One big oval

Monday, March 31: 8:00 AM - 8 Miles, 52 min on the river path
Tuesday, April 1: 6:00 PM - Track Workout @ Bentley (Solo)
23 min w/u, 4 x (600, 400) 1.5mr, 2.5mr between sets, 21 min c/d
1:38.3, 64.5
1:38.1, 64.4
1:37.7, 64.3
1:37.5, 64.2
Wednesday, April 2: 8:30 PM - 4 Miles, 28 min around the park
Thursday, April 3: 8:00 AM - 6 Miles, 42 min on the river path
Friday, April 4: 12:00 PM - 9 Miles, 62 min in the Fells w/ Mario followed by lunch at R.F. O'Sullivans
7:00 PM - 4 Miles, 27 min on the river path
Saturday, April 5: 9:00 AM - Track Workout @ Bentley (Solo)
3 x 800 @ 2:19, 2:18, 2:18 w/ 2.5mr
1600 @ 4:36, 3.5mr
2 x 800 @ 2:16, 2:18 w/ 2.5 mr
1600 @ 4:36, 3.5mr
2 x 400 @ 65, 64 w/1.5mr
Sunday, April 6: 8:30 AM - 15 Miles, 105 min w/ Ryan, Christy Mae, & Mario in Hudson (sweet trails, great run, awesome brunch!)

Week Total = 68 Miles, 2 Track Workouts

As we enter the month of April, we have started to see many signs of spring... the trails are clearing, the air is warming, and the outdoor track season is finally upon us. Some of my teammates have already begun to compete, and several big meets have already taken place all over the country. It's not just the start of any old track season, it's the start of the 2008 Olympic season. Everyone is thinking about it and everyone is anticipating the impact it will have on the performances out there. Whether it's a 13:20 guy preparing to make an Olympic birth, or an ambitious 14:30 guy trying to make an appearance on the national scene. It affects us all because everything is taken to a new level... the intensity, the excitement, the competition, and the risks. We all want this to be the best year of our life and we don't want to be looking back 3 months from now wondering how we could have shaved off a few more seconds. For me, this year has potential to change the path that my life will take over the next few years, and a lot of that will be a result of what I do in the next 12 weeks. This week marked my first workouts on the big rubber oval, one that I'll be spending a lot of time on this season. 12.5 laps around will be the magic number, and as for how long it will take me... that is yet to be determined.

I'm still having some inconsistency in my training as I adapt to my sporadic work schedule, however, I have had some pretty good sessions in there as well. I've really valued my days off and have tried to get as much out of them as I can with respect to training, strength work, and rest. It's still a struggle, but one that I will not be dealing with for much longer. As I alluded to in my last post, I have decided to leave my current job as manager of Marathon Sports. I put my notice in on Wednesday and my last day is set for April 18th. It's a decision that I've thought long and hard about and one that I feel very confidant in. This is certainly a risk, the "leap of faith" that I talked about, and only time will tell what kind of result it will produce. I am thankful to have so many people supporting me in this decision and I have faith that it will lead to a positive outcome. I have a lot of things on my mind as I take this risk, but the biggest thought that is constantly at the front of my mind is that distance that measures 12 and a half laps around that big oval. I will first tackle this challenge at the legendary Hayward Field. Three weeks from now, on April 25th, I will compete in the 5000 meters at the Oregon Relays. This will serve as a starting point for what lies ahead, a measuring stick, and a way to gauge my training thus far. It will be the first of 3 planned attempts at the distance, and though I don't expect to accomplish all my season goals in that first attempt, I hope to take a significant chunk off my current PR and put myself within striking distance of the 14:00 barrier.

Before I step on the starting line at Hayward Field, I will be running a tune up (rust buster) 1500m at the Solomon Invitational this coming Saturday. I have no expectations for this race as I am just looking for a hard effort... something fast paced, get the spikes on, and feel that taste of racing before I face the intensity that Eugene will surely have in 3 weeks. I have had 5 solid weeks of training to start this season, each week showing good progress and quality strength work. Now, I start to fine tune that strength as I continue to build on the volume and add some intensity on the track. If I do this right, listen to my body, and follow my heart, the next couple months could get very exciting.

I wouldn't want to miss it and you shouldn't either... so stay tuned!