track fan

1:54:53 (50:37 +20:05, 44:00).  WOW!  This was my hilly route that I run in the Saguaro National Park.  The loop is a little more than 5.5 miles -- I am not sure exactly how long it is, I just know it is not quite 6 and more than 5.5.  It is uphill for almost 3 miles then downhill for a little more than 1.5 miles and then flat to uphill for the last bit.  I added on 20 mins in the middle of the first loop, I ran out and back on a long road that goes out to a trailhead - I did this 2.5 times to make sure I got in 14 miles.  I ran hard the last loop, mainly pushing it a little on the uphills and then just running comfortable on the downhills and then about 1/2 marathon pace for the last 20` or so; I am pretty sure I have never run this route this fast, and it did not feel hard (except for some of the hills during the last 10 mins).

It was such a beautiful day -- I had forgotten how pretty this was, I am hoping to be able to take 1/2 day off this week to take my Mom to the Desert museum and if I get my new camera in time I can take a couple of pictures on the way there.  The whole drive and run is just breathtaking.  I am sure that the beauty has healing properties, I felt fully recovered from Thursday. 

Have a wonderful Sunday bloggers!!

AM: (10+ miles, 1:33:25).  Nice hilly 9 + 8 x 100m strides.  I must have felt really good because I hit all my usual landmarks faster.  I just ran longer and turned around after a while ... I am hoping it was closer to 10.5 today.

PM: (4 miles easy).

Two more workouts until my race!!  Ok, I am ready to say it out loud.  I will be happy with anything under 44 mins, but I would LOVE to be closer to 43:30.  There you go.  I said it.  Based on my 1/2 marathon last year I should be able to hit a 43:30, but speed is not my forte so things will have to align just right ... I will just do what I can to allow for the best (recover well, eat right and be healthy, and work hard - in that order) and then what will be will be ...

I hope you are all staying warm, and running well!

1:04:50.  Beautiful run on the Yeatman trail -- I know, I am sounding like a broken record!!

AM: (10+ miles, 1:29:34). 31:15 wu/31:21 cd.  5 x 800m @ 10K > 5K pace w/400 recovery.  Target pace (3:21 - 3:29/ 6:44-6:59).  Actual pace: 3:23 (2:19), 3:21 (2:18), 3:23 (2:19), 3:23 (2:18), 3:20 (3:22).  Not bad ... especially because it was VERY windy today.  The whole time down to the track I was trying to estimate how much the wind was going to cost me ... and I was actually quite angry about it after thinking about it for 30 mins ;-).  But I just tried to relax and not over do it into the wind, a good strategy I guess.  I was sort of surprised when I saw this workout, I thought it was a little easy compared to the past couple weeks -- but it wasn't really that easy, just shorter than usual.  Next week are more 400's so it is nice to have some slightly shorter workouts thrown in ... but I guess 2.5 miles at 5K pace or thereabouts really can't be thought of as easy ;-).

PM: (4 - 4.5 miles easy). 

I have a lot to do today - mainly because I am trying to get some work done so I can take my Mom to the desert museum.  The wildlife is not being cooperative - not one sighting while she has been here, despite her diligent watchfulness ... so, I am going to cheat and take her to where we are guarenteed to see some animals ;-).

Happy Thursday bloggers! 

1:02:45.  Early morning run on Yeatman Trail.  Like sunset in reverse, orange glow on the mountainsides ... sillouette of the saguaros against the mountains ... awwww.

I did get my new camera (Christmas present from Dean's Mom -- well, 1/2 of it was), I now have a tiny little Sony Cyber-shot!  I have not had a chance to play with it yet - we were supposed to go to the desert museum yesterday but I had some work stuff come up (grrrrrr, I won't get started on it) and then I went into a panic because I have somehow lost my drivers license!!  Darn!  Utah is no longer replacing them via mail, so I have to try and get a copy of my driving record to prove I have a license, OR I will have to apply for a "new" license, which is really a pain - and will take a whole day (which I don't have).  And, classes start next week -- not good timing.  Anyway, I spent an hour scouring the house, instead of strolling through the wonderful desert museum ... poor Mom. 

I discussed my training with Greg, and I feel better about things today.  I was a little frustrated yesterday, not because the workout went badly - but I thought it felt harder than it should have.  I had done a Yasso 800 workout last March at almost the same pace (10 x 800).  Why would 5 x 800 feel harder?  Well, duh.  I actually was about 3-5 seconds faster yesterday, and my recovery was a little more than a minute less.  That extra minute of recovery really does help ;-).  Anyway, I feel a little better today, and Greg assures me, I am right on 'training-wise'.  The race I am running has an interesting prize structure, $100  under 31:00 for men and under 36:30 for women in the 10K and under 15:00 for men and under 17:30 for women in the 5K.  I think many of Gregs elite group may be coming down for this race ... so we will have a full house!  And they can cheer me on at the finish -- since they will have finished their race and cool down by the time I am near the finish ;-) -- one of the good things about being a slower runner!

Enjoy your Friday bloggers!! 

AM: (9+ miles, 1:21:56).  8+ miles + 8 x 100m strides.  I am not a morning person, but 7:30 was a perfect time to run this morning.  The sun rise over the mountains was stunning and the temperature was more perfect than perfect.  We went up to Phoenix yesterday afternoon to see the magic doctor, John.  He worked on my back and shoulder (not running related but an injury that has been bugging me for months now -- probably due to long hours on the computer coupled with carrying a laptop around too much.  Anyway - on the way home we took my Mom to the petroglyphs ... I got some awesome pictures that I will try to upload some time this weekend, it was cloudy last night so there was quite a sky show with orange streaks ... I hope they come out even half as nice in a picture as it was in person!

PM: (4 -4.5 miles easy).

I have to go to Michaels to get some pictures framed, and then I need to work a little today -- I am really hoping to take tomorrow off off off!

 Happy weekend bloggers!