Super Happy Fun Long Awaited Update

Is coming later today...I SWEAR!

Editors Note:  I clearly lied here and appologize for my terrible job at blogging over the last month.  I have been very busy with work and other things, but should have updated by now.  I will do my best to get something put together that recaps my last 4 weeks.  Sorry to all my loyal readers...although I don't really there are any left!

Race Report: Ursula Rains Balboa Boogie 5k

Results:  8th place, 15:46.

I really didn't know what to think about this race so I went in to it attempting to run a fast time for once.  I didn't wear a watch and didn't hear any splits but ended up hitting a decent time by simply racing.  From all accounts my splits looked something like 4:52, 10:15.  That is probably the fastest mile I have run in about 2-3 years and the same goes for the 2 mile time, so I have to be happy that I was able to handle it and still finish well.  That also means I was sub 5min for the final mile as well, which is great.  

As far as the race itself I was happy and disappointed at the same time.   I ran about where I should have, however I only came in 8th which means that it was a fairly stacked race.  Unfortunately at least a couple of the top guys weren't even there, meaning that the championship race in November should be a tough battle for the top 10.  

The team was 2nd, which gives us 2 first places and a second place.  That ties us for first currently, meaning no matter what really happens the winner of the series will be the winner of the championship race.

In other news Dianna won, although her foot is still bothering her.  Hopefully she can get that fixed because she has a perfect 300 points (3 wins) and leads the series.  It was also excited this week because Jeff and Matt came down and ran, although Jeff only ran it as a workout, and on top Mario was here to cheer and take pictures!

The series is actually fairly deep this year.  Here are the updated Dirt Dog Series Standings:

Individual Standings

Team Standings

Training Summary: September 29 - October 5

Monday 9/29 - 9mi, 63:40, easy solo through La Jolla.

Tuesday 9/30 - 9mi, 61:20, with Garrett on the bay.

Wednesday 10/1 - AM 4+mi, with the Mizuno guys in San Luis Obispo

PM 7mi, easy on the bay with the Wednesday Movin Shoes group

Thursday 10/2 - 10+mi, 68:50, easy solo on the bay.

Friday 10/3 - 10+mi, 69:45, easy solo on the bay with 6X100 strides.

Saturday 10/4 - 3mi warmup, Balboa Boogie 5k race, 4mi cooldown.  See race recap.

Sunday 10/5 - 16mi, 1:54:15, easy on the bay with Mills and then 6mi through La Jolla to finish.  With about 3mi to go I got one of the worst side stitches ever and it made the run very rough to finish.

Summary: 75mi, 7 days.  Much better week than last.  Unfortunately no "workouts" but I got in a great race on Saturday.  I was pretty happy with this week and I think I can bump up next week back to 80mi again.  I think the decision is to race twice more for Cross Country (Cougar Challenge 8k and the San Diego USATF Championship).  After that I am going to bump the mileage up again through the New Year and give a run at a Half Marathon in January, most likely the Carlsbad Half-Marathon.  Until then, time to keep the mileage up and keep getting stronger.

Training Summary: September 22 - 28

Monday 9/22 - 9mi easy, tired from the race/long run.

Tuesday 9/23 - off, planned day off although my right ankle is sore.

Wednesday 9/24 - off, ankle still hurts, not too worried but an additional precautionary day off.

Thursday 9/25 - 6mi, easy test run to see how the leg felt.  Looks like I should be good to go from now on.

Friday 9/26 - 10+mi, 69:35, easy solo on the bay.

Saturday 9/27 - 10mi, 67:25 easy solo on the bay.

Sunday 9/28 - 16.2mi, 1:48:55, felt pretty decent but not great.  Legs are a little thrown off from taking the low days this week.

Summary:  ~51mi, 5 days.  It was a pretty crappy week with having to take the two days off.  I think what happened was that I tweaked my foot at the race on some of the tight turns.  It felt fine by the end of the week and still averaged over 10mi for the 5 days that I ran.  Hopefully next week will be better.  Legs definitely got a little messed up with the days off and the were sore after the long run.

Busy Busy

I haven't posted in about 2 weeks, but it has been a really busy time.  Since my last post I have been traveling for work, running, hanging out with Mario on his visit here and watching some great Boston sports!  I plan on updating tonight with a race recap from this past weekend and a recap of the last 2 weeks training.  Until then...