Training in Montana

At lunchtime dropped off the kids' "new" car to get a rear bearing replaced, then ran back to the Y via a circuitous route. I intended to only run 4, but ended up with more than that. Tough route, up on top of the rims, then back down. I ran the same route as my first 5K on the blog, and it's a tough run! Lots of up. Probably why the race only happened once. Very warm out, nice heat wave happening.

Holy H-E-double hockey sticks, Batman, it was hot out there today. I ran outside on purpose, but I should've left an hour earlier as intended. According to the airport stat (which is nearby but 600 feet higher in altitude) it was 85 when I started running and 91 when I ended but only 25% humidity, 45 dew point. A dry heat is still hot. I ran in town so I could get lots of shade and that strategy worked well. I need to start wearing my HR monitor during the heat as I'm pushing it too much and need to back off. I stopped after mile 4 to walk and measure my HR and I counted 50 beats in 15 seconds, 200 bpm. That's a bit much. Walked a while to calm down the heart, then ran the entire last mile albeit much slower. Took me a while afterwards to cool down, but normal stuff nothing dangerous. Lotsa water and diet pepsi after.

4 lunchtime miles, much better temps (73-77F). Last two miles I ran at marathon pace, which I've decided to shoot for a 7:37. If I can hit that, I'll be just under 3:20 and a 5 minute PR. Not sure that's realistic given my last 12 months, but I'm gunning for that in training. If I determine over the next 12 weeks it's not realistic, I've got lotsa wiggle room to go slower. My A goal is under 3:20 (7:37), C goal is under 3:25 (7:49), B goal somewhere in between.

AP: 8:06

Schedule called for me running 7 MP miles today, but struggling to get to bed early so I ran at work. Headed for the gym at 10:30 to try and beat the heat, and mostly successful. I wore my HR monitor for the first time in years and it was helpful. Temps 77-80F while running, 30% humidity so none to speak of. I warmed up for a mile, then aimed for my C marathon goal of a 7:50 pace and did that for the next 3 miles. It was feeling a bit warm and my HR was up there, past 165, so I took a break from MP. Walked a bit then jogged the next mile. Interestingly, my HR was 155 at a 9:xx pace. The last mile I ran at MP again and HR didn't jump all that much higher.

I only got in 4 good miles, but that's a good start.

AP: 8:06, Avg HR 155

We're headed on vacation tomorrow, driving to SLC then Lake Powell, so not sure how much running I'll get in the next 10 days. Hopefully a few runs, but it's going to be really hot in Powell so I'm not planning on much.