Denial and Reality!

Over the past few years, I have learned to "train" through the summer.  Each summer I have grand plans of learning to "race" well in the heat and humidity (DENIAL).  I have had several good weeks of speed work which makes me believe I will run a decent 5k (DENIAL).  I work out, I work out hard, and I believe I will run well.  (DENIAL).  I up my mileage and think I will run well (DENIAL).  And then REALITY sets in.  Today I ran another 5k, to end in a  somewhat disappointing time.  (yes it was REAL).  I  look on the bright side, because the only official goal that I had today was to run better than my worst 5k in 5 years, ( June 2010 5k - 25:47).  So I did make my goal because today I ran 25:01.  (note:  this 5k was almost flat, and the June 5k was hilly)

Most of the time I consider myself a REALIST (drives my sister nuts).  But when it comes to summer running, I go into this fantasy world where I believe if I train hard, I will race well, even in the summer.  Prior to the race, my mind was saying 24:30 or faster (DENIAL).   25:01 (BACK TO REALITY).  Now I realize why I live most of my life being a realist, and not an optimist. This racing "optimism" or "denial" is tough. :) lol! To be fair, I have had better summers than this year, but it's typical for me to go into summer races thinking this time, I'm ready.   Even though I am typically somewhat disappointed with the summer racing results, I am happy that I live in my own little fantasy world, and continue to show up with great expectations.  Even though I am not running as I would like to, I am happy to just be able to run each day, and race when I want to. 

So, what now?  I will continue to train hard.  I will continue to show up for races, expecting a better time, and better results.  I will continue to up my mileage for my fall marathon goal.   Yep, summer heat and humidity,  you will not break me out of my world of denial, fantasy or optimism.   My fantasy world is better than not showing up at all.  I would rather run a hard, slow, 5k than to be out of the game.

Other notes from today - it was exciting to be around  runners who are excited about running and achieving new goals.  Renee and Mitzie both ran prs today.  So awesome - let me explain this further.  Today, the temperature at race time was around 79 degrees with 90% humidity, with a real feel of 92 degrees.  These ladies didn't let the heat slow their pace.   I am excited for them, and even more excited to see them run this fall.  I also met several people who are getting ready to train for their first half or full marathons - very exciting.

Vicki and Terry won the 5k today.  These 2 runners are always so consistent and impressive.
I won the ladies master's award.  Masters is such an "old feeling" word, but today I was excited because I won a gift certificate to Conestogo Steak House.  I am not a steak eater, but Chad LOVES a slab of red meat, so he will be excited about my win today. 

So it was another good day at the races, even with a slow summer time.  Up next - Sunday will be a 12 miler with the guys to complete my 40 miles for the week, and Tues is another 2 mile predicted time run.  I will be ready for that Tues. race and guess what.....I will RUN FAST!  (because that's what my mind says before each summer race)

Chasing a speedster!

Monday evening a friend of mine who is a much faster runner than I am, sent me a text to see if I wanted to join her for some hill work.  Of course!  How could I pass up the opportunity to run with someone faster than me, and someone who really makes me work hard.    So we made our plans for Tues. am.  As we were driving to our meeting spot, the rain starts.  No worries - no lightning - so we are good to go.  We put on our hats and head for the hills.  The problem with running with someone who is much faster than you is that you will most likely warm up much too fast.  We warmed up for 2 miles at .... well..... basically....at my tempo pace.  Yikes! 

The plan was to w/u for 2 miles,  6 X 800 with 2 min. recovery,  on a slightly rolling hills circle, in the Trace subdivision, and 2 miles c/d. ( I was really thankful that the 800 circle was not on the worst of the hills in the Trace) After the FAST (for me) w/u, I was a little nervous about surviving the 800s.  As we get ready to start the 800s, I officially let T. know that I will be running my pace and let her know to, of course,  run as she needs to .... FAST.   She is accustomed to running with slower runners, so it's not an issue.  She takes off, and I follow at my pace. 

