Bloomsday 12k (Week 9)

The most exciting thing about this week is being in Washington and racing the Bloomsday 12k road race in Spokane.  This was a great week in preparation for an even longer race next week - the USA 25k Championships.

Although the Bloomsday race was excellent, I knew I wasn't quite as sharp for this distance as I could've been.  In the past, I've felt that this distance would be right up my alley for fast times and bumping elbows with the competition.  Yet, with my training geared for the marathon, a 12k race would be great for some "speed" work.  Which is exactly what happened after the first two miles were clicked off at under 4:50 pace, something I rarely do in workouts back at home.  Now, the course isn't the best course to run fast times on, as there's a large hill in the 2nd mile, rolling hills leading up to mile 5, with a 1000m climb up what is called, "Doomsday Hill", and then it levels off to the finish.  I was happy to hit off [4:42, 4:46, 9:58(2 miles), 5:25, 5:09, 5:01] for the race to finish in 37:11.  It's about 4:59/mile average, so that's comforting...

The race itself is amazing.  The beautiful course rolls around Spokane, and gives you a feeling that spring is definitely in the air, as the wintery white spectators are lined along the course in shorts and T-shirts.  It's a happy feeling, even though it's tough to catch your breath over the rolling hills.  Another exciting part of this race, was the fact that many Americans come out to vive for the prize money being offered to both American's and Washington residence.  I got to meet up with a couple old buddies and meet some new running competitors.  All-in-all it was a good week, as I prepare to peak for the 25k Championships in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  The race should be live at: http://www.runnerspace.com/USA-25km It should be a good one!

Week 9

Mon - am. 8 miles
Tue - am. 10 miles / pm. 10 miles
Wed - am. 5x1000m on the track w/200m jog recovery [2:55, 2:55, 2:55, 2:57, 2:54] total: 7.5 miles / pm. 6 miles
Thur - am. Travel to Spokane, WA. / pm. 8 miles
Fri - am. 9 miles
Sat - am. 8 miles / pm. 3 miles
Sun - am. Bloomsday 12k Race - 37:11 total: 13 miles

Total: 81.5 miles