Timing Is Everything

Saturday's long run was great. It was a flat 16.5 k along the river - out and back. The first k was up along the road because the bike path is off-limits to runners while some construction work is being done. (Meanwhile the cyclists are still allowed to use it. Go figure.)The section of footpath along the road was littered with obstacles - light poles, drunks, a road worker's car ... it made for a frustrating start.

We finally got back onto the bike path and I realised I was feeling really good so I ramped up the pace a little. Then the naughty voice in my head said that seeing as it wasn't a terribly long run today it might be interesting to see how I'd go at a faster pace. I have my first race of the year exactly 3 weeks away and I've been worried/wondering about what pace I should be trying for and what I can sustain so I thought pushing up the pace may give me a bit of confidence.

So my pace dropped from 5:56 to 5:38 and then hovered around 5:10ish for a few k. I hit my turn-around, had a gel and some water then started back. I was managing to sustain a good pace and even dropped into the sub-5 min zone for 4 of the k's on the return trip, the fastest being 4:45. Yes, I was tired at the end but not ridiculously tired. And yes I was happy.

So at this point I'm hoping for a sub 25 min run at Doomben and if things are going well I'd love to try for 4:45 min k's. I know it won't be a PB but honestly, I don't care.