Relentless

AM - 16 Big Workout #13.  3 mile warm up into the Fields and then 2 miles, 1 mile, 2 miles, 1 mile, 2 miles at attempted LT pace (5:30) and a 5 'er for a cool down back up to the house.  Again hit the roads nice and early - I used to dread XC  morning practice having to get up at 5:00, now I love sleeping in to 5:00 on those days!  But getting up was okay, I seem to be handling the early hours okay - I just need to keep eating as best I can, sleeping whenever I can, and having fun while looking toward my goals and it will be okay.  Anyway, the workout... Started the first 2 at the double churches in the fields which made much of the 1st mile up a bit of a hill, then I tried to use the down to even it out and get me moving on the 2nd mile, but I had to interrupt the 2nd mile for a bathroom break, so that stop and speed back up cost me a bit (1-5:45, 2-5:38). Second set was a nice flat mile along the road in front of the old Hooper Estate (5:30).  Third set was a flat mile and then a decent up into Little Valley which set me back, but I was working it big time (1-5:35, 2-5:59).  Fourth was an easy mile back down out of Little Valley (that I just went up) to George Washington Academy.  But I didn't look at my watch during it, thinking I was hitting the pace easily, so when I finally did at .8 I was too slow and had to work hard to even get it back to where I finally ended up (5:40).  I need to make sure I stay focused throughout.  Finally the last set was a two miler back along two flat sections down the GWA road and Hooper Estate road to Staheli Farm corner.  I was very thirst and upset at myself for forgetting my water, so I made a quick stop at a fountain and dunked my head in and grabbed a drink just .25 from the end, but I had to do it (1-5:35, 2- 5:45).  Cool down on the big climb back up home - that's the only thing I hate about going out to the Fields.  A good run though - best workout I have done early in the morning by myself.  (Cumulus white213.5)

AM - 12 Mall Run reverse then 2xAC with XC and a big loop. Took it easy today - the body wanted EASY. (Landreth 406.6)

afternoon - 5 Started off with 2.5 barefoot on the grass including 8xstriders and then hit the warmup lap with the team.  After taking water out to them and working on hills, I finished with a short 2 mile jog to get my miles in.  Now off to Back-to-School night.  It is severely cutting into my sleep time tonight and I am not happy about it.  (Stratus 563.2)

AM - 17 Big Workout #12 - 4 mile warm up, 9 mile Tinman, 4 mile cool down. Headed out to the Fields to hit the workout. Warm up was very easy and I had a little bit of a hard time getting going on my first two Tempo miles (including when a deer jumped out of the field like 5 feet in front of me, so close I could have spit on it; it gave me quite a scare). So the first two were 6:30 and 6:20; but then I got rolling and hit the rest in 6:00-6:10. I felt very pleased with the workout. Not every mile was exactly where it should have been, but not bad for EARLY in the morning and pitch dark and by myself. There were times when I felt like things were very, very good - everything just rolling perfectly - even if it was for .25 miles or even longer like a mile. And that just left me feeling really good about the workout and where this is all going. (Stratus Bee209.55)

afternoon - 5 Dogpound and then 8xbarefoot grass striders.  Nice and easy.  (Cumulus silver 566.85)

AM - 12 Mall Run reverse then 2xAC. with a couple laps. A little fatigued in the legs this morning, but nothing out of the ordinary. (Cumulus blue375.4)

evening - 8 Millcreek Trail w/ James.  It was nice to get out and run with James again.  He has improved so much - it goes to show what consistency and hard work will get you.  Took it easy and just enjoyed the desert.  Every time I start to get a little down on my running or just burned out w/ life (like this week) a run in the desert brings me right back up!  (Stratus red 497.85)

AM - 6 2xAC. Just 6 this morning; it was weird to sleep in until 5:40! This week's long run planned for tonight. (Cumulus silver 572.85)

PM - 21 Green Springs (Landreth black 21) 

afternoon - 8.75 Lava Pass trail up over Highland (Landreth 415.35)