Seeking a better country...

10 p.m.   2+ with Jens, then 3 more alone in the rain, with lightning flashing all around.  The clouds were a sight. 

6:45 a.m.  Cramming for the 10k tomorrow.   Herding cats run with Anna, Ash and Jack.  

Jack is 1 today.  What a great year we've enjoyed with him around.  We crossed paths with the Viewmont xcountry team.  He was waving and saying "hi" as they all passed.   We stopped at Dicks for a yummy cake donut.  Anna is mad at me because I was telling her to keep up.  I'm such a turd dad.

My expectations for tomorrow are pretty low; maybe the off-week last week will work in my favor.  Funny how it matters for some reason; it's not like I'm a talented runner or anything...  Still, I'm hoping for a pr, but there is nothing in my training since UVM that indicates one will be forthcoming.  The speedyish 5k 3 weeks ago feels like a distant memory.  In any case, the Desnews 10k is a top-notch event.  I hope to go find some marathon friends to run in and just enjoy the crowd and heat.

My mom called at 4 a.m. to tell me she was sick all night and wouldn't be coming to race...That got me out of bed for the usual pre-race oatmeal and toast.  I left around 5 a.m. to go to my sister's house and get a warm up in before the start.  We ended up running around Ft. Douglas and research park for a bit.  

Mile 1 and 2 were screaming down the hills, both were 5:55.  I knew this wouldn't last as the course headed north.  Mile 3 was 6:12, Mile 4 was 6:15ish, and I ran right past the mile 5 marker and aid station.  I was more interested in sprinklers on the other side of the street.  I haven't run this race since 2008, and the course changed a bit.  I didn't know how the finish went, so I just kept running, pushing as hard as I could.  I felt a bit dizzy in the last mile, and one guy, the other placer in my age division not named Walter, probably passed me.  He only had me by 7 seconds, while Walter had 7 minutes.  I came through the finish, immediately went to the temporary fencing, and puked my guts out.  I won't trouble you about the color and consistency, but I hadn't eaten anything green, so it must have been all bile mixed with wheat toast and oatmeal.   While sorting myself out, I missed seeing my sister come in at 41:30, then walked back down the course and watched my BIL finish strong, and a nephew win the 11 and under age group.  I had a creamie, visited with JD, and headed for the shuttle, where I ran into my sister.  We discussed the race and got up to Research Park, but not in time to see Fritz.  A little while later, allie came by, and I ran by her for a mile, but being a true sport, she refused to let that continue.  I watched the runners come by for an hour, feeling the pain of the final 10k of a marathon.  I saw lots of bloggers, and even recognized a few.  I ran into the finish with Amber, then walk/ran back to my car in Federal Heights.

Today I'm a bit sore, but not too much.  The race was a full effort, and I'm pleased with the outcome.   Hobblecreek Half is next on the list, and as yet I remain unregistered for a fall marathon.  I thought my mojo was missing last week when I missed all those days for a scout trip, and the thought crossed my mind that I could just quit running, but it appears to be intact.  

7 a.m.  BST to Freedom Hills.   Last night I crashed on the bed around 8.  Woke at midnight to brush my teeth, so getting started today was easier than normal.  I think I'm coming down with something, or fighting it.    I had no rhythm at all.  It was a cloudy morning, with spitting rain and a few lightning bolts to the west.  Once I got down to the road I ran in fine.  I'm still feeling a little beat up from Tuesday.

7 a.m.  2 slow miles with Grace for tri training.  She is a dancer, so is accustomed to stopping after going for 3-4 minutes.  She did the first mile faster than usual (9:30) but slowed enough in the second to hit her typical 10 minute average.  We have 5 weeks to go...

I dropped her home and took Jack and Ash on a bike to Freedom Hills.  On the way,  I began to wonder if these meandering ponderous miles herding cats are really doing much good, or if I'm fooling myself as to their benefit.  Everyone says recovery miles can't be too slow, but I wonder if I've crossed that threshold.  I'm always glad to have children along, but if the training benefit is negligible, then why don't I just stay home with them and play the Wii?  Anyhow, feeling guilty about running so lazily, I did one up-down on the switchback trail pushing Jack.  At least I got 6.5 minutes of high heart-rate.  

I need to make a marathon training plan for Huntsville.  Cart before horse; I need to register...