Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured

6 easy miles with Annette and a temp of 59 degrees - holy cold!   It was nice but a 20 degree temp drop over the weekend shakes things up a bit.  

2 miles with jenny in the evening.

6 easy miles with Wendy early in the morning.   I felt miserable but did not want to bail, so I cut my planned 10 miles down to 6.    We had a close encounter with a skunk and were lucky enough not to get sprayed and then a mile later an opossum....crazy Texas.   Watch out of you ever come to watch the Colonial golf tournament - we were just outside the fence.   

Jenny agreed to accompany me to the Y so that I would get my sorry self out of bed.   I warmed up for 2 miles and then did 1 min on/of x 20.  On's were 6:53 and off's were 8:57.  Tired, I have done zero speed since returning from India, but a good run.

In the words of my 8 year old - it is winter in Texas.  Temps dropped 30 degrees overnight and I hate the wind....so indoors it was.   Jenny met me at the Y this afternoon and ran with me for the first 1.5 hours and then I was on my own.    It wasn't too bad actually, other than it beat me up more than a normal 20 miler does.   

One of the areas I wanted to work on today was being more efficient.  I love running with the group, but we are not efficient  - long water stops, I always need a POP stop.  Sometimes it just takes a while.   I enjoy them to much to change, but this was a good confidence builder.    

I did 6.8 miles in 62 min (when the treadmill said no more); quick drink, gel & POP (less than 5 min).   Next set was 7.2 in 62 min, drink & gel, and then 6 in 49:43. 

I ran progressive, which I like and I have decided will be my strategy for MCM.   I ended up with at least 2MP miles at the end, and in reviewing the treadmill conversion chart, it is probably closer to 4-5

Avg Pace 8:40s?   

Now to taper two weeks or three?  I have usually done a 3 week taper, but have noticed most everyone with a 2 week taper this year.   I am leaning this direction since my training has suffered.   This would give me 5 20's - too much?  If so, plan for next weekend?