30's Monday, July 23.

Hello folks,<br><br>
Late check in. Internet is out at home. It's torture! The first available repair appt isn't till Sat. Till then, I will be stuck on the apt. complex business center computer to check email and such.<br><br>
Anywho, got groceries in the car, but I did go to the gym. Off day from running, but I tried out the Mon spin class. She had great music! Included some Depeche Mode and U2 (made me imagine it was <b>Theia</b> teaching! <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"> ) She's gonna make a copy of the disc for me, so that means I will have to go back next Mon. right?? See how that works! I also did <b>Voo's</b> favorite workout- arms. Abs still hurting from the roman chair experiment on Sat. I didn't realize how much I use my core for arm stuff (esp. triceps it seemed). Interesting...<br><br>
Oh, I was cleaning off my balcony today and clearing out some dead plants. Seems a nest of wasps was hiding on one of the planters! I didn't see it and when I moved it, I got stung on my left pinky. It hurts. <img alt="sad.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/sad.gif"> Luckily I'm not allergic apparently, so I'm just on benadryl and ice and booboo kisses. Fun fun excitement today!<br><br>
Well, dinner is calling, as well as a shower. Have a great night. Might come back tomorrow to hang out and catch up on everything. Sorry. I just don't have time to read the thread at the moment, but I hope Theia's Tri went well!! I'm sure it did! <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"><br><br>
Happy Mon. evening everyone!

Just finished the 3rd and final <b>Cul-de-Sac 5k</b> from the series. My goal this year was to run each 5k faster than the previous... so... mission accomplished. Having the first one in 99 degree heat with a heat index of 103 helped with this goal. However when I showed up tonight, I really thought last weeks cool and overcast evening was going to throw a monky wrench in my plans.<br><br>
Last week was probably 80 degrees, cloudy and drizzle with some humidity and the threat of storms (but the storms never materialized).<br><br>
This week was mid 80's maybe not as humid as last week, but a bright sun and not much shade on the course. <b>However</b> I am not complaining, because as far as July evenings go, tonight was about as close to perfect as you can get.<br><br>
I started off strong, but intentionally held back in the first mile. I forgot to get my split. I hit mile 2 and didn't hit the split button, however I remember looking down, I think it was 13:20, maybe it was 13:22. I just stayed as smooth as I could. The guy I outkicked last week was about 10 yards ahead of me... <b><i>last week I passed him at mile 2... only to have him pass me at mile 3... only to pass him back at the finish line...</i></b> This week would be a different battle, sadly for me, with a different outcome. I passed him on the hill leading to mile 3, he passed me just before the 3rd mile marker, and I couldn't muster up the kick to get him at the line. I think he probably finished 5 seconds ahead of me. I did however finish a little higher up on the results page this week - 6th in AG (I was 7th in AG the last 2 times), and 39th overall. I was 44th overall last week, and 45th OA the first week.<br><br>
On a bright note, I did finish the race with a decent for me time: 20:45. so I won't complain. About 15 seconds off of a PR. and 46 seconds slower than I would have liked... but hey... I need to save something for <b>The Jay Mountain Marathon</b> this weekend. My times for the series went like this <b>21:54</b> - <b>21:01</b> - <b>20:45</b>.<br><br>
Speaking of <b>Jay</b> (The race director just sent us an email, they have extended the cutoff time (for making it to mile 19) by 30 minutes. The bad news: They've added 2 miles to the course, now it's approximately 33 miles (most of them brutal). Around Mile 30 I'll just need to remember to <b>Harden the F**k Up!</b>.<br><br>
Have a good night all!