Big Sur or Bust

SNOWPOCALYPSE 2010.  30+ inches of snow, total meyhem in Baltimore.  Appropriate time to rest an injury.  At least shoveling is a good workout.  Ouch.

Hip and shin pain = 3.25 miles and I’m done.  FML.

Shins still suck.  Had a nice run with Mt. Vernon Runners, and Jewell came with me.  They finally loosened up about 3.5 miles into a 5 mile run, but that can’t be right.  I re-laced my sneakers and am hoping my run in the morning is better.  Praying…

Terrible dreadmill day, had to jump off just shy of 3 miles because my shins were bothering me.  Headed to the boys’ house and did the P90X plyo tape with Jared; what a workout!  At least I did something, if not a lot of miles.

Slept through the team meeting this morning, although it appears I didn’t miss much.  Had plans for dinner tonight, so run is out for today.  Have to get back to it tomorrow, before I lose my mojo!

Rest day.  Ran too many errands, and by the time I got back, it was time to watch the Maryland game.  Don’t think resting my mildly sore ankle is the worst idea.

Today marks the halfway point of my training, and what a way to celebrate.  It was so cold out this morning that they almost cancelled the run, but after 3 hours of sleep (I worked last night) I dragged myself out of bed and over to HUM.  We went over to MCVET to meet the other teams and set out on this cloudy, blustery day to do the guys’ first double digit run in their half marathon training, 10 miles.  It ended up being a pretty realistic race setting: we set out slower, with the pack, which is like the bottleneck at the beginning of the race.  Then, we ended up doing exactly what my training plan said to do, which was 9 miles, 6 at pace or faster.  And we sure did that.  I ran 6 of the 10 miles between 8:00 and 8:25, and I’m thrilled with my performance.  Ended up averaging 8:30 mile pace, even with the first slow mile of 9:36, so I feel right on track to run 8:20 pace in the marathon.  I felt awesome at the end, and I got to motivate Jewell and Josh to push themselves.  It’s days like today I remember why I run with BOMF and what a special group it is.

I woke up to 8 degrees windchill and seriously considered skipping the run.  With my newfound hand issue, I wasn’t sure it was the smartest move, but I was already up so I got dressed and headed out the door.  I was surprised how many people came out despite the elements.  Mike said the max we were doing was 3 miles, and after last night’s 12 miles and the burning cold, I was okay with running a bit shorter than I intended.  I’m starting to feel the training in my legs, and was able to run very negative splits today.  8:56, 8:35, 7:38.  Super cool feeling finishing ahead of Barry and Keith :-)  I’m feeling confidant these days, that all this hard work WILL pay off.

Standard Fells Point 12 mile hill workout.  Just me and Josh, but it was a nice run just the two of us.  I’m glad he and I are friends, we make good running partners.  The wind was wicked tonight, but we toughed it out.  Glad I got the first long run in for the week, now time to eat Iggie’s and hit the sack.

As much as I tried to stretch my legs after last night’s shin/ankle cramping, I awoke with my right foot still bothering me a little.  It wasn’t enough to keep me from running, and I’m glad I did.  Met up with Jewell, Josh W. and Barry to get in 2 miles before the circle, and with both of them being sub-9s, I felt it was gonna be a fast day.  I know I need to be pushing myself more to get faster, and I don’t know what clicked, but when we set out for the 4 mile Fort Ave loop I just was on a mission.  Finished with a last mile of 7:30, felt amazing.  Pace for the 6 miles was 8:28, which is awesome.  I’m really looking forward to the rest of the week and hoping for more fast legs.