Into the Final Stretch

First, the results are in and the mountain passes behind them. Great job at Leadville! Jamie Donaldson finished an amazing race in second place. According to her blog posting yesterday, she did it an hour and half better than her previous PR on the course. Super Human considering she had some physical challenges along the way. Amazed! Great inspiration for all of us Jamie. Especially, this slow DNA challenged runner. Thanks for your kind comment as well Jamie. Keep kickin!

I am sure Coleen Voeks must be pleased with her first attempt at Leadville. Posted results for her were under 30 hours. I am sure a fun race report awaits us on her blog soon.

Now my meager efforts. The month is coming to an end soon with Disney Half around the corner. My mileage for the month is near the equal of last month which ended up in the 94 mile range. Last week, somewhat like the previous, turned out busier than I had planned with a lot of realworld stuff. However, I was able to get in a 13 miler. It was not the best and in fact it was this Monday AM. Early AM. So, technically not last week.

I woke up at 1:30 AM not being able to sleep yesterday. So, got up hydrated myself and had a carbo/wheaties load. Stretched and took off. It was a muggy morning for Vegas at around 50%. A Saturday evening run was in 70% humidity range. That is very high for Vegas, but the temp was only 74. Overall, it felt good and chilly a few times. After 3-4 miles, my lack of sleep was saying hello? how are you? and what the? - are you up running this early. I gutted it out, however, finished with a not very impressive time. I will need to get in another 13 miler this week or near it just to get my confidence back up. Hit the wall hard twice. Once around 7 miles and then at 10 miles. I nearly stopped and walked at the last one. Yet, I just can't! NO matter how hard and slow it gets - I just cannot stop. Yeah, the Sister Cancer/Death thing. Just cannot stop given all she went through.

The rest of the week? Taking today off, but back kickin' early tomorrow. I will try and push an 8 miler in. Wednesday is a busy day with some youth work that night. Thursday? I need to get in some mileage in this day, but have another long day. I will shoot for a fast 5 miler. Take Friday off and Saturday will be it. Saturday, AM I will put in my last 13 miler before Disney. Cross my fingers it will be a decent effort. Next week going into the race will be easy. I will go for one-two short runs early in the week with no runs from Thursday thru the day of race (three days off at least). Will see how it all goes. Whatever happens on my Sat. AM run I will still go for it no matter. I have too. If I fall down flat on my face and have to crawl like a dog I will do it. Well, hopefully that will not be necessary (smile).

I will finish up with this though. I am getting tired. My body will need a break soon. A week - 10 days off to recover before training for the Full Marathon in December is a must right now. Maybe I can get my regular internal alarm clock back. Yet, given it all - NO INJURIES! Keep the knock on wood going. Really this is amazing to me. I have been running regularly now since last December with only a 3 three week break of not. Nothing. Just typical tweaks of pain here and there, plus stiffness. I seem to bounce back ready for each run.

PS - Did not get up this AM for previous stated 8 miler. Was putting together a new computer for my wife late last night - it is her bday this week. Then the news of Teddy Kennedy passing kept me up too late. Whatever, one thinks about him and his family; we all know he was not perfect - he still lead a remarkable life of accomplishments as a public servant. Personally speaking, I think no matter who your are. No matter your personal political soapbox - if Teddy Kennedy invited you over for just one day with him and family at Hyannis Port for a clambake or bbq - how could you turn that down?