track fan

2:00:54 (1:03:29/57:24) (9:04/8:12).  I tried to keep it easy today, my goal was to not go too much faster than marathon pace.  The first mile was about 9:15 or so, and then each mile got a little faster until I was at about 8:55 pace until the turn-around.  After the turn-around I dropped it down to about 8:30 pace for a couple miles and by mile 10 I was at 8:00 pace.  The last 2.5 miles I kept it at 7:50-7:55, it was hard because my instinct is to get those last 3-4 miles down to 1/2 marathon pace, but I just made sure I was breathing from my nose (which limits my pace a lot, since it has to stay really easy).  The reason for holding back a little today is two-fold, first it was over 90F and sunny when I finished, and secondly, I have to rearrange my running schedule this week and I won't have a day off between today and my next "harder" day (Tuesday).  I am giving a seminar in the cancer center really early Wednesday morning and I originally was suppose to go on a full-day trip down to Mexico with some of the community health people on Friday.  I am not sure I can go on Friday now because we have some new house stuff that we need to schedule and the only during the day that I have to do it would be Friday this week.  That is one of the sucky things about my life right now, there is absolutely no 'give'  -- my days  are pretty tightly scheduled.

Next Sunday -- as well as being a big marathon day for some bloggers (namely Auntieem) - and the day after a big marathon day for other bloggers -- all you SGM folks -- is a big race day here in Tucson.  It is the Jim Click 8k -- and it usually draws most of the Arizona elites out to race.  We might be hosting 4 of the McMillan Elite athletes.  Last year Brett Gotcher (new American 20K champion who just got chosen to represent the US at the World 1/2 marathon championships) and 3 other McMillan Elite athletes took the top 4 spots ... it should be FUN to see who comes down and how they do this year too.  Oh yea, it is also my 47th birthday -- which means only 11 later is the big 50 for Dean!!

I have to go work now, I hope you all have a nice Sunday!

1:03:32 (31:53/31:38).  Recovery run ... I was trying to run at about 9:30-9:40 pace ... I did not quite make it, but I still kept it pretty slow and was able to refrain from charging up the hills to get home.  It has been a while since I have run the day after my long run -- maybe a year or so -- it took me longer to warm up and get into a smooth gait, but the last couple miles were pretty pleasant!

Have a great week bloggers!

AM: (10 miles, 1:25:54). 9 miles + 8 x ~100m strides. Felt really good today, I hope to get out for 4.5 tonight, but if it is like most Tuesdays I might not get done with work until it is really late so I might just do 4.

PM: (4.5 miles, 39:14).  Yea!  I left work and 7:30 and was at the park by 7:45.  I felt so good on this run.  One of the easiest, and most enjoyable runs I have had in a long time (not that most of my runs are not enjoyable, this one was just very comfortable).   Another thing that made it special -- TMI -- is that I stopped at an actual bathroom. Usually, I have to run around the parking lot and find a very dark corner to pee in before I get into my car to drive the 1/2 hour home (I am not as picky about my bathrooms as Sno is ... as a matter of fact "the world is my bathroom ;-) just kidding) ... ahhhh I was living in the lap of luxury (a public bathroom at a tennis court)!

Happy Tuesday bloggers!

AM: (8.5, 1:10:43).  34:24 wu 6 x ~250m hill repeats 22:42 cd.  Did a much harder workout than when I did this two weeks ago.  I ran the first 3 in about 1:03 average (one was actually 1:05, but it was because I stumbled in the sand at the beginning of the ascent) I then dropped it to 1:01, :59, :58.  I was concentrating on my form and driving through to the very top of the hill (the last one was very very hard - not cardiovascularly but muscularly).  Pretty happy.

PM: (at least 4 miles).

My talk went really well yesterday, I was surprised, especially since I barely had time to practice it this week before I gave it ... I wish my lecture had gone as well.   The students (and I) are having a tough time with the current material. 
 

1:02:43 (32:04/30:39). Felt a little tired today, so I just took it pretty easy.

Very very busy week, but has been efficient and I have gotten a lot of important things done (besides teach). Three papers revised and out the door, a protocol finished and ready to go to the clinical trials office, some programs written to begin analysis of a study that uses a new technology for measuring expression levels of small pieces of circulating RNA. whew, I am tired just remembering it. Today is a day of meetings and late this afternoon is the inspection on our new house!

I really need to clean up the house tonight since McMillan athletes are coming in tomorrow afternoon (and I will be working all day -- at least I get to eat dinner with them, if I can get home early enough - I don't think I will make them wait until 9PM the night before a race just to eat with me ;-) ).

Happy Friday bloggers, be safe and have fun!

GOOD LUCK all you weekend racers!!!

AM: (9 miles, 1:19:38).  8 miles + 8 x ~100m strides.  Beautiful day!!  I think the heat wave (the one that lasted 5 months) is gone -- highs today of 87F!!!!

PM: (4 or 4.5 miles).

I can't wait to read the race reports!  Run the the wind bloggers!