And so it goes...

It's been rather hectic last 3 weeks. Life in general threw down a few things at once (don't they say those come in three's?), and it affected emotions and time management. Fitting runs in wasn't a priority, but it happened nevertheless, and with 3 weeks of 60 miles and last week hitting 70 I am concluding this first "almost training" cycle of the season. Why almost? There was no speed work, no hill workouts, but I did get done a handful of tempo runs, and 3 long runs progressing from 20 to 25 to 30 miles respectfully - and all those went far better than expected. It's been getting cooler lately, and surprisingly early for TX so. Past week we woke up to 60F and only reached mid-80's during a day, which felt downright cold for my heat-adapted body (as much as I despised heat). Funny how it is. Back in OR I would consider these temps a heat wave and heat training:)) Heck, I even managed to catch a cold, with which I woke up today! Thankfully, I am entering a taper. Yes, a full 2 weeks taper. Last week was rather strenuous, especially the tail end of it, with a tempo (and 2 min PB on a particular route) on Thursday, a heavy weight room hour Friday morning, another tempo at 4pm (with another 4 min PB on that another route) and Bikram to add same day (I missed Bikram those 2 weeks, the only workout I had to forgo during time constrain). On Saturday I woke up at 4am sore like don't remember when, and had 30 miles at Bastrop planned. I managed to fall on the very first downhill, the only rockiest spot on this park's trail, and banged up my knees, but was mostly surprised than hurt (it helped that in the dark I couldn't see the damage). First 2 loops went rather well and in time I promised myself, but by the next I felt like a train wreck - and it only got worse. How I held the time I don't know, and the last loop was simply a miracle, but I did, with a couple of thoughts punctuating my brain to keep me going - one was that it is the last 30 mile training run till December (with other races serving the purpose), and that I, indeed, tend to train much harder than race. I was thinking why that is. What I think is that when I train - it is for me only, and I am the only one to judge. It is impossible to lie to oneself, to impress oneself, to complain...you get the idea. Once the race comes, there are expectations, other people's predictions, and such, and while it all done in good faith, it is daunting, and raises rebel, or a freight, or some other feelings besides just doing hard work. Anyhow, I was done with my run, and, crippled, drove back home, showered and jumped in a car for a family adventure to San Antonio for the rest of the day. It was fun, and a lot of enjoyment - surely on my part. Sunday I did the usual social gathering - ran an hour to meet the local group for a run, and as always, there was a bunch of great folks, with awesome conversations flowing and a little race-like repeats between stops to wait up for all and regroup. We pick on each other, talk smack and make wages, and sometimes give advice and share wisdom. I am glad I started joining this group when tried to slowly come back to running after a burn out, and now it fits my schedule rather well - I do a harder run before I meet with them, then run fartlek and socialize simultaneously. We are hoping to head into a much better time stretch beginning this week (although I have a presentation at work on Thursday that is stressful) and finish it with a bang - I am turning 41 on Saturday! Woohoo! I guess:))