morning - 22 SGM Course. After last week, I figured I could do a similar thing and not stress myself trying to wake up early after getting to bed late. But my allergies have been super crappy and my neck has been kinked all week, so I didn't really have high hopes for this morning. Dropped off my drinks and got started at 9:30 - much better than last week's noon, and it was still only 70 degrees (and only 82 when I finished which made it much nicer than last week). Had planned on a similar workout to last week, but decided to modify to a quicker than marathon pace on the way down since I didn't get a tempo in this week. Started off and felt great right off the bat. Kept the moment all the way up and did a good push on the final 4.5 (went up 10.5 this week instead of 10 - but to last week's point I was 7 minutes quicker up this week) up to the Snow Canyon entrance. The first .5 back down I just tried to get the legs transitioning from the uphill speed to the downhill speed. Then I got pushing a bit more for the next 10. Didn't kill the pace, but wanted sub-marathon pace throughout and hoped I wouldn't have to push too crazy to do it. Relaxed on the hills and decided that will be a key for me this year - don't stress the hills, I just don't have the leg strength I used to on them... so don't stress - but still hit solid times. By the end, down Diagonal and such, the legs were tired and I could tell I had run hard, but it wasn't so dead that I used up all the mojo. Ave. down the course was just over 5:30 - not bad after the strong 10.5 miles of uphill - and I would love if I could finish the marathon anywhere near that. I feel the sub 2:30 goal really is right there within my reach now. I would really love to get back there again. Finished up with a mile cool after getting to the park. (Last Ohana 340.5) This week was really a struggle for the most part with the allergies, my neck, and the travel to SLC, but I am happy with how it ended. goals for next week: last longer run will have to be on Friday morning early since we are headed up to SLC for the third straight week of XC (Ally is probably ready to kill me) and this one is overnight. Hopefully a decent tempo on Tuesday (not much time left for those, so I would like a couple more good ones). | 