Don't Sacrifice the Gift.

7- Dog Pound--  Very warm today.  I wasn't able to make it this morning but I was glad that I was able to make time today.  I find that when I have to run on my own, it is a lot harder to find the motivation.  But I have found that the more I push myself to get out there and run when I have to go by myself, the easier it gets.  I felt pretty good today, at the beginning I felt a little tired, but moreso the "after weekend gunk" kind of tired.  Once I got a little more warmed up I felt better.

4.75-  DI x2--  Went to morning practice a little early in order to get a little more milage in.  Unfortunately, I didn't get there quite as early as I had hoped.  Still felt pretty good to have a little chill day though.  Legs are feeling pretty great lately.  I have been stretching and taking better care of myself lately and it is definetly paying off.  

Also did some weights with the team this morning!

7.5- Riverside loop/AC-- Once again came to practice early in order to get some extra milage in.  Ran down to riverside dr. after doing DI loop then back up to the school.  Then ran Artic Circle with the team.  Afterwards did some Plyos.

4- BHills North Park--  Was able to get up to the park today after class for practice.  Wasn't able to do the entire workout with them but was able to get a few good 1000m repeats in.  My legs (specifically my shins) were feeling a litte tender this afternoon.  With the speed and added milage for this week I am not really surprised.  So after getting back home, I made sure that I gave them a little extra TLC. 

5.5- Dirt Mile--  Missed running yesterday and I am super bummed about it.  For some reason I thought that I was going to have some time in the afternoon but then got busy with class and homework and the such.  Next week I need to make sure that I get up and run in the morning on Thursday!  Anyway, after class today I was able to make it to the last bit of practice with the team.  I was able to make it for the last couple of Striders and for the 20min tempo.  It has been a long time since I have done a tempo for that long and I had forgotten how long and hard it can be.  But I also had forgotted how great I felt during and especially after.  The girls did really well today.  I was really impressed with a lot of the girls, there were many instances where they regrouped with the pack they needed to be with and I was very proud.  

15- Reverse Marathon--  Today I had planned on doing the longest run I have done in awhile!  I was a little worried at first but my confidence grew as I continued to run.  I started from home and ran down to Vernon Worthen Park then followed the course in reverse up to just before where the 21 mile aid station would be then turned around and came back home the way I came.  I felt pretty good for the first five miles or so then started to feel a little tired in the legs as the run started to get a little more hilly.  After the turn around I felt revuvinated and put in a extra burst of speed for the next few miles.  I made sure to stop at a few parks for a short water break.  At about a mile and a half left my legs really started to feel tired.  Energy wise, I felt great, but my legs were pretty drained.  But even with tired legs, I finished strong.  I doubly made sure to stretch and ice afterwards to make sure I didn't get to tight.  Overall, a great run that I am very pleased with!