Temptations

Looking at a pretty tough week running wise and probably at the work scene as well and the question becomes 'Can I fit it all in and still be able to do it again next week?'. Managed to get out the door and on the road at lunch by 12:05 but then the temptations started...

1. Hmmm, it's kinda slushy and wet from that snowfall we had last night, maybe I should take it easy. Glad we decided on the old shoes today and not the 'shiny new ones'.
   
2. Can't go too hard or fast in these old shoes, must have 750+ miles on them...
   
3. Ahh, how about we only do an easy 6mile loop today instead of 11 miles with 5 tempo pace?
4. I know, we'll switch down a level to the easier 'Up to 55 miles per week' plan. I can do that without even trying....
5. Naaa! You've got your blog to keep you honest now so just suck it up and get on with it!

Well some of the thoughts that were smouldering in the background at least. It was a great sunny day, blue skys, winter wonderland effect with all the snow stuck on the trees and after a mile or so, thoughts of canning or aborting the run were long gone. The hardest part isn't getting out the door but getting past the 1st mile or two; after that it's like the autopilot kicks in because I ended up having a decent run.

Instead of doing the 11mi with tempo, I made a deal with the right brain and switched for a 12 mile easy run because the road was too messy to run fast anyway. It wasn't that slow either with a total time of about 1:38 and felt good for the most part. The lower legs complained a bit but this is likely just the total lack of cushioning in the old shoes. Also had to stop once to untie and remove a shoe in order to take out a rock that had worked it's way in from all the slush and dirt on the side of the road. It's hard to keep your balance on one foot while shaking out the dirt but I managed without falling down! So, a good start to the week but many more miles to go.