Relentless

afternoon - 9.1 GS/PL/Middleton reverse with the boys.  A pretty solid run.  I was impressed how well these 4 our doing (Danny, Austin, Corey, Decker) with the little higher mileage.  We picked it up to 6:00 on the few miles coming down out of Green Springs.  (Landreth black 333.65)

afternoon - 8 River Trail/DI w/ the boys.  A little tired in the legs today.  But worked out of it decently by the end.  Finished off with 5xbarefoot striders.  (Stratus bee 435.35)  

afternoon - 9.25 River Trail w/ the boys; then 3 big loops.  Got back home and took the dog for 1 mile.  Legs seem a little dead and I'm a little unenthusiastic.  (Cumulus white 461.50)

evening - 8.1 Club run on the Parkway.  At the top of the Parkway we went on the north road up to Green Springs and then back to the store - dodging cars and trying to cut it as close as possible to death (Steve really didn't like that part for some reason).  Nice little run with a fun group out.  (Stratus bee 443.45)

afternoon - 7 Washington Elem. w/ the boys and then DI for a few extra.  We'll see how the race goes tomorrow.  (Cumulus white 468.50)

Race was okay.  It really showed me what type of shape (or lack thereof) I am in.  A group of us just started off pretty easy and were going along decent.  And as Paul and JeffMc went at around mile 7 I just couldn't really get the legs going any more.  Same thing happened as Hayden pulled away just a mile later.  So I just kind of cruised it in knowing I wasn't in shape to catch Hayden and Sasha wasn't go to catch me, so why kill myself.  (Landreth 563.10)  (Ohana -13.5

Warmed up with a few guys, but Hayden and I pushed it a little further (4.5 total) and cut the start close, but no biggy.  [Splits are by Garmin which measure 13.27 (so they are off a bit)]

1-5:40, pretty chill start to race.  Group of 7 or so.

2-5:32, still no one pushing and I am fine with it.

3-5:11, make the turn onto River Road and then onto the trail and we begin to pick things up.  Group narrows to pretty much the top 5.

4-5:14, I am actually feeling very good and excited about it as we keep it moving.

5-5:28, we slow up the hill into Bloomington Hills, but still feeling good.  No one pulled away from me on the hill and I thought I might win.

6-5:10, moving strong back along the top of BH.

7-5:25, a little icey on the top section of trail and then Hayden went down on the bridge and I hurdled over him, slowing up to make sure he was okay.

8-5:43, wasn't it just like 1 mile ago I thought I was running strong enough to win?  Not any more.  Jeff and Paul kept going strong and Hayden regained me and just pulled away steadily.

9-5:45, I guess this is where my lack of any type of tempo work shows.  I could hold this 5:45 stuff all day.  I wasn't hurting.  Just couldn't go any faster.

10-5:37, The Bloomington loop is always a tough part in this race for me.  Today it is no different as I have no drive.

11-5:44, I pretty much resign myself to 4 (as stated above) and figure I'll just keep moving it along like this until the end.

12-5:44, more of the same up the trail.

13-5:53, Gave a few checks back to make sure Sasha wasn't coming and just chilled.

.1(.27 on Garmin)-6:05 pace, the little end section was stupid.  As I turned around I saw Sasha had gained a little on me the last few miles, but I was secure so I jogged it on in.  A little different finish than last year when I collapsed.  It is easier to finish this way!

No big deal today.  Even though I didn't run great, I hadn't the base or especially the tempo training to hit a great 1/2.  So I'll just start to get things rolling a little better now and improve.