Toasty Ten

This was probably the warmest run of 2014. When I left the house, it was about 68 degrees. It was 10 degrees warmer when I reached the finish line. I completed, the first 5 miles at a very easy 13 minutes per mile.Then I picked up the pace for my last 5 miles. I was fast enough for the last 5 miles to decrease my overall pace to 12:38 per mile. Mile 10 was my fastest mile with a pace of 11:33. I completed my last quarter mile at a 10:38 pace. Then I enjoyed an easy walk home.

Next week, I plan to run 13.1 miles at planned marathon pace of 12 minutes per mile or faster. I know that weather could be a factor, so I will start at 6:00. This should put me at home by 8:30 with temps in the 60's. If temps are in the 70's, I will make modifications and simply plan to finish based on how I feel.

I have devided to run at least one marathon in the fall or winter. Hopefully that will be the Flying Monkey in Nashville. The field is limited to 300, so my alternate race will either be the Soldier Marathon, Thompson Trail, or Warner Robbins.

My next big thing is the Macon Labor Day 10k, so, I'm keeping a good base for my future Marathon training AND incorporating strong speed sessions to prepare for a reasonably fast 10k in Macon.

Here are a couple of pics from the 2011 Nashville Marathon. That's a wonderful spring race!!