Relentless

AM - 3xmile, 1x800 repeats on treadmill - worked into 2 mile warmup at 7:30 and 1%. Then started the miles by taking the incline to 0 (not quite ready physically or mentally for incline on these yet) and pace to 5:00

1- felt better then two weeks ago (confident and smooth)

2- got a little tired early

3- didn't know if I could make it

1 (800) - decided I needed to push further then two weeks ago, but wasn't ready for another full mile, so went 1/2. Felt a little stronger then #3 - probably knowing it would be over sooner.

Recovery between was 1/2 mile at 8:49 pace. 1 mile cool. (Cumulus)

afternoon- weights (regular routine)

W-152 (starving this morning)

RHR-44

AM - 5 on treadmill - first two miles at 6:58 felt good and pretty easy, so I increased speed up to 6:44 and kept the incline at 1% for the next three miles. A good morning easy run. (Cumulus)

afternoon - GreenSprings/Pwerline/Middleton Trail 9. Was a bit tired and sore at first. More sore than this morning. But when I got into it I really enjoyed the run and debated to extend to the watertank for a 10.5, but decided to stay within myself and just do the 9. The treadmill makes me appreciate the outdoors so much more. Ave. pace at 7:08 (NB)

W-152.5

RHR-43

afternoon - 9.15 out to Sunrise Hill to coach hills (only ran one myself, as part of my run - not a hill workout) then across Foremaster and River Trail. Then up 2450 to measure a run. Felt fine, but I was glad I wasn't doing hill repeats today. I think I should be okay for the race Saturday. I have been wondering, trying to keep my miles up, if it would kill me too much to run out to the race Saturday morning and then run it. I'll measure it online today and see how far out it is - I am guessing about 10 miles. (NB)

PM - jumped on the treadmill for 5 during the 2nd half of UNC/that other team. I was so into the game I didn't notice for the first 1.2 miles that I didn't increase my speed past my .25 warmup speed of 7:30, so then I took it up to 6:44 for the rest of the workout and finished the last 1/4 at 6:00. During the run I increased the incline from 1% (mile 1), to 2%, 3%, 2%, 1% for a little more of a gradual but sustained hill workout since I didn't hit hill repeats today. (Cumulus)

W-151.5

RHR-42

AM - 6 on treadmill at 6:58. Felt just fine. Didn't even notice the time fly by as I watched Lost on DVR. (Cumulus)

afternoon - 11 on GS/Power/WT trail.  I thought the trail was 10.5, but today it came out at 11.  I think because I turned back up into Middleton instead of just continuing on the Parkway.  I'll have to look back and see.  Took awhile to get into the run.  I was pretty slow hitting the trails and felt a little tired.  I'll back down on Friday to just 8 instead of 10 for a little more recovery (I still want to do well in the race).  Coming down the ridge I didn't feel too fast and didn't want to push it too hard.  But the ave came out okay for a trail run. 7:05. (NB)

W-151

RHR-41

afternoon - Washington Parkway and Loop combined.  Good run, took it pretty easy to let the legs rest a little for tomorrow's race.  I've decided I will run out to the race tomorrow and use it as sort of a training to run hard after putting in a few miles.

RHR-42

(W-? scale battery dead) 

Isn't it interesting how results that look so similar on the surface and actually be so different?  Another 2nd (9 in a row now - not counting marathons). 

AM - warmup, ran from home over to Sand Hollow 11.5 miles.  Took it pretty easy and ave. 7:13 on the way.

Got to the race feeling pretty good.  The run over was nice and just the distance I wanted.  I knew that running over may cost me the overall win, but I didn't care, I wanted to see how I could race after having some miles under me.  Ran another mile while waiting near the starting line.

Race- Field looked about like usual.  Steve, Dustin, and Bill were there as well as Steve Olsen (a solid local runner), Jose Martinez and I suspected one or two others who could probably run pretty decent.  The course was different than I thought - it was on the dirt, gravel, sand blow road around Sand Hollow and had minor rises and drops but no total elevation loss or gain.

1- race started off with a few of us passing the starting trucks which was nice because then we got to breath their dust for a little while (thanks!)  But I started off in a good groove, but realized later it was too fast.  Another fellow (the eventual winner) was a few steps ahead, me, then Steve O. just a few steps behind me. 5:13

2- 5:29 Started to fall back a little.  Legs were tired, but MIND was even worse.

3- 5:43 Now I was running like a scared, tired high school kid.

4- 5:44 The leader was looking back and I should have jumped him, but I accepted that I was tired and it was okay to take 2nd because I had already put a few miles in today.

5-5:46 Trying to make sure I held off Steve O. for 2nd.  And didn't attack the leader at all.  He got me by about 30 seconds.  And I just gave up on it.

I was pretty upset about my effort today.  Not 2nd (I can handle taking 2nd, again, or even the time, which was much slower than it should have been), what I am mad is that despite being tired and running over, I ran like a wimp.  I didn't attack.  I let my mind win when I felt tired. 

Overall ave. was 5:35 - I need to get mentally stronger.  Hopefully more racing and tough workouts will get me there.

RHR- 45 - I could feel it pick up as I woke up during the reading and realized I was racing today.