Ryan Hall, Olympic Hopeful

 Not too much to say today, I am tired and my back hurts.  Good speedwork on Tuesday.  Tomorrow is a tempo run.

I have been watching a lot of the Olympics lately.  Really pulling for Ryan Hall, hence the vid.

23 miles

Did anyone see this crazy Romanian woman last night in the Olympic Women's Marathon?  Wow she was impressive.  She led the pack by quite a distance and when she was finished, she did like 5 victory laps around the stadium with her country's flag.  Too bad for Deena Castor, the American hopeful, she dropped out early on due to a foot injury.

As for me, I was up at 3:30 am this morning in order to hit the road by 4:00 am so I could get my 23 miles in before church.  Big thanks to The Pink Flash for doing the last 10 with me.  She went above and beyond, and I needed the company.  All the miles this week have really played a toll on my legs and I had a hard time this morning.  It was a perfect morning for a run.  There was a full moon to light my way, the temp was in the high 50's, no wind, and I didn't see a single car for over an hour.  I did my country/double overpass route, so I got in some hill work.  The only thing up at that hour is some weird sounding birds.  I did really enjoy the full moon.

Well church is over, I had my ice bath (15 minutes of OMG); steak and "Peanut Butter Captain Crunch French Toast" (breakfast); steak salad (lunch); and a nice glass of merlot.  Time for a nap... 

Standing on the Promises

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."  Isaiah 41:10

What an awesome promise from God's word.  As we go through new challenges, changes, struggles, trials God promises to be right there helping us.  He is so mighty to save that He does it with only one hand!

I had to go out even earlier for my morning 9 miler today.  It is the first day of school and with that comes a new morning schedule.  Comforting to know that the Master of the universe tells me that He will strengthen me and help me.

1:38:16 Chicago Distance Classic

Hey all, I ran the CDC today and got a PR!  (Personal Record to you non-running types, also known as a PB or "Personal Best".  I like to think of it as a PB and J but that's just me.)

Anyway I am beat!  I finished in the top 9% though, so that's pretty cool.  Oddly enough, Susie saw Eric Forehand after his incredible time of 1:14.  He was the 21st finisher, wow!  Susie babysat for Eric and his sister Jenny, so it was a cool reunion.  Ote and Steve from the Cheyenne Running Club also participated in the race and exceeded their time goals.

We spent the weekend in the Windy City, and spent Saturday afternoon with our friend and fellow OAR runner, Christine and her family who live downtown.  It was a day of good food and fellowship followed by a restful evening and an early tuck in.

Susie and Chloe met me at the finish.  It was good to be done.  The weather was perfect for running, and although the 2nd half of the race was into the wind, it was a fast course.

Enough blogging for today, I have another tough week ahead of me so my rear is going to get reacquainted with my couch.  Oh, I almost forgot, my lovely wife got me a massage for Monday afternoon...ahh.

The Jasper County Hospital 5k

"Run like hell and get the agony over with." - Clarence DeMar

That about sums up Saturday's race.  I started out strong and it hurt the whole time.  I guess that means I did it right.  I beat my best 5k time by 5 seconds.  I had hoped to be faster, I guess I have to chalk it up to the heat.  I did preetty, preetty good though.  They had me listed as 7th overall although Randy Lehman (6th overall) and I ran the whole last half together and had the same time.  (Thanks Randy for running with me and keeping me going.)  It was a tough race.

Next weekend, the agony should be prolonged.  Sunday I am running in the Chicago Distance Classic, a half marathon.  I hope the Windy City is cool and not so windy, maybe just a nice breeze at my back.  The 13.1 miles should be a good training run for me.  I hope to do well as I have really been logging the miles in training.