Saturday, September 20, 2008

15-Miler through Debris-strewn Houston

OBJECTIVE
15 mi. Easy
6x100 @ 6:31/mi.

ACHIEVED
15.08 mi.@ 8:21/mi.
7:38/6:14/6:04/6:16/5:45/6:26/?:??

6:09 AM 72° 91% 6 mph

Friday, September 19, 2008

OBJECTIVE
5 mi. Slow
3x100 strides @ 6:31/mi.

ACHIEVED
5.12 mi.@ 8:56/mi.
5:52/6:12/5:50

Thursday, September 18, 2008

OBJECTIVE
3 mi. Slow

ACHIEVED
3.01 mi.@ 8:55/mi.

6:09 AM

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

OBJECTIVE
WU 1 mi.
4-3-2-1 mi.@ 7:55/mi. w/2 min. rest
CD 1 mi.

ACHIEVED
WU 0.26 mi.
4 mi.@ 7:44/mi.
3 mi.@ 7:49/mi.
2 mi.@ 7:47/mi.
1 mi.@ 7:50/mi.
CD 0.10 mi.

6:04 AM

This one scared me before I started and continued while in progress. I think I found out a couple things. First, this 7:55/mi. marathon pace which translates into a 3:27 marathon is going to keep my hands full. Of course, I've felt the pace before during pickups at the end of long runs. But today was the first time I sustained the pace (discounting the 2 minute standing/walking breaks between intervals). I was drifting slower over the last mile. I think that's from starting faster than necessary. The pace also requires my concentration - both mental and physical. There is no autopilot at this pace for me. This is a little disappointing because it's tough for me to stay focused like that for 3 1/2 hours. When I let my mind wander this morning, the pace fell off and I had to work to regain it.

On the positive side, this workout was a bit of a confidence booster because I think it's doable; it's just going to require a sterling effort. This seems to suggest to me that I'm targeting the right marathon time.

It was still very dark this morning as the power in still out at my house and the neighborhoods I run through. However, it's not quiet. The loud hum of generators really pieces the stillness of the early morning.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

OBJECTIVE
7 mi. Easy

ACHIEVED
7.03 mi.@ 8:52/mi.

5:19 AM

Monday, September 15, 2008

OBJECTIVE
3 mi. Slow 3x100 strides @ 5K

ACHIEVED
3.01 mi.@ 8:30/mi.

strides pace - target 6:31/mi.: 6:14/6:58/6:23

7:10 PM

Felt pretty good tonight. Still no power at the house.

I Don't Like Ike!

Just a quick note for those checking the blog to see how Hurricane Ike treated us.

We're okay. The storm was bad. Knocked down a couple trees and fence in the yard. We're still without power. Relatively speaking we came out of this one just fine.

The perspective of being in a disaster area is rather strange. There's obviously a bunch of stuff that's messed up around the area but you just do what you need to to get by.

I'll catch up with the blog again once power's restored.
OBJECTIVE
3 mi. slow w/3x100 strides @ 5K

ACHIEVED
3.01 mi.@ 9:00/mi.

5:20 AM

Didn't get the strides. Still a bunch of debris in the streets and no street lights. These familiar streets look awfully different without electricity ... even in the light of the full moon.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

OBJECTIVE
6 mi. Easy

ACHIEVED
3.68 mi.@ 9:02/mi.

2:10 PM

Aborted 6 miler. Wasn't feeling it. Touring the storm-damaged area. Stopped at 3 miles and tried to start again but had nothing in the tank. Maybe lack of sleep and food ....