Runners don't shake hands. Runners gotta hug.

AM: Practice today we had our dirt mile repeats which weren't too bad. We had 5 of them at the goal time of 6:38. Ran with Byron and Coach, hit 6:21, :32, :32, :31, :31. It felt good and we finished up practice with 8 miles. 

PM: Weights today no afternoon run because of the 5K later.

RACE: Got to the church and found the guys and ran a 1 mile warm up and I felt pretty warm. Coach showed up just in time to help pull Byron and I to fast times. We started and we were cruisn' I don't think I have ever started a 5K that fast. I had my doubts at the start.. Didn't know if I could hold this pace or close to it to get that fast time I wanted. After the first loop around St. James I was feeling better. I got some water splashed on me and took the lead for a second, it felt weird to take the lead but a good weird. I settled back into the pace with Coach around the turn and he really got me moving again going up the backside of the neighborhood. I was feeling good but tired, I knew that there wasn't too much left in the race. I followed Coach through the crowds of walkers and then I moved up to the lead for the final road to the finish line. At this point in time I didn't know if anyone was close to me but I really wanted to push cause I saw sub 16:00 in sight. I pushed and pushed till I saw the steeple of the church which was a big boost knowing that I was that close. Then amid the dark sky I could see the finish and I gave it one last push and finished with a 15:48 a new PR and I was very pleased.... and exhausted.

This was a great confidence booster for me at the start of what is going to be a awesome XC season for our team. I was very impressed with of all the guys that ran this, you all did great! Now to just continue working hard and finding positives out of every workout. Definitely a good day.

12 loops around the soccer fields for a nice and easy grass 4 miles then striders to finish up practice. Kids club afterwards and it was actually not too shabby today.

AM: 1 mile warm up. We did 30/30 workout and my goal this time was to get 30 repeats which was 5 better than last week when I only got 25. As we got going my legs felt tired and it took about 5 or 6 repeats to finally get my legs moving. Around 18ish or something Byron had to stop because of discomfort in his foot so I was alone for the rest of the workout. I got to 20 and wanted at least 5 more. Then I got to 25 and thought I can do this, I can push to 30. The last two were huge mental builders because I wanted to stop at 28 but I had to go 30, I wanted that goal. I reached my goal and I was exhausted but that was the point! This workout was a good one for sure, made me happy. 1 mile cool down. Around 6.5 miles so it was good to get the mileage as well. Gonna be a good day!

PM: Easy 3 miler out with Matt (Red Leader) and Krenny. Felt good except this dumb pain on the side of my left foot.. I iced it and I'm ready to get rolling tomorrow on our tempo, hopefully tonight's sleep will also help. 

AM: Nice 9 miler with a two mile tempo. First mile of the tempo was a 6:17 and our second one was 6:09. It was warm but it was so good to run with the few guys that actually show up to practice. Legs a little tired afterwards but nothing a nap and some stretching can't fix. No pain in the foot by the way which is definitely a plus.

PM: Easy 3 miles out to Arctic Circle and it was like 106 or something, it was toasty. Felt good and only for the first minute or two was there any pain on the side of my foot. Ran in my new shoes so that was a fun to get some miles on them. Lifting afterwards was great as well, I felt very motivated and really wanted to get a good lift in and I felt like I did. Great day for a PVXC'er!

AM: Met over at the region course for region 9 today, had our half mile warm up and did agilities and such and then ran the course so that was good to get used to it. My side of my foot only had little pain at the very beginning and only for few minutes.. it's getting better for sure. After the 3 miles on the course we headed up to a monster hill and did 2 repeats of it. The hill was just about a mile long and they were definitely tough but very worth it. It felt good to push up the hill and have the feeling of accomplishment afterwards. Gonna be a good weekend!

5 miler today by myself and it was basically one of the worst decisions of my life to go out at 4:30 and run. I couldn't get out earlier because of work so I was stuck in the heat cause I didn't wanna go on a night run by myself and it was going to be hot no matter when I went out. Moral of the story is I felt like crap and it was blazing out there. There is always Monday to feel better though.