You see, not only am I running with someone who is much more talented, but to add to that, I have been running 200s, and 400s on the TRACK.  For this workout, not only am I jumping up to 800s, but also moving from the track to the hills.  Yes, let me document for the umtenth time,  hills - yikes - but this is the type of workout that I NEED the most.   I've been working on the 200s/400s because my speed is nonexistent after months of no speed work, and I want to try to run some better 5ks this fall.  For me to run faster 5ks,  I need the shorter speed work.   BUT.....I ALWAYS need hill work. 

Back to the workout... I averaged 3:52 for the 800s.  Fabulous!  I forgot my Garmin, so I can't say for sure it was a "true 800", but either way, it was a great workout.  I ran hard.  I ran with more effort than I would run solo.  I always love to have a rabbit out front.  Even though I know, I will never catch the rabbit, I continue to try to,  not let the distance get too wide between me and the rabbit.  And today, my goal was to try not to "BE LAPPED"  Success!  I was not lapped, T. was only 1 minute ahead of me.  lol!    When we finished, we started the cool down together, but lemme just say.... I was DONE.  Shortly into the cool down, I let T. go, so that I could officially cool down at a responsible pace for me.  We both had a GREAT workout, and we were both happy to have company for this tough workout.  The best part - we had sprinkling rain during the w/u, and the c/d.  Nice!

Two-a-day Tues. - Tues. evening we had our second Trek The Trace - 2 mile predicted time run.  After the am workout, I wasn't sure what I could do, but I was sure I was NOT "racing" it.  I decided to put down the same time that my friend V. put down, and HOPE that I would be able to stay with her.  I warmed up for 1 mile - feeling that am workout, for sure.    We put down 16:50.  Again, let me say, I have no, notta, zero concept of pace without Mr. Garmin.  Late into the race, as I am running with V. she asks "do you think we are close?"  Ha Ha....I have no idea.  We continued on.  I was pleasantly surprised because this felt like a tempo run.  We are not sure about the time, but supposedly we ran 15:34.   V. and I both felt that we may not have run that fast, but if we did....GREAT!  I'll take a 15:34 after that am workout any day.   Either way, it was another great workout for the day, and it was fun to run the race with V.

Tonight, my hubby joined us and ran the race.  He ended up winning the predicted time being off by 1 second.  He predicted 11:30, and ran 11:29.  Sweet!   He won a yoga book for me.  He is great at pacing!

 Chad and me at the TTT

(Thanks for the pic Robbie)

Two a Day Tues = Success!

My friend over a Run 4 It took some pics at the TTT.  Check them out. 

Update - this is what I'm up to!

This week will be my 8th week of speed work.  Finally feel like I'm making some progress.  Not so much in race results yet, but I just feeling like I'm getting in shape.  I have also started to make tiny baby steps in getting my winter weight off.  Getting closer to my "race weight" which will be timed perfectly for my fall racing plans.  Just have to stay super focused on the goal.

Aug 7th - Bun Your Buns - 5 mile race - another disappointing race.  hills, heat, and humidity were not a winning combo for me, but it was still FUN to participate and to see a lot of runners out, in Aug., for a 5 mile race, with extreme heat.  I did win my age group, and a $25.00 gift certificate to Soccer Locker & City Runners.  I also sold some DryMax socks after the race, so it was a good day.  I ran 42:58 (8:38 pace - hee hee - this is just a little faster than my pr marathon pace).   I need to race more often on hills.  I train on hills most of the time, but I need much more race experience on the hills.  As mentioned before, I have been racing flat and fast courses for about 7 years, trying to pr in all race distances, so I do not have the race strength I need to race effectively on hills. I want to work on that!

