What kind of split is that?

Either I went out too slow or I finished to fast..... or I just had a great 4 mile run!

Whatever the case I loved it and I think it went really well. This comes after taking three days off because of an aching knee. Still not sure what was going on with my knee. I don't think it was running related, but I didn't want to irritate it by running my long run on Saturday.

I started this mornings run with a first mile at a 9:38 pace, and finished with a 4th mile at a 7:46 pace.... almost 2 minutes difference in between! I try to start my first mile at an easy pace as my warm-up, and try to speed it up a little at a time throughout the race to get negative splits. I guess this morning I was feeling a bit more energetic.

My race log with the other splits.

Shorter than normal

I have had a shorter mileage week than normal. The extra work hours over the last couple weeks once again caught up with me and I just couldn't drag myself out of bed in the middle of the night to go running.

I only put a couple 4 milers in during the week, but with excellent negative splits. Run 1 Run 2.

I did however put in a 10 miler today which I was really pleased with overall. My pace was 9:09 which is just a small bit slower than my half marathon pace.

I am looking forward to getting back at it this coming week.

4 miles in the rain - negative splits

I woke up in the middle of the night to a major downpour. I thought - wow - this morning is a 4 mile run, I hope it slows down a bit before time to get up and get going.

When I rolled out of bed at 4:45 it seemed to have stopped raining so I proceeded to get ready and do all my Monday morning measurements. I was looking forward to my run on this rainy, 61 degree, 99% humidity morning. I finished up and headed out the door at about 5:15. When I walked out the door I noticed the rain had not stopped, but was very light.

The rain came and went the entire run, but since it had rained so hard overnight I had the wonderful enjoyment of puddle hopping, and trying to find all the puddles in the dark (or not find them as it be this morning) I did pretty good at missing most of them, but a couple times the light was not good enough to keep from the splash. I can only wonder how many worms lives were ended under the soles of my running shoes.

My run went really good, and I felt really good. I ended up with an 8:50 average mile on my 4 miler. I had negative splits of 9:26 - 9:15 - 8:45 - 8:16 which I was very happy with.

4 Down - 4 To Go

4 miles down, only 4 more training miles to go before race day. I put my 4 easy miles in this morning and it was a really good run. I tried something a little different this morning.

I usually don't eat anything before running in the morning, but have noticed lately that I do much better when I run in the afternoon a couple hours after eating. Most of my races have been in the morning so I have not eaten anything, but I have had a couple afternoon/evening races over the past couple months and I have always done better and felt like I had more energy. I always thought that I didn't do as well in the morning because it was dark, but I am now beginning to wonder if it doesn't have more to do with fuel.

This morning I got up at 4:05 (something magic about those extra 5 minutes) and made myself some oatmeal. Quaker Oatmeal, not instant oatmeal. I ate about 1/4 cup and then waited an hour before going out for my run. I was apprehensive because I too many times have run with too much on my stomach. The run went really good, my stomach felt good, and I do feel like I had more energy. I am going to play around with this a bit to see what I can do.

As for this Saturday, I will eat something, but I will be up at least 2 hours before race time so that won't be an issue. I will probably just have some oatmeal and maybe a banana. They are now again saying that we are supposed to have rain Saturday. We will see, I will take whatever the good Lord gives me and make the best of it :)

The Morning After

Well, after yesterdays Disappointing Mile, I was a bit anxious and timid with this mornings run. My ankle was a little tight this morning, but was fine all afternoon and evening so I figured it was just tight from running on it yesterday when something wasn't right. I stretched and stretched, and then stretched one more time to see how everything was feeling. If it didn't feel great I was not going to run.

Everything was feeling great so I headed out the door and walked to the starting block (OK, the corner) Once the light turned from red to green (OK, I got my little flashing red light turned on) and official clock had been started (OK, just my cheap watch) I was off.

I paid really close attention as I ran and everything seemed good. I ran the first 3 miles pain free, and then for about 3 steps my right ankle was a little weak. I was very pleased to see it pass as quickly as it came. The rest of the run went really good. I got home and stretched, and stretched, and then stretched some more.

I am sure my ankle is a little weak because of running the mile on it yesterday when it was hurting, but this mornings run was very encouraging.