Sunday, November 6th - 5 mile run

5 Miles. A new personal record!! Only twice in my life have I ever run 4 miles. Today I surpassed that record and did 5 miles. We have decided to not run with the dogs on the log runs (weekends). I think its much better.

Since the mile markers are off, we only used them as guidance today. Previously Drew had measured the 2.5 mile mark with his bike a few years back so we knew where to turn around. With that we took off on our run. As always, that first 1.5 miles killed. My shins hurt more than normal. I'm not sure what to do to avoid any further future damage. Hopefully with each run they will get stronger. But back to the run. The markers were off so I won't even talk about mile splits. Instead we hit the 2.5 mile point at 26:44. Ugh! That's not fast at all. I knew we'd be back faster but that time times 2 equals 53:28. I guess its not too bad. So in my head I think oh well I guess 11 minute miles aren't that bad!! What, that is a 4H 48M marathon and change?? Still under 5 hours!!! LOL. We turn around and head back and I'm feeling really good. I don't feel like I am pushing it any harder but I know I am going faster. Around 3 or 3 1/2 I am feeling great but don't want to go faster. I just want to keep going stong. At the 4 mile mark, Drew decides he wants to take off. We have been figuring out if we can get under 50:00 for the 5 miles. Originally I think no way since 1/2 was 26:44. But since Drew picked it up, I figured I would put it into another gear, but not as high as his. I still want to run smart. At 4 1/2 miles I realize that not only Drew can get under 50:00, but if I push it just a little bit more, I can bring it home and be close. Sure enough, I finish at 49:55. That has me at 26:44 going out and coming home in 23:10. That's 3:34 faster coming back. WOW! That means for the back half I averaged 9:20 miles. I think the potential for 10 minute miles for the marathon might be there as long as I am consistent and get my weight down. (By the way, Drew went 49:45 for his 5 miles).

Weight - 185
(with all that I ate yesterday I am happy to stay at that weight. I really ate like a pig.)

Closing thoughts for the week - I am very proud that I have gone 5 miles. We back off by a mile next weekend which is good, and the week days are 3 I think. I am stretching more but my goal now is to research how to care for my shins. I get a gold star today for the 5 miles!!