running for my mind

3 - 158 ft. - 28 minutes

Easy shakeout of the legs to get them warmed up and loose for a little stretching.

Another week has gone by and it was a good one for me. I got 2 mid-week workouts in with a big improvement on my hill climb time trial. Had a mid-long run Friday with a long run yesterday. Felt good all the way through the week. This coming week will be one of my biggest peaks and I am looking forward to it, with a little bit of fear of how Friday and Saturday will feel.

Week Summary
7 days - 1 double - 6 trail - 2 treadmill
83.7 miles
13,232 ft.
15:02 on feet
 

8.25, 1,211 ft. - 1:23 on feet

Easy warm morning up Mueller and back. First trail run in the Challenger and I am liking it so far. Hoping to run it on Saturday for 25. If it performs well on that, it will likely be the shoe I decide to race in.

Realized this morning that if everything goes as planned this week, I will run the most miles I ever have in one week and I will run the most miles in one month. In April 2013 I ran a 90.75 mile week and finished that month at 356. For me, it is even more relevant because nearly all my miles right now are in the mountains, which is requiring a substantial more time than road miles. Last week was by far the most training hours I have put in at 15 hours.

9 - 1,086 ft - 1:23 on feet

Started easy for 2 and then ratchetted down a few times to finish off at half marathon effort. All on the rolling hills just past Fernwood and back. Felt good to open things up a bit. Cooled down 2. 

I might not hit my highest mileage week after all. Only 60 minutes easy tomorrow and 30 minutes Thursday to get ready for Friday and Saturday. It will be a massive week regardless and July will still be might highest mileage month.

6.1 - 725 ft. - 60 min on feet

Easy out and back. Had to keep slowing myself down. My legs and lungs wanted something more moderate pace, but I wouldn't give them the satisfaction.

3 - 502 ft. - 32 minutes

Easy little shakeout before tomorrow's and Saturday's adventures. Excited to test the hard work I have put in. I expect it to be tough, but am confident.

35 - 8,776 ft. - 8:20 on feet

Well...what to really say about this one. It was long. It was hot. Did I mention it was hot? I ran out of water and learned a few good lessons. I feel like I have told the story too many times now that I don't even feel like typing it out.

In short, things felt good until about 18. Then, I didn't feel well and was having a hard time keeping my core temp down. I ended up running out of water and my electrolyte fluid and did a lot of walking, especially the last 4-6 miles. I lost about 8 lbs over the course of the run. The last 4 miles were miserable. Finished and spent the remainder of the day trying to get fluids back in my system so I could hopefully run 25 Saturday morning. I was willing to not run at all or cut it short if I couldn't get feeling well.

Those first 40 miles of the course are my least favorite. I will have to be very aware on race day of the temp and how my body is handling it. It will be easier with aid stations. I don't know if I will ever do this run again self supported.

25 - 3,694 ft - 4:47 on feet

It is remarkable how the body can function so differently from one day to the next. I woke up at 3:00 and was feeling pretty good. I made sure to start hydrating right away and got some fuel as well as I drove to Brighton. 

Started off easy up the initial climb and then eased into the steep down. I started feeling good and simply enjoyed the rest of the day. I ran this same route 2 weeks ago in 4:32 and would have been happy with anything between 5:00 and 5:30 going into today's run. I figured an hour slower on tired legs would still be doing well. I found myself walking less than 2 weeks ago and just holding some steady paces. Then I was able to open up the last few miles and it felt really good to run! Finished in 4:47 and felt really great about that time.

Now it is time to rest up for a few days and knock out a few more weeks before tapering.