Mayor's Cup, 2012

I'm laying low in advance of tomorrow's Mayor's Cup 5K race. I haven't run all week, so it's very likely to be a run for me, as opposed to a race. 

The course this year is different than last, but I still think it'll be pretty flat, so I'll remember last year's time of 24:53. The 5K PR of 23:08 is not within reach. It's the reality of the situation.

I'll  also remember the hamstring I tweaked at the end of last week's nine-mile run. It was feeling pretty good, but Tuesday I chased our chalkboard easel down the street while at work and felt a little twinge. Before the second twinge, I'd planned a Tuesday return. Then things got pushed back to where I couldn't justify a Thursday or Friday run in advance of the race. No sense in risking things.

So the plan for now is to run Saturday and see what the world looks like. Much like last year, I run at 8 and open the store at 9:30. 

Running

Yesterday I wrapped up my recent up week with a 30-mile effort, with 26 and 28-mile weeks leading in. The weather continues to cooperate, since it's been really nice during the days. It wasn't a true hill workout, but I  included a few hills on my most recent Wednesday run, which began at noon, after a morning of hitting golf balls at the driving range with a friend.

The long run yesterday was a nine-miler. I drove to another part of town for some new scenery, and got a good workout. Terrain was a little more challenging, traffic was about the same, in terms of amount I had to deal with, but there was also a nice long stretch of asphalt that ran parallel to the road.

I splurged on a new 22-ounce water bottle, with the hope of keeping my heart rate down (letting my body work less on keeping me cool), but it still climbs as I go, and doesn't seem to ever come back down. Still more to look at in that regard.

I also noticed a slight twinge in my left hamstring at about eight miles. It went away for the next half mile or so, then reappeared with less than a quarter mile to go. I shut it down immediately. The hammie feels better today, and will feel better after a second day of rest tomorrow.

This makes me wonder about my running-- I may have pushed things a bit too far. I took two weeks off after Birmingham, and two more weeks in March because of the pain in my foot. The foot feels fine, but the off and on nature of things, and some weight work Monday, plus a little more uphill work may have damaged things a bit. I don't worry about it yet. One day's rest helped a lot.

It's a lighter week of running, so the rest eliminates the chance of a double run Monday. The only item on the agenda is the Mayor's Cup 5K, for which I will represent the racing team. I'd hoped to put a great number on the board, possibly beating my 5K PR of 23:08, but obviously things have changed, at least for now. Runs of 5-5-5 this week, then we see how things feel ahead of the race.

Training

Two good weeks of running are in the books... 26 and 28-mile weeks. It's just been too nice outside not to run, and things have been effortless. Long runs have not gone past eight miles.

I'm back to running doubles, Mondays about 8:30 am and pm. I like it since it's a decent way to bump up mileage without adding an extra day. I stopped doing it a while back, since my foot was hurting. But with that pain manageable and mostly behind me, I've worked my way up. 3 in the morning and evening, then 3-4, and 4-4 last week. 5-4 is on tap for tomorrow (weather permitting), possibly making it up to 30 miles, though nothing serious is on the horizon.

I am down for my next 5K on Saturday, April 28. It's the sixth annual Mayor's Cup, which was run in August last year due to the tornado. I wonder if I can do something in the 22:00 window. 23:08 is the PR I'll be gunning for.