08 January 2015

Today was mostly overcast with few (very few) openings of blue sky and cool (high temperature: 38°F). I finally convinced myself that it wasn’t getting any warmer when the temperature dropped to 37°F; so, I changed into my running clothes and bolted out the door. [Okay, truth in advertising, I exited through the door, same as usual; I didn’t bolt! <a little poetic license> ]

Endurance Running – Week 8 of 13 Weeks, Day 3 of 4 Days

I was so jubilant that, from the very beginning of the WU, my legs were not tired today (no, my whole body). Also, it was obvious that, during my WU, my pace was much quicker than the two runs earlier this week and easier to maintain. The steep hill at the first training mile was not any easier and my pace was on par with a slow walk.

After the second or third training mile, I believe that I had overcome the effects of the steep hill and I began to enjoy the run. However, I noticed, about that time, that my HR (heart rate) seemed higher than I wanted; and, the Garmin FR620 confirmed it. So, I slowed my pace but had to continue focusing upon slowing my pace. I have to confess that slowing my pace is easier when going up hill, even slight grades. <big grin>

My next scheduled run is supposed to be a 14-miler, Long Run, on Saturday (10 Jan 2015); however, the whole area of the Texas Hill Country is forecast to receive freezing rain and below freezing temperatures (<32°F, 0°C). I’ve never had the pleasure (?) of running in such temperatures, NOR in freezing rain and icy roadways; so, we’ll have to see whether I get out the door to run on Saturday for my last run this week–it may be that my last run this week actually will be run on the first day of next week. Each week’s Long Run is the most important run; i.e., any other training day’s run can be omitted without loss of fitness/endurance, but, the Long Run is too important to omit–that’s my understanding of my base building training.

Happy Running!!!