shout outs

Hello readers,

Well, I am about to start base week seven. Finally, I can say that I feel like I am in decent shape. There might be some of you out there rolling your eyes saying I was already in shape, and that is kind of true, but this past week there was a breakthrough of importance. Sure, it is one thing to be able to run a lot of miles, but it takes something more to run a workout. Up until this last week, as described in previous posts, all of my workouts had been a struggle. I had completed them all, but each rep was painful, filled with lactic acid, and seemed the length of at least a tenk. However, on Tuesday I was feeling pretty good during our usual warm up and I had some optimism, but I did not want to get too eager to speed around the track. 

We started the workout with one time 1600 meters at around 5:45. I told myself if this 1600 felt difficult then I still was not quite in shape because in my past I had run mile repeats under six and it wasn't too bad. In fact, I really usually like mile repeats. After two laps something new had happened. There was no usual surge of lactic acid that I had been experiencing when I did anything under 6 minute pace. Although I thought it was too good to be true, it continued and I felt good all the way through. To my surprise the 800 repeats after this felt good too. I had finally gotten over the wall. The wall of fitness one might say. In addition to that I was able to cool down without a side stitch!

Later in the week I did a tempo run with a teammate which really improved the tempo experience. I had not realized how difficult running tempos solo can be. Overall, my new development has been going well and I am really enjoying the group experience. I hope for the progress to continue.

In honor of feeling so cheerful about running, I would like to do a toast or "cheers" to some random runners I have encountered recently or in the past that have "added" to my running experience so to speak.

~To the man that I periodically pass on the trail that listens to his ipod without headphones and it always seems to be Katy Perry...here's to you.

~To the girl who I passed on the trail the other day who ominously yelled "look out for the bees" as she ran by...I thank you?

~To the man that I used to resent for parking side ways in a parking space, but now like because he says hi to me...I like your bandanna

~To all the people who wear headphones and don't hear my coming and then yell "Oh you scared me!"...you asked for it.

~To the people on the trail who stare at you but don't smile...although I have already addressed this...stop being a meanie.

~But really, to all the people out there running, here's to you.

Dashing and Disney

Hello readers, fellow athletes/harriers if you will,

I have returned from our family's grand trip to DisneyWorld. It was awesome, but I'll get there. First, a training update. The week before we left for our Disney trip things had been going really smoothly and I had been racking up the mileage with little problem. However, this smooth progress came to a screeching halt the Friday before our trip. I was scheduled to do a tempo run...which I did, but boy was it ugly. The day before I had done seven miles at about 7:10 pace and felt pretty decent, but I was sore. This was nothing too surprising, until Friday. I had been reluctant to get to the trail where I planned to run and this is kind of typical when my body is feeling tired. However, I knew that I was going to go so I hopped in the car and got to the trail. Once I was there I began a roughly eight minute warm up for two miles and that's when I knew this was not going to go well. I always try and stay optimistic so I told myself that once I had warmed up I would be ready. Hmm...kinda wrong. The objective of the tempo was to start at 6:55 and drop ten seconds every mile for five miles. After roughly two miles on pace I literally could hardly move. It was a combination of that jelly feeling you get after speed work and a literal feeling that my legs did not want to move back and forth anymore. This was a new feeling for me. I have been tired before, but not like this. However, I knew I to finish, especially if I wanted to get back to my car. So I sucked it up and went on. It was awful. I got through but not without some groaning and thoughts of despair. Once the actual tempo was over I could hardly move and managed a shuffle of a mile and a half cool down. There was rejoicing when I made it to the car. Needless to say, the "easy run" the next day was not easy and included much sweating and side cramps, but alas I made it.

While I was very frustrated, now I am somewhat glad that Sunday I was not feeling well and could not complete my long run so I had a day off which I think wound up being really good for my body. Training continued at Disney, but was a little lack luster. It may be surprising to some of you that Disney characters do not join you while you are running. In fact, I was kind of shocked that I felt like I was the only person running...at least at our resort. This location was not ideal for running, so most running consisted of several small loops within the resort. Some people were shocked at my presence and others were amused. ASIDE from running Disney World was awesome. This was my first trip to the place and it was super fun. Day one was mostly travel but then my pal Jess Y (Best of Jess fame) and I hit up Hollywood studios for an evening of fun where we did the Tower of Terror, Star Tours, and the Rockin Roller Coaster (Starring Aerosmith...but they weren't there).

 Day two my family and Jess went to the Magic Kingdom which was massive and really cool. Our first stop was at the President's Hall of Fame where there was much debate (among ourselves) over whether the President's were real humans or robots...they were indeed robots. Almost as shocking as when I found out Salem the cat from Sabrina was not real. We also waited FOREVER to go to The Haunted Mansion. Apparently Jess had realized that this was not an actual roller coaster, but my brother and I did not. Needless to say this was annoying and kind of funny when we realized. We rode the tea cups with my mom which she enjoyed, but made me a tad nauseous. Later Jess and I were the last one's left and so we went to further explore and got on the Turbo...tower...something like that. It is this ride where you get in a rocket and it spins you in circles.The rockets are not that big. Most times adults get their own rocket while one child and one adult can ride together, but don't worry Jess and I were basically forced to ride together. After that Jess and I did some type of Buzz light year shooting game. Jess, my brother and I had dinner together at the House of Blues where we had a Mickey drawing contest. I will not disclose who won (I used to want to be an artist...). After dinner Jess and I ventured back to the park while a torrential downpour took place. While most people fled the scene we forged on and got on all the best rides with little wait. SPACE MOUNTAIN awesome. Front seat baby. Thunder Mountain, also good. We also got sweet ponchos.

Day three was my least favorite park day...sorry everyone. Animal Kingdom...my mom and brothers favorite. However, there was an awesome ride...EXPEDITION EVEREST. First you wind through a building talking all about the Yeti. Then you travel up to Everest where you go backwards (scariest part) and then plunge down. It was the coolest and the gift shop had such cute yeti stuffed animals. After that we did a couple of little safari things and watched monkeys clean each other before the rain began and we headed back to the hotel. Later that night Jess and I hit the bar and were surprised to find it packed with families singing along to the resort favorite singer and piano player: Yeehaw Bob. Quite a hoot.

Day four was unfortunately hurricane whether so we did not get to go to EPCOT. This was disappointing but    we were all tired and so we napped and watched tv and such. I hit up the gift shop for some stellar souvenirs. Later Jess and I went to downtown Disney to check out the shops and gorged on desserts including my Mike (from Monster's Inc.) Cake eyeball. We also went to the LEGO land shop. So awesome.

That concludes my trip ladies and gents. Hope you enjoyed reading.