Wheeler Farm Loops

Plenty of time indeed. If it makes you feel any better I didn't feel as well as I would've liked today either (felt harder than I thought it should've). And we essentially did the same workout. I still think you have a sub-2:20 in you at PHX, just stay the course and believe in yourself.

You're smart not to push. It's hard to be on fire when the body isn't 100%. I've been dealing with the same thing. It's not easy to pull back. Those 5:28s will be close to 5:20 with the Phx weather, course, and altitude.

I definitely agree with what Derek said and your fitness is so high that 2.5 weeks is plenty of time. Better to be feeling a bit off now rather than at the start line of Phoenix. Hang in there Jake!

Great advice and wise words from the lads. You'll be fine - what Derek says about the 5:28's equating to 5:20's is bang on. Keep the faith, kidda.

There seems to be a lag (at least there is with me) from when you start feeling better from an illness, to when you start running better. I'm betting you're back to your old self by race time.

You just need a good hot tub soaking this afternoon. That's why we got the gym membership, right?

Confidence is something I rarely lack. I try not to be unrealistic either... if I didn't think I could still run really well at Phoenix, I would have already shut it down. Now I'm just waiting for the spark. It'll come. But I think its also important to document how I really feel for the sake of having something worthwhile to look back on... there's no point in painting everything rosy all the time. And on that note, I think a paint-by-numbers of a dolphin or dinosaur would be a great activity for this weekend.

i have a color-in velvet poster in my trunk right now. i think it's a butterfly.

Yes,2.5 weeks is plenty of time. It does take time for the body to "remember," but it WILL remember. Trust in that. Have confidence in your consistency, your fitness, your mental toughness. You can do this, you will do this. Don't let a couple workouts control your mental game because that is the ONE thing (besides getting out the door every day) you CAN control. Now go watch this:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-gQLqv9f4o The last part is how I feel about you and Andrea.

And I know you already know all of that, but I've found that when you have people rallying around you it is a lot easier to believe what your already know.

Aw sorry your feeling off. Keep your head up! Your awesome still and ice cream and mt dew always help:)

I've Bern having offness for 9 months. I hope I can catch a good groove in April. :(

You're still a superstar.

I always say that anybody can train well and be highly motivated when everything is going great. Its how you deal w/ adversity that often defines your character (or intelligence, in many cases!) :-)

Fo sho! Agreed!!! Last week I wanted to take up crossfit and quit running cuz of the crappy way I've been feeling;) in all reality I love running and no matter what I will always run.

Haha I'm far far away from hitting crossfit rock bottom! :-) unless we get some spartan races on the usatf circuit

Haha for sure 👏👍😃 I'm ebarrassed to admit my rock bottom crossfit depression🙀

What's coming up in 2.5 weeks? Sorry I don't know. I believe in documenting true assessments :D I love your term "eccentric exercises".

Michelle - Phoenix Marathon. Look on the left side of my blog... I usually put my upcoming races on there.

Eccentric exercises can really mean a variety of things in my case :-) I do find the heel drops to be beneficial, though, and its something so simple and quick that even I have the patience/coordination to actually do it.