I’m enjoying my runs more than ever lately – without a huge scary race to worry about, the fun factor has gone up 10-fold.  In fact, I’m not taking a rest day this week so it looks like I’ll be around 65 miles by Sunday.  This is unexpected (was planning on keeping it mid-50s) but I’ll ride the wave and just keep doing what feels good.   Hell, I even considered doing a double the other day but gathered my wits about me to nip that one in the bud.

Monday was 7.5 easy, Tues 10.5 and Wednesday was my first speed session in a while (8 x .25mi with 1 minute recoveries, aiming for 6:35 pace).  It was a toasty 75 degrees and I’ve been out of the speed loop so I expected a rocky start…it was.  My first interval was a lethargic 6:56 pace but each one got progressively faster till my last one @ 6:16 pace.  The only reason I did that one so fast was a cute guy passed me earlier and I felt compelled to pass him back. Total for the run, 8.75 mi.

Yeah, it was some terribly erratic pacing but I’m just getting my feet back in the game, next week will surely be steadier.  I feel really good about the session – it’s the complete opposite of my first speedwork after the Philly Marathon when I went from bad to worse and had to abandon the workout entirely.

Yesterday was 9 easy and today was a tempo run.  I had planned on 7mi w/3 tempo but there was a huge regatta in the park, university rowers everywhere, so I couldn’t start my tempo till a couple miles beyond my usual start point so it ended up being 9 w/3 tempo.   The tempo miles were a tad slower than I wanted but I was doing some dodging and it was hot for me (near 70) so they went 7:11, 7:12 and 7:09, average 7:11.  Average for the entire run was 8:01.

Again, very satisfied with the session despite not hitting my intended pace target – like I say, it’s one more coin in the speed bank and every coin counts.  Also, the weekly recipe of 1 speed, 1 tempo, a medium long run and a long run is my favorite.  When I’m able to get all 4 in, I know I’m doing the best I can for myself.

Now, about Saturday’s group run and that vow…  The weather report says there’s a 50% chance of thunderstorms but it’s supposed to clear off by the afternoon.  So please don’t hold it against me if it’s thunderstorming and I don’t go clubbing tomorrow.  I’m genuinely excited about getting involved now so it won’t be because I’m trying to weasel out of it, I just want my intro run with them to include zero chance of electrocution.

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