Aug. 10th - the 1st of 4 Tues. night Trek the Trace - 2 mile predicted time runs.  Here's how it works.  You write down what you think you can run for 2 miles.  Everyone removes all timing devices,  and we run the 2 miles.  The person who is the closest to their predicted time wins the race.  This is fun because this gives everyone the opportunity to win the race.  This is not about who is the fastest, it's about pacing.  Tues. night Laura won - she predicted her finishing time exactly.  Yay Laura!  How did I do.  Well, as for the prediction - not so good, but the good news - I was on the FAST side of the prediction, and for me, that is always a welcome thing.  After the slow 5 mile race, I wasn't sure what to predict,  so I predicted 16:30.   I finished the race in 15:15 and was really happy with that.  This race is FLAT, on the asphalt Longleaf Trace (rails to trails).  Finally, seeing a little results from my speed work.  Woo Hoo!

 Melissa, Karen, Ginny - Trek The Trace - 2 mile predicted time run

Aug 12th - met Dawn, Vicki, and Terri to get reacquainted with "Honey Suckle Hill."  This is one of those workouts, that you REALLY DO NOT want to do solo.  Dawn and I ran this workout a couple of years ago, but for some reason we got away from it.  Dawn "called" the workout, and I was excited to join in.  Even with the 5:15 am start, this is a workout that I can get excited about because I know "it's a workout that I REALLY need."  For our first time back, we were a little conservative on the number of hill repeats, but we have a starting point, and we will build up the number of repeats. 

Aug 14th - today I needed to run 12 miles - I wanted to do a few miles with the guys to get a quick start.  I met Keith, Toby, Jim F., Phillip, and Chad came along with us.  This group is too slow for Chad (my hubby) but I was glad that he joined us.  I ran 3 miles with them on the USM campus,  @ 8:38 avg. pace.  Then I met Dawn, Terri, and Vicki.  Vicki was finishing up her mileage, but then Dawn, Terri, and I headed back to the hills.  I ran the next 7 miles with them, and then finished up my last 2 miles solo.  I was able to pick it up the last 2 miles.  Excited that I felt good after the quick start, and was able to finish strong.  I averaged 9:26 pace for the 12 miles.  I am happy with that.  I feel like I am building some strength, and I feel I will be "ready to run" when it cools off some.   I am happy to be running this pace in our current heat and humidity.  Hope to continue to build on it.

Chad & Scott after a recent Golden Meadow, LA bayou run.

Aug. run along Bayou Lafourche, LA

In the mean time, my goal is mixed.  I will continue to work on shorter speed work and 5k racing, but I will be building my long runs, and mileage for the marathon.   I have officially decided I will go with a 12 week marathon program from Advanced Marathoning.  I will be working toward "maxing-out" with 3 - 70 mile weeks prior to the Rocket City - Huntsville, AL marathon.  (my previous high is 63 miles for prior to St. George)  Since mid June, my mileage has been 30-40+ miles, except for occasional "step back"weeks.  This week, I will finish with 45 miles, after my 4 mile run today.  I will continue to gradually move up from here, in the weekly mileage.  I feel like I have a great base, and I hope that I can handle the increasing mileage.  Currently, I feel strong and ready to go for the mileage goal.  I want to see "what will happen" with the increasing mileage.  Will it help, will it be more than I can handle, who knows???.....but in the mean time, I will enjoy the journey, and the experiment.

This is GREAT! Interested in a Race Challenge?

Amanda over a RunToTheFinish has a great challenge for the fall.  I signed up for the 5k.  I will be dual training - trying to PR in the 5k and training for the Rocket City Marathon.  Should be an exciting fall.  FUN!
Thanks Amanda!


http://runtothefinish.blogspot.com/2010/08/interested-in-race-challenge.html

Running Diva Mom has a neat giveaway going on.  Check it out here

Technical Runs - it's like "sight fishing"

Ok ladies, sorry for the fishing analogy, but for my male friends.... A technical run that is planned, implemented, and run "to a T", is like "sight fishing" and catching that redfish when everything went as planned.  The other part of the analogy that occured to me on the run today,  for me, running a technical runs is what I love to do.  Back to the fishermen... once you learn to "sight fish" it's hard to go back to just casting for fish.  For me, although, I do some runs of "just running", the technical runs really get me excited about running.  Can't run these all of the time, because as you will see later in this post, my brain would explode.


