What a difference a day makes

Today was a MUCH better run -- no headache! I planned to only do 50 minutes but at the 30-minute mark I was feeling exceptional so I did the full 60: 5.58 miles, 10:45/mile pace. I am really happy how well my Sunday runs are going coming on the heels of my Saturday long runs. I would think that I'd be sore and sluggish but my best runs have been coming on Sundays. I seem to be stronger and faster.

It ended up being a really good week: 25.55 miles. Tomorrow starts the 18-week countdown! Right now I'm about where I'll be at the end of Week 6. If I was following a more aggressive training program I'd be heading into some really long runs right off the bat but I'm sticking with the beginner program. Hopefully that will allow me to work on pace and endurance at the same time without pushing myself too hard. I have no time for injuries or burnout. I think this is the right way to go.

I got in 6 workouts this week: 4 runs and 2 strength workouts. I enjoy the weeks where I can get in all 6. With my new job that's not always going to be the case and it requires 4 of my workouts to be pre-work ones. That's going to take a lot of discipline on my part. This week I already know it will be 5 workouts because I have my day in Stamford and then we leave for vacation this weekend. For vacation I'm only putting pressure on myself to get my runs in and I'll take the week off from strength. It seems like a fair compromise. I have a feeling I'm going to be making a lot of deals with myself over the next 18 weeks...