Interval time tonight: 5 X 600 at VO2 max pace (about 6:30 for me), dropped into a 9-miler. Handled them pretty well considering the 20-miler with 14 @ GMP last night, I thought. As tired as my legs are, and as ready as I am for this cycle to end, I'm starting to round into racing shape. Surely all this work will get me what I want, especially since I had the good sense to pass on OKC, which would have been a disaster -- 75 degrees, high humidity and 30-mph winds. I'm getting enough work at high temperatures as it is, so if I get a typical Oregon morning in a month, it should feel positively energizing. And if it's a little warmer than that, well, I should be pretty well acclimated.
Last night was a good confidence boost, but if I can rip about five minutes off my 10K PR at Conway on Saturday, that would really send me into the last four weeks of training on an emotional high.
DW and I had a little heart-to-heart over the weekend and I think we understand each other better. She understands that when she gives me crap about running too much and being too skinny, that I tend to view it as sabotage, undermining my work toward my goal. I, in turn, understand better that there hasn't been enough of me available to the family after work and running, and that DW really does support me and wants to see me at the line in Hopkinton next April too. | 