THOU SHALT BE A COMEBACK

8:15 average pace.  The plan was to go 18 today but I was watching a storm off to the west and sure enough it began to roar up and head my way.  Abandoned ship toward the end and it was thundering and lightning pretty good as I ran a rather brisk last mile to get home.  I don't mind getting rained on but I will not risk getting struck by lightning.  Anyways, foot was holding up very well, the only part it got unhappy about was when I was on asphalt.  Felt like it would have been fine for 6 more miles if the weather had not stopped me.  I am encouraged today.  Slow and rickety start as always.  Splits 9:27/9:16/8:53/8:24/8:11/8:08/7:53/7:47/7:45/8:05/8:02/7:10, last little bit 6:29 pace.  

8:33 average pace.  Started out tired and unmotivated, began to feel good a while into the run, then tired and unmotivated at the end again.  It was nice and cool today--67 degrees.  A little drizzly and muddy but no lightning.

8:38 average pace.  Rainy and windy.  At first the wind made the rain sting and it hurt but after a while I got used to it and it felt nice.  Unmotivated at first but got to feeling good.  Got nice and soaking wet and run through lots of puddles.  It was nice to feel cool on a run for a change. Will probably go really easy tomorrow and then try for an 18 miler again on Friday.  Saturday I have to work a night shift so I really don't want to combine that with a long run and end up injured.

9:20 average pace.  Took it very easy--strolled along and enjoyed the lovely cooler weather and the sunshine.  Everything felt great, including my foot.  Had a huge breakfast afterwards and feeling very relaxed.   Needed to rest up as I am planning 18-20 tomorrow incorporating both half-marathon and marathon pace miles.  It will be an experiment to see how the foot holds up and to practice re-fueling at higher intensity running and find out what my "nausea threshold" is and how to avoid it.  

8:05 average pace.  Woke up at 6am to beat the heat, ate a piece of toast and jelly, drank some water, and hit the road.  Noticed that they had graded the dirt roads so they were unfortunately rather rocky in places.  Decided that I would run the whole thing on dirt anyway and just slow down on the rocky parts, because I don't want to aggravate my foot by running on asphalt when it is doing so well.  Decided protecting my foot was more important than pace.  Took Julie's advice and started slow, drifted into a better pace in the middle, and finished strong.  Felt very strong at the end and could have easily kept going but no need to push it too hard.  Foot was feeling good and wanted to end on a  high note.  Also squatted and peed behind a push for the very first time on a run and it was not nearly as scary as I thought it would be.  I am worried about having to go pody during a marathon but if there is something to squat behind I suppose I will be okay.  Overall a good run for me.

Splits 9:27/9:01/8:50/8:28/8:21/8:11(gatorade)/8:03/7:58/8:02(gatorade)/7:58/8:03(pody break)/7:56/7:43(gatorade)/7:42/7:30/7:29/7:41(gatorade)/7:24/2:24(7:08 pace)

9:23 average pace.  Very slow run this morning to loosen up.  My left hip is really tight, and I mean tight.  Lots of stretching.  May run a few more this pm before my night shift if I have time.  I will probably at least do some yoga this afternoon.