15 miles 16:00 pace

I walked into work today and before I could sit down at my desk my boss told me that I had the day off. That would have been nice to know on Tuesday when I first asked if I could take Friday off, but I wasn't going to argue. I ran out the door as fast as I could!
I went to MAF to get in some to do some Mo race pace running. I plan to average 17-18 min. miles throughout the 100 so 16 min. miles for 15 was pretty close. As you might expect the run was VERY easy, more boring than anything. One problem that I did notice was that my hips began to tighten up about 10 miles into the run. This is something that usually happens to me 30-35 miles into a race. I think going so slow makes it happen earlier. This makes me wonder if I might be trying to go TOO slow. If my hips lock up by mile 50 it won't matter how good my muscles feel, I won't be able to move my legs! This hip issue is something that has often been my biggest vice in previous races. I guess I will hope it doesn't become as big of a problem as I think it could.
After the run I took the advice of "fast Tony" and took an ice bath. Like Red, I could never before throw my self into a tube if ice after a run. I tried it once before, but only got half a foot into the water before giving up. This time I actually did it! It wasn't that bad. Don't get me wrong, it was cold as hell (hmm, that makes absolutely no since) at first, but after a minute it feels OK.
On behalf of Red I have come up with some Ice bath tips that might help her and other cold water wimps like us.

A cold water wimp's guide to an ice bath

1.) Sit in the tub while you are filling it up with cold water. It is less of a shock to your system if the cold water surrounds your body a little bit at a time.

2.) sitting in the tube while it fills, take a cup and pour the cold water slowly on your legs. Then when the water level rises it wont be as surprising.

3.) as the tub fills put the ice in a cup full at a time, until you get used to the coldness, then dump it all in (I used a 22lb bag.)

4.) While you are freezing your ass off just think " I am taking advice from a sub 3 hour marathoner, something good has to come of this!"