First week of real mileage.

Tuesday, December 15
5 miles and gym
Drumroll please...after over a month I finally went back to the gym. You know its bad when a) the guy at the front desk thought that you had quit the gym and b) the gym actually emailed you concerned that you were lacking in motivation (sorry, Frogs, I was just busy running 70 miles a week and racing a half marathon).

Wednesday December 16
8 miles; 2 mi warm up 4 mi @ Marathon Pace, 2 mi c/d
Okay. Ow. Apparently the gym killed me. This was supposed to be 4 miles at tempo pace. But in reality, the splits barely qualified as marathon pace. At least I got some work in.

Thursday, December 17
12 miles, San Elijo
Ok, I think things hurt worse today then yesterday. Damn you Frogs.

Friday, December 18
8 miles, North on 101
Finally am able to get up from my chair at work without wincing...but still not 100%. Run felt better than yesterday at least and the thought of doing some speed over the weekend isn't entirely frightening.


Saturday, December 19
14 miles; 4x5mi @ Tempo Pace w/ 1 min distance pace
Ran on the Bike Path with Pope. Not my day for a workout. Each pick up felt AWFUL. Legs are NOT recovered from the gym session. Was supposed to do a 20 min T after 30 min distance pace but bagged it. At least it was nice to run with Pope.

Sunday, December 20
16 miles, South up TP Hill
Ran out in the "lounge" and back with Fern. Splits for must of the run were in the 7:15-7:30 range. Solid run.

Weekly Mileage - 71

Monday, December 21
Duty calls...in to work early today. OFF.

Tuesday, December 22
12 miles; 2 mi w/u and c/d w/ 8mi @ Marathon Pace (~6:50)
Woke up to howling winds before the sun even rose. It was one of those mornings where there is a high risk of turning off the alarm and never making it out the door. But my motivation has been increasing and by 6:20 I found myself out for a warm up. The wind was so bad I actually stumbled at one point, so I pulled the So Cal card and warmed up to the gym to do the workout on the treadmill. I am in desperate need of a workout that goes well so I figured if I just hopped on the treadmill and plugged in my pace the only way I could fall of pace was if I literally fell off the treadmill. Overall, good decision as I felt strong and comfortable for my 8 mile jaunt at marathon pace. (6:53, then down to 6:44 and 6:35 for the last two miles). Never struggled and felt good.