Cool Evening = Strong Run

I had another really strong run tonight. This time it was a tempo run -- the same sort of run I bailed on two weeks ago. 2 miles of warm-up, 7 miles at 7:31/mile or better, and 1 mile of cool-down.

The temperature was excellent -- about 63 degrees F. (17 C.) and the wind was steady from the west. The wind direction actually helped a lot since it was in my face on the slight-downhill leg, and behind me when running in the direction that was slightly uphill.

After my warm-up, my 7 one-mile 'laps' were 7:27, 7:42, 7:26, 7:37, 7:32, 7:32 and 7:20 for an average of 7:31/mile. I felt strong the whole way, although I was definitely thinking "Conserve, conserve, conserve" throughout the first six miles.

Another nice element to the evening run is that I had company out there. Brian was doing his speed work tonight -- knocking off sub-6 minute miles x 4. Gwyn Hayman was out doing tempo runs, as was Paula Muxlow and Jenny. Paula's husband, John, came out to take Paula home (she ran out to the speed work area with her dogs, Cleo and Emma) -- but not before we all went back to our place for water and/or beer.

So, another good run and another few days closer to corning!