Getting back to Boston

Easy treadmill run, with the last quarter at MP. Took 65:39. I'd taken three days off from running, although I'd lifted and done core work in between, so the legs were fairly fresh.

Combo run at Altman -- four miles on the track, four miles on the mill, four miles on the track.

First four took 35:35, an 8:53 average. The four on the mill took 35:39, or 8:54. The last four on the track took 34:25, an 8:39 average. And that last four on the track HURT. It felt really slow because the legs were so heavy, but obviously I was able to maintain some kind of speed (which maybe should tell me something).

It's 95 days until TOU, if my math is right. I'll probably need to decide something by July 1 so I'll have basically an 11-week cycle to get ready. Eleven weeks is plenty for me if I have a deecnt base (see Memphis 2009), maybe even a bit too long.

Lifted for a few minutes today, then 6 on the mill. These little 15 minute lifting sessions aren't gonna do a whole lot of muscle building (which is probably good given that I'm still running marathons), but it'll maintain tone, add a little strength and maybe rearrange my pounds a bit. The run was basic; 6.2 mph, threw in some incline because the left calf was a bit twingey, then cranked up the incline to 4% for the last mile. Which almost impersonates HBH. I have to start doing some outside runs, though. Maybe on Friday; have a noon work meeting at the hospital tomorrow, then I'll run afterward. Time to do some more TM intervals, I think.

A little VO2 max pounding today on the mill: 6 X 880 at 5K pace, with 440 recoveries. With warm and cool, a 7.25 mile workout, which took me 62:39 if I remember correctly. Set the mill at 8.7 mph (6:57 pace), which would be a 5K PR. Legs weren't overly thrilled about the workout, but I managed it without undue distress. Probably need a few more of those this summer. Maybe I can even do a couple on the track without DM "assistance."

Got the Kinvaras today and went to the track to try them out/break them in. I'm coming to a realization -- I have a hard time running much over 9:00 pace if I don't have the TM to slow me down. First mile was about 9:30, second mile was 9:08, you get the idea. If that's my new "slow" pace, than why can't I run faster than 8:06? The Kinvaras were fine. I've run in enough minimalist shoes that it's not much of an adjustment at all, between all the Adizeros and the Green Silences.

I've just about come to the conclusion that I'll be entering Top of Utah. London looks extremely unlikely due to high demand and some Seven Continents Club that I didn't know about until it was too late. SCC is apparently their VIP club and gets first crack at in-demand races like London. And Top of Utah is the right weekend to give me a chance to get a sub-3:30 before open season starts on BQ-4:59 and less.

I'll go ahead and submit a request for London, expect to be turned down, try to qualify at Logan for Boston, then do the AAMA team if I don't qualify (or don't get in if I do qualify). Training is going well enough that I should at least have a shot at a BQ, although what I'm going to do with really long runs in the summer heat is an open question (5 a.m. vs. treadmill). I suppose I need to do at least a couple of them outside, starting probably a week from Tuesday.

Just noticed that I've now done more mileage in the first 17 days of June than I did in 31 days in May. Probably will be close to 200 miles in June, over 200 in July and August, health permitting.

First outdoor run of the summer. BLEAH! Felt like I was running after donating six units of blood. No energy at all. Complete slog.