Sweat Your Thorns Off Virtual 5K (x3)

This weekend, Adam over the The Boring Runner  hosted his 2nd annual Sweat Your Thorns Off Virtual 5K.

Again, I'm a poor blogger and forgot to take any pictures. I also didn't print out the pretty bib Adam made up, mainly because my printer is a piece of junk and it takes about half an hour to get it to work properly.

Here's the pretty bib I didn't print

I had 10 miles on my plate for today, since game night is tonight and I learned my lesson about trying to do my long run the day after I go out to play. I considered taking the hill up to the park (I don't know why that's my favorite long run!), but after my last few attempts at 10-milers I decided maybe a flat route would be best.

I didn't exactly rock this. I'm not sure what's happened to my speed, but something certainly has. Every long run is slower than the last. That said, this run felt better than most of the long runs I've done the last few months. I wasn't huffing and puffing. I didn't really get tired until well into the 2nd half. I didn't stop until the turnaround, and I didn't walk until I was done.

I can't say I sweat my thorns off. It was perfect running weather - mid to upper 60's. I was salty by the time I was done, so I did sweat. It just dried quickly in the cool breeze off the lake. (At least I thought about taking a picture of the lake. I just didn't want to stop and pull my camera out. Yeah, that's the ticket! I didn't want to stop!)

The flat route was a good choice, as my Plantar Fascitis flared up. I've been having trouble with my heel ever since I started doing 10-milers in the Nike Free. I just didn't give myself enough time to get used to the lower heel on the shoe. My calves have been tight for weeks, and no amount of stretching has made them feel normal. Somehow, that hasn't stopped me though.

I think changing my gait because of my PF was enough to bother my knee, and when I stopped for a light at the 9-mile mark my knee told me it was done. I was ok with that. I finished with a 13:09 pace, which is certainly not my best. Hopefully the speedwork I'm starting to do will remind my legs what it's like to really run.

So, 5K x 3
Mile 1-3: 37:36
Mile 4-6: 39:37
Mile 7-9: 41:26

I'm aware a 5K is actually 3.1 miles. I consider the mile I walked home the balance. Hopefully one of those times will win me a prize (maybe for slowest 5K ever...)!