Wow, what a difference a day makes....Sunday's long run

Nothing like getting up late, and knowing that this could only be the start of a potentially hot run again.

WOW, nothing could be more different. The weather is beautiful (after yesterday's scorcher, i.e. it was down pouring and it was still 90 degrees without any cooling effect, just becoming more humid)

This time before leaving the house ( at a late 7:10 AM) I have a peanut butter sandwich and a bowl of oatmeal (I hope this is enough to keep me fueled.)

I am also going to take water in starting at about mile 1.5 and then every mile and a half or sooner as needed.

The opening mile was a pedestrian 10:51, which seems to be very slow, but I am not taking a chance. I am hoping the other miles go as easy.
Here with my comments are the initial first miles:

1. 10:51 (very slow, but that's OK, weather is great,lets hope it stays this way)
2. 10:41 (10 seconds faster and all uphill, always seems to be the case)
3. 10:39 (still holding relative pace on this slightly flat/down stretch)
4. 10:07 (have to get back to 10:30, these fast miles may do me in..my stomach is starting to feel weird, hmmm)
5. 10:18 (decide to turn towards the high school track for a mile or two)
6. 10:04 (next 6.75 miles will be on the track)
7. 9:54 (huh these laps are well...boring)
8. 9:55 (I am starting to get too much gas, no open bathroom in site)
9. 10:13 (decided to add on and additional 3 miles)
10. 10:16 ( really may need a port-a-john soon, had to be teriyaki steak yesterday)
11. 10:02 (what would possess me to run 27 laps on a HS track??)
12. 10:04 (.5 mile on track, other .5 mile on gravel path from track to HS)
13. 9:24 (decide to make a run for McDonald's, I don't think I will make it, made it, feel so much better..TMI)
14. 9:59 (lets keep this nice pace, I am so glad I got more water at McDee's, I had been out)
15. 9:38 (Wow, amazing how great weather will make a run go so well.
16. 9:16 (nice way to finish last mile, I can see the sun is starting to heat things up, but I am done)
17. 4:42 (.5 mile) (nice way to finish)

Plan was for 16, I did 16.5, this was my first long run an a very long time. I thought I would feel very tired, but yet the legs are starting to recover..this is good!!

I am at 57.25 miles for the week, one better than last week, and considering all my ills, I am very happy. But being 3 miles from a new personal best is going to taunt me all day. I may hop on treadmill for a very easy 3 later after dinner. To finish this week over 60 would be great, and with next week being a cut back (probably around 45 miles) to get the legs fresh for Batsto, I am very happy with how they feel today. My average pace was 10:04, and with the last quarter being all sub 10 miles, means the fitness and legs are coming back. Next week should give me a very good indication of my true performance level. I am shooting for sub 24 minute 5K.

It is amazing how much better a run is in cool weather, it just boggles my mind. I am also very happy with finishing the week off with this run. Running on the track was very nice and not as boring as I thought. Although when I was starting to waiver, 6 hawks started to fly over head, circling, that was just weird.

I have to make sure that I eat enough the day before and before I leave the door. Not to concerned with bathroom stop, considering teriyaki /soy sauce gives me lots of gas. So I will chalk it up to that. Plus it also allowed me to refill my hydration pack, so I had more water to consume for the last 5 miles when it started to get hot.

Everything worked its way out this week, so I am happy, lets see what next week brings.