Six More Miles Underfoot

Sigh. Something is finally going right. Yesterday's plan was six easy miles. I wanted to keep my heart rate around 80% MHR. I wasn't sure whether I was going to be able to pull it off. My back was *killing* me. In fact, I was having trouble lifting my left leg to climb in my car. I decided that I would avoid as much hill running as possible and head out the San Diego Creek trail. I would have a couple or three underpasses to negotiate, but I wouldn't have to face any long (meaning quarter mile or more) inclines/declines.

I started out gingerly. But, just like Monday, within a few hundred yards everything was comfortable. I checked my heart rate - low in my Garmin range 3. Next thing I know, the miles started melting away. It didn't seem like long and I was at my turnaround point! I grabbed a drink at the water fountain at the turn around, and took off back to my car. I started to run at a comfortable pace on the way back. Next thing I know, I'm running an easy 8:30 pace! Wow! No pain! Within a few minutes of course, I was up above 85% MHR, so I had to force myself to slow down. In fact, at many points on my way back I had to force myself to slow down to keep my heart rate in my training range. This as all good! The stats - 6.22 miles, average pace 9:52 (after forcing myself to slow down and taking some walking breaks so my heart rate would drop), average heart rate 81% MHR.

I was concerned about the Chinatown Firecracker 10K that I have scheduled this Sunday, but after yesterday's run, maybe there is hope! On tap today - four more miles at recovery pace. Then I think I'll hit a 6 miler like yesterday's on Thursday, a 4 mile recovery on Friday and rest on Saturday.