track fan

2:01:24 (1:05:16/56:08 - this wasn't exact, I forgot to hit my watch at the the turn-around, it was probably more like 1:03:xx/58:xx). Stupid weather-people, stupid me. Like a dummy I listened to the weather report last night and slept in until 6AM ... I was so tired, I did not leave work until about 7 last night and by the time I ran and drove home it was about 9PM when we sat down to eat. All we did was watch track and go to bed ... but I was beat. So, anyway, the weather report said that it was going to rain last night and be cloudy this morning and rain again this afternoon -- monsoons (they are really cool -- it really pours, and the washes fill with water, it "greens" up, and although it gets pretty humid, it is about 10 degrees cooler during the day - only about 95F high yesterday). I thought I could start at a nice late 7:30 and be ok. Well, it was horrible. It was bright sunny, humid as all get out, and about 80F at 7:30. I spent the first 3 miles cussing under my breath at the weather people, and myself, for starting so late; then I decided to make "lemonade from the lemons", and as I was trying to do that (think of something positive about this hot horrid run) - I spent about 2 miles thinking about how good an ice cold lemonade would be ;-) - and I don't even like lemonade. Then I spent about 3 miles obsessing about whether or not I put sunscreen on my face -- I knew had put it on the rest of me, but I did not remember putting on my face (did I tell you how tired I was this morning?).

By the time it was time to push it (I was supposed to run the last 20 mins hard, I usually just make it a progression run and run harder every mile after the turnaround) it was probably 90F (and at least 60% humidity), so then I was cussing the weather people, and myself, again. With 2 miles to go I ran into a woman who runs with a local running club (we have run together before) and we ran the last couple miles together. She had run a 22 miler yesterday and was supposed to be running an easy 10 miles today, I told her I was going to email her coach (who I know slightly) and tell on her that she was running her easy day too hard ... but she made me promise I wouldn't because apparently she gets in trouble for that all the time ;-). She was surprised to see me out there so late - she had gone to a concert the night before so she had a better excuse than me to start so late, but it was tough. We did make plans to try to meet again and run together, we seem to have similar schedules (not early ;-) ) and our paces are pretty similar. Anyway -- I was happy that I was able to run the last 4 miles as hard as I did in the heat, and all and all I am happy. I guess that was my lemonade, if I can run this hard right now and feel so good, I am hoping it will translate into some good races when it is cooler. And, although I did not quite make my target weight goal this summer I have come pretty close (127.6 today, but probably dehydrated, I am about 129 on average lately, which is about 20.8 BMI and 6th percentile for my age, so I will just be happy with that) ... there is some lemonade, no sugar added though!

World Champs Highlights: Dwight Philip is a 4 time world champion a the long jump! The US men and women 4 x 400 relay team rock, if they don't mess up the baton exchange they are pretty much favorites for the win tonight. Kenyan's 1-2 in the womens 5K final (Jen Rhines ran a season's best 15:11). Desiree Dravila ran a pr 2:27 marathon - almost beating Kara Goucher (who had a bad day today) -- great finish by Xue Bai of China against Yoshimi Ozaki of Japan.

Happy Sunday bloggers. A little work, and hopefully a little play this afternoon.

It was nice to see coverage of the women's WC marathon last night, especially since the men's coverage seemed to be watching the last 5 seconds (what is up with that?).  Both the men's and women's 4 x 400 were awesome - predictable perhaps, but nice.

The men's 5K was the type of race everyone dreams of.  If you are going to get 2nd place in a race (Lagat) that is the way to do it -- in the last 50 meters, neck-and-neck with Bekele.  Dean and I both thought that the difference between 1st and 2nd for Lagat was his 36 (versus 34) year old legs, and maybe the 4 stitches that had put in on Thursday after being spiked ... he is a fierce competitor, and he is a great spokesperson for the sport ...

In the worst show of fair play I have ever seen in a race the women's 1500 was a disaster.  Don't let your kids see such a horrible display of sportsmanship.  Both Natalia Rodriguez of Spain and Natalya Evdokimova from Russia pushed, shoved and elbowed the field from the start.  In the end Rodriguez was DQ for stepping off of the track after throwing an elbow into Gelete Burka, little consolation for Burka who was certainly looking like the potential winner for most of the race.  To her credit, Burka did get up and finish the race ... long after everyone else had finished -- very gutsy.

First day of classes ... yikes.

AM: (9+, 1:15:37 (38:33/37:03)). hmmm.  I was actually pretty distracted today on my run.   I hit my ~2 mile landmark and I was a minute faster than usual.  I decided to just stay with it and run a little faster today - I was still within my "easy run" pace range (according to Greg and Daniel's), and within my "effort" too, I could still breath through my nose (except for the uphills at the end) - it just a little faster than I would normally run.  Part of the reason was because I was thinking about racing ... and I got a little "competitive" in my mind.  When I ran into Merry (the woman I ran with for a while last Sunday) she had mentioned that there were a few women in her running club she thought I knew (I didn't) -- she said, "they know you".  I think in part because of a couple of local races I was a part of ... but basically they are gunning for me ;-).

Then  this reminded me of a woman that was in the cross-country race last year (she won the 40-44 age group and was about 15 secs in front of me) ... anyway, she cheated (went around inside the back barriers instead of going over them).  I had the hardest time standing next to her when they took our picture (age group winners).  I keep telling myself to forget about her little cheating foray (it was obviously important enough to her to do that even though it was a turkey trot for goodness sakes! and a muddy, rainy slide-fest so time meant nothing). She would have beat me that day anyway ... but now I just want to beat her so I can forget about it!  So ... I guess it is getting closer to time to race ... ;-).

I don't know how I am going to survive this semester ... seriously.  I had so many typo's in my slides yesterday ... I hope I get more productive at getting ready for my lectures.  I probably won't be checking in on blogs until Thursday ...

PM:(4 miles).  Preblogging, I  might run 4.5 miles.

Run well, be safe and healthy bloggers!

1:02:20 (31:21/30:59).  I will try to write more later ... very busy today.

Have a happy day bloggers! 

AM: (9.5+ miles, 1:20:12).  15 or 16 x 1` @ 5k pace w/1` recovery.  

PM: (4 miles, 37:32).  Hot ... I waited as long as I could, so it was dark for most of the run ... about 101F.

Things are tough right now ... luckily I can run, but lack of sleep is getting to me.  I was so busy yesterday that I missed lunch - I could feel it today.

Happy almost Friday bloggers! 

1:02:47.  felt pretty good at least running-wise.  

Happy Friday bloggers!

!!!!!! Ritz just ran an American Record in the 5K!!!!!

 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 12:56.27 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AM: (8 miles, 1:15:40) ... very slow today, it is super hot and I don't feel well ... sort of run down.  Dean and I are both going into work this morning, but I am hoping to be able to work from home tomorrow (though poor Dean will be going in tomorrow too) ...

PM: (4 miles -- if I can get out of work before it gets dark I might try to do my favorite 4.5 mile run instead, but this is unlikely).

I hope everyone is having a great day and good luck at the races ... I am having fond memories of TOU 1/2 last year!