So, again, its been awhile. Sorry about that, I'll try more to be better at this whole blogging thing.
The Phoenix 10k, was another not stellar result, but, this is a result I learned from for sure. I ran 31:33 for 7th place, which was about a minute off of my goal time. Results here --> http://www.ceptiming.com/2012/misc402/12Phoenix10K-10k-All.txt
2 things that I learned:
1: 4:42 pace feels too easy when you're coming down from 7000 feet, but it catches up with you VERY quickly.
2: With my work being almost entirely aerobic, I had some difficulty walking the anaerobic red line, and found myself crossing over very easily.
2(a): With that said, I feel like I can hold 5-5:10 pace for a good amount of time, but just am not at the point where I can hold a faster pace for any period longer than a mile or two. But that will come with time and more preparation, that just hasn't been the focus in this first phase of my altitude training.
So, overall, while disappointed with the finish, it definitely could have been worse, and I did in fact learn something. Which is always good.
Next race coming up is the Dana Point Turkey Trot 10k, on Thanksgiving day. I WILL hold back and run more conservatively early on, and will hope to negative split and run around 30:30. That would be a good improvement curve and would set me up well for the remainder of my road racing season.
Training is still consistent and going well. Officially logged my first two weeks over 90 miles at altitude, which is certainly exciting!
Still confident about my fitness right now, and know that will racing will come around. Last night in Sedona we did a workout consisting of 2x 2.2 mile hill climbs at 5:50 pace, followed by 4 sets of 3 200's with 200 rest working down from 32 seconds to 29 (Sedona is still at about 5000 ft). I hit everything dead on and felt very strong , so its coming. Just need some patience (not always my strong suit).
Booked my tickets home to PA for the holiday season yesterday! So for all my peeps in the keystone state, can't wait to see you all and share some good times! (maybe a redux of dec. 23rd of last year, without being punched by a panda).
At the tail end of my journey home I will compete in the Emerald Nuts Midnight Run in Central Park NYC on New Years Eve, my first time racing in the big apple. That's going to be an epic run, have heard its one of the coolest out there.
Thats all for now, Take care and thanks for the support! Love you all.
Nick: The Moderately Talented Distance Runner.
