I only run on days that end in a "y."

The group had a "race" day for a workout.  Basically a 10 mile loop around the town lake trail.  Some ran faster than 1/2 marathon pace, some around 1/2 marathon pace and some at MGP.  I figured I would start a bit slow and pick up the pace but I felt good and fell in with a bit faster group.  I started fading from them around mile 4 but maintained my pace.  That bad part was that I was alone at that point.  I did not stop for water or anything so I felt pretty good about making it through.  The weather was humid and the trail of crushed granite slows the pace a bit as well.  The last couple miles were a bit of a mental struggle.  I ran 2.5 miles warm up - 10 miles hard and then 1.5 miles cool down.  Splits of 10 miles:  7:15, 6:57, 6:55, 7:09, 7:04, 6:53, 7:05, 7:19, 7:20, 6:50.  (Miles 8 and 9 were a good mental test to keep going, managed to pick it up on the last mile)

Woke up to light rain, it cleared up for most of my run and then poured during my last 1/2 mile.  Just ran 5 easy today.

Went out at lunchtime - nice easy run - nothing else to say.  

This morning was not what I had hoped for.  I wanted to run some MGP miles but conditions were unfavorable.  I should have stuck to 7 or so easy since my legs are still not 100% after Monday's hard run.  But I did not know that until about mile 6 when I stopped for a minute to decide whether or not to continue or turn around and head back home.  I was at a point, however, where the distance would be the same, the only difference being that the route I had planned to take has a couple killer hills.  My legs were complaining but I decided to continue on to get some good steady down hill miles and then take on the hills.  I figured I would slow my pace a bit.  It was close to 80 degrees and 90% humidity and my body does not deal well in those conditions either.  I finished up the downhills and turned on the road leading back.  There were flashing lights and signs saying "Do not enter - turnaround."  We had 15" of rain the day before so I figured one of the low water crossings was flooded but was not sure how bad.  I continued on and found that the low bridge was covered in water and the blacktop was about 20 feet away as it had been washed off by the water.  It looked like I could cross along the edge - water was flowing quickly but only 12 inches deep.  Where the road was though it was about 2-3 feet deep and I knew if I went in there it would not be good.  At this point there was no way I was going to turn back - it was mile 9 and going back would add about 5 more miles and there would be some significant climbs.  I took my shoes off, tied them together and hung them around my neck.  I put one foot in to judge the force of the water and thought it was doable.  I slowly made my way across and put my shoes back on and continued on my way.  I would not have done it if I did not think that I could have made it.  

This was a pretty tough run and I just was not into it mentally - I wish I would have slept in instead.  Hopefully I can recover enough over the next day and a half to be ready for Saturday's 22 mile run. 

Splits:   9:40, 8:12, 7:51, 7:38, 7:43, 7:50, 7:50, 8:01, 8:50(hills), 9:07(tired), 8:27, 7:30.

Last 20+ mile long run.  We ran some good rollers going out and coming back.  The last 2 miles were some of the hardest miles I have run.  After the run my car said it was 87 degrees out.  The last 2 miles were pretty much in full sun and at that temp I can see why it was hard.  The plan was to run the first 10 miles at 60 seconds slower than MGP and drop from there.  I dropped the pace at around mile 4 though and then again at mile 12.  Spilts:  8:46, 8:22, 8:25, 8:04, 8:03, 8:09, 8:09, 8:10, 8:09, 8:04, 8:13, 7:52, 7:51, 7:43, 7:43, 7:35, 7:43, 7:47, 7:36, 7:34, 7:52(really struggled here), 7:40.

Next Saturday is 18 miles with 12-14 @ MGP.  That should be the last hard long run before the marathon.