7:39

This weekend's 5K ended up being a nerve-wracking tempo run, and the good news is my tempo pace is a lot faster than I expected.  I ran the 5K in Napa at around 7:39 pace, and it was pretty fun.  Phill ran pretty well this weekend too - he averaged 6:53 pace. I can't wait to run it next year! 

I am also looking forward to setting my next running goal.  I feel it is important I enter as many races as I can because I get major anxiety out there.  

This weekend I noticed that my lungs really had no problem running 7:39 pace.  It was the rest of my body and my mental strength that struggled.  It also felt strange to be running fast, as most of my runs linger around 9:00 - 9:30 pace.  

Overall, the weekend was pretty good.  Phill and I brought our friend Anthony along for the weekend activities.  Anthony and I watched Bill Rodgers and Don Kardong speak and listened to Frank Shorter over a conference call. Unfortunately, Shorter was unable to attend the Marathon College due to weather. I hope to see him speak live one day - maybe next year! Overall,  it was a great talk - lots of great history and insight about their time as elite runners. We also watched Dick Beardsley and Jack Keston talk as well. They had good stories and songs to sing. 

After the race, we went to The Thomas Restaurant for lunch.  Apparently it was still "brunch hours" so I had their crab benedict.  It was pretty good, so were their cocktails. I wished the benedict came with potatoes or fruit though - if I hadn't left the place tipsy, I probably would have noticed I was still hungry! 

Here is my week's running plan - I am probably going to hover around 20 - 24 miles per week for the next 3 months or until it becomes very, very easy.  Right now, 20 - 24 is very manageable but I still find myself with little aches in my shin or calf, so I know I'm not ready to do anything more: 

Monday: Walking, core - I did about 3.7 miles of walking, total, and about 15 minutes of core. 
Tuesday: 30 minutes - I ran 3.34 miles. 
Wednesday: 40 minutes at a moderate pace (so I'm thinking 8:45ish pace)
Thursday: 20 minutes, easy, core
Friday: 20 minutes, easy
Saturday: 30 minutes, easy
Sunday: 65 minutes - easy / moderate

This morning Phill made biscuits and coffee for breakfast.  He also walked with me to Caltrain.  Very sweet - set the tone of a great day. 

I better get back to working now...