sub-3 or blow-up trying

It was a little warm out (70 degrees), yet pleasant.  Although I've run fairly hard the last couple of days, my legs still seemed to have a little zip in them.  Decided to give the rolling hills course from my house towards Morris a shot (8.75 miles).  Started out at marathon pace and was able to hold it the entire time- 8.75 in 59:34 (6:48 pace...last mile in 6:39/flat section).  Jogged an extra 1.25 miles "cooldown" to make it an even 10.  With a little taper, I seem to be on track for a descent marathon in 2 weeks. 

Ran 6 miles with Rick during lunch.  Upon returning to the gym, jumped on the TM and ran a quick 2.25, the last 2 miles in 12min.  Legs feeling really good.

Today was one of the best runs I've ever experienced.  Perfect temperature (60), legs felt great, and I found a perfect stride that I was able to keep throughout the hills.  This is an 8-mile loop towards Goshen in which my previous fastest was around 55ish.  Today I ran it in 52:35 (6:34 pace).  There was one uphill section (mile 3) that I was shooting for 7:30, but came through in 7:45.  The downhill on mile 5 made up for it in sub-6. 

I'm really starting to peak and attest most of my improvement over the past couple weeks to hill running and finally an improved diet (quality has been good...doing better in disciplining the quantity). 

Went to the gym.  Did weights and a short recovery run (4 miles) at 9 min pace

10 miles at just over an 8 minute pace.  Received tough news.  Our school nurse, JoAnne, who was set to run in the same marathon I'm in next weekend with her husband was just diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  She's getting further testing this week and still plans to attend the marathon to cheer on her husband.  If you read this and are a person of faith, please offer a prayer up for her. 

Quick breakdown of preparation for this marathon...

May miles:  298.90

June miles:  310.40

July miles:  202.50 (2 weeks in Uganda, but did get 3 twenty-milers in)

August miles:  367.75

September miles:  290.6

October miles:  averaging mid to high 60's per/week

60 mile weeks:  6

70 mile weeks:  5

80 mile weeks:  5

90 mile weeks:  2

20 mile runs:  9

*2 weeks off in July + trained through a tough sprained ankle in September

Did weights at gym + slugged through a slow 4 miles run.  Was up way to late, only to see my Red Sox lose.

Got up early and ran the 12-mile loop- first portion of 20-mile route.  Felt a bit sluggish, but still got 6 of them in at mp pace.  Overall, 12 miles in 1:28:00 (7:20 pace).