Long update...

Let's blaze through this update, I have been running around like a mad man trying to prepare for the holiday week, and in Peoria to hang out with the family for the week. Here's a great article from the Wall Street Journal on Meb. A very interesting local story on local elite runner Zac Freudenberg who recently set the world record in running a marathon with a baby stroller - he ran it in 2:32 with baby Liam, and beat out the former world record holder by 2 minutes! And by the way, he won the overall race too :)

Friday, very crazy day. Got home from work, got in a quick 4 mile run to make up for the crappy beginning of the week. Just did a loop around the neighborhood which was hilly, but never pushed too hard and felt solid all the way around. Total mileage: 4 miles - time ran was 23:33. Stretched, then headed to South County to pick up my new car! I bought a black 2009 Nissan Altima, absolutely beautiful :) I love the car, and it is awesome - not much more to be said.


Had a few celebratory beers with Nick, then crashed out early. Saturday morning, woke up bright and early to do a long run with Crystal and Mike. Met at Crystal's - weather was nice and sunny and cool, and felt awesome. Did the Glen Carbon trail, and started out fine and slow. Felt good, but the Crystal decided we should navigate the hilly Meridian Hill route (blah!), which was not expected. Could feel us pushing the hills, and our splits were getting faster. I tried in vain to yell at Paula Radcliffe/Crystal to slow down, but never really succeeded. Kept getting faster and faster, and I finally gave up and went with it. Legs weren't feeling that bad, but not great either, and I knew it was only going to get better once we did the 4 nasty miles on Meridian. Finally got off the trail, got a second wind and started to cruise. Was pretty much locked in at this point. Could feel the pace slow down on the 11th mile, but pushed it at the end to finish strong. Legs felt good, but probably couldn't have done much more. Total mileage: 12 miles - splits were: 8:46, 8:02, 8:12, 8:21, 7:54, 7:55, 7:36, 7:29, 7:30, 7:36, 7:47, 7:18.

Happy with the workout, but was harder than anticipated. Hung out with Pat and Crystal for a while, then had a quiet evening at home. Sunday, went and played golf with a couple buddies on an absolutely gorgeous day. Played arguably my best round of the year, and had a great time. Didn't get in a run, but walked a ton on a hilly golf course so got in some cross training. Hit 31 miles this week, wish it was more. Monday, worked a short day, then hit the trail for a quick run. Weather was overcast and cool, and windy. Hit the trails towards Troy, made it a point not to push it at all and just let my body get in a good rhythm without too much stress. First couple miles were ok, 3rd was dead into a wind which sucked. Came back home and could feel my body wanting to go, but restrained myself. On the 5th mile, let myself speed up a bit but to the point where I was totally fine and could easily conversate with someone - last mile, just let my legs have fun and take off. Breezed through the last mile, felt so easy. Very pleased to see a great split to end the run. Total mileage: 6 miles - splits were: 7:33, 7:30, 7:44, 7:28, 7:08, 6:38.

Hung out with Pat and Crystal for dinner, ping pong, and wii, then home to bed. Woke up this morning to another overcast, crappy day, and got in a quick morning run despite my body begging me not to. Did a quick 4 on the trails, nothing special to note other than I felt pretty good and ran pretty slow. Drove home to Peoria, ate a crapload of food, then set out for an evening workout. Wanted to do track work, but it was raining so settled for hill work since the roads around my parent's house are pretty hilly. Did 1 out easy in the rain, found a nice hill a little less than a quarter mile long, then did repeats. Once again, nothing special to note - made it a point to not overly push it, try to keep good form, and just run smart. The reps went flying by, and definitely felt like it wasn't too bad of a workout. Did roughly 4 miles, felt great.

This week, will probably hit 2-a-days when I am home since I will have a ton of time to do so, then gear back for a good long run tentatively scheduled with Ken and Crystal.