i wasn't expecting too much on this run, the plan was to run comfortably and see how my legs felt, and try to keep running the uphill return portion.
I started out a bit lethargic and conservative, after about 1 mile, things were loosening up and i went with it, trying to be conscious of the additional effort required for return trip and save a little for it.
at mile 2.5, i saw the lead runners coming back through, just over 19 minutes, and they were 3.5 miles in, charging up the climb back into town. i smiled and continued onward, enjoying the remaining 1/2 mile downhill, grabbed a cup of water at the turnaround, put my head down and kept churning my legs, slow and steady.
i've run up this section numerous times during the past couple of months of training, it's a slow grind for me, and it proved to be as much today, my legs were a bit heavy and reluctant to put forth anything more than just enough to keep jogging.
coming back into town i felt ok, and was able to muster a slightly faster pace for a decent finish, right around 54 minutes, right around an 8:40 / mile, far from stellar, but on a day where i was just hoping to do finish with 9:00 / mile, i'll take it.
now the fun begins, doing virtually nothing, perhaps a couple short easy runs maybe a bike ride just some easy activities to keep everything moving and then the big dance.
i've got a lot of questions bouncing around in my head about it, but am doing what i can to let them bounce out of my head. there are lingering doubts, which i'll have to confront and see if i have the answers this go round, but that will all be sorted out on saturday, there is no need to devote any effort or energy to stringing together what could be and maybes.
if if's and buts where candy and nuts, i'd be putting on some serious weight this week
current leadman standings are listed here, including times for each event.
another coffee mug to add to my collection:
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