It ain't Chinese algebra!

Not too good today.  I averaged 6:20 through 15 miles but then went to crap the last 5 miles.  I was even walking 800 meters between mile 18-19.  I was just beat with zero energy.  After reflecting on it, I'm 100% sure I was dehydrated to begin the run.  Each time I drank, whether it was water or Gatorade, I just couldn't quench my thirst.  I wanted to keep drinking and as a result my gut was too full.  Gatorade @ 4, 6, 8, 12, 14.  Water and powergel at 10.  I need to drink better the day before my big runs.

Total Time: 2:17:54

Pace: 6:54

Cumulus 8 (orange) 

Speed on the track.  Warm up and cool down with 12x400 between them.  I averaged 67 on the quarters.  I did okay, but was still tired from Saturdays run.

Spikes 

1 mile easy, 5 mile "tempo." Was supposed to be a tempo run today, but the first 3 miles were slow. I picked it up the last 2 though (5:20, 5:11), so the finish was good. I felt good, think I have last Saturday's funk out of my system.

Total Tempo Time: 28:49

Pace: 5:40

Y2 (16)

I started running at 5 am because of the upcoming army weekend and no chance of a run.  Course was the Summit to Cedar frontage road.  It was to dark to see my watch, so the pace was a little off and on.  There was some good downhill to simulate the S.G.  I took water and Gatorade with no problem and hardly slowed down with each drink.

Total Time: 1:33:34

Pace: 6:14

Y2 (31) 

1 mile easy, then 4x1200m.  I was going to run 6 repeats but the track and cross country coach came down and visited with me and I ran out of time.  I sure wanted to run all 6.  Oh well.

Average 1200: 3:36

Spikes 

1 mile easy, 5 mile tempo.  Sweet run.  Slow first 3 because of hills and wind.  Last 2 were awesome (5:33, 5:21).  I feel good, can't wait to run S.G.

Total Tempo Time: 27:57

Pace: 5:36

Y2 (37) 

Worst run I've had in probably 4 years.  I just couldn't get it going, I got cramps in my gut and legs, my back seized up on my around 18 and my arms wouldn't swing.  There were 20 mph wind directly into my face the ENTIRE time, I couldn't take a deep breath and fill my lungs.  It was worthless. Completely worthless.

Total Time: 2:36:13

Pace: 7:26

Y2 (52)

After cooling off a bit and thinking about what happened this morning.....I'm still ticked.  There were things I couldn't control, like the wind, but what about the others?  Why the cramping, why did my calves feel like they were on the verge of tearing with each step?  And the back cramping?  That's never happened in 10 years of running.  The only thing I really learned, after talking with others, is the breathing.  I've been told that when you're struggling to fill your lungs completely, you PUSH the air out as hard as you can and it forces you lungs to suck air back in as completely as it can.  I'll try it and hope to prevent another run like today.

Was supposed to do speed, but my mind just isn't into this right now, thanks to Saturday.  I did 2 miles easy and then a 3 mile fartlek run.  I had 8 pick-ups for 60 seconds each within 25 minutes of running.  It was good to get off the track.

Rotterdam 

1 mile easy and 4 mile tempo.  It wasn't a tempo though.  What's my deal right now?  My mind and body just aren't clicking like they were just a couple weeks ago.  It was windy again today, so that was part of it, but I've got to overcome things like that.  I've ran in wind hundreds of times.  I guess it's when I'm going for speed and it doesn't happen I get frustrated.

Total Tempo Time: 23:20

Pace: 5:50

Rotterdam 

This was an awesome run, one that I NEEDED. Finally, after a week of frustration, another good run like I'm used to having. I started up the canyon to simulate downhill running. 1 mile was dry, the next 14 were pouring rain and I loved every second of it. I'm totally re-energized. I had a blast and was happy the whole time. I had no problem hitting my times. I needed this run!

Total Time: 1:32:50

Pace: 6:11

Rotterdam

Oh yeah, and after I ran 15 miles, I finished at the track. I wanted to see how fast I could run 800m after 15 miles. It seems like I've read somewhere that you can project your marathon time pretty close if you run 15 miles (or was it 18?) and then run an all-out 800. Your time on the track is what you'll be able to do in the marathon. Who knows, but I did a 2:38. Seems about right.... I'm thinking 2:40-2:50 for my first one, then depending on how it goes, a quicker one next year.

4 miles in 25:56 (6:30 average) then 4 more miles in 23:21 (5:50 average).  That's all I can remember.

Rotterdam 

Zero miles.  I did nothing today.  I woke up to 30 mph winds and didn't feel like dealing with them.  I've got zero motivation at the moment.  I just want the race to be over.  I need a break physically, emotionally, mentally, and every other way possible.  One more week and then we can get this thing over with......