In case you do not know, "sight fishing" is when you look into the water to see the fish.  When you see one, you have to plan your cast with the movement of the fish to get the bait in front of the fish, not hit him on the head with the bait, not cast behind him, etc.  You have to "present" the bait to him, and if you do it right ( I rarely do), you get to see him attack the bait.  This is where your skills continue, because you then have to "set the hook" at just the right time, to be able to "boat the fish."  While I am not very good at it, I do enjoy and appreciate the challenge of it.  My husband is a fishing guide (www.dufrenesguideservice.com - he can teach you, or it makes an EXCELLENT gift for your hubby for Christmas...just sayin).  He learned this technique many years ago, and taught me how to do it.  Since learning how to fish this way, I rarely want to go out and just fish.  I would rather go out and enjoy the challenge of making all of these things come together.  This is the same thing for a technical run.  I love to go out with a plan, and I really enjoy the challenge of trying to achieve the goal.  Today the plan came together and it made for a great day on the roads.

The plan - an 8 mile run with a little progression in pace.
1st 2 miles - just run, but planned around 9:30 pace, but "run by feel" the first 2 miles.
2nd 2 miles - pick up the pace to 9:20
3rd 2 miles - pick up the pace to 9:10
last w miles - pick up the pace to 9:00 or just under

The RUN:
1st 2 miles - mile 1 - 9:13 - thought - are you crazy - you know you can't "run by feel."  2nd thought - that would be a brutal progression run if I pick up the pace from here (started at 7:00am - it's 81 degrees with heat index of 92 degrees in South Louisiana).  So mile 2 was a "concentrated" "get on pace" mile.  Slowed it down - 9:45, for a perfect 2 mile split - 18:58 - remember the goal was 19:00.  Oh how sweet!
2nd 2 miles - 9:26 - ok...need to pick it up just a little - 9:22  - ok, a little over the goal, but in the ballpark.
3rd 2 miles - 9:10 and 9:10 PERFECT!  - I love it when a plan comes together.  During this 2 miles I remember how much I love a technical run.  I'm already on the 3rd set.  Wow - this run is flying by.  You see, I'm not great at math, so during these runs, much of the time, I am calculating my time.
It goes something like this:
*1st set - ok 9:30 and 9:30 ok this one is easy 19:00 min @ 2 miles
*2nd set - 9:20 and 9:20 = 18:40 not too hard, but now you have to add 19:00 and 18:40 to see where you need to be at 4 miles.  This one takes me a while, because I can't keep all of these numbers in my head.  Ok, finally get it, 37:40 at 4 miles, I was 37:48.
*Now, I have to add the 3rd set on to see where i need to be at mile 6.  37:40 plus 9:10 & 9:10.  Ok - 9:10 plus 9:10 is 18:20 add that to 37:40 and you get 56:00, if my math is right.  I get to this point at 56:08, I love this, can't believe it... just 2 more miles...I can do this, no problem.
*4th 2 miles - 9:00 and 9:00 or under - check my pace several times.  It's around 8:44.  Thoughts -  slow it down....well maybe I should just go with it....no... stick with the plan... you have a race next Sat....stick with the plan...8:52.  1 mile left - 8:53.  As I continue with my math, we were at 56:00 and I need to add the last 2 miles on....9:00 plus 9:00 or under, yay, another easy one...18:00 or under.  56:00 plus 18:00 = 74 = 1:14 total, for the progression run.  What did I do.....1:13:55!  This is why I love a progression run.  It goes by super fast.  When I'm not calculating, I'm enjoying my tunes, or working on keeping my pace right, but for me, most of the time I'm calculating the next 2 miles because when I get it figured out, then I forget it, and have to calculate again. 

