Slow & Steady Wins the Race :-)

What a great weekend day at the beach!  Was a little sore from the long run but walked 3 miles or so on the beach with the dogs, walked more at the farmer's market, and later hiked 2 miles or so out to Cascade Head - beautiful views, and felt much much better!  

On the lovely beach this morning with Cooper before leaving Lincoln City.  Felt sluggish, which seems to be the norm these days.   Great views and came home to a delicious waffle breakfast (thanks mom!).

TT: 56:01  AP: 9:20

Splits:   9:54, 9:26, 9:08, 9:07, 9:20, 9:03

Summer, don't leave me!  Why can't I quit you?

5:45am, pitch black, raining, blech.  At least I guess it still beats the treadmill.  Legs still felt sluggish and dead, and I felt like I was working really hard (like tempo MP) and was very dissapointed when I saw the splits afterwards (wasn't monitoring them because it was so wet).  How long does it take to recover from a race like Hood to Coast?  Seems like I should be back to normal by now.  Meant to do 10 but was at the house at 9.3 and it had started to rain harder and I just couldn't take it anymore.  You could literally wring water out of my clothes!  Saw a rabbit and a lady being taken away from her house by an ambulance and a fire truck. :-( 

At least this is done!  My mom is here and we're redoing our bathroom so I knew unless I got out early there was no way I was getting any after-work runs in this week. 

4 days until HAWAII!!!!!! 

TT: 1:24:11   AP: 9:03

Splits: 9:48, 9:35, 9:03, 9:07, 9:07, 8:38, 9:08, 8:37, 8:22

In between grouting the countertop and the floor. :-)  4.5 miles around the neighborhood with Cooper.  After a 2 mile warm-up did .1 on, .1 off, striving for the 7's on the .1 on.  Repeat 10 times.  Was very tired and so was Cooper!  He was dragging behind me.  Still feel sluggish.

TT: 39:02   AP: 8:40

Splits: 9:21, 9:01, 8:21, 8:08, 8:22

3 days until HAWAII!  Just have to get that dreaded 20 miler out of the way first. 

Ooof this was hard.  It was rough.  It was very very very difficult.

23 miles this morning with the Balanced Athlete - up along Lake Washington to Seward Park, then to I-90 and cross, hills on Mercer Island, back along Lake Washington on the east side.  Was supposed to be 22 but ended up being about 23.6, but I stopped and walked at 23 and then got a little lost.  Felt pretty bad there from about 20 on.  Its difficult to carry enough water and probably didn't fuel enough.  Had 3 GU's.  First 16 miles or so were with other people and went by fast, last 5 or more miles were alone and it was difficult.  Did I say that enough?  Maybe the marathon just isn't for me, and the half marathon is more my style. 

Regardless of the difficulty, I'M DONE!  Time to taper taper taper, thank goodness, and time for HAWAII tomorrow!  Dropped our friends off that we're meeting off at the airport this morning - can't wait to Hawaii it up with them!  And did I mention how happy I am about taper-time? :-)

TT: 3:25:21   AP: 8:56   Total Ascent: 2,171 feet

Splits: 9:10, 9:22, 9:00, 9:05, 8:47, 9:03, 9:17, 8:35, 8:27, 8:36, 8:49, 9:12, 8:50, 9:05, 9:08, 8:34, 8:20, 8:45, 9:28, 8:50, 8:46, 8:53, 9:16