Trashcan Annie

I won but I am not at all happy with this time.  In my past two races, a 10k and a 15k, my 8k splits were faster than this time.  I am very happy with my effort and mental toughness... I had a lot of things stacked against me, and I gave it everything anyway...

What a Great debut for the JSR team! lots of PR's inspite of adversity. Rob, and I were definitely not 100% and yet ran well. Dave had an amazing race, as did Shelley. Amy ran well inspite of the chest thing that's haunting her. Brad and Steve ran extremely tough and finished with PR's! Not only did we say that we're pretty fast, but we said that we're a group of hardtacks! AWESOME!

I'd say this race time is pretty good considering the week I had, actually two weeks previous. URI, a seizure, girl problems, sick kiddos(lack of sleep)... not ideal but I stuck it out. my splits show it too. I just had to conserve in the middle to make it through... I was fatigued, and just not clicking too well. In fact I was unable to really push it. I was fully recovered in about 5 minutes and ready to run again... not hard, but long. Very frustrating.

5:38             * felt comfortable, even conservative
11:11 (5:33)* felt comfortable
17:22 (6:11) *very tired... just hanging in there..NO BURNING!!!!!
23:14 (5:52) *still tired but determined to pick it up
29:03 (5:49) *Goal time not an option. Just trying to pull out a win.

I can't wait until I run a race at 100% and see what's in the tank. Until then, I take this one. I'm happy with how smart, and tough I raced. Thank you Tom Petty for the inspiration at mile 4..."No I won't back down, no I won't back down. You can stand me up at the gates of hell, but I won't back down. Gonna stand my ground, won't be pushed around. Gonna keep this world from getting me down, no I won't back down."  

The whole family came... Casey and debated keeping the boys home.  They both had nasty coughs.  At the last minute Case decided to take them.  In the VIP tent afterward I was totally pre occuppied with keeping them warm.  It was like 35 degrees and raining.  The tent was heated, but Will's lips were purple, and Cooper was complaining of being cold!  The "Midwest Running" editor was kind enough to interview me infront of the heaters so that I could try to warm up the boys.  By the Awards ceremony Willem was so tired he was hyperactive and on the verge of being out of Control.  Overall I think they both were pretty good considering how boring the wait was for them, and the weather conditions.  I have to give Casey a Shout out for being an amazing father and spouse!

2 RUNS 

am: 6 I am still feeling pretty fatigued. Legs feel fine. No soreness... Okay I take that back. My arm is sore from the botched blood test. I started lifting again today and thought I might fall asleep on the leg press machine. ug. Good news is the GAsway family is finally getting over Our URI's! *I hope...

pm: 7.4 finally felt better. Ran with Brad, Rob. We met up with Allen for a little bit too. Just a fun little run around Gurnee.

this run was pschyzo. I wore the Garmin. I literally had to stop in the middle of this run and slow down. This run was to be easy. I felt great, but because I have been so tired I decided to stop after three faster miles and "restart" and force myself to slow down. Otherwise I'd just be tired again tomorrow.

5;56 * ooopss!!!
6:33 *attempted slow down... pretty good
6:28 *obviously I have little control... I stopped at this point
7:06... more like it
7:11
7:11
7:08

I had an absolutely great time at this workout. It was cold and rainy, we ran 6x1000 (500 hard & up hill/500easy & downhill) continuously. then we did some hills. I am calling this a grass roots run. It's what the sport is about to me. Hills, nasty weather (that keeps everyone else inside), fartleks, and friends. I was very sore from lifting and felt heavy, but I honestly didn't care. I was just very happy to be out there running. It reminded me of the many satisfying runs I had my senior year of high school!  I don't think I've had a day like this since then.  At least not many. 

Ran 8 miles on rolling hills and then did 6x strides.  Talked with Jenny, looks like I'm going to give the US 25k Champs. a shot.  My body has been struggling to adjust to the increased training of Feb and March, but I think that by May 10th I'll be adjusted.  I have had some really great intervals and even easy runs, consistancy is the issue and that will come as my  body adjusts.

I was very tired this morning, but it was soooo beautiful out it didn't matter.  Ran with Jenny and Amy.  Girl Power!  None of us get to run in all girl groups that often so this was a treat.