4 more years until I become a masters runner and my latest workouts

Last week I turned 36 years old.  When I was younger I really loved to milk my birthday for a few extra days. When you are 36 it's just not as cute anymore.  

Workouts since my last post

Wednesday 4/2- Test run (3.23 miles @ 7:51 pace).  I was so nervous that my legs/abs would feel funny during the run.  The weather was horrible. There were crosswinds and drizzle.  I ran 3 miles and I got knocked around by the wind. My legs and groin felt really tight afterward.  But, that night I stretched my hip flexors and groin area and I didn't feel sore the next day.

Thursday 4/3  14 miles..... It just kind of happened.  I had planned on running 6 miles at an easy pace.  I headed out in the direction of my usual 10 mile loop.  When I got to the turn around point for 6 miles, I figured that I would run 10 miles.  When I got closer to the turn around for 10 miles, I talked myself into adding a few more miles on.   I ran this on my lunch break. It was a weird day where my boss and his boss were in meetings at another campus in a different state..  My workplace was a ghost town.  So I decided to do my long run on a Thursday.  I think I will use my birthday as an excuse. Happy Birthday to me.

I started out at an easy pace and then I threw a few tempo miles in the middle, and then I ran the last couple miles at an easy pace.  This run went by so much faster than I could have hoped for.  I didn't bring any fuel with me and I didn't stop for water. (It was a cool 60 degrees when I left) When I got back from my run. I refueled with a  huge lunch and birthday cake for dinner.

Friday 4/4- (3.79 miles @ 8:31 average pace) I ran a shakeout run mostly just to get the soreness out of my legs and it was a really nice day.

Saturday 4/5 -Rest-  My husband had a cold and he has passed it on to me.... 

Sunday 4/6- 6 miles (1 mile warm up, 5 miles HM pace) I was feeling a little sick (mostly sinus issues). I really wanted to nail this workout.  I ran a mile as a warm up and then I stopped my Garmin, stretched, and I did a few strides to warm up.  Here are the splits:

Mile 1-8:13 (warm up)

Mile 2- 7:23

Mile 3- 7:30

Mile 4- 7:22

Mile 5- 7:29

Mile 6- 7:34

I was hoping that my splits would have been closer to 7:15 per mile.  My goal for the Mustang half is to run a sub 1:35 half marathon.  I need to hit 7:15 per mile.   But, I am just coming back from taking a week off and this was my first speed workout since then.   I'm taking this workout with a grain of salt.

Monday 4/7- (3.79 miles @ 8:26 pace) I ran almost 4 miles at a recovery pace.  I went to Sunset Park for the change of scenery. 

I feel like I started tapering for this race early because of my groin strain.  I'm starting to get nervous and doubt my training.  The next 12 days are going to be so much fun.... (That's my attempt at sarcasm).