Addicted to running

 Mercedes Half Marathon

I was dreading this race all week.  My runs during the week seemed to take a lot out of me and I was just mentally and physically tired of running.  I got to Birmingham with about a hour till race time.  I decided to not do any warm up miles.  I figured I would take it easy at the start.  I ran the first 2 miles around 8:15 pace and after a quick bathroom stop I felt good.  The course is pretty hilly and they really took there toll on me early in the race.  I found a second wind about the halfway mark and sped up a little.  My fastest mile was mile 12 and it was 6:52.  I was happy it was over and I had a really good time.  

Winter Winds 2 Mile     13:25    33/241 overall    5/18 age group

I decided to run this race after I finished the half.  I felt pretty good and I wanted to get in one more long run before Mt Cheaha.  Plus the 4 mile race was my first ever race in 2008.  I got home from Birmingham around 11:30 and rested until about 12:30 and decided to leave to head to Huntsville.  I got there and got registered and waited in the truck until race start.  I did 1 mile warm-up to see how my legs felt.  They felt pretty good so I decided I would push the 2 mile race.  I ran the first mile in 7:01 and the second mile in 6:20.  I felt good about the race and would like to race it serious one day on fresh legs.

Winter Winds 4 Mile      30:54    47/199 overall  5/14 age group

After the 2 mile race, I knew that the 4 mile race would be a struggle.  I suffered the whole time and I slowed my pace to around 7:40 and just tried to finish.  I had to walk once on a hill.  I was tired of hills by this point so I walked to the top and then resumed running.  I finished in 30:53 I think.  I was pleased with that.  After the race I got a little something to eat and left to come home.  I probably should of knew better about doing all the races but I decided to go for it. 

0 miles today.  I did a 30 stretch routine.  Then I used the foam roller.  Legs feel really good now.

4 miles on the treadmill on my lunch break.  Legs felt great.  When I got off work I did core work and a stretch routine.  I also used the foam roller.

4 miles on the treadmill on my lunch break.  After work I did core work and a stretch routine.

4 miles on the treadmill at work.  Thought about running after work, but had to stay late.

0 miles.

I was really exited to run this race.  I ran this race last year, and loved it.(It was my first trail run last year)  I wanted to start fast so I could get ahead on the trail.  The first 2.5 miles are uphill on a gravel road and it helps spread the runners out.  I hit the trail and I felt good at first but I got really fatigued.  I couldn't get into a groove the first 6 miles.  I would run a little and then walk a little.  I tried to stay with the guy in front of me, but he wasn't walking so he soon left me.  I continued to feel bad and I got passed by four guys running together.  I heard them coming and stepped off the trail to let them pass.  At the first aid station I stopped and ate a few pretzels and when I started running again I felt better.  I was able to catch up to someone and ran with him for a while.  I followed him for about 1.5 miles and he started to walk and let me pass.  I seen a guy up ahead on the trail so I focused on catching up to him.  I finally caught him and he let me pass.  I was hoping he wouldn't do that because I pushed harder so I wouldn't slow him down.  I pushed a little and looked back and he wasn't there.  I continued to run hard and passed one more guy.  He was the last person I seen on the trail.  I kinda like having someone ahead of me during a race, so I run harder.  Towards the end of the trail I was walking the uphills and running the flats and downhills.  I was running low on water about this time so I was happy to see the aid station on the gravel road.  I drank a cup of poweraide and ate a few chips and started running.  I could see a lady up ahead and I wanted to catch her before the finish.  I ran the last 2.5 miles around 7:15 pace.  I caught her with around 1 mile to go.  When I got to the bridge I kicked it in to under 7:00 pace and pushed as hard as I could to the finish.  As soon as I caught my breathe I took my shoes off to check my feet for blisters.  I could feel one on my big toe during the race but I ended up with 3 total.   It was well worth it though I had a blast.