Other thoughts during the run:
*Fri. - was a bad tempo run effort -6.5 miles total, but called it a day for the tempo,  after 3 miles of a 5 mile tempo run (8:21 for the 3 miles), really need a good run today.
*why is it that some days my "ear buds" stay in through the entire run, and other days they are constantly falling out? 
*I have really missed technical runs.  Haven't done much "concentrated running" since Boston training.
*Apple - I LOVE my nano, but you need to make the "touch adjustment" work while sweating profusely.  While you are at it, fix those ear buds so they don't fall out too.  Maybe you should send some researchers to the South to test the products while running here.  That testing in the west is not holding up to the Southern humidity.  Maybe send some of your "freshmen" researchers to the South for July and Aug.  Or, you could send some researchers that you want to "get rid of."  In the first week here, they will send you some great ideas of how to improve the product because they want to get out of the humidity in a hurry.  In the 2nd week, they will quit because it's too damn hot here.  So maybe you will get a solution to our problem, and you can get rid of the employee all within a 2 week period of time.  Just thinking.....
*Can anyone recommend ideas for me to learn to keep my hips tilted the correct way, correct alignment?  I have been working on posture - shoulders back and hips tilted forward,  for a long time, but it never seems to become a habit.
*progression runs reminds me of yoga and being/running "in the moment"  
*hubby surprised me with a Nike vest.  Wow!   that was exciting... it's kind of rare for him to do that.  Sweet!

This week - 40.5 miles running, 3 miles walking, a yoga class, 2 days of arm weights,  and several days of 10-17 min yoga stretching.
This Sat., I will be running the Burn Your Buns 5 mile race on a rolling hills course.  It will be HOT, hilly, and HUMID.  The good news....I'm pretty sure it will be a PR because I don't think I have ever run a 5 mile race.
Julie  has a nice giveaway going on - check it out.

Finding beauty at home!

Today, I started the day with my typical breakfast ( a lot of coffee, and a mixture of oats, yogurt, raisins,  cinnamon, cocoa, banana, and honey or agave syrup)  I typically eat while checking in on facebook.  My "what's on your mind" statement on FB was me contemplating a 3.5 mile run to get 40 miles for the week, a bike ride, or a walk.  On fb, I see that Jennifer T. has posted a beautiful pic from a trial run this am.  Later, Audrey invites me to run 5 miles with her - great - but unfortunately by the time I responded, she has already gone.  Both of these things inspired me anyway.  After trying to call Audrey and missing the run with her, I decided I would get my 40 miles for the week.  I head out the door and today I bring the camera along, just in case.  As I am heading down the road, I think back to Jennifer's picture and I decide I will run on some trails near my house.  I typically run these a few times in the winter.  It's good for a 3 mile run, so I decided today would be a good day to give it a try because it's been months since I have run it.  As I enter the area, I realize someone has done some work to try to stop the area from washing so badly.  It really has improved the area tremendously and I am happily surprised by it.

First thoughts as I enter the trail - I'm really not a trail runner.  Although is seems great when I see trail pics, I am a roadrunner.  I like the occasional traffic, I like to pass by houses and manicured lawns, I like to see and visit with some of the friendly dogs along the way, that have become like friends along my routes.   As I go further on the trail I really start to enjoy the change of pace.  Today, I am playing my I-tunes instead of the radio.  I haven't listened to my tunes in a long time and it inspires me.   Again this week, as I head out the door with a great tune playing on the Ipod, I am drawn to "my long runs."  Although today is not the day for a long one, I am anxious for the upcoming fall season. 

The pic above is where my new adventure begins today.  This is usually my turning around point, but with months of erosion the area is now much easier to navigate than the last trip here.  I want to see the view from above so I head up.  At the top, I am again surprised to see they have recently worked on the area along the power lines, and it is smooth and the weeds, grass, trees, are just starting to grow back, making for excellent running today.  It won't last long, as the growth will come back quickly, but today, it is nice.

