Relentless

morning - 10.75 10x400's.  Took Molly up to Maverick first and then ran over to the track for my workout.  The wind was whipping up pretty good and a steady driving rain for most of the workout.  Started the set of 4's conservatively as I wanted to get all 10 done and with just 100 meter recovery which turned out to be right about 35 secs. each time.  Was at 1:17 for the first 2, then slowed to 1:20 as the wind really started to howl on the 3rd.  So I adjusted and started working them pretty good and hit the rest in 1:15-1:17.  Felt pretty please and ran home thinking that it was one of those workouts that have made you a better runner.  (Five Fingers 119.85)(old Ohanas -8.5)

afternoon - 10.75 Parkway - Michigan.  Went out for another controlled Michigan with the V-boys.  Paces were 5:55/6:25.  Hit everything really good and had a much better run up the Parkway than last time.  Even the 400 at the end was a lot better.  8xbarefoot striders and weights.  Molly's Mile.  (Barefoot '10 5)(Stratus grey 403.35)

afternoon - 11 Fields.  Ran out to Corey's house on a nice recovery run which had a good group of tag-a-longs.  Extended it up to Sandberg's and did a polar bear dip!  Molly's Turf run.  A little tired today, but it wasn't bad for two harder workouts in a row.  (Landreth blue 236)

evening - 8 Club.  Just James and I as no one else dared the downpour.  Just ran the Bloomington loop.  Later I went over and played ward ball for the first time in many years - the run over was a harder effort than the game.  (Free 110.2)(Five Fingers 120.85)

afternoon - 9.5 Fire Station Desert.  Went out in the desert above the Fire Station.  Sand was great from the heavy rains.  8xbarefoot striders and Molly's Mile.  (Barefoot '10 6)(Five Fingers 121.85)(Landreth black 785.35)

St. George 1/2 Marathon

James and I ran a decent warm up.  I could have used a little more, but wasn't planning on going crazy during the race and knew that I could warm up during the run.  Goal was to get in the 1:15's which is much slower than the last few years, but I thought very realistic.  Splits are Garmin and off a little as it measured at 13.22

1-5:38 a very conservative start, but felt nice

2-5:43 settled in easy with a group of about 5 or so that became three around this mile.  Graham from SUU (bandit) and the eventual 4th place runner.

3-5:31 watched Nick put in a crazy mile to work up to first.  I just kept it very cool.

4-5:39 back on the trail and letting Graham do some leading.

5-5:47 up the tough climb into Bloomington Hills, but a very solid mile.  Here Graham and 4th placer took off a bit and I didn't want to risk going after them.

6-5:33 tried to keep the gap the same.

7-5:40 not as strong on the trail as I should have been.  Although this was still on pace for what I wanted, I would have like a 5:30 here.

8-5:59 had a tough time up the Bloomington hill as you start off the loop.

9-6:07 struggled here also.  I have always had a tough time at this section of the loop whether I am racing very hard or not.  This is where Graham and 4th placer really gapped me.

10-5:43 not using the loop to my advatange.

11-5:56 I thought I had done this section a lot better until I saw the split.  I thought I was actually pushing better than this.  Don't know why I saw such a slip in time.

12-5:40 Same thing here.  I felt like I was running very strong up the trail and I was expecting a 5:30.

13-5:55 Once again.  I know I wasn't going crazy.  I felt relaxed but pushing it.  I guess I was just too relaxed.

.1-(5:04 pace/.22 on Garmin) saw the clock working toward 1:16 and I really kicked it to get under.  I only did because of elapsed time from the gun and the chip.

Cooled down for .75 after chatting with Nick, Steve O., Walter, and others as James came in.  My hip kind of ached throughout, but really kicked in some pain as I stood around.  I really couldn't move and that cut the cool down very short.  (Ohana 219.05)(Cumulus white 761.15)

This race shows me a couple things - first, I am really going to have to bear down and work hard if I want to accomplish anything.  I have a long way to go to not only get back to where I have been, but then beyond.  Secondly, I have some work to do on my racing toughness.  At no point in this race did I really push it into race gear.  For one, I was too afraid to.  I didn't want to crash and be left for dead, while knowing that I am not in that great of shape.  And, I didn't have too high of expectations, so I ran to those.  Overall, just a step - hopefully in a positive direction.