Pandemic Runfessions – Part 12

It’s Friday, so I’m linking up for the new Fit Friday Five. I’m doubling down and linking up with Marcia for March “Runfessions,” too! Runfessions are running truths or “where runners bare their souls and soles.”

I runfess… I’m still on my running streak. I’m up to 435 days today and have averaged over 6.5 miles per day. I think I’m going to go for 500 days of similar mileage and then scale it back for a month or two to give my legs a break.

I runfess… I ran my first race since January of 2020. It was the CARA Lakefront 10 miler. I was nervous because although I have run 10 miles at a stretch, I hadn’t been running fast and there has been a lot of stopping. Also, my legs were not exactly fresh after my 2500+ pandemic miles. The race was super well organized and felt very safe. Even though there was a staggered start and some other small changes, it felt pretty normal once we got moving. I ran my slowest 10 mile race time ever, but I didn’t stop or feel discouraged, so I’m calling it a win!

I runfess… The Lakefront 10 was a bit humbling in terms of my pace. This was the first time that I ran a race after not running one in a while where I couldn’t maintain a much faster pace than my training pace. I know it’s because I’ve never done a run streak like this or run so many days without cross training. But I’m still a bit bummed out. It didn’t help that a runner in my age group commented that I “shouldn’t worry and my speed will return” after she unexpectedly beat me. Ouch.

I runfess… I broke out my new Hoka Carbon X2 shoes to see if they are magical like the Nike Next % Tempo shoes. They are nice and do improve my leg turn over and pace a bit. They’re definitely not “magic,” but I will wear them for speed work and racing as I try to get back in shape for fall marathon season. Part of me is wondering if there will be a fall marathon season or what it will look like.

Dan at Wrigley Field – we have a 5K and 8K tour planned

I runfess… I’ve been working on some new running tours with that will be up shortly on Go! Running’s site. I’m also training three new guides to give tours so I won’t have to do all of them. The Go! team wants us to post longer tours. I think for sight-running with stops for photos, etc. that 5K to 10K is optimal. If I wanted to run longer, I’d ask the guide for recommendations. What do you think??

Do you have any Runfessions to share? Please leave them in the comments.

I’m linking up with DarleneMichelleReneeJenn and Zenaida, for Fit Five Friday. Join us!

Have a great weekend!

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