Turn your rut into a groove.

am--6.25 Sunbrook loop w/ neighbor Greg and a few others. Greg has organized a morning running group, so we all headed out together. But Greg, being the 1-pace ace he is, pulled me on out ahead of everybody else. I told him the group would be over if he keeps blazing out front like he does. I actually felt pretty good this morning. We hit a pace a little more ambitious than easy, and I was able to really drive into the hills. Good start to the week.

pm--7.5 A hot, hot run over Foremaster w/ barefoot striders afterwards.

pm--6.25 I didn't end up running w/ the kids because of the time trial. Got home and had a light and tasty vegetarian meal. (My wife must be going hippie.) I wasn't sure I was going to get out because the legs were heavy from the heat running yesterday. But I got out and ran the old Swiss Days course w/ a little extension. Once I got going I felt pretty steady. I had a choice encounter w/ a little red and black snake--actually not much more than a big worm. 

pm--6 w/ the kids up into Green Springs. It started out overcast and ended up close to what the last 2 days were--hot.

pm--4 Tis my mom's b-day, so we went to their house for a bbq. Ate a few tasty burgers and hoped that the stomach would be efficient enough to let me run home. It did a fine job. I was able to roll on home. 

am--3.75 Ran w/ neighbor Greg and the Bishop. The pace is always stout w/ Greg, so about halfway through the run I decided to pick it up a bit and hit a few MP miles if not a little faster. It actually felt good. Maybe I do have some race ambition left. 

pm--5.5 Dog pound w/ the girls and barefoot striders after.

am--8 Wasn't really planning on getting early to run, so I ate a whole boatload of cheese and mayo and other tasty treats. Needless to say, when I did end up running this morning, my gut was in shambles. In fact, I had my 1st experience going in the bushes. Still my stomach didn't settle down. So Jeff G., my running partner for the morning, ran ahead and got his vehicle, and I tried to walk it off. This was 8 miles in to a 12 miler. This morning wasn't totally disheartening. It just happened. And to top it all off, I missed the XC bus to Hurricane. Ended up driving out and watching the girls' team totally rock it. May or may not get out later.