Space City 10-Miler Postmortem

So, three weeks ago I had run my first run in almost 6 months. And it was a 4-miler (a little ambitious, I was told my some). That day I joined BAF to train with for the Chevron Houston Half. They were at 5-8 miles (depending on the group). I wasn't up there.

The next week, my first official Saturday with BAF (two weeks ago), I ran a 6 mile long run (my past daily run, mind you). It was rough. After 4 miles, I started griping. I was slow, tired, hot. I was envious because the Space City 10-miler was coming up and I didn't want to push up to 10 miles so quickly, and there was noone to partner with for the relay. So I realized I'd be running by myself that weekend.

Last week, my BAF long run was 8 miles. I was ok until mile 7. Then came the griping. But I finished the 8.

A few days ago, I went ahead and signed up for the 10-miler. I wanted to use it for a long run, even though someone smart in her training probably would've gone back down to 6 or 7 before going back up. But I'm not smart when it comes to training. Andy likes to lecture me on my rogue training. He thinks I'm not smart about it, and I agree, but I personally feel like a wuss if I do anything less than something difficult.

Should I have run the 10-miler today? No. After only 3 weeks of running, and after a 6-month hiatus, I should NOT have gone 10 miles today. And especially since I ran very hard Thursday evening and my legs were still sore from that run yesterday.

But did I? Hell yeah. My goal was to finish. A mini goal was to finish in less than 2:20. I've been running for three weeks; I couldn't expect more.

Finishing time: Around 2:19:38.

Mile 1: 11:52. That was a complete oops. I was not happy with myself. I wanted to start with a 13:20 and go from there.
Mile 2: 12:17
Mile 3: 12:52
Mile 4: 13:42
Mile 5: 13:13
Mile 6: 13:46
Mile 7: 14:16 (the ever present sun was getting to me)
Mile 8: 14:55 (I'm really hot by now and walking more... where's the freakin' shade?)
Mile 9: 16:53 (I completely gave up on running and I walked the entire mile)
Mile 10: 15:47. I shuffled half it, walked the other half.

Overall, I'm pleased with my first 6 miles. I honestly never intended to start out with a sub 12-minute mile. I don't think I've done a sub 12-minute mile in a year.

But I got my long run in, my body is getting better at 6+ mile runs, and I got to see a lot of Striders that I haven't seen since last year's Chevron marathon (Vic, Junebug, Steeeve, John, Jessica, Sarah, et al.)

This week's running schedule:
Tomorrow - NONE! No running for me, but I'm planning on 45 minutes on the elliptical machine and 25 minute of weight machines.
Tuesday - I hope 5 miles. I'm on a bit of a time constraint, and as it is I'll have to begin at 5. I have to be back at school by 7, so I should be able to knock out 5. Goal pace: 13 minute miles
Wednesday - I hope 5. Goal pace: 13 minute miles
Thursday - None. Gym day (I don't have time to run before Rodeo meeting, since it's still hot at 3:30pm)
Friday - None. Complete rest day.
Saturday - 8 miles. Tapering a bit. Goal pace: 13 minute miles.
Sunday - None. Gym day.

This will give me, if I'm able to do it, 18 miles, dropping 4 miles from last week. I'm busy this week with Rodeo stuff Thursday, Friday AND Saturday, so my running schedule is funky.

Again, I can't wait until the temperature drops so that I can run right after school.

Cheers!