track fan

1:58:37 (1:01:36/57:00) (8:48/8:08).  Ran on the Rillito trail ... a nice flat, marked trail.  Ended up with an unintentional progression run on the way back - I actually was already speeding up some before the turnaround, 8:22 (average 3 miles, only have 2 mile markers in this section), 8:18, 8:10, 7:48, 7:23.  Sweet ... since it was totally by effort (I did not hit my lap times, I just remembered the split times and calculated it later).

I guess I have been underestimating my mileage on my long runs for a while now, since I pretty much ran how I usually do, although this is the flattest run in the whole city (except for Reid Park which is only 3 miles around).  Pretty satisfied.  Although I hated every moment, I am glad I cross-trained during my injury.  I am actually also a little happy about having to take some down time, it got me energized, and seeing how I did not really lose much fitness, it was probably a good thing to do.  I think I am going to try to force myself to take 1-2 weeks off every year (though cross-train through it) ... as a matter of fact I think I am going to try to talk Dean into a 7+ long backpacking trip this summer, it has been almost 2 years since we have gone on a long trip and it is so awesome.  

I hope you are all having a great day!

AM: (10 miles, 1:26:17). 27:33wu/30:12cd, 20 x :30 w/1` recovery.   Beautiful day today, 33F and sunny.  I slept well last night (for the first time in two weeks, I think because I finally made some progress on the myriad of things I have due in the next week or so) and it showed!  I enjoyed my run, my legs enjoyed my run, and all is right with the world -- well, until I get into my office ;-).

PM: 4 miles easy.  I have to get back on the horse -- I am going to go back to the ill-fated Reid Park tonight.  I have not decided whether I am going to try a new parking spot, but I surely won't have anything of value in the car (and my wallet and phone will be well hidden).

I hope you all have inspired moments and a joyfilled day! 

1:04:42.  It was colder this morning, the same temperature (33F) but cloudy so it felt cooler than yesterday - luckily, I was running uphill for the first half of the run so I warmed up pretty quickly.  Felt really good again today ... but I tried to run really easy anyway because I have a hard workout tomorrow that (I hate to second judge my coach) I am not sure I am ready for ... but, you have to start somewhere so I will just do the best I can do.

I hope you are all having a wonderful week so far, the week is going by way too quickly for me ... there just are not enough hours in the day. 

AM: (14 miles, 1:53:50). 28:05wu/25:28cd, 8 mile Steady State run (target 7:16-7:30).  I really did not expect to hit the target for this run, it is the first stamina workout I have done in nearly 5 months.  And, I knew I was not in as good of shape as I was last March when I did this workout (after coming off an awesome 10K training cycle).  I will admit I was also a little intimidated with the sheer length of the run ... so, I decided to take it really easy and just run close to 7:35 pace with the primary goal being to finish the workout ... 

actual paces: 7:32, 7:19, 7:30, 7:32, 7:30, 7:32, 7:26, 7:21  

The first 4 miles I was getting harassed by about 20 high-school kids who were walking around the track.  They would wait until I came up on them and run and stand right next to each other and force me out into lane 5.  Finally, a few of them quit doing it and tried to give me some space, but at least 6 of them continued to torment me until they left ... it was nice to be able to run in lane one for the final 4 miles.  After this I had to run the brutal uphill home ... I was tired ... I am tired ... now I have to go to work and finish a paper that is 4 days late!  

Just as a comparison, last March I ran this same workout in: 7:32, 7:25, 7:16, 7:18, 7:25, 7:20, 7:19, 7:14 .... given that I am still 2 months out from my next race, I am still a little hopeful that even if I don't PR I won't be too far out from my fitness from last year (hope hope).

PM: 4 miles super easy.

Have a good day bloggers!! 

1:07:18.  Easy recovery run up the Yeatman trail (3 mins slower than usual, works out to :30/mile which is perfect for a recovery pace, yippee).

Nice day today, warmer than it has been (about 37F) and the sun came in at the end of the run.  No complaints today!!  Well, except for the fast that I have back-to-back meetings from 10-4 today ... I will have to eat my sandwich walking from one meeting to the next (or during one of the meetings I won't have to talk much at ;-) ).

I hope you are all getting ready for a fabulous weekend! 

AM:(8 miles,1:11:39)

PM: easy 4.

I am sorry, I can not write right now.  I am horribly depressed and sad today.

Congresswoman Giffords was shot in the head during an event here in Tucson today.  Two of her aides were killed and 9 others were shot as well.  It is a sad day.