Oh, and if my Boston debacle wasn't enough proof that I'm human, my tempo run last night sucked, too. It was 80ish and still relatively humid, and for whatever reason I thought it was still a good idea to try a workout. I rationalized this in my brain by deciding that I'd make it "easier" and do 2 x 2-mile tempo versus doing it all at once. Did about 2.5 miles warmup, then busted out the first set just fine at 6:25 pace. Jogged a half-mile easy, then started the second set. Made it about a half-mile, and my legs were shot. Walked a little bit before finishing the third tempo mile (why?) and then ran home. Nine miles total.Moral of this story? Running in the heat all week takes a cumulative toll on the body. Also, I suck in warm weather.
...I'm glad to see the heat can also affect the best and make them a bit more human.

I was thinking the same thing as I read Grue's post. To answer your "why?" = why not? You had to get home somehow,and your body was primed to get some LT work in. You certainly got it!!Ned: Great advice regarding speed work. I think half mile repeats (with quarter mile recoveries = Yasso's) are the best way to gain speed for the half distance. I also do some mile repeats as well, but don't think I get as much benefit. ________________________________My update:I'm sorry for not being in here as much as usual, but it's aggravating being in here, without being able to post updates. I got my MRI and it revealed arthritis in both hips and a likely torn meniscus. My Dr. assumes that the knee problem added to the aggravation of the arthritis = I changed my gait, and have caused soft tissue damage in my groin. He thinks I won't need a replacement for 10-15 years, but couldn't promise anything. The upside is that he doesn't think short runs/bikes will hurt it anymore, and might actually help. I have had three, 2 mile runs in the past week, and bike rides of 12, 15 & 18 miles. It doesn't seem to be hurting it anymore, though there is still a constant pain. I am having a cortisone and steroid shot in my groin (sonofa#####!)next Wednesday. It will be X-ray assisted, and might require me to go under due to the pain involved. Hopefully the cortisone will give pain relief, and the steroid will help heal the inflammation. My only goal through all of this is to be somewhat ready for the Bourbon Chase. I'm hoping to build to a long run of 13 miles prior to "Go Time" (October 7). I thus have 11 weeks to go from nothing to something. My 2 mile runs have been brutal, as I not only haven't really run at all since last December, but I'm also trying to start from scratch in extreme heat (normal TX summer weather). If I can add one mile to my long run every week between now and then, I'll be up to 13. I'll add a little bit of speed work in September, but don't have any visions of gaining much speed as I have no base to work off of. I'm hoping the change in weather on race day, will lower my HR and allow me to have some speed for the Chase. :fingerscrossed: