"By failing to prepare you are preparing to fail"

5.5 miles w/ Darin at lunch (he ran 5). Sunny, 65, N10-15

AP: 7:32

Lunchtime run w/ Darin. It was a little hot and windy, but it was a good tempo run.

AP: 7:12

65F, S15

Intervals w/ Darin at lunch.

Against the wind:

1 mile warmup

400 m - 90s

800m - 3:03

.65 mile jog

With the wind:

800 m - 2:46

400 m - 1:12

800 m - 2:48

72F, S15-20, humid, cloudy

Not sure what was wrong today, but wasn't feeling it. Walked a little.

AP: 8:35

On Springbreak with my boys - ran 7.5 hilly miles on a ranch in west Texas. 80 degrees, 1 bottle of water. Was very peaceful!

Enjoyed the time away with my boys camping in west Tx and Big Bend National Park. We had fun and are glad to be home!

Very windy! 20-40mph headwind on the way out. But, on the way back...it was awesome. Ran my first sub-6:00 mile in a long time (5:58) on the last mile.

72F, humid, cloudy, 20-40 SE

Lunchtime run w/ Darin. As Darin is taking it easy, we are now getting in the habit of jogging (8:00s) the first mile, then I run farther and faster. The weather was very nice tody. Legs felt good. (the last 2 miles were 6:50 and 6:40  - I think I should be able to run a 21:00 5K. I'd like to run sub 20:00 5K in a week and a half)

AP: 7:21

59F, S7

Another, not so great day. I just felt tired. I was hoping after not running all weekend, I'd have renewed energy...but it wasn't there. I'm starting to think the new BP medication I'm on is sapping my energy. It has a diertic in it, and it's hard to keep hydrated. I'll stick with it and just drink more water daily.

AP: 8:30

75F, S10

Woke up with a cough this morning. Maybe I'm coming down with something -- I kind of hope that's what's keeping me from running my usual speeds. 

Decided to run a few at lunchtime (from home) and see what happens. Felt very tired again, and HR was elevated for the speed I was going. 

I got honked at by an angry driver on my winding country roads. I at first just waved. I was on the left shoulder -- I was in no way hindering his way. As he drove off he rolled down his window and flipped me "the bird". It really bothers me that someone would go out of their way to show their anger -- is it because I'm running? wearing shorts? in shape? I don't understand. I try to be nice and wave to all cars as they pass. I too drive a car most places -- and actually enjoy seeing people out trying to improve themselves by exercising. There will always be people out there that are just angry - or have circumstances or upbringing that makes them haters. I can't let the get to me..

Anyways, I might have to lower my expectations for Saturday's 5K race based on my lack of energy. I've got a few days to get back in shape, and will hope for the best on race morning!

 AP: 8:44

75F, S5, sunny, 80% humidity

Felt a little better, but still sluggish.

Humidity is making me not want to run. :)

AP: 7:41

75F, 80% humidity, sunny

This was the second year for this young race in my very small town. I won this race last year with a time of 20:12 (I think). I have been feeling very sluggish for the past week, and didn't know what to expect.

The morning was cool and foggy. I woke my boys early enough so that we could go to the donut store and get some pre-race carbs.

The kid's 1 mile started at 8:00AM. My boys (8 and 9) ran the fun run last year, and really enjoyed it. I stayed with my younger son for his race. He's been sick this week, and I was a little worried about him. We ended up finishing the 1.15 mile course in about 14 minutes -- lots of walk breaks. My older boy finished 4th overall...and between the two of them they placed 2nd and 3rd in the the 7-9 yr age group!

At 8:30, the 5K started. Within the first 1/4 mile, most of the kids who sprinted from the starting line dropped out, or slowed. I was in 4th place going up the incline behind 2 HS boys and 1 HS girl. By the time we reached the 1/2 mile point, I was in 2nd place, following a HS boy. He had a pretty good pace, so I just let him lead the pace. I let him stay about 80 feet ahead of me, as we continued in to the fog.

As we reached the 1/2 way point I grabbed a quick drink and maintained my 80 ft 2nd place location. At this point as we headed back, we could see the rest of the field. Nobody was particulary close..so it looked like a 2 person race for the finish. At this point I was pretty resigned to 2nd place. I hadn't had a very good week, and I knew the guy in front of me was not in my AG -- so I figured, if I just keep running I'll get first in my AG.

But, just as I was thinking those negative thoughts, we started climbing a little incline. The guy in front of me slowed a little and put his arms behind his head, as if to try to catch his breath. Hmmm...an opening. I kept my pace fairly constant and the gap closed.

I passed him with about 1/2 mile of gradual downhill to go. I really like running downhill, and I didn't look back.

I ended up winning the 2nd Annual Porcupine Promenade in 20:18 (6:32/mi) ! (I defended my title, and even though I was a few seconds slower than last year, I still retain the course record! :)

I like small races -- I know at many races my time might not even take home any AG hardware. I enjoyed the small-town race, and the time I could spend with my boys!