That's more like it, Part 2.

Last week I was reasonably pleased with my long run recovery. I definitely felt the benefit of the ice bath this time. I believe the trick is to stay put for a good 15-20 minutes, and not just leap out as soon as it starts to feel like your toes might fall off.

Yesterday was the Staten Island Half Marathon, which (like the Queens Half a month ago) fit very nicely with my Philly training schedule. I hadn't really given it much thought until about Thursday of last week, which was when I started to get quite excited. I was excited because I've never done this particular race before, and its location seemed so out of the way and unusual, it gave the whole event the air of something more exotic (yes, I just referred to Staten Island as 'exotic'), and almost marathon-ish. My teammates and I certainly had a hell of a journey getting to the start line - one involving buses, multiple subway rides, taxis, some running, the ferry, and a sense of borderline panic. We all made it though, in the end.

I think too, the race was an exciting prospect for me for giving me feedback on my training. I was hoping for something good, and didn't end up disappointed.

At 70F and 65% humidity, it was not what I'd call perfect conditions, but it was definitely better than one month ago. The course wasn't entirely flat but thankfully it was flatter than Queens.

I was stuck a few corrals behind the start line, which I thought was meant to place me with a similar paced group. But I was a little irritated to find myself zigzagging for the first couple of miles, wasting energy passing hundreds of people before I settled into the pace I knew I could maintain.

After about the half way point I began my usual fruitless attempt at pacing mental arithmetic - wondering if I was heading anywhere close to my PR. My fatigued brain couldn't calculate with accuracy, but I knew it wasn't likely. However I was lucid enough to know I would smash my time from the Queens race. It finally felt like a genuine race effort this time. It was really hard work!

I admit I almost shed just a slight tear once I crossed the line. I've been waiting to be able to say 'I'm back' and believe it.


Our amazing men's team did us proud yet again, with a 3rd place win. Outstanding!

Philly Week 12/18

Monday: Off
Tuesday: 8.3 (8:42 pace)
Wednesday: 8.9 (8:42 pace)
Thursday: 7.9 (8:54 pace)
Friday: 6.9 (9:06 pace)
Saturday: Off
Sunday: 13.1 (7:39 pace)
Total: 45+