 The pic above shows where the trail ends for me today.  You can see it continues, sort of.   Most of you "real trail runners" would have carried on and enjoyed it, but for this roadrunner - scared of snakes and ticks, this is my turn around.

Everything is especially beautiful today.

You see, today, as I headed out, I wanted to get some pics for my blog.  I just wanted to cover the distance of 3.5 miles to get 40 miles for the week.  So today, I am allowed to freely stop and get pictures of anything that is pretty.  I didn't leave the house until 9:20am, so after about 1.5 miles, everything was beautiful.        (beautiful - most likely because I wanted to stop :) )  My friend, Jennifer W.,  recently reminded me of the auto pause feature on the Garmin, so I was good to stop when I wanted to.  And stop I did! (thanks Jennifer)

This flower caught my eye.  Typically on our vacations, I take a lot of flower pics, I just love the wildflowers.  Today, I am happy to see and notice this along my summer run.  It did remind me of being on a summer trip, and I was only 1.5 miles from the house.  (Becky - that is a stick on the ground - not a snake)

The descent - only about 20-30 yards (Linde - this is my kind of descent).  I think I mentioned on the New Mexico blog that I hate the "coming down" part of trails - I'm a chicken - so this one is just right for me.

Didn't really like this part of "the trail" if you can call it that.  It was overgrown and looks "snaky and ticky" to me.  I had to pick up the pace and pick up my feet more than I wanted to today.  Luckily it was a short area to go through.  I made it through with no problems.

A final wildflower from my adventure run today.  You can see for a 3.5 mile run, I took many opportunities to stop and snap a pic.  But you know what, it was a great run.  I love these no pressure, do what I want runs. (Tues. at the track will be a different story - but I thankfully - I love the "kickbutt" days too.)   By the end, I really appreciated the trail, and decided maybe I will be a part-time trail runner.

Thoughts during or after the run:
I am thankful that I have a desire to meet, or exceed my weekly running goals. (this wk. the goal was 35 miles, but I made it to 40).
I am thankful that I have a weekly mileage goal.
I am thankful for my health.
I am thankful my hubby is home.
I am thankful BP is helping us during this mess.
I am thankful my hubby is a runner too, so he understands my running.
Dang - I wore some of my newer socks today, and ran on trails - not smart.
Definitely loving the Ipod today - but I love it everyday.
 I love how the connections, through social medias, can be so inspiring.
I LOVE no pressure Sundays. -A little run, a little tv/movie time/a little blog time/ maybe an evening bike ride.

Solid Training!

Nothing in particular going on for me.   I am thoroughly enjoying my long weekend, just a week and a half after my vacation.  Nice!  Nothing in particular, but I am getting in some solid base work, and gradually getting back into my speed work.  Love it!
 
Training Recap for the week:
Monday - 5 miles @ 9:44 pace starting at 8:00 am
Tues. - 3 miles easy on the treadmill am
pm - Tues track - woo hoo - finally - 5 miles total - 1 mile w/u, 6 X 200 with equal recovery, 1 lap recovery and then another set of 6 X 200 with equal recovery and 1 mile c/d. 
Wed. - 3 EASY recovery miles - 10:25 pace - feeling that first night back at the track (1st track workout since the fall)
Thurs. - 4:45 am out of bed to meet Dawn, Vicki, and Terri for some EARLY training.  It's also been a very long time since I have been out on a run this early.  So tough to get out of bed.  I enjoy the feeling when it's done, but I noticed again this time, when I do really early runs, I seem to eat more, the rest of the day.
Thurs. pm - trying to get my tempo mileage up, and didn't want to miss a tempo this week, so I decided to run my tempo on the treadmill.  I ran 4 miles - 1/2 mile w/u, 3 miles @ 8:20 pace, and 1/2 mile c/d.
Fri. - a nice lunch with therunningartist, and a 6.4 miles on my hybrid bike on the hills - avg. 12.4 mph - (again let me remind you - I'm not a biker and just to remind you - it's a hybrid bike, not a road bike - lol :) )
Sat. - need 9 miles to meet my goal of 35 miles for the week, so I planned to join the crew for another early run.  This was a good solid July run around 9:32 pace, but the last 2 miles were 9:07 and 9:04.  The weather has been really weird here this week.  The tropical storm out in the gulf has made it seem like Sept., not July. So, we had a nice breezy treat this am.
Sun - needed some extra recovery so today was an easy 2 mile walk.

