I really was not into a run yesterday, it has been one of those weeks where the body and mind are just tired. Two Boston flip/flops and trying to keep most everything else going along as close to normal as possible. Yeah, it has been one of those weeks.

Running Log – Pepin Test Course 4.0 Miler

Day: Saturday

Date: 9/29/19

Time of Day: 11:32 AM

Time of Run: 31:36

Distance: 4.01

Pace: 7:53

Weather: Clear, 66*F, 73% Humidity, Wind 6 mph SW

Variables that impacted the run: While walking Bennie, I got to thinking about what I was going to do for a run, my plan called for a long run, but eight hours of sitting in the Transit on Thursday, meant that my back wasn’t up to double-digits even if I wanted to. Plus I was in a bit of funk mentally and had already decided not to race on Sunday, because the noggin just wasn’t into racing.

It came down to:

• Take a day off
• An easy 3-4 miles
• Attempt the long run

Or do something completely stoopid and force myself to get out the funk I was in.

Me being me, I decided to go ahead, get my Nike Zoom Fly SP on and see how fast I could do my Pepin Test course.

Shoes Worn: Nike Zoom Fly SP

It was also a nice test of the Zoom Fly SP on this course and it gives me an idea of how they compare to other shoes that I have run fast in on this course. They did everything I wanted and the only negative is that I have to find the “right” socks to wear with them when racing, they are just a tad too snug on the right foot’s bunionette.

Comments:

Starting out I really wasn’t sure that this was all that great of an idea, so while I went out briskly for me, I didn’t really commit to running hard. It was again, more in the comfortably hard range. A pace I can maintain for quite a while, but not set any Land-Speed records.

Going down Philbrick Hill everything was fine, but the big difference was when I hit the flats, I didn’t pick up the pace like I usually would – that lack of commitment thing and the lower back bothering more than it usually does.

I was right around a 7:30 pace for the first mile, which is really slow for a time trial, so at that point I sort of gave up on going for a fast time and focused more on maintaining the pace/effort that I was at.

Down on Pepin which is a slight downhill most of the way and usually where I pickup free speed until the turn-around which is back up what I just rand down. I had to work to maintain the 7:30 pace through 2.0 miles.

Once I hit the 2.0 mile point, I had a choice relax and enjoy the run or keep pushing a bit. Something inside me said to keep pushing, so I did and while I didn’t really run all that fast, the effort level was there. Mile 3.0 split was under 9:00 which is good for me since it is just about all uphill and I have to fight going up Philbrick Hill.

Once I crested the hill, I was able to pick the pace back up to around a 7:40 pace and finished the run with a sub 8:00 pace overall.

No it was not my best time on the Pepin Test Course this year, but it was only 34 seconds off, so it wasn’t a slow run and it did seem to help clear my head quite a bit.

I think the biggest problem that I faced this run was not my body, but my lack of commitment to run harder. Other than the lower back issue, I was feeling good and could have pushed the pace harder in several places and just didn’t.

How did this run move me towards my goal(s)? Running today was more about doing the run and challenging myself to run faster than usual even though I really was not into running. Sometimes those runs help me more mentally than physically.

Other Comments:

Even though I felt a LOT better after the run, I still had that fatigued feeling the rest of the day and about all I did was mow the lawn and some Light reading the rest of the day.