Friday, December 28, 2007

And the results are in ...

I ran a 5.0 mile run in 42:45 yesterday at Radnor Lake. That's an 8:33 pace!

Conditions yesterday were perfect - 45 degrees, not much wind. I thought of Dori the last 1.75 miles when I accelerated to an 8:00 mile pace. I ran for her, her courage and her progress. From 2.5 to 3.25, the Radnor run is straight uphill, steep in several parts. There are no breaks and it can wind you; then, when you think you've had enough, you reach the apex and get a gradual decline for .75 miles and then a flat 1.0 mile run along the lake. If you're not waxed, you feel like you can push hard, like you've been rewarded for conquering that hill.

I'm jazzed by this run. My best 5.0 mile run the last year or so was right at 40:00, an 8:00 pace, along the Stones River Greenway behind the Donelson Y. On a flat course yesterday, I may have neared that, maybe in the 41:00 or 41:30 range. My best 5K last year was my only 5K, the Firecracker 5K in Brentwood, at 24:01, or a 7:47 pace (on a muggy, warm morning). I would have beat that yesterday.

Total mileage for the week: 27.4 miles and no aches or pains. Today is a rest day, then back at it this weekend.

2 comments:

Summer said...

With you as inspiration, I downloaded the Couch-to-5k podcasts this week for my new iPod Nano. We'll see if it turns me into a runner (well, jogger) after nine weeks.

Jim said...

Tear it up, Summer. Go gradual early, and reap the benefits later this winter. You will love it. Stay on your good oatmeal schedule and treat yourself once in awhile ... no guilt! Jim