It's all relative

Solo long run on the clearwater/belleair/sand key bridges area. Loved this run, but need to run with people or my pace is way too leisurely. Finally committed and kept the last 12 miles in the 7:30 range.

Today is the day that I finally beat my Garmin watch. I've always wondered if I'd ever run long enough for it to shut off, and thanks to its advanced age, it finally died on a run before I did.

Score:
Garmin: 1,000+
Me: 1

Suck it, watch.

Warmup laps, then beep test for fun with the kids. We then played indoor soccer for cardio (thunderstorm/rain). After practice finally got to run a nice 7-miler. Very slow.

Ran 2 sets of 4 x 800s with 200 rest in between each item and 400 between each set with Drew and Lee. Lee took it easy today and hung back a bit, so it was just Drew and I, really. Although warm, I felt like I ran alright, so the dewpoint must not be too terrible yet. All were in between 2:34 and 2:40, with the last one in at 2:38.

Drew was a big help as always. I really missed the competitive edge of our group, since we've had different running schedules the last couple of weeks, so it was nice to re-kindle it a bit. Hopefully it grows, I really think our group could start running some special times and giving some even better efforts. Today was a ton of fun, plain and simple.

PM run after track practice.

Then gym for some 5x5s with focus on lats, bis, traps, deltoids, rhomboids, and then some good old fashioned planks to finish it off.

Day off, had conferences in the morning, track meet, then long drive home. Figured I'd have trouble fitting it in, but it's good to have a break. Just makes me more excited for tomorrow!

I had a fun warmup in the drizzling rain, which eventually cleared. I was not too excited to be running on wet brick, but figured I'd only have to worry about it for the first quarter mile or so. This event had a ton of runners from our run group: Joe, Quint, Drew, and a surprise entry with Wendy and Sean. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw him. I was very excited for him to have the opportunity to be racing again even if he is still recovering a bit, I know he missed competing.

The start line looked quite formidable for a local 5k, and the course is generally short by about 0.05 or 0.06, so I knew it would be fast. I knew Drew would be absolutely ready to rock, but was interested to see if anyone else would be there. I shouldn't have been surprised, but Sean G. ran out to a quick lead and a small group of 8 or so of us followed. When the dust settled at about mile 1, there were only about 4 of us remaining. My watch was being funky because of the tall buildings, and although I was hoping for 5:14 per mile, I decided to just run by feel. Fortunately Drew took charge by mile 2, and although I never looked back, I felt the other 2 runners drop well off by then.

Drew was an incredible help from this point forward. I just focused on his pace, my breathing, and on my form. Without him, I don't think I would have achieved any improvements today in my 5k running, so I was more than thankful. With about a half mile to go, I felt pretty good, but the gap had widened considerably to about 11-12 seconds. I had a fleeting though about making a hard push, but fortunately thought better of it. I just tried to maintain the distance, my focus and form. Although I had dreams of closing the gap, I definitely didn't have any extra speed in me despite feeling alright. It really was an odd feeling.

The end was a whirlwind. I was very happy for Drew and myself, and then seeing Quint and Sean finish in the top 6 was pretty exciting and put me over the top for a bit. I had a flashing moment where I hoped we'd all eventually be pushing each other at full speed to get better. I never was on a running team, but it evidently causes these flashes and/or seizures. Who knew?

Lots of fun- now if only it was a certified course...

Race notes: almost got beat down by a large man who I had apparently walked backed into. Fortunately, cooler heads prevailed. Also, tried to pick up Drew's award to give to him as well, but they lady I think though I was going to steal it. As a white, affluent male, this is a normal expectation, so I'm used to it. We're all thieves up to debauchery.

AM: 11 miles on the Dunedin Causeway and trail.

PM: 3 ish mile shakeout run before lifting on the treadmill

Gym: 5 x 5 chest: flys (60lbs), decline press (60), tricep: pulldown (110), dips, shoulders: overhead press (70), T's and I's, rotator cuff: in and outs on the fly machine (20-25), abs: planks, side planks, side-to-sides with 25s