Relentless

AM - 10 DI/laps.  Ran an extended DI before the girls got there and then we did our workout with a Pizza warm/cool.  We ran 4x30 secs hard w/ min recovery and then 3x800 (grass) w/ 2 min recovery; followed by 3x1000 (track) w/ 1 min recovery.  It was a good hard workout for the girls and got the legs moving a little.  (Zero 59)

afternoon - 12.5 River Trail. Figured I had better go 10 because it is going to be a little harder to get my miles in this week. But I really just didn't want to go. Had to run by myself since the kids were out of school for early out. Once I got down to the River I started feeling better and decided that since I was out there I should push to the DC and get a drink (a little cooler, but still plenty warm). I felt fine about it and then I would regret my decision, and then I would feel good again and back and forth. So I just kind of chugged along. (Connect 290.25)

AM - 11 Tempo (attempted).  Got to Clyde's a little early and no one was out... so I waited until the usual 5 after cutoff and still no one.  I was a bit bummed - for one, I could have slept for a little longer and run at home; two, I could tell I needed help on today's tempo and I was going to have to do it alone.  So I got started and just felt totally flat and blah.  Told myself to just let the first couple miles come to me easy (like last week) and maybe I would get out of the funk.  So I hit right at the same for last week for the first two, but I still felt like junk.  About .5 miles into the 3rd tempo mile my stomach started twisting and I felt horrible - I have had stomach issues a lot lately.  I can't eat breakfast without feeling sick and sometimes even throwing up.  I don't eat nearly as much as I did even just a month ago.  And just feel sick to my stomach constantly. - and that was enough to make me just bail.  So I turned around in a very foul mood and jogged back to Clyde's and called it quits.  (Rocket 433.75)

AM - 8 PV/AC/DI.  Ran over to school today and then did the usual run from there.  I still feel horrid (although I was able to eat a little breakfast).  My legs are just junk right now though.  It is very frustrating.  (Oregon 452.25)

afternoon - 11 Rooler Coaster/home. Some moron developed a portion of the roller coaster on the back side of Shinob Kibe so we had to help blaze a new trail - but that was kind of fun in the soaked ground. Then striders and on the exercise bike while the team did weights. Did that for twenty minutes to keep loose since I had to run home. (barefoot '12 85)(Kinvara3 90.5)

AM - 7 2xDI/AC. Tried to get a little extra sleep this morning. My body is kind of beat up and I figured a few more minutes of sleep and a few les miles would be beneficial. Saw that awesome missile test cloud. I thought it was either a plane crash or some kind of missile. So I hoped missile and I hoped test. But it sure was cool looking - that twisting cloud just totally glowing in the early sunrise. (Free 691.45)

afternoon - 7 Shoe Run. Usual preface run today. It was nice to have it a little cooler today (and this morning). Jumped in the pond and ending with 4x200. Still not too fresh. (Hyper Speed2 215)

AM - 8 Green Springs. Slept in a bit to try and be able to stay awake tonight on the drive up and back from SLC for an XC meet. Felt a little more zesty than the rest of the week. (Boston 886.5)

morning - 22 SGM Course. After last week, I figured I could do a similar thing and not stress myself trying to wake up early after getting to bed late. But my allergies have been super crappy and my neck has been kinked all week, so I didn't really have high hopes for this morning. Dropped off my drinks and got started at 9:30 - much better than last week's noon, and it was still only 70 degrees (and only 82 when I finished which made it much nicer than last week). Had planned on a similar workout to last week, but decided to modify to a quicker than marathon pace on the way down since I didn't get a tempo in this week. Started off and felt great right off the bat. Kept the moment all the way up and did a good push on the final 4.5 (went up 10.5 this week instead of 10 - but to last week's point I was 7 minutes quicker up this week) up to the Snow Canyon entrance. The first .5 back down I just tried to get the legs transitioning from the uphill speed to the downhill speed. Then I got pushing a bit more for the next 10. Didn't kill the pace, but wanted sub-marathon pace throughout and hoped I wouldn't have to push too crazy to do it. Relaxed on the hills and decided that will be a key for me this year - don't stress the hills, I just don't have the leg strength I used to on them... so don't stress - but still hit solid times. By the end, down Diagonal and such, the legs were tired and I could tell I had run hard, but it wasn't so dead that I used up all the mojo. Ave. down the course was just over 5:30 - not bad after the strong 10.5 miles of uphill - and I would love if I could finish the marathon anywhere near that. I feel the sub 2:30 goal really is right there within my reach now. I would really love to get back there again. Finished up with a mile cool after getting to the park. (Last Ohana 340.5)

This week was really a struggle for the most part with the allergies, my neck, and the travel to SLC, but I am happy with how it ended.

goals for next week: last longer run will have to be on Friday morning early since we are headed up to SLC for the third straight week of XC (Ally is probably ready to kill me) and this one is overnight. Hopefully a decent tempo on Tuesday (not much time left for those, so I would like a couple more good ones).