sub-3 or blow-up trying

rest

Still depleted from last week's illness.  Ran 2 miles on the treadmill...did 20-minutes weights.  Am beginning to eat a little better, but can still only stomach half-size meal portions.  I'm looking forward to regaining energy and strength.  Hopefully, the "rest" will help in the long-run.  Might do a 5-mile road race on Thursday...only if my energy is back by then.  It's another very hilly course. 

Back on the treadmill.  Missed a great streak of good weather due to illness.  Felt about 90% today...good enough to do a little speed work.  Jogged 2 miles warm-up, did 3 x 1 mile repeats at a 5:45 pace (1 incline).  Jogged 1 cool down mile.

Energy was high enough to continue workout, but I felt it would be wise to ease back into things.  Want to get back to my 10-mile per/day average starting with the New Year.  Would be great to get back to 270-300 mile average for Jan/Feb/March.  December was rough with the weather/illness/foot issues, yet I've made it back to almost full health without losing too much fitness...don't mind the cold, but can't wait for later sunlight!

Nice strong finish to the year.  Due to another snowstorm, back in the gymn on the treadmill.

1st 3 miles:  Began at 10 min/mile pace and increased 3 notches every quarter mile.  Overall, just over a 7:45 avg.

2nd 3 (.1) miles:  Ran a 5k in 17:48.  Not a time I've been able to achieve outdoors and may not accurately reflect my realistic speed right now, yet still happy with the effort.

Last 3.9 miles:  Another progressive run, peaking at 6:48 (mp) and remaining there for the final mile.

Logged a total of 1946 miles this year, dating back to May.  I did not log Jan-April, yet a conservative guestimate would give me 100 miles in January, 120 miles in February, 150 miles in March, and 180 miles in April.  This would give me approximately 2,500 miles for 2008.  My best guess for 2007 would be 300-400 miles total.  My best guess for 2006 would be around 200-300 miles total.  I began the year weighing in at 205 lbs, so have lost a total of 26 1/2 pounds.  Lord willing, I hope to build upon this new base and have fun in 2009 experiencing new places/races and establishing new records and goals.  The focus for now is Boston (sub-3), then for the first time I will shift focus towards improving times in local road races and staying healthy/balanced. 

Weight:  178.5 lbs.

Couldn't get to the gym in time, so had to venture out on half plowed, icy roads.  It was 15 degrees and 2 degrees w/wind chill.  Ran 9 miles in 1:21:07 (9 min pace).  Felt good, considering the elements- hills, ice, cold.  Treated it as a recovery run. 

Nothing special...ran on treadmill for 9 miles at an 8 min/mile pace.  Still planning on doing the 10-miler tomorrow, despite fairly poor weather and road conditions.

I pretty much wimped out on everything today.  Planned on doing a 10-mile road race, yet it was cold, icey, windy, and snowing.  Decided a race like this would only discourage any progress + might make me susceptible to injury (hilly course).  Went to the gym instead.  Started a Yasso 800 workout, but realized it just wasn't in me.  Got 1.75 miles of speed work done at 5:30-45/mile pace.  Broke the rest of my running up with leg weights in the gym (4 miles, weights, 3 miles, weights, 3 last miles).  Part of my sluggishness was probably do to celebrating my 13th wedding anniversary with Jodi last night and getting to bed at 2am.  Went into Hartford for Cajun food and live jazz...fun night!