Practise "Half" Marathon - 19 km at 5:01 pace...

Today's run wasn't nearly as good as last week's -- although it was a bit faster. We went out looking for 5 minute kilometres which is pretty much what we hit -- but it wasn't pretty and I took lots of break. My legs felt like lead.

I think the key problem was that it is was relatively warm (and I'm not in the condition I should be). But it was 17 degrees and sunny when we left Victoria Park 45 minutes after I finished -- and I think it was about the same temperature through most of my run in the park.

Jed ran with me for the first 4 miles or so, but then on the little hill heading up to the Guy Lombardo Museum, he tweaked his hamstring. I strongly suggested he just jog back to the start, which he did.

Anyhow, here are my splits:

4:51
4:55
4:54
4:50
4:58
4:50
4:48
4:54
5:02 (up hill after dam)
5:06
4:56
5:03
5:06
5:08
5:10
5:07
5:11
5:30
5:04

So an overall pace of 5:01 but only 19 kilometres. The quick pace for the first half (generally downhill) was offset by the more sluggish pace at the second half. And I didn't have anything left to move myself faster. I took long breaks at the water stops in the second half as well, just to cool down.

But, I guess, I got through it and the average pace while I was actually running wasn't awful. I certainly felt better about the run after a few beverages in Victoria Park!

My hope for Toledo is that (a) it is cool (which isn't looking good) and (b) it has insignificant hills (which I've heard is promising). Plus with a week or so taper, my muscles may be better at leaving it all out there. So we'll see.