Week Eight + Monday musings

The Plan:

Wk	Dat	Mon	Tues	Weds	Thurs	Fri	Sat	Sun	Total

8

5/10 5/16

Easy Run Dist: 2 mi @10:23

Rest / XT

Tempo Run Dist: 7 mi, inc Warm; 5 mi @ 8:59; Cool

Easy Run Dist: 2 mi @10:23

Rest / XT

Long Run Dist: 9 mi @10:23

Rest / XT

20 miles

The Actual:
Monday: Swim (1050 meters)
Tuesday: Yoga
Wednesday: Seven mile tempo run
Thursday: 60 minute zone 2 cycle class
Friday: Nine mile long run
Saturday: rest
Sunday: Run for the Ribbon 4 Mile


Running life is blissful right now. I'm pretty much exactly one year out from the stress fracture diagnosis. I really am just now starting to feel like my pre-injury self. Chris was able to sneak away from the office on Friday and run with me. It was the first time in a long long loooong time that the miles just flew by. When we hit nine miles, I really didn't want to be done. The weather was beautiful and the company was great. We ran from downtown to Minnehaha Falls; and I really started to remember why I love running so much.
With the new Garmin, I've been doing the tempo runs outside. I'd been doing them on the treadmill before, but the sun's been coming up early so I decided to hit the streets. They are flipping hard. I think there's a few reasons for that. One is that it's hard to fuel up before those early morning runs. I did eat a banana before taking off this week, and that seemed to help. Week eight's tempo run wasn't quite as tough as week seven's. Regardless, I guess it's safe to conclude that they're paying off since this week's long run was so enjoyable.
Sunday's Run for the Ribbon was awesome. Once again the weather was fab. It's a small race, which means you get a little extra room to maneuver, which is helpful. Chris and I both set PR's. Chris really flew with an overall pace of 8:11 and I was quite happy with my 8:37. I am focusing on trying to put some of my fear aside and starting to run with confidence again. I am feeling great, so that helps :-)