March 31st, 2009 10K3

So, prior to starting this newest cardiac training from the gym, I had created a set of 5 workouts I was using that in my mind trained me for my first 10K.  Since then, I’ve actually started a new cardiac training program, but I like to use these now as taper runs.  A taper run is a concept I’d never heard of or even considered.  I was told that the week before a road race, I should slowly run fewer and fewer runs and distances until I actually rest up before the race.  For the first 10K, I didn’t do a good job of that and ran 25 miles the week leading up to the race.  It did not seem to make a significant difference during the race.  After the race, however, I know I wished I’d run less.  So, this time I decided I’d really make a concerted effort to taper, and this run was one of the methods I’d taper.

The housekeeping:  7.5 miles in 60 minutes, 728 calories burned.  It was interesting to have the entire average be exactly 7.5 miles as that means I averaged 8 minute miles and as I’ve said before, there is 10 minutes of running well below 10 minutes per mile so the total average balancing like that seemed unusual.

Still having some equipment issues.  These new shoes are probably not the best choice.  The arch is too long in the shoe it appears.  I had the blister raise back up on my left foot, not as painful, but still there.  I don’t know how to keep it from happening.  Also, I didn’t have the foot pod (which sends distance and pace data to the running computer) into the laces correctly so it slipped down painfully onto my lower foot.  I had to stop running at one point to adjust it.  I’m still tinkering with the lacing so perhaps I’ll find some way to avoid more blisters.  If not, it will be a long 6 miles.

Sore.  Really sore.  I don’t quite understand why I have so many muscle aches.  Perhaps I’ve over trained?  I don’t really know.  This one seems to be shaping up to be a bad race.  Of course, I told myself I was not going to beat 50 minutes for my last race, and then wound up smashing it.  I can only hope.

Cheers!