July 22, 2009

Distance: 8.1 miles
Time: 1:07:09
Average: 8:17
Run type: Race pace
Location: English Landing Park, Riverfront trail
Weather: 68, low humidity.
Aches: Upper leg stiffness that mostly disappeared as I got looser.
Injuries: None
Observations: 1) Wednesday of a work week – lots of traffic on the highway, where I used the shoulder for about a mile. 2. Bright sun but cool breeze.
Thoughts: 1. Tried to concentrate on keeping an 8:45 pace, but failed miserably. 2. I didn’t really check my pace much, and wondered frequently if I could keep the pace I was on. I did, but it was too fast. 3. Was really focused on the run so my thoughts didn’t wander much.
Session comments: This worked out to be a high quality run that tested speed and endurance. I thought I was fading a little in the last couple miles, but they were both under 8 min., so it was just in my mind. When it was done, I knew that had I done those same 8 miles with a week’s rest, it would have felt like a stroll.