You somehow knew we'd get to FARTLEK again. Tonight was an out and back - 50 minute total run (so turnaround at 25 minutes). We were supposed to FARTLEK 5 times but tonight I had a different goal. On January 21 we had a huge ice storm in Cincinnati. This was like our second week with the training group - we didn't want to miss it but really, it was a major ice storm and we didn't want to come out with broken legs either. So we ran with the makeup session on the following Sunday in O'Bryonville. The route was approximately 3.75 miles with some slow hills. As we were still beginners it was tough and we had about a 13:30 pace. When we got back to the Running Spot my cousin said her ankle hurt. (Cue: Ominous music)
Long story short... she injured a tendon (not Achilles) in her foot and has been out of commission for just over 5 weeks. She saw a sports medicine doc who said no running until the pain is totally gone. Also, ice and Ibuprofen (which is also the mantra of our coaches). She started back sometime last week with shorter runs and tonight she finally rejoined the training group so FARTLEK be damned I had my running partner back and I didn't want to push her back when she was finally able to move forward. So tonight we ran 4.29 miles at a 12 minute/mile pace. We finished our run in a little over 50 minutes. It was a solid run with a few slopes (okay, three weeks ago these were hills to me, now, I recognize them for what they really are... slopes/"on ramps"). We had a water stop but for the most part kept a solid pace. I hadn't done a comparison but since I've written it above - that's 1:30 faster than when we started with the training group just over a month and a half ago.
So while everyone else FARTLEK'd we simply ran. The evening was clear and gorgeous - around 65° (yes, really - hello, Leap Day). Jupiter, Venus and the Moon were gorgeous and showing off all their sparkling splendor. So keep your fingers crossed that the Phoenix has risen from the flames and 'Cos will be able to walk tomorrow!
On other news... my first 10k (route link) is this weekend - "Food on the Run" (info link). Okay, it's my 2nd since technically the Turkey Trot was the first - but really, I wasn't a runner then. Now I am running.
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