I've put about 250 miles on my current pair of running shoes and they have held up pretty well. But I need to see about having a designated pair for when I travel. So I've decided to move the current shoes into quasi-retirement and get a new pair for summer running.

I went over to The Fort Worth Running Company and they were their usual helpful selves. I ended up going with the Saucony Triumph ISO 4. These are a bit more like a running flat than a regular cushioned running shoe. I'm planning on more gravel running and, hopefully, some trails this summer. In those cases, this shoe makes a lot of sense.

I'll try it out this week and, if there's no issue, it will be the new regular pair for my running.

Fitness Run

Distance: 4 miles
Time: 39:50
Pace: 9:57 min/mi

Comments: The last day of three-in-a-row and it felt like it. I wasn't dreading getting out there but I knew it would be a bit of a bear and it was. It's a bit warmer today so I tried to get started a hair earlier and, thank goodness, there was no wind for once.

So I started pretty slow and slogged through the first half and then slowed down even more for the second half. I kept under the 10 min/mi average pace but I wasn't even really trying to do that. The miles mattered far more than the time.

Fitness Run

Distance: 4 miles
Time: 39:04
Pace: 9:46 min/mi

Comments: Since I did a pretty grueling long run yesterday and have another regular run slated for tomorrow, the plan was to keep this a recovery run. And, for the most part, I did that. The goal was sub 10 minute mile average pace but I cleared that with ease.

Still, it didn't really feel easy. I was sluggish getting started and never totally shook it. Which seemed a little weird when I finally checked my watch and I was hitting my target pace. Again, the headwind on the first half sucked completely but gave me a slight boost on the final two miles.

Long Run

Distance: 10 miles
Time: 1:38:04
Pace: 9:48 min/mi

Comments: I have had my fill of these windy long runs. I was blasted by 20+ mph gusts the whole first half of this run. It was unpleasant to the extreme. As much as it helps on the back half of the effort, I'd really prefer just not battling it at all.

So with the wind and general fatigue, the first part of this one was not very fun. I warmed up pretty quick but couldn't really tell how well I was doing because of the headwind. But, after the turnaround, I was able to slip into a good steady pace and chip away at the time I lost.

I finished under 100 minutes again and had a very strong final three miles.