A Tale of Two Runs

Today’s Run

Time – 1:11:21
Distance – 6.2 miles
Pace – 11:27 min/mi
Elevation – 148 ft.

Different day, same intention…and the same result. I went out to do an easy 5 miles after the hard run yesterday, and I did 6.2. I was tired at the start, and my legs did not want to go faster at all, which was fine with me. This was a recovery run, and I treated it as such. The middle miles were a little quicker, but, all in all, a fine run. Glad I went.

“It is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known…”

All I have to say to Charles Dickens’ is, “It better be!” The grande Americano I just put back probably won’t help, though.

I ran yesterday hard, and paid for it today. I had no giddup in the legs, and I was forced (But was I? Really?) to run slower today. I can’t complain, though. I kept the heart rate down and used these miles to flush the legs and let the aerobic benefits take effect.

It’s amazing how two runs that look the same can be so different. It says even more so, though, that each run has an effect on the other. Switch them around, and the fast day doesn’t happen because of the drag caused by slow day. Put the slow day afterwards, and it builds on the fast day.

Interestingly enough, two of the fastest miles today were 2 and 3, which is the same as yesterday. I also ran a quick last mile both days, which tells you how much I wanted to get home.

Tomorrow is supposed to be when I make up for today’s missed long run. I’m 21 miles into this week so far, and if I go the planned 12, it will be my longest week ever (I think…I still can’t find one of my running logs). 33 miles is a lot, but I’m still feeling really good and I don’t have any significant aches or pains. I’m a little sore here and there, but it’s gone in the morning and I don’t carry it around with me. Not bad for a guy who’s pushing 40.

Wow…that last sentence blows the mind a little bit…