It's all relative

PM: 8.25 miles solo.

AM: 10.3 miles at the track.  2 miles, 1 mile, 4x200.  Nothing special, just staying active.

PM: 4.55 more miles and then lifted with Elia- chest, tris,  shoulders, abs.

PM: 11.2 miles, solo averaging about 7:30/mile.  Fun run today.

PM: 8.4 miles and the gym- arms, back, and legs.

PM: 8x600 with Elia with 200 recoveries, going his pace.  Stayed around 5:50/mile pace.  Then we cleaned up the track a bit.

PM: 6.85 miles and some lifting- chest, tris, shoulders.

AM: 18 miles with Anthony, Steve, and Elia in St. Pete.

PM: 11+ solo, 7:40/mile pace.

AM: 11 miles, 3 faster (around 6/mile pace) with Dylan.  I was a bit tired after feeling super spry yesterday afternoon.  I suppose given the mileage that can be expected.  

PM: 5.1 and then they gym- chest, tris, shoulders, and abs.

PM: Hurricane run!  17 miles, solo, 7:40/mile pace.  I just enjoy the wind and rain when it happens in Florida.  I know it sounds odd and contradictory, but it makes the weather more bearable.  My route today was a rare one- I circled Tarpon Springs lake.  This isn't the best of all decisions, as there is no water, cover, restrooms-  nothing- for the entire route until I make it back to my car.  Fortunately, I survived and lived to see another day.

Late PM:  Late night.  I ran 9.2 total miles and then did a bunch of squats in the middle.  Definitely will regret the squats tomorrow as I will be at the track, but the pace should be reasonably manageable.

PM: Track workout with Elia.  Worked on his pacing, keeping it at just under 6:00/mile for the 3x1600.  He hit them all but the last one- I was sad since it was definitely in his head, so I was disappointed in myself for motivating him incorrectly yet again.  I'll get it.

AM: 2 miles at decent speed in the middle of a treadmill workout.  Also lifted- shoulders and compound movements with some chest and lats too with various exercises I don't usually do.  Lastly, I rowed for a bit.

AM: 20 miles with Elia and Alan on the clay loop in Clermont.

PM: 8.6 miles solo.  Weather is unbelievably humid.

AM:  10.6 miles at the track.  3 miles were kind of fast.  1600>1200>800>400>4x200.  I was planning on doing a workout this afternoon as well, but it turns out the Red Sox are playing an early game so that seems unlikely, unfortunately.  I felt fine and very in control.

PM: 6.1 miles solo

PM: OTF with some faster stuff inside- mostly squarts/legs and abs today.

PM: 3.1 miles

AM: 6.1 total miles, 4 fast on the treadmill.

AM: 22 miles in St. Pete.  Felt fine throughout and was a  little tired at the end.  Anthony and Elia sped up, however I just stuck with Alan to keep him company.  

PM: 12.6 miles solo, 7:27/mile average.  I felt great.

AM: Striders, a 400, then a mile baseline test, then a 400, followed by striders.  Added a bunch of mileage before and after to reach 9.7 total.  I ran the mile in 5:02.  I suppose I did have a little left in me, but not much.  I am okay with that for now, and I know it will improve quickly once I start speedwork and weight loss.

PM: 7.6 solo.

PM: 7.2 with Natalie.

PM: Completely unintentionally ran 16 miles.  I ran into Brooker Creek Preserve assuming it would be fine (sometimes when it rains it turns into a literal Louisiana-style swamp), but it was NOT fine.  I love a good, serious cross country run, but this was a different world.

The 5 miles of trails were flooded three feet deep at points, mostly in the 1/2 to 1 foot range, dark, murky water.  This would not be so bad if it was up north in New England, but down here... let me tell you... there are some scary animals down here that love this type of environment: snakes, alligator, spiders, et cetera.  I was not pleased, but figured it would get better so I kept running- and it kept getting worse.  Anyway, decided to go back the way I came which extended my run a bit, but it was a belated good decision. 

I wish I had made the choice four miles sooner however...

In the end, I (fortunately/knock on wood) only had a spray of spider bites around the ankles and what I hope are mosquito bites.  I did get one cut, but it did not seem to be deep, but I definitely am worried about infection- there are some nasty infections from swampy, still water.  

No running

Noon: 15.1 miles solo.  Felt easy.

PM: 5.2 miles

PM: 9.5 miles

AM: Finally did a workout seriously!  I wanted to quit/almost talked myself out of it after the first two 800s.  Actually, I was talking myself out of the 1st 800 interval and almost dropped back to pace other runners.  I am happy I hung up there with Anthony again.  He was definitely surprised I was there, but I presume thankful as well.  

The workout was 6x800 with 400 recoveries.  Splits (from lane two)-  2:36, 2:34, 2:32, 2:34, 2:32, 2:31

I am also thankful to report that I did have more in me- I just was not willing to push myself for the first five intervals, so I figured it would be a bit moot to do it on the last one, particularly when Anthony was so consistent with helping me along.  I did not want  to compete, I simply wanted to share the success (at least success on my end!)

Overall, this was a fun experience and I am  happy I did not acquiesce to my negative thoughts.  This might be a turning point for me, so I will try another workout on Friday on tired legs to see if  I can create a habit of perseverence.

No running.