The little valley 5 mile loop today, cut it a tad bit short by walking to the end of my street to start and ending again at end of my street (so it ended up 4.9 instead of 5 miles). Today was an intentionally challenging run. I was going it alone, just me and the IPOD and started late (11:30 ish). The first 2 miles felt pretty good which is usually the opposite for me- usually it takes me at least 2 miles to get into a run. But the last 3 were a challenge. I was trying to do a tempo run and see if I could hold close to 9 min. miles. But the heat got me. I was running at noon and although it was cooler than it has been, it was 88 degrees- the heat still got me about 1/2 hr. into my run when the sun was right over head. But I think this was good training to run in some heat- I haven't done that in awhile and it may get warm at the end of the marathon for me. My average pace today was 9:15, I'm not thrilled with that, I wanted it closer to 9. I think I better plan on a slower marathon finish time- I was daydreaming about breaking 4hrs, but I would have to hold 9 min. miles the whole time which probably just won't happen this year. But hey we can always try right?! I will just try not to be disappointed when I come in after the 4 hr. mark.... | 