Winding down this week...

This week is flying by, and it's crazy to think that my taper starts next week! I've been reading so much stuff about Boston online, and basically absorbing as much information as I can. This year's race for the elites should be amazing again, as the field is absolutely stacked! Just read the 4 time Boston champion Robert Cheruiyot is out for this year's race because of injury - when he is healthy and in shape, he has proven to be one of the greatest runners out there, so this is good news for the rest of the field. Found Ryan Hall's blog coming into this marathon, which I thought was pretty interesting. Also, an analysis on what kind of race Hall might run this year - I hope he goes out aggressive. That is the type of runner he is and if he is having a good day and feeling well, then you have to consider Hall a legitimate threat to win.

Running this week has gone ok for the most part. Ran with the Big River Group on Monday - did the 7 mile loop around South City with a few other runners and Crystal. Perfect night to run, in the 60's, and sunny. Pretty scenic running through the neighborhoods and surrounding community. Didn't really push it at all because of tired legs, and had good conversation with the people we ran with. Always nice to run with a group - everyone there is super nice, and I plan on doing again soon. Total mileage: 7 miles - guessing we averaged around 8:20-8:30 miles.

Missed Tuesday's run all together, and just switching off days with Friday. Yesterday, got out after work to do my scheduled track work. Weather was HOT, high 70's/low 80's, sunny, and super windy. Did 2 up to the track, then jumped into the 800's. Felt ok, but was struggling a little with the heavy winds. Encountered some problems with the family that was hanging out on the track. On my 1st rep, there was a kid that kept drifting into the fast lane, so had to avoid him on every lap. 2nd rep, his mom and daughters decide to start walking on the track (seriously who hangs out at a middle school track, go to a park or something!!!). Of course, the mother picks the fast lane to walk in, and the kids are running all around everywhere. Absolutely collide into one of the kids, the mother shoots me a dirty look (wtf), she refuses to give up the fast lane so I have to avoid her again. 3rd rep, more of the same - narrowly missed a bad collision with one of the kids, clip another one, and almost nailed the third. The mother is now in between lanes as I approached her, so I call "on your right" and what does she do? Moves right into me. Another dirty look from her (seriously, wtf). God forbid a runner is actually using running facilities to work out! I was obviously losing this battle, so do a quick 4th rep (zig-zagging everywhere, mind you), and gave up. Jogged back home, did 2 more miles with a few surges in there to make up for the abbreviated workout. Legs were pretty dead - stretching and corework afterwards, dinner at Pat and Crystal's to end my night. Total mileage: 8 miles - 800 splits were: 2:57 (absolutely screwed up the 2nd lap, went through 400 at 1:24), 2:51, 2:52, 2:49.

Pretty aggravated at dealing with all that yesterday, may just be doing track work late at night from now on to avoid these headaches. Lots of easy mileage the rest of this week, last 20 on Saturday, and getting closer and closer to taper time!!!