I'm retired from racing. Really.

Last week was very long and tiring with little sleep.  I just could not get out the door for my long run on Saturday.  So, I did it today- 20 miles.  It was 80 deg or so when I started (5 pm).  I ran to the canal and up Logan canyon to just short of Guinavah Malibu.  I felt great at first- 7:15 to 7:30 miles.  By mile 6, though, I was tired- far more tired than I should have been, though I was not slowing down.  I started slowing by mile 7, although I tried not to.  My legs just had no energy (not a whole body fatigue, just legs- I think it is because I did not eat much food over the weekend).  I completed my whole run, but had slowed to well below 8:00 pace by the end.  The heat did not help, but my legs were just exhausted.  Now I travel to Alabama tomorrow- I am very tired of travelling for work.  Travel, 60 hour weeks, eating out, being in the hot south, and strange locales all make meeting my mileage goals difficult.

To bed now. 20 miles, 2:35.  Just glad to get the run over with and start the week with some good miles.

806- 338

AM- 5 miles at 5:30 am along planet walk.  Felt a bit tired, but better than yesterday.

Flew to Huntsville, AL, where I will be the rest of the week.

PM- 4 miles on a treadmill in the hotel right before dinner.  I wanted 1 more mile but had to meet my group for dinner.  Plus, I am almost at 30 miles for the week- 3/4 of my total for last week already.

766- 258

Omni- 157

10 miles in the evening resulted in a late dinner.  Hopefully I can get some or all of my miles tomorrow morning.

Omni- 167

8 miles in the evening.  Did a bit of a tempo for 1 mile at 5:50 pace.

Omni- 175

6 easy miles in the morning.  Getting ready for the race tomorrow.

Omni- 181

I did the Clarkston Gunsight Gallop as a warm up for WBR next week.  Went about 90-95%, not all out racing.  There are only 50-100 or so runners, but it was a very competitive race for the size.  I have to say, though, it was HOT!  I wanted to be under 18:00 at least.

First mile was gradual downhill and then flat- 5:34, 4th or 5th place.  A dog was chasing my at the 1/2 mile mark during the warm up, but he was gone by the time the race started.  I was hoping he would actually still be around, maybe to slow down the 1st place guy some.  2nd mile was pretty flat, a few small rollers- 5:46.  Felt pretty good and passed a bunch to move into 2nd place.  1st place guy was a minute ahead- ends up he is a high school student who just finished the track season.  2nd mile is rather pretty, with a nice loop through the Clarkston cemetary.  3rd mile was gradual uphill- 6:02.  One guy gradually closed on me and passed me with 1/4 mile left.  I caught him with 50 meters to go, but used my extra energy catching him so he pulled away.  I really hate getting out-kicked.  But my time was 17:24, 5:48 average, which I was pretty happy with.  That is my estimated 10k pace and is about dead on for my fitness level.  Supposing I haven't done a single speed workout yet but have just been building my base, this wasn't too bad.  I also arrived home from Alabama last night after midnight (22 hour day!!!) and was so tired from a long week that I took a 4 hour nap this afternoon.  I was worn out.

58 miles this week- started with a long run, then had to fight to get the rest of the miles on a business trip, not too bad.

Also, I promised I would tell everyone how my wife did.  She goes on walks, but has not run for months.  She had to push the baby stroller and wanted to break 40 minutes.  Actual time- 28:31.  Good job, babe!