Trying...

  My old bones really feel it! When I put in a hard effort it seems to take longer to recover. Today it took me a while to warm up but completed 4.6 total recovery miles. Off day tomorrow and final long run Monday before race day. Hope all is well with you! Peace!

Amazing!!

  Non-runners are often amazed by the fact that we would run the miles we do...it seems so futile and hard to them, thus their amazement is not positive but skeptical. However, occasionally you'll find one who admires your life style.
  It is encouraging when someone compliments your efforts and results! Anyway...yesterday I was toast! I had to rest. Usually I get in a 75 minute run but I simply rested! Sandy and I cooked a wonderful dinner and I pigged out on Italian meatballs!!!
   Today I felt somewhat better. The weather is perfect! 60 degrees. south wind, clear skies. I took off into hill land and ran 80 minutes of hard rolling hills, covered 8.2 miles. I'm feeling so fit! The only physical problem is my left piriformis and that's not a deal breaker. 2 weeks from tomorrow and I race! It's been 19 months!! Excited-peace!

HM pace work

   I believe in the "SAID" principle. Specific Adaptions to Imposed Demands.
 I have learned over the years this is ever so true! You cannot train slow and expect to run fast! Today I put in some HM pace work. 8:34's to be precise. A gradual warm-up for 30 minutes, then 3X5 min @ HM with a 5 min rest between each segment (10 mpm), then 30 minutes @ HM resulting in 10 miles in 1:31:19. A very good effort! I really feel ready for this upcoming race!
  No clue as to what I am capable of...been so long since I raced! So tomorrow I will run an easy recovery run, Friday may be a 10K time trial....depends on body, and saturday abouty 30 minutes of HM pace. Have a great day!!!

Time keeps on clickin'

2.5 hours of running-I pushed it hard today and reached 16.31 miles in that time. That's my fastest time over that distance in quite a while!
 My HM is in less than 3 weeks. I'm in great condition, with just a few minor physical aches, and I expect to run fairly decent. I've been debating on what kind of taper to do...I think a very minimal taper. I will probably run another 16 miler next Monday the 11th, then the following Monday the 18th I will simply lower my milage and build up strength for the race Saturday the 23rd by simply lowering miles.
   In the past I've over tapered, so I'm not going to stress over it....I will just cut miles the last week. Hope you are well! Peace!
 

A "rest" day

   Sunday is super busy for me! I actually train for Sundays! My endurance training enables me to serve God better! Yet Sundays really wear me out!!
  Yesterday I ran a brisk 30 minutes of hills....I finished the week with 40.9 miles logged! I am on track! Less than three weeks until my HM!
  Hope you have a great Sunday! Peace!

HM pacing-

  Hey, someone said I was skinny as a rail yesterday!! Yay! Running miles and miles has burned the fat! yesterday I did 30 minutes at a little faster than HM pace. I'm going to log another 40+ miles this week....had 164 in October! Man I haven't run like this for nearly 3 years! Hope the body holds out!
  Goal race in 3 weeks! Peace!

Fragile or agile?

   Yesterday I ran easy for 75 minutes covering 7.2 miles. My body felt right at home during the run, it felt easy....like right where I belonged, running at a comfortable pace that I could carry forever. I loved it, yet the body is seeming to be ever so close to a breakdown. The twinges and twangs of a hamstring or whatever always loom in the mind that assesses the state of the body.
  The balance between the fragile and the agile is ever present. Over the years we learn our bodies abilities or limits but if you're like me you tend to push things.
  I want to expand the limits! I want to push and reach a place I've never been but dreamed about being...running is not an escape it's an adventure!
  Today, God willing, I will attempt a 10K time trial. This will be pushing the limits!
Have a great and glorious day! Peace!