A good week of training which included 35 miles of running, 6.4 miles biking, 2 miles walking, a yoga class,  2 days of arm weights, and some sporadic stretching/yoga poses.

Random thoughts!
*today was an easy 5 mile run - while running I was thankful for having an easy, breezy training run.  I started the run just after 9:00 am - I was thankful for being able to start late too.  My mind also ran across the thought that I am thankful that I can "have, and fully enjoy" my easy days of training.  I read, hear, and see people who train hard every day, or maybe they do have an easy day, but they HATE it.  I am VERY thankful that I really enjoy my hard days, and I LOVE my easy days too.  Thankful for balance in my training.

*this weekend I spent some time planning my fall schedule.  It's an optimistic schedule for several reasons.  It's optimistic in that I am hoping I can afford to go to and travel to a Dec. marathon.  It's also optimistic in the plan itself.  I am once again upping the training.   If my life allows (????), I will go up to 70 miles this fall, and run several 70 mile weeks.  I wonder why as a 40 something year old runner it seems that I am SO VERY driven to run higher mileage, more quality,  and apparently seeking "the fine line."   That, to me, is the sad part of running.  If you are "driven", it seems that you keeping driving until you finally go off the cliff.  I am hoping for very mild "signals" and "the common sense" to cut back before going over the cliff.  BUT, I am also excited about the possibility of reaching new training heights.

* found my "like" of the treadmill again.  I think it was back in 2007 that my brother and sister-in-law were SO nice to give me their treadmill.  That year, I used it fairly often and enjoyed the change of pace.  Then in 2008, we did a total remodel of our house, so we totally emptied the house,  and we remodel the house from front to back, ceiling to floor.  It took a full year to complete the remodel.  When we finally moved back in, I hated running on the dreadmill.   I used it from time to time, when it was lightning, or if it was dark and I didn't want to go outside to run, but it was a total struggle to use it.  Now that I am upping my mileage again, I am finding it nice to have another resource for training.   Sometimes it is nice to get involved in a show on TV, and just let the miles pass, or to try to get involved in a show so a tempo run quickly passes by.  I am totally excited that my dreadmill is now back to my treadmill, once again - a useful tool.

*this summer I have learned to run later in the morning and it's not bad at all.  I will be honest, I learned it because I have become lazy and I need more coffee before I get out the door, but at the same time, I am excited that I can run at a later time in the morning and not suffer.  Today, I started my run at 9:10 am.  It was 82 degrees with the real feel at 94.  It was a great run.  It was partly cloudy, breezy and nice.

I love this time of year.  I have totally adjusted to the heat, and  I started planning my fall marathon plan/race.  I totally get excited about the training ahead.   I am drawn to the marathon.  It has a strong pull that most of you will identify with.  I keep saying I will concentrate on my 5k training and try to PR in the 5k, but I always get pulled back into marathon training before I can get the 5k training done.  I do plan to continue July and most of Aug., with my shorter speed work, and I will run some 5k's, but I already feel  my marathon training will take over, before I have the opportunity (with cooler weather) to PR in the shorter distance.   And you know what....that's OK.

As my friend over at Frayed Laces says:

 (I just love it!)
 So I will continue with my aggressive marathon plan until I need to adjust.