Today the assignment was to run a 10k. There are not any nearby races so what I do when I have this assignment (and there is no race) is to run a course that I have raced before. That way I can compare it to see if I have improved. It is the Layton Classic race that is held every September, usually the second Saturday. The last time I ran this my time was 43:43. Though I did not realize it at first, I set a PR that day by 5 seconds. Today I wanted to do better but not sure how my tired legs would do. I warmed up like I usually would for a race and then set out on my run. The first mile is relatively flat but at mile two it begins a gradual uphill climb until you get to mile 3.17. The climb is gradual, but is very real. I thought that if I were to have any chance of setting a PR I would have to hit the first mile at 7:00 minutes even. I hit it at 7:03. The next mile is somewhat taxing and previously has taken me as long as 9 minutes to run it. This time it took me 7:34 to run it. I was feeling pretty good, but now had the third mile plus a little more to contend with. This is the most taxing of all, though the second mile has a bit steeper incline, but it is because you just ran that that this is so taxing. The nice thing about this course is once you get to just beyond the half-way point, it is all downhill from there. A gradual downhill, but still enough to gain momentum. I hit the third mile in about 7:45, the best I had ever run that part of the course. The next two miles, which have the most downhill to them (the last mile is mostly flat with a short incline at about 5.5 miles and then winding through Layton Commons Park, lots of turns that make you lose momentum). I love downhill no matter what the incline. I average between 9.0 and 10.0 mph most of the next two miles, with one steep part going to 12.0 mph (but that is only for about 200 meters). That is fun! I did very well in the last three miles and finished in 43:10, taking a wonderful 33 seconds off of my PR. I am very happy about that and wonder how much better I could have done on rested legs and in a race where the adrenaline is flowing.
This afternoon I went on a 32.5 mile bike ride. Incorporated the same hill as last week. Their was a strong headwind out on the Antelope Island Causeway so that was also a bit taxing.
Total running miles for the week = 46.2 miles
Total cycling miles for the week = 44.5 miles
You really make running sound SO fun! I hope to agree with you one day. :)
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