The body parts seem to be working fine, Sunday was a 9-miler that required no stretching stops at all, then yesterday, an uneventful 7.

Today, because I’ve got a 5K this Sunday, I chanced a casual speed session.  The last time I did anything fast was that 5K on the 24th, so it was important for me to get some speed in just to remind my legs what race effort feels like (they forget quickly).

I got out after a thunder storm which meant it was warm and disgustingly humid.  I played it by ear, really didn’t want to do a regimented session.  What I ended up with was 9 miles total with 3 x .5 mi and 3 x .25 mi, with .25 mi recoveries between each.  My only rule was I couldn’t look at my watch.

The first one was super crappy, slower than my 10k pace, 6:59.  They improved after that, but I was still all over the place with 6:43, 6:38 for the other 1/2 miles, then 6:25, 6:25, 6:40 for the 1/4 miles.  Seems alright, but considering the long recoveries it was sub-par, though I’m not  disappointed – I’ve been out of the loop for a couple weeks and the conditions didn’t help.

So I’m not expecting anything this weekend, might even dip back into 21:xx territory, but that’d be ok.  I’m at peace with the fact that running is not always a linear rise you can depend upon, but more like a series of ocean waves.  Considering the crest I’ve been riding these last few months I’ve been incredibly lucky, so maybe it’s time to recede back into the ocean for a bit now.

Wet metaphors aside, I’m going to have a great time this weekend regardless of how I do, because Doggie girl and Judy from the Women’s BQ thread will be racing, too.  Sounds like a fun morning, guaranteed.

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