8/4 through 8/8/11 running

I've been a busy runner the last five days.  I've run 4 out of those 5 days, covering 15 miles and enjoying an easy race with L in the middle. 

It started Thursday morning with a quick two mile run.  I wanted to keep the mileage down because I knew I would be doing 5 miles on Friday.  Since I was only doing two I wanted to do it fast, so I pushed myself a little and managed an 8:35/mile pace. 

Friday night brought the 8K (5 mile) race.  It was less race and more fun jog/walk for me but I was proud of L for pushing herself to go a little faster than she was used to.  We had fun and I goofed off most of the time.  She probably would have done better had she not been laughing at me about half the time. 

Since I didn't really feel like I had pushed myself in the race I decided to do a hard 3 miles Satuday evening.  This felt like the hardest I had ever pushed myself, but I think part of that had to do with the time of day, the heat, and the fact that I had done 5 miles the night before.  Regardless I started out really pushing my limits doing the first mile in 7:57.  I slowed down at the end of that mile and did the second mile in 9:15, then pushed to the end to finish the third mile in 8:36 which also turned out to be my average pace for the entire three miles.  Pretty fast, but I've done that pace in a 4 mile run before, so nowhere near my limits.  My legs were sore afterwards.  I popped a few Advil and was better by Sunday morning. 

I took Sunday off and did my interval workout this morning.  It was a grueling 5 miles.  I started out with about half a mile of warm up then I started into the intervals.  The first 5 went well, and I kept my pace well below 8:00/mile though I was wiped out by the end of the 5th.  My legs were burning and my breathing was very heavy...just how I should feel when doing intervals.  After the 5th I wimped out and skipped the 6th.  I picked back up with number 7 at a slower pace in the mid 8's and generally maintained that until the end.  I finished up with another half mile cool down. 

The Stats:
Thursday 8/4/11:   2.01 miles in 17:16 for an average of 8:35/mile
Friday 8/5/11:   5 miles in 1:04:58 for an average of 13:00/mile
Saturday 8/6/11:  3.01 miles in 25:53 for an average of 8:36/mile
Monday 8/8/11:  5.01 miles in 46:30 for an average of 9:17/mile

I'm back in the groove.  I fell into a slump there for awhile but have recently been on an upward swing culminating in Friday night where I was inspired by the people finishing 5 miles in just a minute more than my best 5K time.  Do I have hopes of being that fast?  Probably not but it's not going to stop me from trying.

I heard a song on the radio Saturday - an "old" song from back in 2003.  Headstrong by Trapt.  Here are the lyrics of the first part of the chorus: 

"Back off, I'll take you on
Headstrong to take on anyone"

That's how I feel right now, as far as running is concerned.  I know I'm not anywhere near my limits and I'm ready to see what I can do.  6 minute mile, here I come.