1/28 – I wanted to get a better sense of my long run pace, so I drove the course to mark the miles. It’s 6.2 miles from here to the basketball goals at the North Greenville YMCA. I decided to push it a little bit and see if I could hang on. I ran the first 10k in 47.30, and the first 20k (12.4) in 1:35.05. If my math is right it was 7.40s on the way out and 7.40s on the way back. I stopped for fluid at home and ran the last six miles in 46.00, so I think I held on to 7.40s there. I’m pretty pleased with the time, but I’m fried now – feels like I’ve been run over by a truck. It’s hard to imagine running even faster for 8 more miles, but that’s what I’d have to do to qualify for Boston. One run at a time. … I’ve probably killed my long run for next week. It seemed like a good idea at the time. Ouch.

I’m going to dial back the workouts this week.  Feels like a bit much.

1/27 – Shoulders, chest, and stomach

1/26 – Got busy at work. Rest day

1/25 – Tempo run around Furman lake a couple of times before dinner.  8 minute warm-up 21 mins pretty fast (not exactly sure of my pace) 10 minute brisk cool down.  I felt really good, like I’m actually making progress.  Colder than I expected.  A hat and gloves would have been a good idea, but I packed thinking it would be in the high 50s.  Oops.

I was in back to back meetings at work all day, so the introvert in me enjoyed the solitude.

1/24 – Weights in the PAC.  Back arms and stomach.

Back and arms at the PAC.  Rowed for 2000m to get ready for team rowing competition.  Did 2000 m in 8:30.  Felt uncoordinated and not tired enough, so I’ll try to take off some time and not look like such a doofus next time.  🙂

I don’t have much control over the doofus part though.

This is the mantra that seems to get me past the strong urge to stop or stay in bed.  If I can get moving before I think too much, I’ve got a shot!

1/23 – Speedwork before work. Man, it’s hard to get motivated for this stuff. 12 x 400s, which I’ll take any day over 6 x 800s. Strange day. My lungs kept saying, “We can do more! Pick it up!”, but the legs had a plan of their own (although it was a good workout). First lap at 1:31. After that 1:26 – 1:29, so not too shabby. Knee was a little sore at times, but not too bad. I stuck to short rest intervals (a minute and a half).

1/22 – Chest, shoulders, and stomach during lunch hour.

1/21 – Thirteen miler (1:44). YMCA route plus a loop around the mall plus a little extra. Mentally, 13 was not intimidating, but with the heavy speedwork my legs didn’t agree. Not a great run. Rainy and cold, which seems to be a theme lately. Had a really close call with a van over by Timmons Arena, on campus of all places. Car swerved off the rode, and I had to hop out of the way. Glad I’m in the habit of running against traffic. I don’t think she ever saw me.
1/20 – Rode my bike to the PAC and did back, arms, and stomach in the afternoon.

1/19 – Busy day at work. No workout. Ate pizza with the chem dept instead, which was a much better choice :-). Guess I’ll skip the tempo run this week.

1/18 – Speedwork on the track (6 x 800). Ran first couple of miles around the lake with colleague Diane. Speedwork in teams certainly helps! Mild ice storm, so it was cold and wet. Most right around 3:00 – 3:01. Fifth one a little slower (3:03), but last one was 3:00 flat. Wohoo! Will speedwork ever get easy?

1/16 – Rest

1/17 – Weights (chest, shoulders, stomach) during lunch hour

1/13 – Tempo Run – 1 mile warm-up, 4 miles or so at 7:00-7:15, 1 mile cool down.  Felt good.

1/14 – Back and arms at the PAC.  Tried doing two sets of more stuff, instead of 3, mainly because I felt pretty weak – especially on pull-ups.

1/15 – 20 miler (give or take).  I’m so tired of the North YMCA route, I decided I’d rather run up Paris Mountain.  I’m not sure that was a good call.  Paris Mountain back to home was the first 10 miles, and then the second ten consisted of runs through neighborhoods on either side of Old Buncombe and Furman.  FIRST training leaves my legs REALLY tired for these long runs.  I’m used to feeling stronger.  The last 30 minutes was like running under water.  The last 15 minutes, I was pretty spacey.  I think I’ll sleep well tonight.

1/10 –   Ever had one of those days where you feel really light, your strides fell long and smooth, and running seems effortless?  Well, this wasn’t one of those days.  I felt choppy and slow.  Times weren’t too bad.

First 1200m – 4.36

Second 1200 m – 4.39

First 800m – 3.04

Second 800m – 3.03

Third 800m – 3.05

Fourth 800m – 3.01

1/11 –  Busy day at work.  Rest day.

1/12 – Stomach, chest, and shoulders at the PAC.