I decided to see if I could run ten miles at a decent pace this past weekend. My efforts last year at running this distance resulted in a very slow pace at the tail end of the run. It was not uncommon for me to exceed a ten minute per mile pace at the end of a long run of this distance last year.
The route that I typically take for my weekend long run begins and end at my home, a seven and a half mile loop about the eastern side of town. I tacked on a three mile loop through an adjacent development to yield a ten and a half mile route.
I tried to conserve my energy as best possible for the first seven and a half miles. I did a fairly good job. However, my pace slowed markedly after I reached my house after the 7.5 mile marker. The last two and a half miles hurt a bit - my thighs were burning and I began to get shin splints. I ran an average pace of 8:27 for the first 7.5 miles - a decent pace. The last three miles I ran at a 9:06 pace. You could say I have "7.5 mile" legs right now. As I train more I should get 'longer' more durable legs..
Fortunately I did not injure myself but trying to run too far. Had I tried to run a mile or two more I would have hurt something to the extent I would have been sidelined for a week or two.
I am going to do three workout this week before the Millersville Mile on Sunday. I will rest on Friday and Saturday to ensure my legs are as fresh as possible. I have trained a lot for a six minute run.
No comments:
Post a Comment