Relentless

morning - 7.5 Hell's Hole.  Big News... absolutely no pain at all today!  YES!  Team went into Hell's Hole, while down there we did a few bounder hills and then got the rest of our mileage.  A few clouds today that kept the sun at bay - also nice.  The top few varsity guys and I bounded up Hell's Hole.  It was absolutely hideous, I nearly puked when we got to the top.  I am really keen on how the boys are shaping up (we could use another key piece or two and a few more months to work out some of the rubes), the girls are coming along as well, but need a couple more pieces as well.  (Stratus grey 1016.85)

AM - 7.5 Townhomes/Dirt Mile.  Up to get just a couple before practice (still trying to be a bit careful, especially with the Steven Abraham Lincoln Hooper Pope Memorial 17.25 mile Run tomorrow - that's right, I'll call it is full name) with Elin in the stroller.  Then to practice for a bit on the Dirt Mile.  Again, no pain.  Trying to still take care of it with ice, compression, and ibu as well as stretching/yoga to keep it from coming back.  Hopefully it holds up well tomorrow.  (Landreth blue 810.15)  Switched the super feet to another shoe, mostly because I was just tired of wearing the same one for the last week+.

AM - 17.75 6th Annual Stephen Abraham Lincoln Hooper Pope Memorial 17.25 mile Fun Run.  So this was much to far for my leg, but I just couldn't miss it.  I am the sole surviving founding father.  As always the run was awesome.  I really like this run, it just has some cool places in it (from Enterprise Res. down to Gunlock via the Goldstrike Road - all dirt).  The climbs weren't too bad and the road was in great shape - not much water out there though.  But enough to jump into the stream at the end which is always the best reward.  Steve and I had a good run and just kind of held a nice pace throughout - nothing crazy, just moving along - and then James was just behind us, and then another big crew.  My leg just kind of ached once we hit around 10.  It was mostly the downhill that kind of set it off.  So I was bummed about that, but hopefully it was just a minor setback.  (Triumph silver 752.3)

AM - 6.5 Molly's Mile/Grass.  Took Elin and the dog around for a loop before heading over to practice.  Ran on the grass with a few of the level 1's for a couple miles and then joined up with the Varsity girls.  It was fun to run with some different kids - they are all great; spending enough time with each of the groups is one of the toughest things to do as a coach (which is why Travis is SO appreciated).  Leg didn't feel great this morning.  It was way bad, but there was just a little ache and that made me disappointed.  I was also tight from yesterday.  Mad that I have to run on the grass in shoes.  Some day my leg will feel better and life will be back to normal... someday.  (Stratus black 998.95)

AM - 8.5 Tonaquint. Got a little in before practice and the 6 with the team. Felt pretty good today with the leg. (Stratus black 1007.45)

Hurricane River Trails 4 Mile. 24:12

AM - 11.5. Got a little warm up in and felt pretty good as far as the leg was concerned. I really didn't want to set back the tendonitis for this run, but at the same time I did want to get the run in. I was also really worried about my fitness - I had been in really good shape, but three weeks of stagnation and trying to overcome injury could spell trouble in a short race that requires some speed. I hoped that I could be within 2 minutes of last year's win when I was in very good shape (and not get killed by Mike!). Started off and I was having a lot of trouble breathing - I just hadn't pushed very hard at all in a long time. So I just stayed behind Mike, Steven, and Nephi (a Hurricane kid). We came through the first mile in about 5:21. When I noticed Nephi starting to struggle I got next to Mike and told him to give a push and put Nephi away (nothing like telling the competition they don't have a chance before the season even starts!). Coming down for mile 2 we were around 5:30 - maybe a little slow, but I didn't know how much of anything I would have, so I never red-lined it at all during the race, plus the downhill was tricky - very steep and rocky. Pushed by Steve somewhere in this mile. It was fun running just behind Mike. I kept giving him advice and urging him to keep the hammer down - and he did! We had a strong mile 3 until the big hill and Mike gapped me a bit - mile was somewhere around 6:30. Toward the top of the hill, I noticed that I was closing on Mikey a little, so I thought that if I could give it a little push in the last half mile then who knows. Bt then we went over a little rise after cresting the big climb and Mike suddenly doubled his lead and then went on to break my course record from last year by about 10 seconds - little turd! I hit the last mile in 6:30 or so (Garmin wasn't set on mile splits, so I am just tying to remember times at around each mile).

It was great to see Mike run really well. I can handle loosing to a kid like that for sure. And I was pretty pleased about my effort, just 20 secs off last year; and most importantly, the leg didn't hurt - just a touch on the cool when my calf was tight. Steven ran very well and James hit a very solid time as well. We got a 2.25 cool after. (NB 101 546.75))(Stratus black 1014.95)

Week was mostly good. Got a few more miles and a couple longer runs in - including pushing a little in the race today.

Goals for next week: I am going to bring back a few doubles and of course keep working to get the leg all the way better.