Relentless

AM - 19 Twix/Fields. Got 5.5 with the dog before practice. Then for practice we ran into the Fields out to Treasure Valley and through PV Estates. It was a good solid run for the most part. Two things the team still really needs to work on 1) stronger runners helping those who are struggling stay in the group 2) those falling off the group pushing harder to get in the middle of the group. If we could really learn/implement this we would be well on our way to great things, but wouldn't we all. Ended with 8xbarefoot striders. (Barefoot '15 29.75)(Peg 465.25)

RHR: 42

afternoon - 6 ND. Very hot afternoon run; hottest of the year. A couple weeks ago the ice would last a little bit all 6 in my hat until the end; today, it was melted before 3. But... It is what it is. (Lyte33 219)

AM - 15.5 Sullivan Tempo/Grass. What a tough day to get going. My first couple of miles with Twix were probably around 9 min pace. Yesterday's mileage and heat really got to me - so I'll take it a it easier tomorrow. Picked up James for our tempo. It was way tough to try and get a positive attitude going (and I never really got there). Tried to get out just a little quicker hoping it would get the body and mind going. So hit 5:58 and :59 at the corners. The hill was pretty tough for me today, but I really wasn't too far off of last week. The difference was last week I attacked the end of the hill, this week I was in survival mode and couldn't regroup anything when James came by me. Overall the age was 6:04, so only 2 seconds slower than last week. However, it felt like I should have been 10-15 seconds off. So the bad is that the overall thing was slower and I'm not seeing the improvement I want. The good, when feeling totally crappy and after a very long day yesterday I was still with last week. It'll come around; I just need to keep working. Then barefooting for practice and finished off the long morning with Kids Club. I would prefer an afternoon off, but it is our first practice today, so I had better get out there - since its at my house! (Barefoot '15 33.75)(Kinvara lime 633.25)

RHR: 42

afternoon - 4.75 DM/Turf Farm. Got out for a little over 2 before our first afternoon practice. Then ran 20 (actuall 21 - overtraining) minutes around the Turf Farm loop. Pretty hot out, but some very cool thunderheads around - that aren't going to do anything. (Ronin 524.75)

AM - 13 DogTown/DM. Had a rough night for my poor feet. Both achilles are just a little sore; so I figured I had better follow the same advise I gave Alli P and do the stuff that makes them better. So I needed to wear the Strausburg sock. But on my left pinkie toe, I ripped out my hang nail yesterday and it was way sore - too sore to have that sock pulling on it all night. And my right big toe kills in that dang thing (unbeknownst to the world, I believe I broke it a few weeks ago; it always has a general pain, but in the Strasburg or when my shoe turns wrong - like going down rocky trails last week - or when I hit it it hurts bad enough to push to tears. Anyway, I decided I would do the right foot. It hurt that toe bad enough that I really could sleep. So at some point early in the night, I abandoned the effort. To the run... Forcing myself into an easy run today. Took Twix five around town. The left toe really hurt - probably the worst one of those has ever hurt, but by the end it had faded to a dull ache. Then ran Dirt Mile progression with the Varsity girls from 8:00 (actually a little quicker 'cause we got caught up in my yelling at the boys to get going), 7:50, 7:40, sub 7:00. They did a good job and are fun to run with. The boys did well upon their own, too. Both things made me quite happy. Finished up with 8xbarefoot striders. (Barefoot '15 35.25)(Riders 314.5)

RHR: 41

AM - 12.75 Twix/Parkway. Took the dog on he route in reverse direction and then the Parkway for practice. All very easy... Necessary and Proper. I am thoroughly convinced that the Strausburg Sock was created by a masocist who laughed at the idea of taking an ornery injured runner and making his/her sleeps as uncomfortable and restless as possible. (Barefoot '15 35.75)(Peg Black 123.5)

RHR: 40

afternoon - 11 Forsyth Canyon. Just needed to get away from people and hit a trail. So I drove up to Pine Valley to tackle the Forsyth/Summit Trail. It was absolutely beast! Such a great experience. Allowed me to clear my head and enjoy some of the greatest creations made. Took it up in 1:26 and back down in 1:01 for the 3500 ft climb. Both were pretty easy. Wasn't trying to kill anything; just enjoy life. The view from the top is just absolutely breath taking. Glad I did it; even though when I got back to civilization it was more of the same. (VertK 474)

AM - 13 DM/BHNP. Slept in a little after a late night church meeting and got in a bit with Twix. Then a short break for the drive over to Bloomington Hills North Park for practice. We ran a couple laps of the course and then the Mayor's Loop. Life a little tired. (Barefoot '15 38)(Kinvara grey 62)

Sandy Classic 5K. 17:00

AM - 13 Dimple Dell/Sandy. Got up a little later than planned, but I still wanted to get most of my mileage in before the race. But didn't really care how much that was. Ran down to the city hall by going up to Granite Park and running the Dimple Dell Gully all the way down. I took it super easy, but it as nice to be off the roads and on a good soft trail. My legs and mind were just super spent and I know if I didn't change my attitude I was in for a real crappy run. Got to the start and bumped into Rob and then found my fam, changed my shoes and warmed up just a little with my girls. The race was totally different than last year - which ended up being good for the win, but bad for the time. It went out super slow. By about 1/4 mile I had the lead and it looked like no challengers even though I was taking it pretty conservative - knowing I am not as in fast shape as last year. Hit the mile in 5:36, was 5:10 last year. So my 33 sec slower time was almost all in this mile. Pushed the second mile a bit and it was a bit quicker than last year; I think in the 5:teens. Tried to push the third mile. Glanced back and saw Blake of Alta not way back, so I wanted him to know he didn't have a chance and shouldn't even try. So I pushed pretty hard on the uphill side of the mall. This mile ended up a bit slower than last year as I tried to push in, but really didn't have much. I think around a 5:high teens again. Not a great race, but it is fun to win as you get old. And most importantly, maybe I can believe in myself a little bit more for my tempos and start getting myself into shape. Went back and looked for Rylee. She finished 5th last year, and I thought she might have a chance for the win if no superstars showed up. Sure enough, found her pushing the last 600 in, in the lead and passing all sorts of guys. She was about 40 seconds faster than last year at 20:40; not a bad start for her Freshman year on a fair/tougher course with the highest mileage evaer in her legs and no teammates to help push her. Went and found Pyper and ran in with her. She did great and finished with a 24, 13th overall and 4th in her age. Then went and got Laney. Ally was running with her and helped keep her going. She ended up 3rd in her age, so that was fun. (Rocket 2 105.75)(Riders 321.5)

RHR: 42

Good week for running. Fun to run up the mountain, run with the girls team, and watch my girls race.

Goals for next week: see what it brings. I really shouldn't need a lower week, but if necessary I will. Maybe something fun out on some trails since I can't be with the team.