urope for the last 2 weeks of August, an unbelievable experience. When we got back, I barely had time to adjust from jet lag before I was thrown back into the fire breathing dragon of everyday work, getting re-engaged in everything I had held at bay. My plan to let my legs 'recover' during our trip was kind of a silly prospect, seeing as we probably walked 100miles and hiked for 7hours high into the Alps , covering some serious ground in 2 weeks. However, nothing compares to running, but running. So, the time away from pounding the pavement and structured running schedules was more of a vacation of the mind than the legs. When we left I was physically drained but over the course of the trip the desire for beating the street and gasping for breath returned and I was anxious to get started on my 14week marathon regime.I started back slowly, running every other day during the first week, putting in around 30miles and feeling great. My training schedule has been in full force for the past 2 weeks now, and I haven't skipped a beat or missed a single objective. The schedule funnels all my high summer mileage into a more concentrated effort of speed work, incorporating track days and lots of interval workouts, running everyday, with faster long runs on the weekends. The idea being that your body has become used to enduring 50-60mile weeks, now it's time focus on maintaining speed over distance.
One of my first objectives was a 5K race aimed at 18:45. On a rainy Dallas morning, Sept 12th, my Mom & Dad accompanied me to the Dallas 5k 'Sprint for Cancer' in Los Calinas. It was definitely not ideal conditions for a 'personal record' attempt. Although, I felt confident and all indicators lead me to believe that I would hit the mark. The course was fast, despite the weather and a couple of sharp turns, and any real competition was scant, but I held my own against 3 steady rivals and crossed the line in 19:03, 2nd place overall, 6:10pace. I was super excited, considering a few years ago the thought of ever running a sub20 5k was unimaginable.
So, with 12 weeks to go until the 'show down' at the Dallas White Rock Marathon, training is going as planned. Angie has been up at the local high school track with me @ 5AM once a week for interval training, warming up with me, clocking my splits, and screaming out words of encouragement with the passing of each heart gasping monotonous loop.
I've scheduled 2 more races before Dec to help stay motivated and to gauge where my speeds at, Kansas City Half-Marathon Oct 17 & Pilgrim Pacer Half-Marathon Nov 15)
“To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.”
-Steve Prefontaine
A few pics of Europe....
Amsterdam
Gimmelwald - Switzerland
Florence
Antwerp, Belgium
Cinque Terre, Italy - Vernazza
