Has it really been over a week?

Wow, I promise I haven't been slacking off on the training even though the blogging has been a little weak.  It's been a whole week since my last report.  And really, that's what this is...YOU keeping ME accountable to keep training!  It's too bad that I don't even have pictures to share with you.  I guess words will have to do.

Last Sunday, February 27, Nick and I started out on our 8 mile run.  He hadn't run all week, so we thought it might be a little rough.  I gave us a "goal" of 9:30/miles with the understanding that if we didn't make that, it was ok.  I always have to have a goal to shoot for.  Otherwise, I feel like I'm wasting my time!  Well, we got to mile 4, and Nick's IT Bands starting hurting pretty badly.  Now I don't have trouble with my IT Bands, but a lot of runners that I know do, so I did a little research just to understand where they are and why it is so difficult to stretch them.  Here's a picture for your own education if you don't already know what they look like and where they are located (Iliotibial Band).  With him hurting pretty badly, we walked for 30 seconds and then ran a bit more.  After a couple more stops, we decided that I would split off at our turn, and he would walk to where my road would join his.  My route added an extra mile or so.  We ended up meeting at the other end and then finished the 8 miles.  With the walking, our time had dropped to 9:54/miles, so while I was by myself, I cranked up the pace to bring the total run back down to 9:29/miles.  I thought that was ok for the run since we had a couple stops along the way.

Monday, Wednesday and today, I spent some time riding the bike on my trainer.  I love riding so much, and I can't wait till the weather is a bit better so I can get out on the roads.  This summer is going to rock!

On Tuesday, Jennifer and I did 4.5 miles in some neighborhoods around the school.  It was really nice to run with her.  She's such a cool chic, and I'm one lucky guy to be married to her!!!  She pushed herself, and we ended up running at 10:55/miles.  By the way, her goal for the Holy Half is to run it under 2 1/2 hours.  That means she has to do it under 11:27's.  I'm proud of her, and I know she'll do it without any trouble!

Yesterday, Jenn and I did a track workout.  We went to the local high school's track for the first time and realized that it is a really nice track.  I don't know what it is made of, but it sort of feels like you are running on a trampoline.  The surface is super absorbant and "bouncy."  We did 8x400's.  My goal was to be able to keep my speed throughout the whole workout within 30 seconds.  The first 400 was running at 6:19's.  Well, they all went really well, and the last one was at 6:45's, so that means that I met my goal!  Hoorah!  These track workouts seem to really help my speed on the long runs.

Sunday, Jenn and I will be running 9 miles.  It sounded like Nick is going to pass on this long run, so that means I'm running by myself.  It'll be really nice to just do my pace and push myself.  This year, one of my goals is to learn how to suffer.  I want to be able to have the mental toughness to push through anything...pain, itches, boredom, laziness, more miles.  I try to push myself mentally in everything I do, and I fell like it's paying off.  I guess we'll see how 9 miles by myself feels!