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10:00 AM - Very big turnout today at the winter series, but I think it was because there were 3 races today (3 mile, 10k and 25k).  I started out in the back of the pack and was a little sore from yesterday, after doing 8+ miles on my first day back since the Hangover Half.  Blah.  Felt really strong actually and was holding it steady despite the on-off-on-off surging of those around me.  Felt really good, but just didn't have it in me today to finish the full 15.5.  I think it was because I got 5 hours of sleep last night.  Finally fell asleep after work around 12:45, and up at 6:00 am.  Plus like I mentioned before, was a little sore from yesterday.  Supposed to get a storm tonight, but hope I can get in a run before going down to my first day of graduate classes tomorrow!

12 miles in 1:35:30 = 7:57 pace per mile!  (I guess I can't really say that I am that out of shape!)  Cooled down and changed clothes and went to a movie with Emma and a couple of our friends afterwards.

Total Mileage for the day:  13.2 miles

SHOES: Asics 2120s (*New):  21.31

7:45 AM - Wanted to make sure I got a run in today, so headed out on the snowy roads; got a few inches of snow last night, and the plows were out in force.  Almost got taken out on one of the backroads because the plow was taking a corner too fast.  Felt pretty good.  Some residual soreness this morning, but it went away for the most part after about a mile.  Felt good to get out there on the roads again.  And I'm really surprised because there was only one mile where I felt I was actually pushing the pace (that was downhill though and I knew it would be my fastest mile).  Overall, a really nice run.  Time to go grab a shower and get ready for class tonight.  I think I might bring my sleeping bag and stay over at a friend's; Hopefully Emma can stay to watch tv after my class tonight!

Total Time:  1:04:09   Total Mileage:  8.25  Average Pace:  7:46 per mile

Shoes: Asics 2120s (*New): 29.56

No run today;  After my class last night, I was a little overwhelmed with all the work that is due next class! Thankfully the class doesn't meet next Monday because of Martin Luther King Day, however.  So I went to Emma's and I got to see the Sky-boy.  That really made my day because I'm absolutely in love with that kid!  Children truly are amazing, and I think that I needed that little interlude to further solidify my drive and ambition to one day be a teacher.  Just dropping a quick entry during the break of my late class:  7:15 to 9:55pm tonight! Blah.  Got to get up for work 11-8 tomorrow.  Plan is to get up around 6:30, and head out the door at 7:30 and do either the 8.25 loop, or possibly tack on another 1.75 for a 10-miler.  Probably should do the 10 since I had today off.  Am feeling lazy! 

My chance of redemption coming up later this month:

Sunday, 1/27 @ 10:00 AM  - Winter Series 30k (18.6mi) I figured out some elapsed times for various paces.  I think I am going to shoot for the 8:00-8:30 range.

2:38:26 - 8:30/mile

2:33:47 - 8:15/ mile

2:29:07 - 8:00 / mile

2:24:28 - 7:45/ mile

Got to run! Class is starting again! 

7:30 AM - That one hurt.  Legs felt pretty good when I woke up, but it was in the single digits outside.  Felt pretty good for most of the run.  The last couple miles were tough though.  Definitely felt the extra effort to get up and over those hills.  Overall though felt pretty good.  Really stressed about how I'm going to be able to pay off this grad school bill.  They never sent me a bill in the mail, and now it is past due and I'm being charged late fees.  Why the hell am I even going to grad school I wonder sometimes.

Mile 1 - 7:40

Mile 2 - 7:22

Mile 3 - 7:29

Mile 4 - 7:45 (uphill)

Mile 5 - 7:23

Mile 6 - 8:04 (uphill)

Mile 7 - 7:53

Mile 8 - 7:30

Total Distance: 8.25 Miles   Total Time: 1:02:35  Average Pace: 7:35/mile

Shoes: Asics 2120s (*New): 37.81

9:00 AM - Yeah, it's definitely winter.  As if there weren't any other way for Mother Nature to affirm that in fact it is not late November, but rather the full-fledged assault on mankind's existence we like to call winter, another single digit temperature to start the day.  Legs felt fresh. No soreness whatsoever.  But after the first mile, despite 3 upper layers, and a full length spandex bottom as well as a pair of winter running pants, certain appendages began to freeze and I opted for a slightly shorter run than I had hoped.  I had wanted to do the 8.25 loop, but by mile 3 it had not only gotten cold, but had begun to actually hurt.  I turned around and booked it home.  Oh what I wouldn't give to be anywhere where there was a temperature at least with two digits!

Total Time:  45:24   Total Mileage:  6.22   Average Pace:  7:18 / mile

Asics 2120s: 44.03

GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF OUR FAST RUNNING BLOG FRIENDS WHO ARE RACING THIS WEEKEND! LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THOSE RACE REPORTS!

8:30 AM - A bone chilling 9 degrees this morning when I laced up to head outside.  Made sure I took extra precautions to bundle up.  Wore two x long sleeve sport wick shirts, as well as a zipper up top layer and on the bottom had on a pair of long spandex and the pair of running pants.  The goal this morning was restraint and enjoying a long run.  Tried to forget about all that homework I have to do this weekend.  Overall I was impressed that I finished the run, hit 50 miles for only 5 days of running this week, and felt 0 tenderness/soreness and only minimal effort.  Splits were as follows: