i've lost that loving feeling

grinding...I tell you what, it took me over 7 miles until my legs felt decent. Tightness, stiffness, and the like plagued my legs for most of this run, as I was struggling to hit 830 miles (hilly). While I had slight relief Saturday from taking Friday off, the 19 miles set me back a little bit on the road to recovery. But that's fine, that's why I am out here grinding for just a little while longer, until the magnificent taper.

Miles: 8.11
Time: 1:04.29
Pace: 7:57

Garmin  -

maxed out - need rest

just so when i look back and read this later, I will know how I felt during this stage of my running: not since college have my legs felt this tired. I'm in great need of a day off. Thankfully, Friday will be that day. As I have mentioned before, increased mileage, less days off, more workouts with races in a short span (8 mile tempo,15k,8mile tempo within 8 days), have all lead me to absolutley feeling tapped out.

Hoping I can get through my 18 miler Saturday, then just need to focus on one more solid week of training.

but today's run, here are the stats:

8.46 miles, 7:53 ppm

pushing through

Saturday was an awesome day. Golf and pool party, and of course, beer. Sunday I was recovering, got to sleep in a little bit (8:45am), and layed low. I did go sit out by the pool in the afternoon, which was a suana. So after all that, I got back home from being at my in-laws, around 6:30pm. I was ready to attempt my long run. I decided on 9 miles, because I have done a few 8 milers recently, and just wanted to barely 1 up it.

The pace was slow from the beginning. Immediatly I felt fatigued. I tried to stay smooth and relaxed and just find a groove mentally where I could knock this out. I started off going up through Starmount, then came across the bridge to Huntingtown Farms, and down Park Rd to Park Rd. South where I got back on Old Reid Rd., and headed back towards Archdale. The last mile in Montclair to my house was measured at 8 min pace, and here I wanted to pull the plug, as I was 7 miles in and not feeling it. However I kept going and actually opened up a little bit on my stride. I kidn of got a second wind the last couple miles, and finished at about 9.3 miles for the night.

All said and done I was proud of myself for getting through it in the heat and after a weekend of fun.

Miles: 9.3
Time: 1.13.20
Pace: 7.53

For the week that put me at 31 miles and some change. Not bad for me, actually the most in a handful of weeks. 5 days of running and a workout and a long run. Sounds like legit training for once. We'll see how next week goes with a lot of travel across the country.

legs called for an easy pace

set out to run about 5 miles, and immediatly could tell my legs were kind of tired from the quicker runs the last few days. The pace was slow, so I honored it with some 8 min miles. Not much else to say.

Miles: 4.6
Time: 36.39
Pace: 8

And that was my last run for the week. Travel and lack of sleep kept me from doing a long run Sunday. 4 days this week of running, but not a real steller week. I guess it's alright. I'd like to hit about 25 miles this week, and it would be great if I could get an 8 miler in Sunday. I'm looking to do a speed workout on the track tomorrow morning.

I swallowed a bug

Miles: 4
Time: 30:01
Pace: 7.40

I think the route is a little short for my typical neighborhood 4 miler. Anyway, I felt slow and heavy again, but decided to push it a little and keep the pace from a crawl. I did swallow a bug, and the second half of the run I felt depleted. Two things. I need to eat more, and I need to stop the mid to late afternoon snacking of sweet candy from the office candy jar.

hilly way (h-town>starmont>montclair

going from home, to H-town, down colchester, is the only easy part of the route. When you have to go back through starmont after, it's 4 big hill climbs. My legs felt totally wasted from the get go, so this was a run in just fighting to not walk!

miles: 5.8
time: 46
Pace: 8