Quest For Boston

12 slow miles today.  Took me 1:45 to run it with Blake.  The first 5 were right into the teeth of a 25 mph wind.  Wasn't the most comfortable section but at least it didn't start raining till we turned the corner and headed for home.  Cold windy and rainy;  that's what I call winter weather on the Vineyard!!!!  It sure beat the blizzard we had last Sunday.  Last week was supposed to be a cut back week but with the weather and holiday it got a little ridiculous.  Hopefully I'm back on track.  Tommorrow starts the first day of my official 16 week Boston schedule.  I can't believe that time is going by so quickly.

3.5 miles in 25:28  7:15 pace.

Trying to work on less garbage miles and more purposeful miles.  Tried to run with the feel of pushing the pace with just the slightest effort for the whole run.  I'm very happy with the results.  Maybe if I can keep this up my speed can increase over the next couple months.

7 total miles  in 59:31  8:33 pace

1 mile warm up  followed by 2 sets of 4x800 at 10k pace with 90 seconds between 800's. 5 minute jog between sets; 1 mile cool down.  Was looking to run around 6:10 pace for the 800's but the first 4 were run right into the face of 30 mph winds with gusts of even higher.  Ended up running those first 4 averageing 3:15 or 6:30 pace.  On the return trip the 4 splits were at 2:55  or 5:50 pace with the same effort.  Right knee is feeling a little achey so I'll ice tonight and keep an eye on it. Tough conditions with the wind and 18 degree temps.

6.2 miles in 47:43  7:40 pace

My knee felt fine today with no carry over from yesterday.  The only problem I experienced was the right calf was tight and my foot  kept going numb.  Not sure what's up with that.. It went away almost immediately after I was finished with the run so I'm not overly concerned at this point.

Today the schedule called for a tempo run but I really didn't feel like doing it.  I still strapped on the sneakers and got out there.  A mile warm up followed by a 3 mile tempo run at 7:15's that was a real struggle.  Finished up with a 1 mile cool down. I would have loved to have extended the tempo but just had no energy today.  Easy day tommorrow.

Annual New Years day run with the Island running community.  I love this run even though it ends up being my slowest of the season.  It's a great time to see and talk with a lot of the running community that I don't get to see very often.  The run was followed by a pot luck lunch.  A nice easy run was exactly what my body needed.  Looking forwards to going out and running tommorrow.  Sadly, weather over the nextt 3 days is for snow- again. Happy New Years everybody!!!!