Double Digit Day

This weekend was great for training my legs but mentally it was the hardest struggle.

I started with the mission to break the 10mile hurdle. I wanted to do this Saturday but had no partners. I ended up doing Mt Wilson with two ultra runners. (those who love to run beyond marathon distance 30+ miles) I had to turn around at 3.5 miles due to heat; it was 90+ degrees on the mountain. My hike up and run down gave me a HARD 7 for the day. Probably the hardest run I have ever done.

Sunday morning is the club run and still sore from Saturdays challenge I pushed myself out the door and set out to do my 10 in better weather and trail conditions(flat). My "favorite" trail has become the Arroyo Trail off the Rose Bowl.

1:55:33 later I stopped my Garmin with 10.01 miles completed. One water blister and many sore msucles but I finally broke my 10mile hump.

The night I almost died!

OK not really but to know me is to love me and the little snafus I get myself in to.

I am back on the training schedule having spent more than enough time traveling, healing, sleeping, eating and drinking. The goal is to run every other day short runs minimum 3 miles with one long run in the double digits.

Tonight I ran El Prieto trail aka I hate this, what the hell am I doing, thank god I didn't break my ankle, fall off the cliff or get poison ivy trail. It was 6 miles total and Ellen (a fellow snail) was my shining star. She actually is always my shining star for trail runs.

I came to two resolutions this evening as I was cursing my fellow runners who started after me and still ran past me...

1. There are going to be many times where I don't like the runs but I have to do them. It's training and the sooner I do them, the sooner it will be done!

2. (most important) I don't have to learn to master trails in the dark. This is why I am running Chicago...elevation 25 feet with no hills!

6 months and counting...

WELCOME to my first attempt at being techy.

I wanted to set this up so friends and family can see my training progress as well as a personal diary for myself. Hopefully it will provide little inspiration moments when needed. It also will make me accountable for my progress.

My goal of running the 2008 Chicago Marathon is slowly becoming reality.
Registration and hotel reservations have been made.
Airline ticket coming soon. (thanks to all my work travels for getting me a free ticket)
I have my Snails Pace Running Club Uniform and a great new pair of running shoes.

So now what???

Today I ran the Arroyo Trail with Steph. 8 miles in 1hr 30 minutes. (we stopped twice for bathroom breaks)

This week I am in Salt Lake City and hope to get some short distance runs in St. George and Park City.