8k race / Strong finish to a hectic mid-week

I can only guess how many planned morning runs that I have missed over the years due to sleeplessness. It happened again this week, while I was in Baltimore at the hotel fretting over work issues in bed. I need to learn to relax. I can't get up and go after 5 hours of sleep like some people. I'm seriously ready to seek a doctor's help.

The second greatest run killer for me are travel delays (which causes lost sleep). That also happened this week on Thurs night with a weather system freezing air travel near O'Hare temporarily. Another 3 hours of my life I'll never get back.

Of course, I have been totally behind at work, so I've not been able to cut corners to go run. Despite the constant schedule hurdles, it was a highly respectable week - with an outstanding race performance on Saturday.

Mon 5/8 - 3.2 miles
Tue 5/9 - 11:55 AM - 5.0 miles
Wed-Fri - DNR for various reasons: weather, travel, sleeplessness
Sat - Joliet 8K Race - Cool weather with sprinkles - Smokin' pace - See recap below
Sun - 7.2 miler through North Plainfield - Excellent cap to the week - 7:38 pace / Avg Hr: 156
TOTAL: 20.1 miles

Joliet 8K - Last time I did the math, an 8k race was equivalent to about 4.96 miles. So I figured I would try to run somewhere close to 7:00-7:10 mile, since I haven't been in any race shape lately. The Joliet 8k surprisingly brought on a few hills, which were a welcome change of pace. The temp's were high 40's and damp with some moisture.

Let's just I was a bit surprised to cross the finish at 32:27 for 8k. It's not that I didn't race hard, but 6:32 mile pace??? I'm struggling to believe it. Not helping me believe was that my Polar distance monitor read 4.78 miles - were both the watch and the race organizers off??

I've not run that fast in a year. Nevertheless, It was good for THIRD in my age group out of 18. Had I known that earlier, I may have stuck around to see if it won me an announcement over the PA. Who knows. I am thinking this 8k may have been a wee bit short.

http://www.cararuns.org/race_results/results06/explorejolietall.html

I ran a 3.5 mile race last year at 6:26 per pace, which I think is my fastest recorded race pace for any distance.

http://www.clubct.org/Results/05Results/05AprShowRes.html

The Western Springs 10k is next up in two weeks on Sat. May 27. I'll try to go for a 41:30 on this one.

Planned mileage this week
Mon - Rest
Tue - 5
Wed - 6
Thu - 4
Fri - Gym - bike/strength train
Sat - 8 long
Sun - 4

NOTE : We leave for Cabo San Lucas two weeks from today!