"Passion is an overwhelming love for the experience of a favorite activity. Motivation is a drive to engage in an activity based on some reward the activity offers beyond the simple enjoyment of the experience itself. When you have great passion for running, or anything else, you don't need any extra motivation. But motivation without passion can only take you so far." - Dean Karnazes in 50/50 page 152
8:40 AM - Sunny and hot early. Already in the 70s this morning. After having coffee and talking with my dad for an hour I went to the track. Laced up my sneakers and said hi to a xc buddy's parents who were leaving the track, though I haven't seen them in a year and I don't think they've seen me with short hair and a beard so I don't know if they recognized me or not. Went for a warmup and did 1.5 miles in 14:36 (9:44 Pace). Today's workout was just to see what I could do with some 400s. I planned to do 4x400s with 400 meter recovery jogs in between each. I wanted to hit somewhere between 1:40 and 1:45. I was pleasantly surprised because my times for the intervals were:
- 1st 400: 1:31 (5:47/ mi)
- 2nd 400: 1:29 (5:42/ mi)
- 3rd 400: 1:23 (5:29/ mi)
- 4th 400: 1:21 (5:14/ mi)
Recovery 400s in order starting after the first 400 were: 2:08, 2:13, 2:21. After the 4th I grabbed a sip of water and hit the trails for a warm down. Ended up doing 1.8 miles in 18:02 (10:01). Felt really great! Stretched and headed for home. My mom just got home early this morning from Michigan where she went to my uncle's funeral and memorial service. She seems at peace and doing well.
Going to grab a shower, and then to work for day #9 in a row. Then packing up my car. I'm going to Emma's house tonight. She is over near Boston with her mom to visit her aunt, but I'm going to utilize her quiet house to study for my comprehensive exams on Saturday. I'm getting nervous! Hopefully if I get some studying done tonight I can go for a hike, bike ride and /or jog tomorrow with Emmy!
Total Time: 45:08 Total Distance: 5.10 mi Average Pace: 8:52/ mi | 
