Long Run and Intervals.... Back 2 Back

This was a pretty big couple of days for me, because I can't say that my body is very used to running consecutive days. Over the last month or so, I have started to run 4-5 days per week, instead of my usual 3 days/week program. I am not running as hard as I used to, but I am definitely logging more miles... which honestly I am enjoying as much or even more. But Sunday and Monday was the most pounding that I have put on my body in consecutive days...ever!!!
Sunday morning, I met up with Chris and went out for a Suncoast Long Run. Lately, I have been running by myself, so it is always nice to have some company out there and talk about whatever comes to our mind...usually work stuff, but it could be anything.... so the good news is that I was able to keep my heart rate extremely low (for me that is... ) throughout the whole run. I was able to average 151 bpm, and we averaged a 9:20/mile pace for 12 miles. I guess the good news is that I used to be about 15 bpm higher about 3 months ago, running the same pace. So, I know that I am making significant improvements in my fitness. I promised one of my clients that I would run with her Monday, so I knew that I had to recover quick on Sunday, and be ready for a tough run Monday morning. So Monday, I left my house at 5:15 am and drove down to Davis Island, to go run with a client of mine. It actually was a very good run.... we did 8 mile intervals. It was her first time doing intervals, but she is an extremely strong runner, faster than I am... so I was actually happy that it was a workout that she wasn't too used to doing, because she would've blown me out of the water.... and left me stranded on Davis Island somewhere. Luckily, I was able to hang with her throughout the intervals...so I got through everything unblemished... Thank God!!!


My body feels pretty good now, and I have taken off today from all working out.... Tomorrow, I'm not really sure what I'm going to do, either a tempo run or an 8 mile easy run. I just know that I will do one tomorrow, and one on Thursday, rest Friday and race the Draft Day Dash on Saturday morning.
So as for this 5k I am doing on Saturday....the main goal is to get a medal...the top 100 male finishers get a medal, and it is a very cool medal... I want this thing sooooo bad!!!!! I looked at the results from last year, and it looks like I would need to finish in under 21:00 to get a medal. I think that's pushing it for me, but I will do my best to get that medal. My kids love when I finish a race and come home with a medal. They think that I have won the race....no sense in bursting their bubble, so I just agree.... in their eyes, I'm an elite runner... ha ha!!! Ahh... nothing like your kids making you feel like a million bucks!!!