Create.

MORNING:

So I kept getting text messages on my phone about a flash flood heading our way. I looked out my window at 5:30 this morning and there was no rain in sight. I thought about just chancing it but then decided that I'd better take the warnings serious and run on the treadmill at home.

Finished the boring run and still no raindrops in sight. Stink it all!!!! :-)

7 easy miles, AP 8:56

Hopefully more miles this evening. Hopefully.

(So far today is going well, I rarely get a lunch break ... but looky looky ... here I am!!!) :-)

EVENING:

So the rainstorm finally hit, right as I was leaving work. Made for an adventurous drive home and meant another treadmill gig.

4 miles, very easy, high 9s.

8.5 miles, AP 8:26

8 miles, AP 7:43, Maverick Loop with a twist.

My legs still aren't feeling quite right. They have been feeling heavy and stiff for about a week. Left hip external rotators and flexors are tight but nothing crazy. Haven't needed any meds, taping, etc. Just trying to be mindful of what's going on, stay hydrated and sleep and eat a bit better. :-)

Things seem to be improving somewhat each day but going to be cautious tomorrow and Friday and then decide on how to attack my long run this weekend. :-)

Registered for the Boston Marathon today. I suppose that commits me to at least one more marathon. I definitely need to find more running buddies for my next training season! Not sure if I can do another season of long runs mostly by my lonesome. Hopefully by then I will know more of the running community in my new stomping grounds. :-)

Happy mid-week, All. :-)

9.25 miles, AP 8:26

Feeling a bit better but still have somewhat heavy legs and a niggle in the right leg that is less of a niggle than it was yesterday. :-)

6.5 miles, AP 8:42

Feeling quite a bit better but want to save up for a good long run tomorrow. :-)

MY very best 20 miler EVER!!!

20 miles, AP 7 freakin 19!!!!! Can hardly believe it! (Granted it was on the course and included three 1-2 minutes hydration breaks). But still, 7:19, I'm ECSTATIC!!!

Decided I could NOT do another long run on my own so woke up early and met Rachel, her hubby, and some of their friends at the St George Rec Center at 4:30 a.m. and drove 20 miles up the course. We were kind of spread out into a few groups and I had told myself that I was going to try and stay with one of the faster packs until the first water break (which included Veyo so I knew it would be hard for me). Did it ... and felt great! I then decided I would stay with them until the 10 mile mark. Wow, still with them. I told them that I was certain to start to fade but Bruce insisted that my breathing was fine and to make it to 15. Got to 15 and was feeling it but decided to continue to push. At that point it was me, Bruce, Tom and Bryan. My new goal was 17 miles. Made it, but we lost Bryan. I was really feeling it but did a quick head to toe check and new that I could hang on for one more mile. I did it! I was so proud of myself. I told Bruce and Tom to push hard the next mile so that they could finish strong. I was feeling weak and had given myself permission to fall back. They tried to talk me into staying with them but I told them that I was SUPER happy with what I had did and wanted to just try and get my breathing where I wanted it. They agreed and took off. I am happy to say that although I dropped back I managed a 7:24 on that final mile [which I was certain was an 8:24 pace (my eyes were deceiving me)]! I finished about 20 seconds behind them. THRILLED!

Got home and decided to do two barefoot slow miles on my treadmill to cool down and loosen up. Followed by a contrast bath (6 minutes warm whirpool / 2 minutes ice bath x 3 = total of 24 minutes). I feel great!

Happy Saturday!

I think I am trained for a sub 3:20 at SGM if I run it right!!!! YES YES YES!!! That is a number I have been chasing for YEARS!!!!

BTW, Aaron Metler was starting his 20 miler with one of his running partners at the same time we were. They said they were going to run 5:16!!! So my excitement about my time today is SO SO SO relative!!! Hence, I really really really try to never compare myself with anyone but myself because when I compare myself to those runners who are faster I get jealous and when I compare myself to those runners that are slower I get prideful --- I think I'll pass!! BUT WOW ... 5:16!! That's stinkin' crazy lightning fast!!!! :-)