Turn your rut into a groove.

am--3.5 Grapevine out-and-back. First day of xc practice. We had a good tunrout. Hope that the new folks will find something to love and keep at it. RHR--51. 

pm--5 Reverse Loops on the SC Rugby grounds. I think I might double a couple days this week to give me some buffer fitness and stave off the fitness onslaught that is surely coming from the PVXC kids. My achilles, really back of the heel, bugged a bit at the first.  Something in my gut tells me a good workover or two every day w/ the foam roller on my calves would help. 

am--4.25 Obligatory Urie route w/ barefoot grass loops and 6x striders. Decent run w/ a good group. Kids Club after. RHR--49. Easy k on the erg later in the day. 

It took me a few days, but I finished The Animal Keepers by Donn Behnke. It made me laugh and cry. I'm thankful to have put in a few years w/ the xc team. I could see different kids slotting into the Animal's role and others supplying his voice. You never know what you're going to get from another human being. I enjoyed the following quote because it's true that the relationships that are built are far greater than any of the awards: 

"Turning in my seat, I noticed Rob standing quietly in the aisle staring down at the gold trophy in the second row right where Scott had left it. There it was, the object we'd worked so hard to obtain, sitting by itself, alone, sad, and neglected. No one dared touch it, that was Scott's job, and with our teammate now gone the trophy was more a symbol of loss than of victory" (254). 

am--4.75 Tortoise Road out-and-back. I love a decent climb. My body was beat this morning, feeling a bit off--the RHR reflects that--but once we got going, I was golden. It's great getting to know new kids and see the regulars again, but the feel of the team is still nebulous. It takes a few weeks. RHR--59. 

am--4.5 Telegraph to the Parkway and back w/ 8x barefoot striders after. Felt good, and the group hung together. We have some younger girls working hard to be a part of varsity group. I love it. RHR--53. 

am--5.25 Roller coasters around Shinob Kibe w/ a nice pick-up in the pace for the last 15 minutes. We had a good group for a Friday, even Josie came. I love how the girls are showing a willingness to push beyond the comfort zone. 8x :30 w/ equal rest on the erg after. RHR--50. 

pm--5.25 Green Valley Loop w/ 3x 3:00 pick-ups. I got home in the wee hours of the morn, so I slept in and didn't get out until this evening. Starting out, I felt pretty good. 10 minutes in, my throat got to itching, and I coughed and coughed and coughed, almost to the point of puking. Luckily, there was a water cooler in the area. Things settled down, and I was able to run again. The pick-ups were maxed out around 7-min. pace tonight. I coudn't muster any more. Overall, nothing felt very good tonight. Oh well. RHR--46.