sub-3 or blow-up trying

Warmed up at home on the TM for 3 miles and then headed over to New Haven for a 20K.  Had difficulty finding parking and by the time we got all 6 kids with the dog situated, we were 9 minutes to start.  I was running a 20k and my wife a 5k.  Couldn't get my legs loose, so hope they'd warm up within the first few times.  Introductions, National Anthem, and we were off right on time.  Here are my splits...

Mile 1:  6:22 (legs stiff, but breathing was fine)

Mile 2:  6:32 (slight uphill, can't get legs loose, yet time was surprisingly good)

Mile 3:  6:36 (slight up/down, legs stiff, yet felt as though I was getting into a groove)

Mile 4:  6:35 (slight downhill, continue to be happy with the time)

Mile 5:  6:45 (slight up/down- right at my goal pace)

Mile 6:  6:50 (legs haven't gotten loose, decide to pick it up a tad)

Mile 7:  6:40 (no hills, getting warmer outside, concentrating on form)

Mile 8:  6:50 (slight uphill, still happy with time)

Mile 9:  7:03 (Mostly slight uphill, held position, happy with time)

Mile 10:  7:06 (Signficant uphill portion, passed a few runners, thrilled w/time)

Mile 11:  6:56 (100% downhill, lossed concentration, just cruised and shocked at how slow my pace was...legs were tight, but no excuse for slowing down so much on such a giving stretch)

Mile 12:  6:48 (Had to pick up my concentration level/form, legs were stiff, yet breathing very easy)

Last .40:  6:30 (Not a ton in the tank, yet finished solid)

Overall, I happy with my race.  This was a pr for this particular course by just over a minute.  I was especially pleased to do well on a day in which my legs just wouldn't seem to loosen up.  Pace was still comfortable and I was never at all challenged with my breathing.  I feel in position to really push the next couple months towards a strong marathon.  Came in 214 out of 2200 runners (23rd for age).  My wife ran the 5k in 25:26, pr'ing by about a minute as well and also placing 23rd in her age group.  I guess neither one of us has bragging rights today.

Ran 4.5, including 2 w/my 12-year-old daughter who's run 3 times in the past week.  She's improved from a 21-minute run to an 18:41 today.  She'll be starting cross-country this Fall. 

What the heck?  85 degrees out today.  Got a 9.75 mile run in @ 9min pace.  A bit tired from yesterday, yet felt good to get the run in. 

Ran 10 miles at a 9:22 pace.  Had a bit of a "hot spot" on my left forefoot.  Perhaps a result of Monday's pounding. 

6.5 easy on the TM.

I ran 5 miles on the TM, including one progressively down to a 6min pace + threw in six 20-30 second strides at a 5 min pace.  May run a 1/2 marathon tomorrow as a training run.  I'm feeling the need to stretch out my marathon pace miles between now and late November.  Would love to hit 20-miles at a sub-7min pace before the race and then hopefully allow the taper to do it's magic. 

Having run a 20k on Monday, I approached this race as a training run.  However, from the start I found myself unable to hold back, so just gave it my best.  I warmed up for 2 miles and then made it to the starting line w/about 250 other runners.  The gun went off and here are my splits...

Mile 1:  6:13 (Mostly downhill, so minimal effort...decided to just get into the race)

Mile 2:  6:37 (3/4 uphill, 2 runners way up and I kept my eye of the fuller pack of about 10)

Mile 3:  6:49 (this entire mile was a gradual uphill, tried to keep the pack in sight so I wouldn't get lost)

Mile 4:  6:39 (this is the mile I was probably most pleased with, 2/3 uphill and I was able to keep a steady pace)

Mile 5- 6:59 (a short, sharp downhill followed by 3/4 mile of gradual up)

Mile 6- 6:19 (all downhill)

Mile 7- 6:50 (rolling hills)

Mile 8- 6:28 (rolling- more down than up)

Mile 9- 6:59 (slight gradual incline)

Mile 10- 7:23 (all uphill- Tried to keep focussed)

Mile 11- 7:20 (rolling...close to a mental collapse- too much up for this stage of the race! Stopped at the water station and drank 2 waters)

Mile 12- 7:31 (almost all uphill...it's killing me)

Mile 13- 6:30 (aahh...all downhill, regained composure and confidence...I'm not in good hill shape!)

Last .10- 5:46 pace (actually on my Garmin it was the last .14- not too off from 13.1!)

Finished in 12th place (3rd in age group) w/a time of 1:29:30 (6:48pace on my garmin, 6:50 pace for the official time).  It's my new pr for a 1/2 marathon.  This run was far more challenging than Monday's run and I was able to finish strong, so overall I feel pretty good about the race.  I'm still probably in better racing shape for 9-10 miles and have a lot of room for improvement on the hills.  With a marathon in late November, I think I'm in a good place w/my training.  Would like to take a moment to remember my late friend and roommate Todd Beamer who died in the struggle with Flight 93 on 9/11- God bless you Todd, you are missed!