Notes
Windy night...4+ mile warmup very slow as a result of running most of it directly into wind.
Got to the track and took a few minutes to stretch and peel off a layer then started.
4 miles in 24:15 and it never felt difficult even with the windy portions...felt like I could have easily kept going. I think I found the "comfortably hard" that always seems to elude me.
HR was lower than expected and quite steady...147 average which I believe is under 80% (need to verify resting and re-test max). I feel like it will be much easier to build off (and recover from) this slightly more relaxed tempo than one where I'm fighting to hit half marathon pace, even on a bad day.
I really need to keep a similar run on the weekly agenda. Running on the path/track seems to help me pace more evenly and keep focused (no cars)...dark country roads probably aren't best for controlled tempos.
The run back home was much easier with the wind at my back (7:30ish pace).