Another Good Run Today

Although my cold is not completely cleared, it has not progressed beyond a head cold, so I decided to get up early for my run. Early, because the forecast called for 85 degrees today (yes, it is very warm and sunny here - I wish I could send 10 or 15 degrees up north for those of you dealing with the cold weather). I wanted to run while it was still cool and I had a busy day ahead.

So I rolled out of bed around 6:20 am. This was significant since yesterday I could hardly get myself out of bed at 7:30 am. But today, I felt "normal" about getting up (normal means that given the choice I would like to sleep in, but it wasn't too hard to get up...if you know what I mean). Anyway, the temperature was about 52 degrees and the sun was just making its way up.

I set off for a 3 to 4 mile run. I felt great and the temperature made the run easy. I felt so good I almost went for 5 miles, but made my turn for a 4.5 mile run to save a little time. I ran the entire distance without walking breaks and mostly in my aerobic zone:

Mile 1: 11:24
Mile 2: 11:29
Mile 3: 11:33
Mile 4: 11:06
Mile 4.5: 5:41

Total: 4.54 miles, 51:14 min
Avg pace 11:17 min/mile
Avg heart rate: 158 bpm

This is a good sign! One of my goals this year is to get my marathon time under 5 hours. That would be an 11:27 min/mile pace. I am on my way to that goal. Practicing my running at an aerobic pace seems to be paying off by extending the time I can keep my heart rate in the aerobic zone. As I shed the cold and my foot continues to improve, I am hoping to do more tempo runs and some speed work. The other goal this year is a sub-30 min 5K.

What a great way to start the day!! After that things went downhill, or so it seemed. I had to turn around half a mile down the road on my way to work because I forgot something, then arriving at work realizing I left my computer home.

I don't know about you, but I can practically do nothing without my computer. After such a great run, it seemed odd that I could be so forgetful. I attended a few meetings and just decided to head home and work from there for the rest of the afternoon (perhaps this was not such a bad deal afterall).

It's off to see the younger daughter's soccer game this evening, followed by some more time with visiting family from NY.

Best wishes to Irish Blue for a great race tomorrow!!!! She is going to rock that 13.1 mile course. A little cool weather can't stop her!! Maddy and I will send up some warmer weather :-)