Out of the Gate

Today is track day!! Time to hit flat land!! I took yesterday off!! From running that is....two wedding rehearsals, that's stressful enough! I told my Sweetheart I'd rather do a funeral any day! So I've two weddings on tap today, one at three and the other at seven.
Anyway, made it to the track by about 9, saw this tall beautiful blonde girl with a dog on a leash....it was my niece Bethany!! Her boyfriend is the middle school football coach. He's a good guy and his team was practicing. The puppy is the cutest little chocolate lab, his name is Yadi.
I gave her a hug and began my workout-I could not control the pace! Just automatically faster than planned and it seemed easy? Felt like a horse out of the gate, need to run!! Each mile got faster through mile four, from an 8:55 to an 8:18, I then held on for three more miles at MP. I began to hurt, suffer, a little. The legs were heavy but I was able to recover by slowing then I'd try to pick it back up. The heel felt great!!! Bethany and Mark had finished up with practice and we said our so longs, I'll see her tomorrow at church. Hope I see him. She was picking on me about my hand held water bottle. I'll get her back!
All in all, pretty good effort. Totals-10.52 miles/ 1:38:38/ 9:22's-
For a downshift week not too bad-logged 40.29 miles. I will have to be very aware of the heel! Actually a trait of great leadership is self awareness. I'm workin' on it....peace!

Family

A beautiful day in the Ozarks. Unbelievable weather for July!! Not even 80 degrees! I still have tightness and soreness in the Achilles heel area but it loosens up as the day goes along. I went out hoping for the five flattest miles I could find. Wound up with 5.54 miles with some doubling back over my flat sections. I felt so strong! I am excited about the current reality; my training seems to be taking a positive cumulative effect. Now, for the recovery week, then, heel willing, I will build up to higher mileage!

Had a great visit with my older (17mths) Brother and his family today. They are from the Austin Texas area. I'm pretty sure I will run the marathon there next year. They are all looking and doing good and the kids have grown into extraordinary young adults! Hooray for the Zimmerman family!!

We may be able to hang out one more time before they head back home. Hope all is well in your neck of the woods! Peace!

Stranger than Fiction?

How could I run nearly as well today as on the track yesterday? Temps are a bit cooler, yet the wind is horrendous, out of the SW at 30-37mph!
I ran as I felt even though the legs are definitely tired; I felt strong! A two mile warm-up then I just let it rip. Two boys shooting hoops stopped to look at the old timer running! I said "work hard and you can do anything your heart desires." One said "Thanks!" That felt good to encourage someone. I knocked of a bunch of sub 9's so I'm again, encouraged, my training seems to be producing results. 8 miles in 1:14.36-9:19's or so.
40.9 miles for the week. Tomorrow is an off day, yeah right! Sundays are the hardest effort of the week for me!
I am going to work hard to rest, hydrate, and be ready for the most important run-a 21 miler on Monday. Breaking four hours is a pretty big goal I think. That means I have to knock off 36 minutes off of my last marathon. This I know: I could of never run 8 miles at this pace last year!
My youngest son is coming home for Spring break. I haven't seen that boy for two months! I miss him and am looking forward to seeing him this evening. He is an outstanding young man! Excels in studies, handsome, the cream of the crop! Both my sons are fine, fine young men.
I'll post some pics some day soon.
Peace