I can do it. I will do it NINE times!

Fun run out on the Washington Fields loop that I hate, but it wasn't so bad because I did it backwards! I think I'm going to only do it that way from now on. Because of the parade of homes, there were lots of balloons tied to "open house" signs, so I gave a total of 10 balloons the smack-down! And I love this weather! Really consistent miles, first and last were 7:07 & 7:09, and the rest were all within 5 seconds of 7:30. Avg. pace 7:26/mi. for 8 miles, then stopped in the park on the way home to do some barefoot grass strides. It wasn't measured or anything, so I ended up doing more like 140 meter strides. Whatever. Good run and lots of fun. And I found a dime. Winner!!! (DS2 304.5)

Ran out with they guys for some tempo cemetery miles like we do every Tuesday - this time we did 2 x 2-in-a-row (with the .1 jog between) and 5 minute jog between the sets with GP 6:20/mi. Felt ok on the jog out, but wasn't feeling good in the legs or the guts for most of it. Ran the first two in 6:16 and 6:14. Jogged around feeling tired, then got going on the second two which were 6:13 and 6:17, though on the last one I was my legs were juiced and I was huffing and puffing muchly by the end. Not the greatest, but not awful time-wise, I guess. But it sure felt awful. Jogged back to the school around the pond way with Holt talking about goals for the season and first meet. We'll see! (DS2 314)

Started out a little chilly on the trail out-and-back run, then at almost 2 miles cold cold winds and rain suddenly attacked us! Lots of rain, wind, hail and jumping in BIG puddles. With mud. And soggy heavy shoes. I think I ran the fastest I ever have on the way back because I was so excited to be out of the cold. By the end of the run, we were drenched and freezy! Then Decker and I (Austin and Willy wimped out) ran 4x100m strides on the turf and our feet froze off. Or at least almost. The run was fun in a crazy kind of a way! And I found a dime again. And I did yesterday - so this makes 3 days in a row of finding a dime on my run. Triple winner! Avg. 7:09/mi pace. Soaking wet and still shivering an hour later. (DS2 321)

Warmed up with the team and such, then lifted same as always - 3x11 of LC-10, LE-7, LPD-3, BP-55, SQ-80, Abs-5. Then cooled down on the big grass loop. (DS2 322.3)

Afternoon I ran with the club. I feared my legs would be totally spent and slow, but it felt really good for the most part. Just did the 7-miler with Austin. The easy miles were pretty quick: 7:10, 7:10, 7:06, 6:50, 6:51 - then the last uphill miles kinda died: 7:38 and 8:00. Overall, not a bad run, though I've decided boys are gross. And weird. Marcie, you need to come to these to save me from the awkward conversations! (DS2 329.3)

Ran Foremaster with the big hill (east ridge?) hard once. It was supposed to be fast, but it was just hard. Started out w/Holt and finished by myself with a 'pit stop' at Maverick. My guts hate me - I think from all the cookie dough I ate during 2nd hour - and my legs are really tired and sore. So I went really slow. It was icky. Glad my watch was out of batteries. After, 4x100 strides on the beginning slope of the grass loop place because the soccer players were taking up the whole field. (DS2 336.4)

Tired, sore and slow, out to the AZ strip and back. After about two miles I was ready to be done. The way out was so slow and - avg. 8:24/mi, then on the way back I got sick of being so slow and picked it up more - avg. 7:42/mi. Plus, the slight downhills helped pick up the pace. So, average pace for the whole run was 8:03/mi. Glad it's over with. (DS2 346.4)