Long run day

Well it was a long run day for me.

I tried to make one of my long term goals today; run a 10k within my training heart rate zone. Although I made it and stayed in my zone, I don't think I can count it this time. First off I started like I always do, gradually coming up to my training zone, so for the first ~7 min I was walking. Second, I walked on the route twice. Both times were very short, once to keep in my HRZ at the beginning, and once to get a drink of water, but I think that disqualifies me this time around. It did rain on me a few times this morning, but I don't think that counts either. ;-)

On the positive side of things, I think I'm right about level with where I was in March/April before my first triathlon. Its comforting for me to know that if I really wanted to, I could survive the Pigman Sprint right now, and I still have a little over 9 months to go before my next tri! (Siouxperman sprint tri, 5/1/10) Maybe, just maybe I'll be able to reach my running goals by then. I'm working pretty hard at it.

Back to my run this morning though... I tried something a little different. Although I spent most of the run right where I wanted (My training HRZ is 150-170, but I try to keep it between 150-155), I decided to find out just how fast the upper end of the zone would allow me to go. So, on a long flat section on the run, around 4 miles in, I kicked it up to between 165-170. It really didn't feel like I was pushing myself too hard. I could definately feel it, but I think I could have kept it up for about 1.5-2 miles before it pushed about my limits. In any case, I was running about 11:45 min/mi then. Its been a LONG time since I've done that. I still have a ways to go though to meet my other goal of under 10 min miles for a 10k, but I'll get there. (By the way my best Navy PT pace was ~8.5 min/mi, and I'm hoping to break that too. I know thats not even close to Becca's (~6:30 min/mi), but I have to run my own race)