70.3 Training Again

I set out to run 5 miles this morning, determined to start on the 70.3 Part II training with a fiery vengeance.
The Expert and I are setting big goals for New Orleans.

My Goal:  Finish in 6:30:00.  Yes, that is correct. I am attempting to shave 45 minutes off my Miami time.  (Which will most likely require shaving 45 pounds as well).

The Expert’s goal?   As we were driving yesterday, he said, “I want to do a sub 7 hour race in New Orleans.”

I said that was great, but then he said, “Scratch that.  I want to beat you.”

Stella, our almost-three year old, pipes up from the back, “Yeah, my daddy!”

We are competitive bunch.

Anyway, the ~five mile run this morning was brutal.  But a fabulous brutality.  Nice to be back in the abuse saddle again.  I figure I haven’t run since the race, and before that I didn’t run because of my hamstring distress.  So really, it’s been a big break from running.

Coach Monster is going to start working with me on my heinous running form.  I need some help.  After talking to Mountain Goat last week, she said what helped her form (which was already near perfect) was to practice a quicker turnover of the feet, and also, keeping the feet under the body.

I tried that a little this morning, and I must admit that I did feel much more efficient.  But it’s hard to turn over these legs in general, let alone quicker.  Just gonna keep moving forward. Right? Right.

End result:  4.65 miles, 52 minutes = 11.18 min/m pace.  I’ll take it on the first day back.

Have a great week everyone.