Dare to be great!

Went out on a very blustery run this morning in Saratoga Springs.  My carpool ride was coming early this morning so I was on the roads running at  5:00.  I could tell it was windy on the way out but didn't pay much mind, just watching the stars and thinking about how I would wrestle the cougar they have been sighting in my neighborhood if it decided to attack me.  Then I turned around and it felt like I was standing still with the wind.  I was suprised I averaged faster than 9 min miles/ AP 8:38.  I had somewhat tired legs to begin with, so I treated it like a recovery run.  I will attempt to get a few more miles in this afternoon if time allows.

Got to sleep in a little this morning, went on a progression run with a 2 minute jog inbetween.  1 mile warm up , 3 k @6:52 pace, 1 mile @ 6:36 pace, 1K @6:20 pace, 800 @6:13 pace, 1 mile cool down, good run this morning.  I can feel my lungs expandng with the faster paces (for me anyways.)  Off to work....

Went out on an afternoon run with my boys.  Trenton was having a hard time today, so I sent Spencer on his way as we jogged/walked the last mile home. 

Woke up this morning and it sounded like the wind was crazy, so I chickened out and got dressed to go to the gym and run. I was planning on hitting the JRP. Got outside and it was breezy but not too bad. Hit the treadmill, 1.5 mile warm up @8:49, then 6.5 miles at half marathon pace 6:58 per mile. finished with a 1.5 mile cool down @8:49 with the last .5 a bit quicker due to having to get to work. My mind was playing games with me this morning, and I had to focus the last few miles to pull off the tempo. I was reading some blogs yesterday and some folks advice about turning off the brain. It gave me the motivation to keep it up and finish the tempo run. Good hard workout, felt great to push through and finish.

Went 3 miles with my son Spencer (9) this afternoon.  I was proud of him, we finished in 27:08.  I told him we will sign him up for a 5k pretty soon.  I love to run with my kids.

Went to the JRP parkway this morning with Laurel and Chet.  It was a bit chilly at the start.  We went from the iron bridge and headed south into Lehi.  2 mile warm up then 8 miles at marathon pace 7:28,7:27,7:28,7:36,7:22,7:22,7:24,7:17 finished up with a 2 mile cool down.  The MP miles felt prety good, the hardest part of the run for me was the cool down for some reason.  It hurt my legs and feet worse to run the last 2 at a slow pace then when cruising along.    I guess my mind could focus on all the little aches and pains and not concentrate on running.  I am guessing on a marathon pace,  according to my plan and based off my recent races and time trials it show my MP shoud be around 7:17-7:26.  I don't even know how MP should feel during a run.  I have a ton more mileage this year heading into the Ogden marathon and last year was my first one.  I will just trust my training plan for now and pretend this is my marathon pace for now and see how things go on some of my longer run and training runs.