Turn your rut into a groove.

am--6.5 Got home late last night from California. We did a baseball weekend which turned out pretty cool. We even ended up in the Torii Hunter highlight. Anyway, ended up sleeping in and not getting to the morning run until after 9:30--mild heat training I guess. 

pm--5.75 Life almost got in the way of the run tonight, but I got out, probably too quick after the Memorial Day BBQ. I had to make a few Hunter stops along the way. Luckily, the golf course was calling, and the facilities were available. Along the way, I saw a docile garter snake and a timid skunk. And the wind. 

pm--12 Not a great day for running. From the get go, I had a running belly and wasn't sure if I would even get out today. To top it off, I've discovered that I probably need to change some eating habits, so that I feel better on the run. Shooting for 70 this week, so about 12 a day is the aim. As I went out today, the stomach was heavy and the legs were tired. I made it. But it wasn't easy and it wasn't fun. 

am--9 Early morning run w/ Craig and Aubree. Running this week is hard. I feel like I'm getting slower. 

pm--4 Little scout activity. They had to run 3 miles in 30 minutes, so we ran. About 8:30 pace. Did some swimming then ran a mile home. 

am--8 Reverse loop around Clary w/ a cousin who's a triathlete. Felt better this morning running.

pm--8.75 I decided last night that 70 would not work this week. The legs are tired, and the gag reflex would kick in every time I thought of running longer miles. I'll hit 60 easy. Then a little taper before UVM. Tonight I went out for a nice run up the old Swiss Days course and down into Green Valley. I hit a tempo mile and a few tinman miles, intermittently. I realize that tempos are for conditioning the body to a certain pace, but I just wanted my body to remember it could hit a tempo pace. And it is bearable. Overall the run shall be called Hills and Headwinds. It's a descriptive name. 8:05 per mile. I feel like I can realistically hit that pace for the marathon. We'll see. As far as preparation goes, my weekly milleage and long runs are really coming along, but consistent speed work and tempo/marathon pace runs aren't. The training for this upcoming marathon is nearly done and dusted, but I'm wondering, for STG, if an increase in weekly mileage or an increase in quality runs each week is the answer to a better time. If anyone out there is reading and feels like he/she has the answer, please let me know. Anyway, the run tonight reminded me that I do love running. I am improving. This week has just been one of those rough patches. 

am--6 Ran the old morning route starting about 9 am. The luster is wearing off the Mizunos. The forefoot cushioning is lacking for my tastes.  But some people swear by them. Pretty good week even though the wheels nearly fell off a few times.